[ndcf] Fw: TNW in trouble

[Bob Shannon]

Actually, I have a lot of neighbors, people I meet on the street, etc, that
have been asking me a lot this spring why the bicyclists north of Bismarck
on River Road, ND 1804 and Burnt Creek Loop are so disrespectful to
motorists. I do my best to explain that the law allows them the same right
to the road, and that if traffic allows they have the right to ride 2
abreast. That's the rub that gets everyone mad..."when traffic allows..."
Often times they (and I) are seeing a 3 or 4 wide peloton mass that refuses
to stretch out in single file when there is a lot of traffic on only 11'
wide lanes with no shoulder. I go on to explain that it is only a couple
cyclists with bad road manners and ask them not to automatically lump all
cyclists in the same category...but it ain't working!  I have had to use my
horn to save some cyclists or my life (or the oncoming motorist) only to be
flipped off by the cyclist. Sure, I have been run off the road by trucks
(intentionally and by accident) while on my bike, a target for their beer
cans, etc., so I know what its like. My point is, we have to do a much
better job policing ourselves if you want to EARN respect on the road.
Sharing the road is not DOMINATING the road...SHARE it for God's sake.

Bob Shannon


  _____  

From: ndcf-bounces at ndcycling.com [mailto:ndcf-bounces at ndcycling.com] On
Behalf Of Fritz Fremgen
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 8:56 AM
To: Steinmetz, Bill; Schmeichel, Russ; Rasmussen, Lief; Poehls, Rich;
Poehls, Jim; Mumm, Ben; Lucht, Mike; Levene, Jerry; Kopp, Craig; Holstad,
Jason; Gardner, Kenny; Dettori, Matt; Brizuela, Javier; Berry, Brent;
Ballard, Michael; Aesoph, Steven; Price, Jesse; Koch, Mike; Pringle, Chad
Cc: Schaeffer, Kevin; ndcf at ndcycling.com
Subject: [ndcf] Fw: TNW in trouble


The sobering message below shows the twin cities are suffering the
consequences of poor manners among cyclists.  Race organizers are being told
to find another venue for the Tuesday night "Opus" criterium series that's
been running, I believe, for somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 years.  
 
To most people, cyclists are about as welcome as a hemmorhoid.  With the
"2nd great awakening" taking place in Jamestown, we may ask ourselves
whether people are admiring us in our flashy get ups or swearing at us to
get out of the way.  
 
Last Sunday, Jerry Levene and I got yelled at for riding two abreast up the
State Hospital hill when there was no oncoming traffic.  I chalked it up as
the guy having a bad day and we let it go unanswered.  
 
*The author of the message below, Kevin Schaeffer (aka Skibby), is a member
of Loon State Cyclists, a very friendly and personable fellow, who gives his
time to cycling in the Cities as Russ and Ken do up here.  
 
Fritz 
 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Kevin Schaeffer <mailto:schaefku at gmail.com>  
To: Loon State Cyclists <mailto:loonstate at googlegroups.com>  
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 12:44 AM
Subject: TNW in trouble

The company that owns the land and adjacent parking lot on yellow circle
drive where we have been having the start/finish no longer wants us there.
They are tired of people urinating in the bushes, leaving their trash behind
and rudely getting in the way of people leaving work. They are letting us
finish the series, so we will still have our last race next Tuesday. As far
as the future of the race series, we have 10 months to figure something out
but the lady I talked to was pretty adamant that we are no longer welcome.
Keeping races at this venue has become a constant battle because we continue
to irritate the property owners in the Opus park. 

Next Tuesday there will be NO parking in that parking lot allowed. All
racers are to congregate at the Musicland parking lot at the bottom of the
hill. NO WARMING UP on the course and no riding on the course when you are
not racing. Last week I saw people riding the wrong way down the one way
also. I am so sick and tired of repeating this stuff, and seeing it happen
week in and week out. Not only that but people are leaving a mess in the
registration parking lot also. There were banana peels blatantly thrown in
the lot last week. I have been extremely disappointed with the rider
behavior this season. Not only the Opus behavior but also the behavior at
the Marty Road Race. It was next to impossible to keep traffic moving
through Marty with all the cyclists just hanging out in the main street. I
also witnessed a huge pack of riders who weren't yet racing riding across
the finish line, on the wrong side of the road! Not only is this illegal and
rude to the officials and those whose highways we are sharing, it's a good
way to get killed! 

Sorry about the preaching, but as MCF president I am at a loss on what to do
about this. Common sense and courtesy should dictate that we realize we are
guests at any race venue we attend. We have a hard enough time with the
media presenting us as lawbreakers, but then what do we do when we have
permission to hold events? We show up like the obnoxious unwanted guests who
never leave, littering, snarling traffic while being rude about it on top of
it, breaking the rules of the road, public urination, the list goes on and
on and on. 

I will have last Tuesday's race results posted tomorrow along with the
series leaders. Tim Turnquist from the IC3 team will be providing
refreshments in the Fortune Financial Building lot for the last night of
TNW. This is on the left side of yellow circle drive on the hill, two
buildings before you get to the current start/finish line. Thanks to Tim for
offering this, and hopefully you will repay the kindness with courteous
behavior and by picking up after yourselves. 

Skibisdismayed
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