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House of Pain ride under watch
Sat, 03/22/2008 - 1:46pm
While riding up Collier Canyon Road during the House of Pain ride a county sheriff stopped the group and asked us if we could be mindful of motorists that are behind the group. He asked if we could ride single file when a motorist approachs, so that he/she has opportunity to pass us. He informed us that they receive many calls from the locals about riders congesting the roads, especially on weekends. The trailing riders have the best chance to warn the group that a motorist is approaching. He assured us that we have a right to be on the road as well and was asking all if we'd extend the locals this courtsy.
George Meilahn
Quote:The hood of his vehicle was bashed in a cocktail of fluids dressed his hood and we rode off to complete the climb, his keys still in our possession.
I can totally justify and support removing the keys from the vehicle but doing damage to someones car is unnecessary. The situation requires us as cyclists to be the bigger person and help diffuse the situation. I read an article one time about a car honking its horn incessantly and yelling curse words to no end and one of the guys in the pack just said, you know what, we are sorry. there is no comeback for that, kill them with kindness and everyone will be on your side, even the cops.
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Last Saturday July 13th, during the HOP,
I was on the front doing about 25mph 1/3 of the way up Collier Canyon when a motorist decided to tango with our group. The driver of the vehicle (Ford) actually swerved aggressively in front of me and the rest of the pack missing us by a mere 15-20'. He was doing about 40+ mph when he swerved to the right from the opposite lane of traffic. He nearly lost control of his vehicle as it slid from left to right across the road right in front of us.
His move was so sudden and abrupt that I and one other rider had no choice but to swerve to our left into oncoming traffic to avoid hitting him. As we passed him he jumped out of his car, by first throwing open his door in an attempt to hit anyone nearby. He then began yelling, "You guys need to get off of this road." He was immediately swarmed and confronted by 20+ riders with elevated heart rates and a strong distaste for life-threatening moves such as this.
The drivers keys were removed from the ignition of the running vehicle against his will. This was a move to disarm the assailant of his weapon. The drive (Matt?) was obviously and rightfully fearful for his own personal safety as evidenced by his changed attitude. He was very compliant with our request to keep quite and refrain for further stupidity. The hood of his vehicle was bashed in a cocktail of fluids dressed his hood and we rode off to complete the climb, his keys still in our possession.
The cops were called and the episode ended with an, "us versus them" mentality between the automobile bearing officers and the Collier Canyon claim holders. Our wit and presence certainly will not be forgotten by this young man. (idiot of a man really, I mean who tries to take on the likes of Ken Carpenter, Paul Taylor and other very strong willed accomplished athletes?)
Just before we rode off JD of Morgan Stanley so eloquently and clearly espoused to one of the four CHP officers on the scene that, "[officer] we depend on you to protect us and keep us safe from events such as these, that is why we called you. If we can't count on you we will have to protect ourselves."
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See you out there.
J o h n M. T r e f e t h e n
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