Cyclists

[Joe Wicked]

For whatever reason the racer wannabes seem to be a lot more here in Texas than anywhere else I have been. The other day there was a large group taking up 2 of 3 lanes on a very busy road. traffic was backed up for miles. leaving 1 lane open when there are hundreds of cars is still blocking traffic. Also the light turned red right as I caught the group and not a one stopped. traffic started moving from the other direction and then stopped because they rode out. All it would have taken is for 1 person to not have been paying attention to the bike riders running the light and there would have been a major accident. They had also had the nerve to flip off the cars that honked at them. I am sorry, but I agree these people need to get off the road. I come across another cyclist often during the summer riding on the side of hwy 78. (2 lane hwy). He stays over to the side and will even stop and wait to cross the bridge where there is no shoulder if traffic is coming. Cyclists like this I have no issue with. I understand that there are times that I will have to slow for a cyclist, but there is no need for them to block traffic for miles because they feel that they have the right to be there.

At the same time there are motorists that need to get off the road too. That same stretch of 78 I have come across a lady in a Cadillac doing 35 (speed limit is 60) more than once. If someone tries to pass her, she speeds up and then slows back down when they fall back in line. When I have the opportunity, I lay back a bit and nail the gas when the last car is still comming. I pull out at the right time and have enough speed that it is too late for her to block me, but she has no need to drive that way.