Idaho Statesman Reader's View
Submitted by dwight on August 28, 2006 - 8:53am.
Well, that figures. I submitted a Reader's View to the Idaho Statesman over two weeks ago and it finally ran today (Aug. 28). That wouldn't be so bad, but at the end of my letter I had "visit the TVCA stand at the Tour de Fat on Aug. 26." So two days after the event, they run the article with my invitation.
At least they ran the story.
Spreading Goodwill
I'm new to the Treasure Valley, but have always advocated sharing the road and being gracious, whether or not that type of behavior is returned.
A few impressions in the few months I've been here: T.V. riders are aware of us as cyclists, and generally are courteous. I appreciate that. My very first ride in town I stopped at the first left turn signal and turned to the woman in the lane next to me. It was early morning and a bit chilly, she looked at me, pointed to the light and motioned that she would let me go first at the left-turn. I rubbed my hands together over the hood of the car as if to warm them and she smiled at me. I knew I was in good hands on the roads.
That having been said, we can't take for granted that all motorists are aware, polite and honed in on cyclists on the road. I wear a rear-view mirror on my helmet and use it not only to see where other vehicles are on the road, but to be aware when a car slows in order to wait for me to clear an intersection before turning behind me. I always make it a point to acknowledge their courtesy with a wave. Do they always see me? Don't know, but it's the one-at-a-time advocacy that we do at street level that helps us have a little more road to share in the future.
Happy trails!
You're very right Mr.
You're very right Mr. Crandall. We do have it pretty good here in the Treasure Valley. I think we need more cyclists with a view of cars like yours. Cars are there, there's nothing we can do about that, we need to make the best of it. It's good to hear about positive experiences with cars for a change instead of the usual, "this car did this and that car did that." I'm glad to have you here in the Treasure Valley and hopefully we'll see you around at some of our meetings. Want to help out with Boise Bike Week in May?
"but bike commuting makes me smelly..."
Anything to help
I'm happy to do anything that helps as long as I have the time to give it 100%!
I'm also looking to get connected to ride groups that are non-beginners but not peloton-class. I'm tired of pulling myself through windy rides...I need some slipstream! My one big ride each year is the MS 150 Bike Tour in Southern California. I know there's one here, and I'm sure I'll ride it once I figure out the details, but I have a group of friends, my "team" in California, that I rode with there. We're all on the MS Bike Tour bandwagon, and that's the ride I "train" for each year...although I'm planning to do a century for the first time sometime in the next twelve months.
Do you know of any groups that would fit the bill--intermediate, but not speedsters? Just advocates who like to ride and are pretty accepting of all? Biking up ID-16 to Emmett is going to be hellacious tomorrow morning with no one to share the drafting duties!
Happy trails!
Ride groups
Try SPIN - Scenic Pedaling Is Nearby: http://www.spinidaho.org. Non-competitive rides every other Saturday until November 4, then starting again probably sometime in March. All are welcome, nobody gets left behind. Next ride is Oct. 21.
Work to Live : Live to Ride : Ride to Work
Spin
Morning Dwight,
The Spin website seems to be down, tried it from google as well and no go. Do you know another way to reach these folks?
Spin
I just checked it and it worked for me. However it does a redirect to a different site, and that may be confusing your browser. Try this link instead: http://myweb.cableone.net/mspeterson3/spin/
Work to Live : Live to Ride : Ride to Work
Spreading goodwill
Yesterday on my way home I was stopped in the bike lane at the red light at Emerald and Five Mile. The woman in the car to my left pulled up and called out "I should have known I would meet you at the next red light." She had recognized me from the photo that the Statesman printed with my Reader's View yesterday.
We had a pleasant but brief conversation (she offered to trade vehicles with me. I declined - mine is cheaper to operate). When the light turned green, we wished each other a good evening and continued on our way.
I'll take that kind of general spreading of good-will over critical-mass type activism any day.
Work to Live : Live to Ride : Ride to Work
I noticed that. Oh well,
I noticed that. Oh well, still a good article.
Thanks. If nothing else,
Thanks. If nothing else, maybe it will get some people coming here to find out more and maybe join the discussions.
All you have to do to join a discussion is register on the website. TVCA membership is not required to post a comment, but please consider joining the TVCA also.
Work to Live : Live to Ride : Ride to Work