OK,
This is an unfortunate event to be sure. Remember, we all experience something like this every so often on our rides.
So, next time you're assailed by a motorist while cyling down hill... YOU know, being yelled at, insulted, and nudged off the road by an some INSANE MOTORIST ~ Remember to always take a moment to remove one hand from the handlebar, and give the INSANE DRIVER the GESTURE he or she deserves!
NOT!
Please... The L.A. road rage incident proves once again! It's better to Kill a Crazy Motorist with Kindness. They may seem angry at you, but more than likely they are really just angry at the whole world!
The Popular get bent gesture, and expletive deleteds, or the spraying of the driver or his car with the contents or your water bottle, is certainly not the solution, as this terrible L.A. assault aptly proves.
I think if you asked the victims now, knowing what they know now, they would agee!
Riders, don't argue with a two ton vehicle, you will lose every time. No winning of $$ in a civil law suit is worth the pain & grief you would have sustained.
I wonder if one of our own North County Riders, gave such a gesture to the VAN driver that stopped along Deer Springs, which may have contributed to the motivation that caused the driver to exit his VAN and then knocked Kelly to the Ground?
Let Kelly know who you are so he can give thanks for the escalation of what was already a dangerous situation?
Be kind to the Maniac Drivers you encounter, they know not what they do, and they may end up doing what not to you!
Greg P-Shade.
Village Vac Shop Said [I wonder if one of our own North County Riders, gave such a gesture to the VAN driver that stopped along Deer Springs, which may have contributed to the motivation that caused the driver to exit his VAN and then knocked Kelly to the Ground?
Let Kelly know who you are so he can give thanks for the escalation of what was already a dangerous situation?]
Absolutely not! Were you even there? Are you trying to put the blame for what happened to Kelly on one of our riders??? There was NO excuse for what happened out there. I was there and saw it all go down. The freak in the van was the only one who did anything wrong.
I've been around many raging motorists and been hit by a car 3 times during my years of commuting on my bike and just a few weeks ago I witnessed our club go by on Buena Creek road heading west to Foothill in Vista. I was on my mountain bike riding behind my house and just happen to see the ride go by. This is a very narrow strecth of road, and I noticed that there were several riders in the middle of the road 2 and even 3 deep with cars trying to get around. There was a very close call with 2 cars coming together in the head on fashion. People, you must ride in single file. I agree with Greg, it doesn't take much to get people upset. We may have the right of way, but we need to be more sensitive when riding on narrow roads. Keep the rubber side down. wayno :-)
To Raleigh,
I welcome your comments.
No, I'm not accusing any of our riders. Even if someone did further irritate the Van Driving Maniac, it is the Maniac himself that is ultimately responsible for his actions.
Now, I have ridden with Several Cycle Clubs over the years, and I have witnessed cyclists, escalating confrontations with motorists time and time again. So, I speak from experience.
No I wasn't there, as I chose to go straight down 395 to Del Norte that day; A longer but safer route.
Like I said, I am merely drawing on experience here. Since you say you saw it all, then I guess you saw what every rider was, or was not doing or saying at all times during the down hill on Deer Springs that day just prior to Kelly's assault.
I am merely stating that "IF" one of our cyclists, did make a gesture, or screamed something derogatory at the crazy motorist, then that person, would have contributed to the unfortunate event that followed.
Going back to the L.A. incident. One of those cyclists definately gave the Doctor a gesture and/or yelled out an obcenity. Although such a reaction was certainly justified. After all, the doctor just tried to run them both off the road. Had the Cyslists just kept their cool, I don't think the Doctor would have slammed on his brakes, instigating the now unavoidable collision with the cyclists.
The Point is... a driver with road rage has to win!
With four tons or more at his or her disposal, a morotist who uses their vehicle as weapon will win against us and our bicycle's every time.
I'm sure if you asked the L.A. road rage victim if he had do it all over again, I'm about 98% sure, he would have reacted to incident prior to the vehicular assault with more self control.
Asside from that, I hope the victimized cyclist is able to sue the Doctor for everything He's got.