Today on Del Dios

[Fast Guy]

Just wanted to let the group that was heading out of Escondido down Del Dios today that you need to be more carefeull!! I was in a car traveling the same direction as the groups and saw that several of you were on the wrong side of the white line. Six of you to be exact....all in different parts of the group. I personaly give all cyclists a alot of room no matter what side of the white line they are on but many motorists don't. There is no need to ride four or five wide on a busy road like that.
Please stay safe out there.

[no longer with the club]

Fast Guy,

That's exactly why I no longer pedal with NCCC.  They are dangerous and out of control.

n.l.w.t.c.

[Lee S]

I completely agree with both of you.  We are dangerous spazzes! I wish we'd stop at signs and lights.  It makes us stronger (and healthier) riders. I try to ride safely but I'll admit that sometimes I do stupid things (when riding with the group) too, but are you sure it was us this time?  I don't think that NCCC had any Del Dios rides last Saturday.

[karlos]

Getting a reminder like this should make everyone think twice and make a point to ride more safely. Fast Guy's post had both a tone of concern and courtesy, not the rantings of a crazed motorist. However, noone has ever spoken up (around me) during a ride, so I'm a bit surprised to hear this is a chronic complaint. It would be more constructive to speak up during the ride, talk to the ride leader and other members of the group, than to hide behind an anonymous post on a message board (re: n.l.w.t.c.). I prefer to try to make things better than to refuse to ride with the club. To label the entire club as "dangerous and out of control" is simply not true. I think that only applies to the Sunday fires.
Still  with the club - Karl

[Lou]

 I was on the "Roadie" ride last Saturday. I did see some of the guys up front (this was before Del Dios) riding at least two abreast on a road that was "bike lane" wide enough for one. A group of about 7-10 I think. There were a few cars overtaking us at the time and I did yell "cars back!!". No one seemed too interested. At the time, there was a bit of a "rush" to crest the hill by the guys that want to ride in the front.
Yeah, it's geat to be the first one on top of the hill. But think about where you are and what you are doing. You may be the next one that will have a not so good story to talk about along with a broken body and bike. You may be the one that a driver will remember when they are having a bad day and want to take it out on an unknowing cyclist. It is sort of hard to forget a NCCC jersey when you see a group of them and they are riding two or three abreast on a narrow road.
If you want to race. Join a racing club and do it on a closed course. It really is fun. Want to show the locals how fast you are? Go with the long riders. There are a quite few there that will challenge your ego. Can't handle getting your arse handed to you once in awhile by the locals on the long ride? Ride alone.
Peace. Out.
Lou...

[Fast Guy]

Lee, yes I am sure it was North County. The yellow,white and blue are hard to miss...as is th MORGAN STANLEY across the back of the jerseys. There were also many other riders in the group as well that may not have been NCCC and some of them were also in the car lane.

[Lee S]

Thanks, Fast Guy, for your post.  I wish more people would listen to your advice.