Bicyclists and Harley riders

Sunday morning was fun. I was driving to Church by myself as the wife and child went earlier to Sunday School and I stayed home to watch the Monaco GP. On the way down the mountain I came to an intersection that is normally cut by car drivers, but at this time it was filled with a pack of about 12 bicyclist. All clad in their spandex and helmets, totally ignoring the rules of the road. I had to slam on my brakes to avoid running over the pack of brightly clad morons and their response is to yell at ME! I had my windows down, so I made it clear that I was not the one in the wrong and if they could not tell their right from their left they should stick to bike paths. I am sure I made no impression on the pack of idiots, but at least I felt better by venting.

Speaking of venting. Saturday I went on the Great Centralia Cook Off (See previous post). The riding was great, nice twisty roads and a good vigorous pace. Off course at one point our group encountered a group of three Harley riders. I have been riding for 36 years and I can spot a good rider from a bad one a mile off. All three of these bozos had little to no skill handling their bikes. Every sweet curve was an exercise of slamming on the brakes in order to avoid running over them. Harleys can handle just fine if you know how. These guys did not know how. It was painful watching the helmetless, t-shirted Milwaukee clones trying to come to grips with their bikes.

I have very little respect for a motorcyclist that does not wear a helmet. I have tried it once at a Rally and hated every minute of it. There was no freedom for me, it was frightening. I just ordered a new helmet today. Cost is always an issue with helmets, the better you get the more expensive they are, however there are bargains to be found out there especially on the interweb.