Fear and Loathing in Granjeno

Tuesday night marked a low point for me. I saw the Team McAllen Cycling ride heading west on the Military Highway near Bryan road. Why was this a low point? Don’t I love to see more cyclists on the road? Yes, I love to see cyclists but I hate to see hypocrisy, stupidity and riders in danger.

Here is what I saw. I saw a SAG vehicle with flashing lights in front of a group of riders. There was another vehicle beside them in the fast lane and two more vehicles behind them in the traffic lane. The riders were all over the road, 3 or 4 abreast in a pack, not a line. Traffic was backing up behind them as the SAGs were blocking both lanes. There was even a rider without a helmet.

Which should I address first? the hypocrisy? the stupidity? or the danger?. Hypocrisy and stupidity are some of my favorite targets so I’ll start with the danger. No sense in playing favorites. It was 6:45 and the ride was heading out to ride on heavily trafficked roads. They were blocking all of the lanes when there was a serviceable shoulder. There was a rider without a helmet. When the SAGs block traffic it angers drivers. They are not likely to respect cyclist later when the SAGs are gone. They also will do whatever they can to get around the SAGs and they have no idea there are cyclists hidden behind the vehicles. What is the point of blocking both lanes of traffic on a road with a 60 MPH speed limit? The riders were going 12 mph.

Let’s now address hypocrisy, the stupidity will become obvious. Helmets are required on all TMC rides. There was a rider without one, He should have been told to go home. Safety Tips from TMC. Ride as far to the right as safely possible: never more than two abreast. Well, there were a lot more than two abreast and they were way out in the traffic lane. The TMC says they educate motorists about cycling and safety issues. They Promote and practice safe cycling techniques. They encourage and support public facilities and programs including bike paths, bike trails and educational courses. The motor vehicle codes say only emergency vehicles can have flashing lights. No vehicle but a police car may block an intersection. What about the two by two? staying to the right and not impeding traffic? If the SAG is impeding traffic in support of the riders the rider are impeding traffic. How about using the bike lanes we have? Get a clue here. Promoting safety? What the hell is safe about riding in a group at night? The winter night rides are held downtown because there is hardly any traffic. The spring/summer night rides start at six so you can be home before dark. Bikes in traffic after dark is an accident waiting to happen, more than likely fatal.

I was in Granjeno with two other riders the same evening. We were riding easy partly in the shoulder and partly over the white line. A big Ford F150 beeped his horn at us. We wondered what is problem was. He wanted to turn into his driveway and was impatient for us to vacate the last ten feet before his turn. This is three riders, not really in the way, on a quiet road. If this is the reaction we get what do you honestly think someone stuck behind a motorcade on a busy highway is going to think? I have clients and friends tell me how they have been stuck behind the TMC motorcade and wondering if there was an accident or what. When they find out it was just a bike ride, I apologize and try to make them understand this is an aberration and not a normal situation.

Should I address the stupidity? Where’s the sport in that?