Last Friday (May 18) evening, there was a charity holding a bicycle challenge. Unfortunately, they rode down Soda Bay Road at five miles per hour for many miles. Getting to the town of Kelseyville from Konocti Harbor Inn took about 40 minutes because of them.
They had a rest stop at the English Pub on Soda Bay Rd. You can imagine how slow they were, holding up traffic with their hubris at their “good deed.” They occupied the entire lane with shotgun autos and refused to allow passing. There were 20-30 cars (or more) backed up at times. There are few alternatives once on Soda Bay Rd.
No one was able to take a different route except once, when many flew through Buckingham to get around them. The California Highway Patrol was the only agency willing to deal with the dangerous and maddening situation. Imagine going around a corner with vehicles practically stopped without warning. Some people risking a pass, which would have also resulted in injury for the bicyclists from flying debris or swerving cars trying to avoid a head-on collision.
The CHP had an accident to attend to as well, which slowed their ability to respond. I am a bicycle rider myself, and have no sympathy with a critical mass type of stunt. It is just as rude as any slow vehicle hogging the road, and no better behavior than motorists hostile to bicycles. One woman in town said she wished she had a laser for those situations. I did too. Clearly, it only creates more animosity for bicyclists as it does to any other driver who think they own the road. I don”t care if it is a charity or not.
Rude is rude, no excuses. I certainly won”t be endorsing or contributing to this branch of the cause they are cycling for, because I won”t enable such irresponsible behavior. If riding, go single file, (at least when other users of the road are present) pull over when you have a “following” just as a car should. Be courteous to others on the road, be an asset to the sport, and your charity.
Remember an accident involves anyone in the proximity, including nearby bicyclists, pedestrians and cars. That”s also a good reason not to tailgate. Now having said that-how about the Lake County Board of Supervisors and CalTrans set up a complete network of bicycle lanes?
Trish Johnson
Kelseyville
