General Cycling Discussion - Did the "sniper" change cycling in D.C., VA, and MD?

I have been cycling this June from D.C. to Pittsburgh, PA, and back. Altogeter 1500 km.

I was in the area where this "sniper" is active now. There are very nice trails in there. Like W&OD trail, C&O Tow Path, Curtis trail in D.C.

I cycled on all these nice trails. There were very many cyclists on these trails.

I wonder if these trails are empty now or cyclists keep riding. I am trying to imagine what I would do in such circumstances.

I am not sure if I would cycle until he or she is caught.

huh?

I haven't noticed any changes in bicycle traffic, either on trails or on roads, since the sniper appeared.

The sniper appears to be attacking at gas stations, schools, and stores, rather than along roads and trails, so ithere is no reason to believe cyclists are particularly at risk.

The main change is that schoolchildren are not allowed outside during recess.

Paul

I work less then a mile from the WOD and I have noticed less cyclists on the trail and on the roads, there may be other reasons for this change. I'm not counting today since it is raining.

In the last week I have been questioned more by my family and
co-workers about my rides at lunch. I have to carry every communications device I own just to get out the door.
I would say everyone is on edge, maybe less so in the counties of Arlington and Fairfax, just because no one has been shot in those jurisdictions.

My Mom and brother work in Montgomery County, and both of their offices have increased security and initiated building lock downs, so it's not just the kids who are locked in.

Just my random thoughts.

I haven't changed my biking habits one bit. In fact, I feel safer on the trails because it's hard for cars and trucks to even get near the trails. All of the people shot were at gas stations or parking lots or malls mostly (one guys was mowing his yard I think). I will probably try to ride more often now because of this. I commute to work as much as possible and take the W&OD trail into work.

Luckily, I'm heading out of town this weekend to go ride in the Seagull Century, so no worries about this sniper this weekend.

PBW

I cycled on W&O trail from International Airport Dulles to D.C. and on the way back from Leesburg to D.C.

Cyclochica, I have unrelated question to you. I was on the W&OD trail on 1JUN'02. There was a strong pleasant fragrance in the air at that time. It seemed it came from some small white flowers. Was it honeysuckle?

Cyclochica, I have unrelated question to you. I was on the W&OD trail on 1JUN'02. There was a strong pleasant fragrance in the air at that time. It seemed it came from some small white flowers. Was it honeysuckle?

Alexey,

It could have been. Were they kind of bell shaped? I noticed Honeysuckle sporadically from mile markers 6 to about 19. I haven't been much further out than mile 21. I am not much of a plant person, but I would guess it was Honey Suckle, maybe one of the other DC area residents knows definitively.

The probability of you being the target is too small to worry about. Bikes are quit so you are likely to see him first. There is a reward for catching him you know. And since I consider him a terrioist (foriegn or domestic) not changing my habits thawarts his purpose.
Joe
:crash:

I agree with not letting this person keep us from living our lives or enjoying ourselves. But I can understand why people are truly scared, he or she has been taking pot shots at people from a significant distance and as far as we know no one has seen this person.

Regardless, once the weather clears up I'm getting back on the trail.

Originally posted by cyclochica
I agree with not letting this person keep us from living our lives or enjoying ourselves. But I can understand why people are truly scared, he or she has been taking pot shots at people from a significant distance and as far as we know no one has seen this person.

Regardless, once the weather clears up I'm getting back on the trail.

Good for you!
Just keep your eyes open, there has to be some clue - a truck or car out of place. tinted windows some one with a rifle is hard to hide and the rumor is is that it's a rifle not a pistol chambered for a rifle cartridge.

Good luck

Joe

Originally posted by joeprim
The probability of you being the target is too small to worry about. Bikes are quit so you are likely to see him first. There is a reward for catching him you know. And since I consider him a terrioist (foriegn or domestic) not changing my habits thawarts his purpose.
Joe
:crash:

Just a little side note, hitting a moving target is hard, as the speed of the target increases the difficulty also increases, so I guess keep riding and ride fast.

Well here in Annapolis riding has changed. From working in a shop alot of people(roadies esp.) have increased their buying of trainers. Three in 2 days, when they can sit there for months. Two of the people said they were getting htem for winter and these shootings jsut brought it a need to buy now type of thing. Another person (from bowie) just felt unsafe on the road anymore

I do not tink the media's title of this person as a "sniper" is accurate. A sniper is a cold and calculated craft. A sniper knows the target studies movement, habits, etc. looks waits for the best shot. Also field tactics is the most important. Although unconfirmed a white vehicle of multiple types has been witnessed in the event in question. However a skilled sniper would not leave anything for recognition. they collect their brass for one. They leave no calling cards no evidence, nothing but a corpse. Also a skilled and schooled usually selects a superior round to a .223. Just some observations based on knowledge of the craft.

This person needs to be caught quickly. Anyone who wants attention that badly should get it, right away.

Originally posted by Precision Pedal
I do not tink the media's title of this person as a "sniper" is accurate. A sniper is a cold and calculated craft. A sniper knows the target studies movement, habits, etc. looks waits for the best shot. Also field tactics is the most important. Although unconfirmed a white vehicle of multiple types has been witnessed in the event in question. However a skilled sniper would not leave anything for recognition. they collect their brass for one. They leave no calling cards no evidence, nothing but a corpse. Also a skilled and schooled usually selects a superior round to a .223. Just some observations based on knowledge of the craft.

Good points. I call him a terrorist.

Some obeservations:
Don't linger under lights get gas during the day.
Keep moving if possible.
He currently seems to operate near interstate Hwys

Joe

Not being from the area, I might be somewhat desensitized to the effects these episodes are playing out in people's pysche, but it seems to me you have a better chance of being bitten by a mosquito that is carrying West Nile Virus then being shot by the sniper.

So lather up with Deet and don your kevlar body armour if it makes you feel safer, but get out and ride. If you disrupt your lifestyle because of this sicko, he / she wins.

:mad:

Originally posted by joeprim

Keep moving if possible.

Yes, I would agree. The moving target is much more difficult to hit. A modern fighter jet can be downed by a bullet, but the problem is to not miss it.

I would also suggest to rest on a trail not by sitting on a bench, but just sitting on the grass. Because it is closer to the ground. One can take some piece of clothing from home for this.

And certainly a pepper spray. You never know. It just seems that this "sniper" is invincible. He/she is also very vulnerable. A "sniper", however "professional", needs to lift a long rifle, which produces loud sound and even some smoke. He/she spends a lot of time searching for a suitable spot and a potential victim, etc.

Alexey,
I don't want to come off wrong here but a sniper can use a silenced rifle smokeless loads and with the proper camo be virtually invisible.

I live about 1/4 mile from the WO&D trial and I also bike on the roads. There has been a decline on the number of people I see out biking, running, walking, blading, etc. However, I think it's due to the temperature dropping in this area than the sniper threat. I don't think about it when I'm out there riding or running. I won't let this threat control my life.

Another person was shot this morning at a gas station. This is getting scarier because this one is not far from where I live. There is a better description of a potential get-away vehicle. Hopefully this will all be over soon.:mad:

Having lived in the DC area, and frequented the
W&OD trails all I have to say is be very careful. There are
alot of open areas, and alot of cover around the trails.
I believe that as the sniper's area of choice (gas stations?)
lessens he/she will begin to deviate in pattern and look
for targets in lesser areas of oppertunity.
The thing is, this person is hunting, its random, it is in
no way personal.
Very different than the archtypical serial killer, they were
for the most part up close and personal, used handguns
at close range and there was usually some thread of
commonality in the victims. Not so here. I would expect
the Va shootings will calm down but look for more incidents
in an ever widening circle around D.C. (Fredrick county,
PG county, he/she's already hit Spotslvania co.).
Please, be careful out there, this is one very calculated
and very very sick puppy.

Marty

I live in a high-crime city. There is always some psycho taking potshots at someone here. You can't let the crazies rule your life.

Pepper spray? Against a rifle? Get real. If you want to carry something for defense besides a cell phone it needs to be something you would use in long range target shooting. Could be a speciallized handgun. There are some accurate enough for 200 meter shots at simulated animals.

Joe
:beer:

If one notices this shooter from 200 meters all one has to do is to call the police. The army of investigators will arrive in minutes.

But in case if one bumps into this sniper, the spray may be effective.

Originally posted by Paco
I live in a high-crime city. There is always some psycho taking potshots at someone here. You can't let the crazies rule your life.
Paco,
While its true there are crazies all over, with someone
taking potshots at someone daily, its very rare that someone
actually hunts victims. Usually murders are commited secondary
to another crime (i.e. shooting clerk at store being robbed), or
are directed at someone who the shooter knows (revenge,
heated argument etc.).
This is different. I'm not saying crawl into a hole and stop
living, I just think folks need to be aware of their actions,
and where they are riding/stopping.
Quiet, secluded bike trails are optimum target areas,
just by being secluded, wooded etc.
Marty

Except for the boy being dropped off at school, all the victims have been alone. Ride with a friend, or even better, with friends. With the millions of people in the Washington area, there is not much chance that you will be one of the victims. In the next month there will be more people killed in traffic accidents, family arguments and robberies. It's scary if he gets his sights on you, but there is nothing you can do. So dont worry about things which you cant control, but enjoy your life while you can.

OK, I appreciate I'm an ocean away from th US sniper, but how many people live in the snipers target area ?

The answer must be in the millions, therefore statsically you are more likely to be killed crossing the road than being got by the sniper.

Here in London, with a population of about 12 million, one person is killed each day by a car. Remove all the cars and one person extra will live to see another day.

Will they remove all the cars ? No, (at least, not yet....).

Remove all the guns ? Yes - there are no (legal) handguns in this country, and very few rifles and therefore whilst the USA has about 19,000 killings by bullet per year we have about 50 (and they are mostly domestic, ie: where the killer knows the victim).

The bottom line here is the unbelievable US gun laws, this type of mass killing (Collumbine/Waco/etc etc etc) will always be unique to the USA whilst these laws persist.

Historically, a century from now, these laws will go down as an very odd abnormality. They should have been repealed a century ago, and yet here at the beginning of the 21st century they are still on the statute books.

If there is some good to come out of these killings it will be the repeal of these laws.

Reap what you sow.

I seriously doubt our gun laws will be wiped off the books in 100 years, considering the right to bear arms has been around since the inception of our country (give or take a couple of years). I am not a fan of the NRA and I'll leave the gun law debate to others, but I think the reason people in this area are so alarmed is because this appears to be one or two people hunting innocent people doing every day things. I hate to say this but, on a quiet evening DC alone averages at least 1 shooting a night and unfortunately people around here are probably used to it. What they are not used to is being fearful of getting shot while filling up their gas tanks.

I agree the statistical probablity that the average person will be a victim is small. But that point probably won't make many people feel better or less fearful.

For those who aren't getting the blow-by-blow, most of the targets have been at gas stations, and they believe the perpetrator has been using a white van. My son lives/works in Fredericksburg Virginia, location of two of the shootings. Yesterday after the second shooting there, he said the sirens were continuous. The police are out in force and people getting pulled and checked everywhere. He says it's changed how people get gas, ducking behind their cars as the tank fills, or having an attendant come out and pump the gas.

I live w/in an easy drive of the areas that have been hit so far. For my part, no change, but on my ride this morning I counted 6 or 7 white vans. And then there's the guy up the road who has a white van for sale in his front yard. Betcha it's not going to sell real soon.

I am curious what a freak it would come out to be.

The problem is that these crimes have no motive. I read that such a crime is more difficult to solve, as there is no logic behind it.

Or no one can perceive what the motive is.

I can think of: 1) international terrorism, 2) revenge to local police, 3) mental illness (but 2 people simultaneously??), 4) domestic terrorism of unabomber style.

But I feel that I miss something. What else could it be?

Brains,
Our gun laws have absolutely ZERO to do with this situation. Also Waco was not a mass gun killing, instead the FBI with aid from the US Army released CS gas that was sparked and the place went up in flames.
Also I am glad that you choose to be a subject in your country, however because of our gun laws I am not.

Brains,

If gun control works so well, why doesn't the U.K. have zero deaths by firearms???
I believe Switzerland requires every male head of household to own a MACHINE GUN, yet they have virtually no gun crime. The people are the military themselves.
The founding fathers in their wonderful wisdom gave us the 2nd amendment because they were men well versed in history (especially European) and saw that ALL governments end up as tyranny's. The right to bear arms was given not to hunt ducks, or deer etc. but to allow the CITIZENS if neccessary the means to prevent tyranny if all other legal, moral means failed.
Just because the U.K. like other european countries has gone down the socialist sewer, doesn't mean that we have to follow.
There was recently a book written I believe called "More guns -less crime" in which a grad student who was neither pro-gun or anti-gun examined all of the gun data, and came to the overwhelming conclusion that more firearms in the hands of the public, actually led to less crime. The F.B.I. has also concluded this data is correct, but the socialist media in this country will always distort the truth for their own means.

Remember: A MAN WITH A GUN IS A CITIZEN!!
A MAN WITHOUT A GUN IS A SUBJECT!!
Enjoy your servitude!!!!

"our goal of a socialist America will not come to be until all guns are removed" quote taken non-verbatim from Sarah Brady wife of Jim Brady, shot during the attempted Reagan assassination.

Wait a minute,...I thought she was against firearms to prevent deaths, not to promote a political agenda.

It could be that those involved are just plain mean.

This has absolutely nothing to do with gun control.

I think that the white van is a ruse, a decoy if you will.
Everyone is looking for white vans, while the shooter
quietly slips away. I noticed that the report about the
chevy astro stated that it was turning a corner when
the guy in Fredburg was shot. Sniper in a moving vehicle?
I don't think so.
I'm think this is more than one person.

Being at a gas station provides a convenient target,
but again I believe it's only a best oppertunity for the shooter.
I don't think he/she/they have anything in particular against
gas stations. When gas stations stop providing targets
he/she/they will just look elsewhere.

Marty

I don't have much to add to this discussion, except that my thoughts are with all you in the area. From my USAF days, it may be time to take off the florescent vest and turn off the blinking light while on the trail. This would make you a much more difficult target.

John

Actually, if I spotted the shooter with his/her rifle, I would just as soon attack hand-to-hand. The rifle would make a wonderful handle. He/she would be loath to let go of it, but try aiming a rifle at a healthy 165-pound man who is bearing it to the ground with a two-handed grip. ;) Sure, the person might have a sidearm too, but I think I'd take my chances on him/her panicing and trying to escape.

Coincidentally, the police officer near the scene the last shooting.

I would check if it was really a coincidence.

Originally posted by Alexey
Coincidentally, the police officer near the scene the last shooting.
Yep. From the description he was on the other side of the (wide, very busy) road. I think he was with a car he had "pulled."

As to why, I'd guess the motivation is simply a sense of power... the ability to confound a country that can lay Iraq or Afghanistan to waste. A terrorist without a cause.

Point made. We'll all have to pay with the loss of a little more independence and freedom. Thanks, pal.

Originally posted by roadbuzz


Point made. We'll all have to pay with the loss of a little more independence and freedom. Thanks, pal.

What happened to "...give me liberty or give me death..."? Are well all such wimps that we would give up freedom for a little supossed safety?

Joe
:o

Brains,

Americans are just violent, that's why there are so many shootings here. Guns don't kill people, people kill people.