Northern California - Truly Incredible.

As a resident of Sonoma County the current issue and article from Bicyling Mag is a tough read and reminder. We all know the inherent danger we take in riding on the road. We (cyclist) need to stay/get involved in positive coalitions throughout NorCal and keep the roads safe for everyone.
Please take the time to read this article. It is inspiring, eye opening and sad all at the same time.
thanks,
Paul
http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6610,s1-3-12-16637-1,00.html

As a resident of Sonoma County the current issue and article from Bicyling Mag is a tough read and reminder. We all know the inherent danger we take in riding on the road. We (cyclist) need to stay/get involved in positive coalitions throughout NorCal and keep the roads safe for everyone.
Please take the time to read this article. It is inspiring, eye opening and sad all at the same time.
thanks,
Paul
http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6610,s1-3-12-16637-1,00.html

Very sad indeed. I'm feeling sad and enraged about the system and the lack of responsability of drivers on the road. That article is a good reminder of how fragile we (cyclist) are on the road.
Thanks for sharing!

I was curious to find more about Ross Dillon. Here's his website (http://www.rossdillon.com/).

Unfortunately, Sonoma County seems to be the drunk driving capital of California. There have been a number high-profile bicyclist fatalities in recent years, way to many for the population up there.

Unfortunately, Sonoma County seems to be the drunk driving capital of California. There have been a number high-profile bicyclist fatalities in recent years, way to many for the population up there.

Wine tasting?

Truly Horrific is more like it.

Jill Mason also has a website at http://www.jillmason.com

I used to work with Jill, and if you read the updates on her site, it's inspiring to see all the progress she's made since the accident. I just feel empty every time I read about the details of her accident.

As a resident of Sonoma County the current issue and article from Bicyling Mag is a tough read and reminder. We all know the inherent danger we take in riding on the road. We (cyclist) need to stay/get involved in positive coalitions throughout NorCal and keep the roads safe for everyone.
Please take the time to read this article. It is inspiring, eye opening and sad all at the same time.
thanks,
Paul
http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6610,s1-3-12-16637-1,00.html

Wow, I've been reading about Ross Dillon for many years now here:

http://www.rossdillon.com/

I don't remember where I found the link originally, but I've kept up with his progress over the years. It's been remarkable, but he will quite obviously never be the same.

That was an excellent read. Sad, and madening ... but a good read for sure.

... Brad

Wine tasting?

+1 ... it's a shame that most idiots are where the best riding is.

I saw this article in the print edition a couple of days ago. Very sobering stuff. The especially scary part is that these accidents (run over from behind) can't be prevented by paying attention and being a skilled rider. The good news is that these are apparently the rarest kind of bike accident.

When you really think about it. what we do is logically crazy, but you always have faith that the the odds don't turn against us. It's one of those things you have to put out of your mind or you would never get on a bike again. Let's just hope for the best and do what we can to increase the general publics awarness of the presence of cyclists and that the roads are to be shared in a sane manner by all.

I also read this article. This is one of those snap back into reality things. In your head you tell yourself to be aware of the danger, but this article puts it right in your face. The worst part is.. these are just a few stories, there are countless others that went untold.

To be totally honest, I cleaned up the mountain bike and went where the cars couldn't for a week.

I too live in Sonoma County. I remember this accident, very sad. In fact, I ride Occidental road where it happened and live about 2 miles from there. There is a shoulder as wide as the lane there. I remember it was caused by an inattentive driver drifting over. If they did that a few hunderd yards up the road they would have planted their car in the ditch.
Also, did you read the article in the Santa Rosa Pee Dee from last week?
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20071201/NEWS/712010337

Interesting article. But if you read the comments to the article from the local peanut gallery it was down right hostile. One **shole even threatened to run cyclists off of "their" road. Also, a huge amount of comments that really showed ignorance of the laws by some of these idiots.
It's not surprising that Sonoma County leads the numbers in fatalities. A great deal of the drivers out there are very distracted by cell phones, kids, eating or even reading the newspaper (I have seen this a number of times). Until the state requires people to be proficient at driving before licensing them (like Europe) I don't think things will change.

Keep supporting your local bike coalitions.
Good luck and be safe.

Jeff

Yikes! Some of the commenters show the most dangerous combination - ignroance and arrogance! Like, "Last time I checked, the roads are for cars, not bikes". Where did he check, exactly? Because if he'd checked THE LAW, he'd have found the roads are for both.

Hopefully natural selection will eliminate more idiots then the crazy motorists do cyclists.... sigh.

Those comments make me fear for the future of humanity.

Hopefully natural selection will eliminate more idiots then the crazy motorists do cyclists.... sigh.

Sadly, it's been my observation that idiots are prolific - they often start early and produce many offspring before their idiocy catches up with them.

As I sit and ponder my future. Yes.. I'm a little slow in choosing my career path.. how about..

Gene Pool Lifeguard.