Advocacy & Safety - Montana Bicycle Blogger Terrorized by Drunk Driver

http://dc.streetsblog.org/2010/02/23/montana-bicycle-blogger-terrorized-by-drunk-driver/

Stupid rednecks. Glad the guy got away. Sadly the drivers will probably never be found.

Hmmmm, never been to Montana-kinda doubt there are many folks like what he describes..
This fellow writes a blog called "imagine no cars" and he gets chased by "drunken rednecks" a la "Easy Rider meets Deliverance." who complain "you missed him"
In 45 years of riding I've had one beer bottle tossed at me, few comments, horns, too close passes usual crap-that's about it.

I'm always disappointed in the number of dumbasses in America. So many idiots wanting to be the reddest redneck in town.

I can relate to something like this, it reminds me of just a few years ago when I was being chased down by a carload of teenagers and one was using me as AirSoft practice, or the time many years ago, that my friends and I were stopped by several trucks of angry men who mistook us as the bunch of teenagers who were harassing one of the mens' mother.

Surely there are enough cyclist at the University to get about 30 together next Saturday and split up to check all the bars until the truck is found. Then assemble all 30 at the bar, have one guy in cowpock dress run into the bar and tell the owner that someone just smashed up his truck. When he gets outside, grab him and see if he would like to fight now.

PS: check his driver's license to see where he lives.

Damn, that's harsh. I love Missoula. There are a lot of borderline rednecks there, however. These are the worst kind of rednecks. Living in a college town where a lot of "fancy" people run around having fun and dressing funny (not wearing carharts or cammo hats).

They're more apt to prove their redneckedness than regular ol' country folk.

I have to say that I didn't like the cops attitude. Anyone should be free to be out and about at any time of the day or night regardless of their mode of transportation. And yes despite what that one elected official (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?623518-I-don-t-believe-a-bicycle-is-a-transportation-device) thinks, a bicycle is a legitimate form of transportation.

http://dc.streetsblog.org/2010/02/23/montana-bicycle-blogger-terrorized-by-drunk-driver/

Stupid rednecks. Glad the guy got away. Sadly the drivers will probably never be found.

How do we know these were rednecks? What is your definition of a redneck, or is it just a label like neo-con, something you use without understanding it?

The blogger could have quickly defused the situation by simply not playing the game. They wanted the chase and he obliged.

The area they are from, plus the way they spoke, the vehicle they drove.

I grew up, on the top of a hill, miles away from a town, in West Virginia. I know exactly what rednecks are. Many family and friends are self-describe rednecks. I can smell them even through the internet.

They smell like Nascar.


How do we know these were rednecks? What is your definition of a redneck, or is it just a label like neo-con, something you use without understanding it?

The blogger could have quickly defused the situation by simply not playing the game. They wanted the chase and he obliged.

How do we know these were rednecks? What is your definition of a redneck, or is it just a label like neo-con, something you use without understanding it?

The blogger could have quickly defused the situation by simply not playing the game. They wanted the chase and he obliged.

Being raised in Texas, my definition of "redneck" is any idiot acting in such a manner. There may be even better terms, like: "azzholes" that apply.

"Not playing the game..." Right, blame the victim. Good call. Next time there is a group of rowdy drunks whooping and hollering in your direction... why don't you "not play" and see what happens. In some respects you are however right... the best thing would have been to get off the road and out of the way of these idiots who no doubt probably went on to create havoc in other areas.

This one smells a little fishy! I can't seem to put my finger on the reason I feel this way - but, something is, really, just not right..... IMHO

They smell like Nascar.Spoken like a true Chicago, liberal idiot.

Wanderer,

It smells fishy because the victim writes a Blog named "imagine no cars"-and his attackers were the proverbial "raised pickup driving , drunken, 'you missed him 'Caucasian rednecks"
All that was missing was "you shore have a purty mouth." It is a bit too perfect. Now, it might have happened, but I don't automatically believe someone just because he rides a bike.
"Why would he make this story up?" Duh, he writes an anticar blog!!

Spoken like a true Chicago, liberal idiot.

Thanks. Spoken like a proud and virtuous human being. You also assumed that I'm a liberal. I voted Libertarian last time if you'd like to ask.

Feel a little stupid at all?

Thanks. Spoken like a proud and virtuous human being. You also assumed that I'm a liberal. I voted Libertarian last time if you'd like to ask.

Feel a little stupid at all?Not at all, since you were the one that made the stupid comment.

Not at all, since you were the one that made the stupid comment.

I didn't know that rednecks were a protected species and that Nascar held so much pride in Honolulu.

Phoebesis - I've read, and reread - and just don't feel comfortable with the story - when I have more time, I'll reread it again, and see if I can figure out what about it bothers me.... Something just doesn't fit.

I wonder what the outcome would have been if he'd simply pulled over as soon as he got onto the sidewalk the first time and drawn his gun?

emperorcezar,

CB HI might be in the Navy, as a CB, but that is just a guess. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Navy_Jack).

CB HI,

If you are in the Navy, Chicago should be a city you are proud of and I'm sure not every person there is liberal. Let's keep the peace!!!

Kev

I retired to Montana and the story sounds suspicious to me as well. Let's face it, when major publications like the New York Times have problems with fabrication by "journalists" on their staff what's to prevent a blogger from trying to embellish to gain more attention and readers.

Here's why I say this sounds fishy. The town I live outside of is much, much smaller than Missoula. It has a police force within the town boundaries that patrols 24/7. It's even gotten money for "security cameras" and installed them (and we're talking a really small town--the feds are handing money for "security infrastructure" out like candy--beginning in 2006, they increased the number of grants for security cameras in smaller communities). The town police would not be able to ignore a chase and would not allow a private vehicle to chase anyone. Missoula has a much larger police presence on the streets 24/7 and more security cameras. Their force is much more pro-active in enforcing the community's standards, which don't tolerate any animal or human abuse. If you don't believe me, here's a link to a story about a Missoula resident who shot himself rather than be arrested for abusing a kitten. http://www.kpax.com/news/missoula-standoff-with-cat-abuse-suspect-detailed/

The truth is, it's easy for anyone to set up a blog and write what ever they please. However, outrageous claims tend to get publicity which may in turn lead someone to investigate. If this is proven to be fabrication, I hope the blog is pulled from the web.

Wanderer-yeah- I can't quite put my finger on why I have my doubts about it, other than it kinda hits the stereotypes-lifted pickup, Caucasian(rednecks),drunk.Just a bit too perfect-AND HE JUST HAPPENS TO WRITE AN ANTICAR BLOG."Imagine no cars."

If he is so concerned he should get a carry permit-don't be a helpless victim.

I retired to Montana and the story sounds suspicious to me as well. Let's face it, when major publications like the New York Times have problems with fabrication by "journalists" on their staff what's to prevent a blogger from trying to embellish to gain more attention and readers.

Here's why I say this sounds fishy. The town I live outside of is much, much smaller than Missoula. It has a police force within the town boundaries that patrols 24/7. It's even gotten money for "security cameras" and installed them (and we're talking a really small town--the feds are handing money for "security infrastructure" out like candy--beginning in 2006, they increased the number of grants for security cameras in smaller communities). The town police would not be able to ignore a chase and would not allow a private vehicle to chase anyone. Missoula has a much larger police presence on the streets 24/7 and more security cameras. Their force is much more pro-active in enforcing the community's standards, which don't tolerate any animal or human abuse. If you don't believe me, here's a link to a story about a Missoula resident who shot himself rather than be arrested for abusing a kitten. http://www.kpax.com/news/missoula-standoff-with-cat-abuse-suspect-detailed/

The truth is, it's easy for anyone to set up a blog and write what ever they please. However, outrageous claims tend to get publicity which may in turn lead someone to investigate. If this is proven to be fabrication, I hope the blog is pulled from the web.

Nice thinking... but if it did happen I suspect it was all over too quickly for police to respond at all...

I can't say I've ever been chased by a bunch of rednecks in a truck, but I have encountered a bunch of beered up sports fans leaving a stadium, and having cups of beer thrown at me wasn't fun. I've also encountered some other folks hanging around outside a local quicky store, again all beered up on a hot summer afternoon... they chose to also toss beer and wander about in the street in a group in a threatening manner... so indeed such stuff does happen.

But since none of us were there... who knows.

BTW, full disclosure, I like beer, so this is not some rant against beer.

It just doesn't make sense - these guys are driving around drinking, so it's got to be time normal people are still up - where are the people on the street?

He hops up on the curb to put cars between him and the truck - again, if vehicles are there - where are the people?

All this going on, amidst all of these people, and nobody reports anything to the cops?

Engine making a lot of noise, and nobody even looks outside? Someone would at least be looking out a window.

He's going "back and forth" over the same ground, and these guys keep chasing him???? Where are all the people while all of this is going on? Doesn't make sense for someone who is trying to get away with something to keep it up.

This story just doesn't sit well ---------

I've been in Missoula, and it sure doesn't sound like Missoula to me....... Just sayin......

Why do many here assume the driver was a "redneck"? Maybe the driver was a leftwinger hopped up on drugs and beer.

BTW define "redneck" do you even know where that term came from??

It just doesn't make sense - these guys are driving around drinking, so it's got to be time normal people are still up - where are the people on the street?

He hops up on the curb to put cars between him and the truck - again, if vehicles are there - where are the people?

All this going on, amidst all of these people, and nobody reports anything to the cops?

Engine making a lot of noise, and nobody even looks outside? Someone would at least be looking out a window.

He's going "back and forth" over the same ground, and these guys keep chasing him???? Where are all the people while all of this is going on? Doesn't make sense for someone who is trying to get away with something to keep it up.

This story just doesn't sit well ---------

I've been in Missoula, and it sure doesn't sound like Missoula to me....... Just sayin......

I've been to Missoula too... and frankly where would all the people normally be in the evening on a cold night? (inside, TV on, doors closed... etc)

I'm just sayin'...

Heck even here in good old So Cal, the streets can be fairly empty at 9:00 PM... and in certain business sectors of town, things are down right deserted shortly after rush hour.

Anyway, we really don't know what if anything happened... but I don't deny the blog just because I think it might not happen.

I never mentioned redneck; but, perhaps, I should have.......

I believe the label was based on the drivers actions - therefore, labelled by himself.

If anyone had treated me like that, I would be inclined to think the same of them......

If the story is true!

I've been to Missoula too... and frankly where would all the people normally be in the evening on a cold night? (inside, TV on, doors closed... etc)

I'm just sayin'...

Heck even here in good old So Cal, the streets can be fairly empty at 9:00 PM... and in certain business sectors of town, things are down right deserted shortly after rush hour.

Anyway, we really don't know what if anything happened... but I don't deny the blog just because I think it might not happen.

But, people are still coming and going, driving up and down roads at all hours - and inquisitive of things extraordinary around them - even if inside.....

p.s. I've been in Sandy Eggo in the middle of the night, too. I was amazed how many people were still wandering around at midnight ---- LOL

It just doesn't make sense - these guys are driving around drinking, so it's got to be time normal people are still up - where are the people on the street?

He hops up on the curb to put cars between him and the truck - again, if vehicles are there - where are the people?

All this going on, amidst all of these people, and nobody reports anything to the cops?
The article said it was shortly before 3 am. Not unlikely that there might be a few guys still driving around after the bars closed, but I wouldn't expect to see people walking around at that time of night in most neighborhoods. And the cars he tried to put between himself and the truck were presumably parked at the side of the street with their owners sound asleep at home. I don't know about you, but even if I were to wake up and hear some engine noise in the middle of the night my reaction would be to roll over and try to get back to sleep - not to jump up and call the cops.

"Not playing the game..." Right, blame the victim. Good call. Next time there is a group of rowdy drunks whooping and hollering in your direction... why don't you "not play" and see what happens. In some respects you are however right... the best thing would have been to get off the road and out of the way of these idiots who no doubt probably went on to create havoc in other areas.


Exactly when did I blame the cyclist? Can you point to my specific entry, or is this just typical defense mode knee-jerking? They're just like dogs, the more you run, the more they chase. Stop and they've got nothing left to. I'd rather have a bunch of dolts calling me names than be playing tag in traffic.

Being all brave and puffy chested doesn't win the battle, outfoxing the tards does.

Why do many here assume the driver was a "redneck"? Maybe the driver was a leftwinger hopped up on drugs and beer.

BTW define "redneck" do you even know where that term came from??

I'm sure there will be some debate on this, too -- but my first exposure to the term "redneck" referred to ignorant Southern boys, who raised the rebel flag, drove junk pickups, and drank cheap beer like it was ice water, in order to act generally stupid.

It has since expanded to encompass most of the country, meaning mainly the caucasian 'mirror image' to what most people think of when they hear the N-word. In other words, low-down trash.

This is why in MT and other state alike, it is OK and not frowned upon to ride with a loaded pistol in your bike seat bag. I met a few guys on tour who rode with loaded pistols, lets just say they all made it home alive and safe.

I'm sure there will be some debate on this, too -- but my first exposure to the term "redneck" referred to ignorant Southern boys, who raised the rebel flag, drove junk pickups, and drank cheap beer like it was ice water, in order to act generally stupid.

It has since expanded to encompass most of the country, meaning mainly the caucasian 'mirror image' to what most people think of when they hear the N-word. In other words, low-down trash.
Redneck, from working on the farm, all day. You know, getting a sunburn on your neck from lots of sun and it turns red. In your t shirt and such. Under the blazing sun. That is where redneck comes from, but is generally used for country folk now a days.

But, people are still coming and going, driving up and down roads at all hours - and inquisitive of things extraordinary around them - even if inside.....

p.s. I've been in Sandy Eggo in the middle of the night, too. I was amazed how many people were still wandering around at midnight ---- LOL

Depends on where you are... if downtown, or the beaches, the nightlife can go pretty late and be pretty active... but out in and near residential areas... heck I know of places where they roll up the sidewalks right after it gets dark, and I'm still talking the same town.

And go you one further, where I live, I am within 2-3 miles of a lot of light industry... and a small airport... and right in the middle of that area there are a couple of bars... where obviously workers might whoop it up long after dark... but as soon as you go outside, the area is deserted... I mean dead deserted... The kind of deserted where the "bodies" are found sometime tomorrow.

It all depends on where you are in the city... Missoula is out in the middle of nowhere, it doesn't take long to get to the edge of nothing.

But again... we really don't know, now do we.

Exactly when did I blame the cyclist? Can you point to my specific entry, or is this just typical defense mode knee-jerking? They're just like dogs, the more you run, the more they chase. Stop and they've got nothing left to. I'd rather have a bunch of dolts calling me names than be playing tag in traffic.

Being all brave and puffy chested doesn't win the battle, outfoxing the tards does.

Right here... here are your exact words...


The blogger could have quickly defused the situation by simply not playing the game. They wanted the chase and he obliged.

"By not playing the game... " Right... as if he went to the card pile and pulled up... "get chased about by drunk idiots in a truck."

Have to say that was pretty much blaming the victim.

Remember these kinds of "'tards" might be feeding off of each other... rousing and whooping one another to do something that normally just wouldn't be done... it ain't like it hasn't happened before...

Right here... here are your exact words...


"By not playing the game... " Right... as if he went to the card pile and pulled up... "get chased about by drunk idiots in a truck."

Have to say that was pretty much blaming the victim.

You're kind of stupid, aren't you.

You're kind of stupid, aren't you.

Not hardly... highly trained and paid engineer... hardly what you would call stupid.

But I'm not the one that suggested that the cyclist just didn't have to "play the game."

Perhaps you need to go look in a mirror... to see stupid, that is.

And go you one further, where I live, I am within 2-3 miles of a lot of light industry... and a small airport...I do not think I would call an airport with 3 runways, "small".

It's definitely believable. Just as likely to be frat boys as "rednecks" though. really there are ******** everywhere. For the most part Missoula is a great place to ride with lots of cyclists. I am inclined to believe the guy (don't know exactly who he is but I admit there's a chance I've met him). When out for a road ride a drunk ******* tried to run me off the road once and we got into a shouting match after I flipped him off (yeah, I know). No incidents to really speak of other than inattentive drivers though, from me.

Woof, Woof, Woof!" "Run 'em down!"

I pass the old train depot and they are right on my tail by then, having blown through a stop sign. They're yelling, I'm going balls to the wall and I'm facing a choke point and I know if I continue into the street ahead of me I'm ****ed. I quickly turn in the side parking lot of the depot, they shoot past, and I double back onto Higgins thinking maybe they'll continue on... but they don't.

As I turn I hear "Want a beer!" screamed out the window and an empty beer can hits me on the leg. I speed off and gain some space on them as they try to turn around. The gap doesn't last long and I turn onto Pine before their grill almost makes contact with my back tire. The sound of the V-8 is deafening. They were going fast enough that the truck goes wide on the turn and I hop back up on the sidewalk because I can kee

The above is some of what he wrote.
The sound of the V-8 was deafening??
Woof,Woof woof-

It reads like something he read somewhere. Who actually woofs? Do people in Missoula woof, woof, woof?? And have deafening V-8's?? If I was fearing for my life I wouldn't even hear the V-8.

I have my doubts.
Woof, woof, woof, woof!!
Charlie

So maybe it's just a creative description of the noise they made?

Actually, redneck is a term of Scottish derivation, from the influx of Covenanters into Appalachia and the South. Around the time of the Revolution, Scotland was the source of the majority of American immigrants.

Anyway, the Covenanters signaled their religious inclinations by wearing red scarves -- thus the term rednecks, which was subsequently applied to the Scottish immigrants who were the primary source for both the conservative political and social inclinations of the free Southern American laborer -- in other words, "rednecks."

An excellent book on the history of the Scots is "How the Scots Invented the Modern World." Highly suggested reading on how the poorest Western nation had such profound political, economic and social influences on modern society.

I do not think I would call an airport with 3 runways, "small".

Well it is only used for light planes, helicopters and very small and rare jets... and the occasional blimp.

But most of the air traffic is small personal prop planes.

While it does have 3 runways, they are rather short.

FYI The term "redneck" actually came about describing leftwing coal miners. They were trying to form a union against mine owners. They actually formed a small rag tag army and fought the mine owners "security police" They could identify each other by the RED HANKERCHIEF they had tied around their neck. It turned out that the fed gov had to come in and stop the fight. Twenty or so people were killed.

I find it humorous that the leftwing elite use the term to put down what was a leftwing organization.

All encompassing name calling is ignornat. And blathering about something that you seem to know nothing about is worse yet.

I have Imagine No Cars linked to my blog, and my impression is that it sounded fishy to me too. I'm thinking about de-listing him from my blog; it just kinda sounds like BS.

The fishy part to me is how he kind of sets himself up as the guy with the Mad Ridin Skillz YO! who eludes Cletus & the gang... hilarity ensues. Sounds too much like Dukes of Hazard on two wheels.

The blogger could have quickly defused the situation by simply not playing the game. They wanted the chase and he obliged.

ABSOLUTELY! And that is why the rest of you are saying this article "smells fishy". If that happened to me my first reaction would be to stop my bike, and step off it. Articles like this do not help cycling.

ABSOLUTELY! And that is why the rest of you are saying this article "smells fishy". If that happened to me my first reaction would be to stop my bike, and step off it. Articles like this do not help cycling.

and what do you think the meatheads in the truck would have done at that point???

If you ride a bike for any significant amount of time in the sun, you've prolly got a red neck.
Just sayin. :D

BTW from another thread (the one on "inappropriate responses") comes this sage advice.


If the abuser hits the brakes and stops, stop your bike immediately, dismount, leave the road, and walk back in the other direction. At this point if they want to continue to engage you they'll have to back up with traffic coming at them, or they'll have to turn off and come back in the other direction. If THAT happens then you are in real danger and I would advise you to continue walking your bike as far off the road as possible and get to a public place like a store or even walk up a driveway if the area is residential. If you're out in the country - head for the woods.

If you ride a bike for any significant amount of time in the sun, you've prolly got a red neck.
Just sayin. :D

and that funny tan line from gloves... well anyway, used to be... these days gloves tend to have closed backs, so you don't get the strange circle tan anymore.

Woof woof woof woof woof

Doohickie- EXACTLY-there he is jumping up and down curbs just like some "superhero bike rider". It just smells wrong. And he picks on "rednecks" (code word for young white males); it is still acceptable to jump on rednecks. He is writing it like some cheap novel "deafening V-8"

I just don't buy it. The woof woof woof stuff-WTF- they are woofing constantly?? Is there some cheap novel out there where the bad guys are woofing???
If it really happened he should be talking about finding a way to protect himself-.

The cops can't protect you at 3 am in a "bad" part of town. If you go there, you need to be prepared to protect yourself.

It smells like BS
woof woof woof woof
Charlie