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06-23-10, 01:55 PM
to Stanford
show details 11:05 AM (1 hour ago)
White Ford F250 or F350 pickup with metal construction workers framing in the bed (looks like a construction truck). License Plate 6P88487.
Yesterday afternoon at 3pm, I was heading east on Highway 84 from Skyline. For those familiar with that descent, I was about 20yds in front of the first turn when the above mentioned truck was just crossing the 84 / 35 intersection (so approx 100yds behind me at a stop sign). He must have floored it because as I was coming out of the 1st turn he was inches off my back laying on the horn. He continued a single long honk through several turns while riding on my tail or trying unsuccessfully to pass me on the left over the double yellow, due to oncoming traffic. All this took place before the long straight with a shoulder that's approximately 1/2 way down the descent, which is the only safe place to pull over and allow someone to pass, IMO. Finally, he forced himself beside me on my right (I was riding a defensive line to black further attempts to pass with oncoming traffic), rolled down the window to yell something at me, and then cut hard left while braking, forcing me into oncoming traffic. I avoided being hit and dragged under his back wheels by about 4 inches. Thankfully, I stayed upright and stopped right there to call 911. While doing so, a woman pulled up who had witnessed the whole thing and provided her contact info, corroborating what I believed - that despite the fact that I was 'flying' (in her words) the guy continued to harass me until he tried to run me off the road. Here I'd just add that I am a very fast descender, and I was going at or above the speed limit the whole time. In fact, I gapped the officer by 30-45 seconds coming down after he took my statement. I say this to show that my speed should not have been an issue to provoke the guy, as most cars travel slower than I do down that road.
About 30 minutes later a San Mateo County deputy arrived to take my statement. Unfortunately, when I told him my intent to press assault charges, he told me that it will be my word against his, but that he would take it to the DA. He gave me the impression that nothing will come of it (likely he won't put much legwork into it, even), despite my story and a witness. According to the deputy, the truck is registered to a business, though he didn't say which and I didn't notice a name on the side. It was driven by a dark complexioned male (I thought white but very tan).
Please note the description of the truck, and the incident itself, is VERY similar to a hit-and-run case that occurred in September 2008 in the same Woodside / Portola Valley area. The victim suffered a broken collarbone and broken ribs. Riders with him were able to get a partial plate. A link to a forum that includes the Mercury News story and ensuing discussion is here. In addition to this other incident, I've seen other forum posts describing the driver of a white pickup in that area throwing drink cups, etc. at cyclists.
In the article an active cyclist / racer named Janet Gahagen described the hit-and-run as a witness. She is a Mountain View, CA resident and races for Kalyra/Bella Nova Women's Cycling Team. If anyone knows her, please send her this post and ask that she contact me. If we can match the plates we'll be one step closer to making sure charges can be brought against the driver. Also, please post this message to anybody other message boards you deem fit. Word needs to get out about this truck, plate 6P88487. I'd hate for this guy to become another case like the one in LA involving an ER doctor with road rage. It wasn't until after he actually seriously injured someone that he was charged and sent to jail.
I wish I had more details to provide than that, but will update as I learn more. Ride Safe.
show details 11:05 AM (1 hour ago)
White Ford F250 or F350 pickup with metal construction workers framing in the bed (looks like a construction truck). License Plate 6P88487.
Yesterday afternoon at 3pm, I was heading east on Highway 84 from Skyline. For those familiar with that descent, I was about 20yds in front of the first turn when the above mentioned truck was just crossing the 84 / 35 intersection (so approx 100yds behind me at a stop sign). He must have floored it because as I was coming out of the 1st turn he was inches off my back laying on the horn. He continued a single long honk through several turns while riding on my tail or trying unsuccessfully to pass me on the left over the double yellow, due to oncoming traffic. All this took place before the long straight with a shoulder that's approximately 1/2 way down the descent, which is the only safe place to pull over and allow someone to pass, IMO. Finally, he forced himself beside me on my right (I was riding a defensive line to black further attempts to pass with oncoming traffic), rolled down the window to yell something at me, and then cut hard left while braking, forcing me into oncoming traffic. I avoided being hit and dragged under his back wheels by about 4 inches. Thankfully, I stayed upright and stopped right there to call 911. While doing so, a woman pulled up who had witnessed the whole thing and provided her contact info, corroborating what I believed - that despite the fact that I was 'flying' (in her words) the guy continued to harass me until he tried to run me off the road. Here I'd just add that I am a very fast descender, and I was going at or above the speed limit the whole time. In fact, I gapped the officer by 30-45 seconds coming down after he took my statement. I say this to show that my speed should not have been an issue to provoke the guy, as most cars travel slower than I do down that road.
About 30 minutes later a San Mateo County deputy arrived to take my statement. Unfortunately, when I told him my intent to press assault charges, he told me that it will be my word against his, but that he would take it to the DA. He gave me the impression that nothing will come of it (likely he won't put much legwork into it, even), despite my story and a witness. According to the deputy, the truck is registered to a business, though he didn't say which and I didn't notice a name on the side. It was driven by a dark complexioned male (I thought white but very tan).
Please note the description of the truck, and the incident itself, is VERY similar to a hit-and-run case that occurred in September 2008 in the same Woodside / Portola Valley area. The victim suffered a broken collarbone and broken ribs. Riders with him were able to get a partial plate. A link to a forum that includes the Mercury News story and ensuing discussion is here. In addition to this other incident, I've seen other forum posts describing the driver of a white pickup in that area throwing drink cups, etc. at cyclists.
In the article an active cyclist / racer named Janet Gahagen described the hit-and-run as a witness. She is a Mountain View, CA resident and races for Kalyra/Bella Nova Women's Cycling Team. If anyone knows her, please send her this post and ask that she contact me. If we can match the plates we'll be one step closer to making sure charges can be brought against the driver. Also, please post this message to anybody other message boards you deem fit. Word needs to get out about this truck, plate 6P88487. I'd hate for this guy to become another case like the one in LA involving an ER doctor with road rage. It wasn't until after he actually seriously injured someone that he was charged and sent to jail.
I wish I had more details to provide than that, but will update as I learn more. Ride Safe.