Northern California - Auto Crash on Skyline (aka Can you drive that fast on Skyline? Apparently not.)

The following video was posted by Mike Jacoubowsky (owner of Chain Reaction Bicycles):

http://youtu.be/mrzbgEXGgWg

Geez, this guy was going waaaay tooo fast! What is it about bikes that make motorists do stupid things? I can't help but think that if he hadn't seen the cyclists he wouldn't have been going quite so fast,

EricM - You apparently were there along with Karl. Anything to add?

- SteveE

Doubt the cyclists had anything to do with the driver's speed.

Damn idiots, don't know how to drive.

Gene pool cleansing.

As crazy as he was, he might have killed both of you too. I'd say it's good he didn't hurt anyone else but himself.

Doubt the cyclists had anything to do with the driver's speed.I don't know. They always seem to feel they've got to prove they're faster than a bike, imho.

SteveE

he posted about it here:
http://socialcyclists.org/road-forum/eventful-group-ride-this-morning/

sounds like the guy was hoped up on prescription meds and/or had other issues going on.

you'd have to be on something to think that doing over 80 on skyline is at all a smart thing to do.

This person looked like he wanted to drive airplane speed

It's not the cyclists, they are just idiots that think their fancy sports cars can handle anything. I get passed all the time in my Wrangler.

I don't know. They always seem to feel they've got to prove they're faster than a bike, imho.

SteveE

I agree. I was doing ~27mph on a 25mph road, and a car that was about 500 feet behind me sped up and started tail gating me. Probably one of those ego things.

I thought there was something wrong with his driving when he passed us- not the speed so much, although it was quite fast, but the way he passed us only partly in the other lane, then continued moving over fully into the opposite lane well after he'd gone by. You can see it in the video but it was more noticeable in person. Normal drivers are in a hurry to get back into the proper lane.

I didn't get the feeling that he was competing with us. I don't think that he paid us much attention at all, although I'm glad he did see us and move over.

I wonder how much these mental giants who drive like this are influenced by by the “closed road, professional driver” car commercials they’ve been seeing on news and sports broadcasts their entire lives.

It seems to be another example of faux machismo that permeates our culture. I’ve been passed by guys in “sports” cars and sometimes later seen them at rest stops (often with GFs) and usually they look like they couldn’t even do a pull up.

It’s sad because the fear of reckless drivers does in fact keep some people from riding...

I’m really glad this was captured on video; hopefully it’ll work against this guy in the accident report. If he’s with State Farm I’m unfortunately going to help to have to pay for this...

A few minutes of video showing the driver in agonizing pain and remorse would have been appropriate.

That's some amazing video. I've been having fun riding off-road with my 8-year old and 10-year old, and I've wanted to expose them to some of the nice trails by Russian Ridge. Unfortunately, there's some riding involved on Skyline or Pagemill if you want to link some of the off-road trails together. This video shows why I'll probably keep them off-road the entire time I'm up at the Montebello OSP trails.

What I wouldn't give for a bike only day between HWY 92 and HWY 9 on Skyline.

What I wouldn't give for a bike only day between HWY 92 and HWY 9 on Skyline.Or better yet, the whole enchilada from Bear Creek Road to Hwy 92!

SteveE

I was riding the gap that morning. I heard the sirens and figured it was a bike going to fast. I have up until now avoided that area on my road bike.... this reinforces that.

Holy Moley.....

Sorry the guy crashed and I hope he recovers, etc... but he got what he deserved. Irresponsible reckless driving is not without its consequences and, as others said, good thing he didn't hurt anyone else.

We all see these drivers, everyday, on some road, somewhere. I think it's great that you have a video that may be used as a learning tool. What if another group was heading the opposite direction when he passed? As a commuter I know when I'm in a hazardous area. As a weekend cyclist enjoying the ride, I just hope it doesn't happen.

crazy. i doubt the guy was speeding because of the cyclists.. skyline is just a fun road to drive fast on.. but not that fast...