oilman_15106

If you have low blood pressure and need to kick it up, read the comments attached to this article: https://verdenews.com/main.asp?Sectio...82&TM=40412.88

Have ridden the road in the article without major incident but I hope I never run into the people that posted comments.

Velo Dog

Pretty much the same thing happens around here all the time, except the president of the paving company would be on the city council...
This isn't a real fix, but it's better than nothing and cheap enough that you might be able to get approval: In a couple of places I've been lately, there are frequent signs with bike icons and lame reminders to SHARE THE ROAD or BIKES HAVE RIGHT OF WAY.

bobbycorno

Why does it not surprise me that this is in Arizona?

SP
Bend, OR

trackhub

I thought Arizona was generally regarded as bike friendly. Or is that just the Tucson area?

billydonn

I had to stop reading before getting too deep into the comments... it's just too much.

ModeratedUser150120149

Why should it raise anyone's blood pressure? The comments are just another incidence of people with differing viewpoints expressing their views. Lack of agreement doesn't make anyone inherently evil.

crazyb

Having never ridden or seen this road, it is impossible to make an assessment. But I will not ride on certain roads in my area, and nothing short of a bike path alongside it would change my mind. Some roads are just not a good fit for cycling.

unterhausen

read the comments on any story at any paper web site and you will find that the commentariat consists mainly of the most reprehensible people of our society. Our local paper requires that the person making the comments identify themselves, doesn't really help that much.

nycphotography

I'm confused and disappointed ... my blood pressure didn't go up, I didn't even get a woody.

I skimmed through some of the comments and really, they were just about the most respectful I've ever seen from motorists on a bicycle issue. If your blood pressure went up over those maybe you should consider counseling.

As to the road in question, having ridden (and driven) my share of mountains, if the road requires switchbacks, then it's already not a high speed throughway, at least not in the switchbacks part.

Having a shoulder on the uphill should be sufficient. Of course 4ft is always better than 2, but I've ridden plenty of climbs where even 2ft wasn't possible... there was basically a white line right at the edge of the pavement. Downhill, I usually end up wanting to pass the cars in the switchbacks, rather than worrying about them passing me. Don't need a shoulder for that.

If they merely can't be bothered to move the guardrail or meet state standards, why not just paint a "Do Not Pass Bicycles" on the road every 1000 ft on the uphill side. But a lot depends on what's even possible. To be fair, switchbacks are not your normal DOT project... they are an edge case, and often the terrain dictates what is possible, rather than DOT guidelines.

HEY... looking at google maps, I can't even see where a real switchback is even required on this road. 100ft of elevation change? Now I'm really confused.

Pete In Az

It's more curvy mountain road then switchbacks. Pretty much all the elevation change happens there. There is plenty of room to widen the road and put in bike lanes, but, there are two things running against it. 1) it's not near Prescott, and 2) it would cost more. So, unless someone makes a big stink, it probably won't happen.

oilman_15106

One thing should be made clear. There are no true switchbacks on the road. I have bombed down at 45 mph and arrived safely at the bottom. There are not even real sharp curves. Currently the road is narrow for a 2 lane road and it has zero shoulder. In general many drivers exceed the speed limit by about 20 mph on the flats. The area has several retirement oriented developments along it. Some of those old drivers are really cranky and always in a rush. There was even one road rage incident where a guy took a gun shot at a car that was driving too slow for him. Shooter behind bars right now.

I am surprised that the thing has not been fixed long ago as US Senator John McCain's summer retreat is off the same road.

John E

Widen the asphalt, re-stripe the road to narrow the travel lanes, and reduce (and enforce) the speed limit.

BluesDawg

Almost any online article remotely involving bicycles on roads will draw similar ignorant comments. In fact, pretty much any public forum about any subject will draw many stupid responses. Newspaper sites are the worst in this respect. Everyone comes to the discussion with an axe to grind.