I do this ride a lot, it is a fantastic climb and pretty too. To be honest, there are a few bad apples that may ruin it for the rest of us. For example, I saw three guys in team kits (I won't name them here) peeing on the side of the road a few weeks ago. Not on someone’s lawn, but still. I have seen people riding 2 abreast many times. It is almost always racers in team kits that do this. Before reading this thread I didn't know the severity of the issue. Thanks for bringing it up. I knew there was some tension though and I do my best to not be problematic.
My biggest beef with the anti-bike lot is the argument that cyclists make the road un-safe. Hmmmm...pot calling the kettle black???
Didn't they just expand the shoulder a couple of years ago to accommodate motorists? I thought this was to assuage the complainers. The county (state?) has already invested infrastructure $$ on this issue and I doubt, seriously doubt, bikers would lose the privilege of riding this great ride on account of kids seeing bulges in spandex, or whatever (“…walking out of your wedding amidst spandexed cyclists”).
I think if you see cyclists peeing, riding side-by-side, or exhibiting road rage to a motorist politely remind them of the tension with the locals. Or, email the team Website and let them know a few of their riders were misbehaving. Also, if a motorist messes with you take down their license plate number and report them.