Originally Posted by wphamilton (Post 14638516)

Back to the topic, I don't think anyone can tell OP he shouldn't give up, or validate his decision, without at least having ridden there. Even then, what other factors are involved, not necessarily related to cycling?

Originally Posted by alan s (Post 14639026)

No one is trying to tell the OP what to do, only expressing their opinion, as requested by the OP. Seeing as how the OP is the only cyclist in his town, presumably no one here has ridden there, so by your logic, no one can express an opinion?

Originally Posted by windhchaser (Post 14639140)

Every other city i have lived in including downtown Cleveland was way better then this town. south fla was also way better.south ga sucked but it was better.There just is something about this town and there hatred of bikers The onbly road i can ride on is a huge road with 4 lanes of trafic that is bumper to bumper in some times of the day HAs tons of 18 wheelers going to and from the poultry plants(this is the poultry capital of the world..There is no other road for me to take

Originally Posted by wphamilton (Post 14639109)

I don't know what his challenges really are.

Originally Posted by homechicken (Post 14638160)

My belief is that everyone should follow the traffic laws and be aware of their surroundings, however, that is not reality. Prudence would suggest that the most vulnerable should take the most care to avoid trouble, even if they are in the right, because they are the ones most likely to get hurt in the event of an accident. That's just a fact that cannot change. It doesn't matter who is right, a 30 pound bike will lose every time against a 3000 pound car. I'm not saying to be inconspicuous, just extra vigilant, because we know motorists are not often very alert to their surroundings.

And if you think having a gun with you on your bike makes motorists equally vulnerable, you're wrong. Not only might they be armed also, but they're still in a 3000+ pound car and can squash you. If you want to be armed for self defense against theives, robbers, etc, that's fine with me and I think you should have that right, but to do it in the hopes it'll disuade a motorist from being rude or oblivious is wishful thinking. If they are intentionally being rude, they are obviously beligerent and could escalate matters by trying to run you over or shoot first. If they're oblvious, they'll likely have no idea why you're flashing a gun and try to run you over or shoot first, or they may just call the cops. In either instance, you'll have a hard time proving you had just cause to flash or pull your weapon unless you have witnesses, and even then unless there has been an obvious intentional threat to run you over, you'll have no legal reason to do so.

Originally Posted by windhchaser (Post 14639140)

Every other city i have lived in including downtown Cleveland was way better then this town. south fla was also way better.south ga sucked but it was better.There just is something about this town and there hatred of bikers The onbly road i can ride on is a huge road with 4 lanes of trafic that is bumper to bumper in some times of the day HAs tons of 18 wheelers going to and from the poultry plants(this is the poultry capital of the world..There is no other road for me to take

Originally Posted by genec (Post 14639622)

Sadly those situations do exist. Have you considered an off road route?

Originally Posted by genec (Post 14639601)

You do realize that in a couple of those posts we were talking about fake guns... right?

Also interesting argument... and I'll use your commentary about guns to show you the problem with your motoring thinking. If we are to think as you, then those who are not armed should always work to give way to those that are armed. But the fact is in society, we require those with weapons to be prudent in the use of the weapons so as to not harm others. We don't tell those who are armed to just shoot away while the vulnerable have to duck and take cover.

Originally Posted by homechicken (Post 14639811)

Yes, I included fake guns in my original post because someone else before me had brought them up. What you may know to be fake may look very real to someone else and that can lead to all kinds of trouble as well, legal and otherwise. As to the rest, enough said, I'll debate it no more. I've stated my position in different ways multiple times. If you still don't understand, then we'll have to agree that we have differing views on the matter and I hope you have many more years of happy cycling and never come to understand that what I'm saying is right! :D.

As to the OP, I hope you stick with it. It sucks when someone gives up something that they should enjoy because of the bad behavior of others.

Originally Posted by windhchaser (Post 14638717)

there is no other route unless i take my bike in a boat and cross the lake

Originally Posted by Lot's Knife (Post 14632111)

... move left...

Originally Posted by genec (Post 14640415)

What you are saying is that might makes right and that anything/anyone smaller best just stay out of the way. That is the road attitude of much of the 3rd world. That attitude also tends to come from folks that feel they own the road. It is NOT the attitude expressed by the laws that govern the use of the road... otherwise large tractor trailer rigs would dominate any and all lanes on the freeway.