Troy
Guest
Mar 12, 2008
10:27 PM
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I attended the BAC (Bicycle Advisory Committee) meeting tonight where the big issue was the Shootout. Check the TV news and papers because there has been allot in the news lately after a Pima County Sheriff stopped the whole lead Shootout group a couple of Saturdays ago, going down Duval at 30+, by driving at them head-on and turning his car in a blocking maneuver, to shut down the lane they were riding in, according to witnesses. It caused a big wreck in the middle of the pack, injuring several riders and destroying at least one bike according to one report I heard. Curtis Gunn wrote an e-mail account at the request of a local attorney to recap what he witnessed as the number two rider in the pack that day. His e-mail was read at the meeting. The highlight of the letter was regarding the officer’s remark as he started to get out of his vehicle and was confronted by two riders. When told he caused the wreck the officer was quoted as saying, "GOOD". According to the Sheriff's Dept spokesman at the meeting, the incident and actions of the officer are under investigation by Internal Affairs. I saw two news stories on this tonight; the first one was on KGUN-9 and the second followed on KOLD-13. The sheriff’s dept released an amateur video to news stations of a subsequent Shootout ride that these stations used clips from to exploit the bad that some riders or the pack did that day of the video. I have to admit, the pack gets crazy many times and there are infractions of the law frequently but when these occur there are no vehicles within sight typically. Neither news channel did a very good job of explaining the fact that traffic is almost non-existent on Mission between Valencia and Duval Mine Rd or made it clear that this infrequently traveled road by motorists on early Saturday mornings was chosen as part of the route for that very reason. I do believe it would be an accurate statement to say there has never been a documented car crash "caused" by this ride or any riders. However, I do know of at least a handful of crashes that motorists have caused as a result of their in attention. Frankly, I have to say, I have been pushed out, just on the Dudeouts, into a three/four wide or into the oncoming lane when trying to avoid other less experienced riders or to get around those who fall off the pace. No different than what happens in El Tour at different points and there never has been traffic issues at those times either. That's why I try to stay on the front (on the Dudeouts) and you have to stay alert at all times. Sitting in on the Shootouts however, you can quickly find yourself off the pace if you're not paying attention and your positioning in the pack is wrong, then you're hosed. The Dudeouts are much more disciplined and stay mostly with rotating pace lines, two abreast. There are the rare occasions, like the sprints, but for the most part, a more tempered pack attitude on the Dudeouts. It is going to get dicey between the Shootout riders and the Sheriff's Dept I think. There is another meeting scheduled for April 8th from 5:30 to 7:30pm and they're hoping for more than the handful of legit Shootout riders to attend. I was very surprised that Ralph Phillips (Fairwheel) was not in attendance tonight. The location of the next meeting has yet to be determined. It sure would have been nice to see more than the relative handful I saw out tonight. There were many there, but not a true representation of your quintessential Shootout riders in the numbers there should have been. Could it be more legal concerns? Who knows??? The BAC voted to form a sub-committee to convene with Shootout "members" at this next meeting. Bottom-line: The rich history and traditions of the Shootout could be in jeopardy if more riders that love and participate in this ride don't make it to this next meeting, dress the part of the professionals I know most to be, make a stand and defend one of, if not the greatest group ride in the United States. I was told the “Save Fantasy Island” meetings were better attended and had a more passionate following than what this meeting experienced tonight. I can tell you that the Sheriff’s Dept sure doesn’t seem shy about getting out there to enforce the laws on this now. Their actions in regard to apprehension should definitely change but with that video out, the momentum is currently and most definitely in their favor and also for those in the public who despise cyclists all together.
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