Twice in eight days cyclists have been struck by motorists in Santa Clarita. Three have been seriously injured, and now one has been killed. It appears that 20 year old Marco Valencia felt that it was necessary to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol on the morning of July 11th, ultimately crossing the yellow line and hitting 3 cyclists on Bouquet Canyon. The collision caused the death of 43 year old Joseph Novotny. Thankfully Marco Valencia was caught and arrested, unlike Emilio Ramirez.
I know some people would say that bikes don’t belong on the road anyway. Others might say that it is becoming too dangerous out there, and that they are going to stay home or ride their mountain bike. I’ll be honest, I think about the possibility of getting hit every time I go out. There are even times that I think twice about riding on the road at all. But there is that other part of me that says this activity of mine keeps me mentally and physically healthy, and I love it. Why should I stop riding because others are reckless? I don’t know what the solution is, maybe there isn’t one. I do know what the solution isn’t. It isn’t adding more lanes for vehicular traffic without making accommodations (bike lanes) for bikes. The City of Santa Clarita does nothing for cyclists that ride on the streets in and around the city. If you stick to the paseos, you’re good. Otherwise, you’re on your own. While it may never be completely fixed, I know that it won’t get any better until the city takes it seriously. I am talking not only of bike lanes, but of things like “Share the Road” signs.
I was riding with a friend last Saturday morning as well. And while we had a great ride, when we had to navigate through Newhall he just about lost it. He was shocked by amount, speed and unpredictability of the traffic on a Saturday morning, specifically on Railroad Road (ironically in front of Newhall Bicycle Co.). Again, I do not know what the solution is, but all of us talking about how bad the situation is, isn’t going to help.
I guess we all knew it was coming, I just didn’t think he’d be so impatient to do it in the first mountain stage. Yep, Alberto Contador appears to be riding his own race. Lance and Levi both said that while it wasn’t THE TEAM’S plan, it wasn’t unexpected either. I really curious to see how this one plays out.
On a different note, how about Bradley Wiggins? Nice job staying with the climbers today Mr. Wiggins.
Unfortunately another cyclist was hit by a motor vehicle on Sierra Highway. The only good news is that he has survived, but is in extremely serious condition. As it turns out, the truck’s mirror hit Kevin Mather as it passed. On the surface one might not think that a collision with a mirror could be that serious, however you have to realize the mirror is probably traveling at 60 mph, and weighs in the neighborhood of 10 pounds. Put in those terms, it is easy to get a sense of the kind of damage that can be caused upon impact with a human body.
You know it’s funny how motorists always seem surprised when you as a cyclist get angry at near misses. THIS IS WHY! Emilio Ramirez loses a mirror in this collision, and Kevin Mather is in a fight for his life. It is so simple, yet drivers just don’t pay attention. Emilio Ramirez passed a group of cyclists on the way to hitting Kevin Mather, and still was not aware enough to give some leeway to one more rider that he encountered. What makes this whole event more amazing, is that Emilio Ramirez left the scene! It was only after he realized that there were witnesses and physical evidence (the mirror) that he came back. Furthermore, he wasn’t arrested! If I hit a car with my car, causing 100.00 dollars in damage, and then left the scene. I’d be arrested. This joker almost kills someone, leves the scene, and he goes home that night.
I wish Kevin Mather and his family all the best, and hope he gets well very soon. Here are a couple of links explaining things better than I can:
Apparently Columbia-HTC was asking the other sprinters’ teams to help out pulling the break back. Nobody helped. So what did Columbia do? As soon as the peloton changed direction into strong crosswinds with 20k to go, they drilled it. All nine of them were on the front, only 18 other riders could keep up. What a sight to see, what a show of power. Awesome! Ultimately the group finished 40 seconds ahead of the peloton. Maybe next time they’ll help out.
Wow, that turned out to be an interesting stage. I wasn’t able to watch the coverage because of work, but I was able to follow it on my phone. Cavendish proved again that he is usually the fastest guy in the peloton. However the interesting story is Armstrong making the split, leaving Contador and Leipheimer 39 or 40 seconds behind. I would love to be at that dinner table tonight. The TTT should be fun tomorrow. While Armstrong in the yellow jersey after tomorrow is a real possibility, I am not sure this is the best time for that. Having to defend the jersey for that long would be tough. Doable, but tough.
Nice win by Cavendish today! Usually when you’re second wheel with under 500m to go, you’re in a good position. Not today. You can’t see it unless you watch the overhead view, but Cavendish was actually able to ride away from Farrrar in the last 100 or so meters. Farrar is a great sprinter, but Cavendish possesses another gear that others don’t seem to have most of the time. Boonen apparently had some issues in the final kilometer, trying to avoid the crash that occurred on the final right turn. He should have just followed the white line. Sorry, I can’t resist.
Oh yeah, Phil Liggett pronounces Farrar’s name like Far-rar, not Farrah. I am sticking with Liggett.
Regardless of who you support, you have to admit this is going to be interesting and fun to watch.
On another note, I really hope Bruyneel leaves Astana after the tour and starts his own team with Armstrong, Leipheimer and Horner. Eventually meeting up with Astana and their “leader” Vino in next year’s tour, and kicking his tail. I am already tired of Vino’s whining.
Personally I don’t agree with the decision, but that obviously doesn’t matter. However I AM happy that Cavendish will now have Boonen to smack around in the sprints!
The other good news, Boonen won’t get lost, he can just follow the white lines. Sorry about that, I know that was horible, but I had to make at least one stupid cocaine joke.
One day and counting until the 2009 TDF! I have to go ride now before Tour coverage completely kills my riding schedule. Happy 4th of July!
