An open letter to House of Pain riders

Dear HOP riders,

Yesterday I was riding on Manning about to turn onto North Livermore when your group came by me.  One fellow yelled to me that you were a "big group." I replied don't run me off the road.  Of course, you didn't respected my request.  In fact, one of you came within inches of me nearly forcing me onto the soft shoulder. (Frankly, I've been run off the road more than once by your group in the past year--on Camino Tassajara and on Highland.)  Shortly after your group made their turn, a truck turned onto North Livermore and made it up to the back of your group in seconds.  He honked as he wanted to get past your group which was spread out across the lane.  Not one of you moved to the right so he could safely pass.  He crossed the double yellow line to get around you.

I guess the fact one of your group was killed on in December has not change your group's mentality.  You do not have the right to push other cyclists off the road just because we are not riding your pace.  We are not racing you. In fact, I am out on my training ride and have no desire to race anyone.  You are technically not racing either.  You don't have the permits, the road closed nor is it marked for a bike race. 

Believe it or not, I understand the desire to ride fast but I don't do it as if my ride is the only one that counts.  I also think that my behavior on the road can affect how drivers view all cyclists.  Your behavior goes a long way to re-enforcing the perspective that all cyclists are jerks who routinely disregard the rules of the road. 

I would love it if you would show some respect to others on the road at the same time as you.  If I am forced on to the soft shoulder or off the road by your group again or witness the type of behavior I saw yesterday, I am reporting you to the police or sheriff. 

Been gone too long

I wish I had a better reason for not posting for such a long time. I don't. My consulting job in Napa ended in October. I thought I'd get in a lot of bike rides. I didn't. I worked as a substitute librarian at a few law firms in November and December. It was fun.

I spent time baking cookies in December as well. I just started with one recipe one morning and in two days I had baked five different kinds of cookies. It was relaxing and the kitchen--the whole apartment actually--smelled homey. It was comforting.

I put out a new sock pattern in late November. It's called Calaveras after one of my favorite bike rides. Calaveras Road winds up to the Calveras Dam, which is a reservoir serving San Francisco. Even though the road is between Livermore and Milpitas, you know you are in the country. The shades of green from the oak trees and wild grass as well as the many different kinds of birds I see when out there confirm it is country. In the spring, there are a few more people up near the head of the dam because there are at least one pair of nesting eagles.  Anyway, back to the sock.  I used Pigeonroof Studios Siren 2 sock in a beautiful green.  The color of the yarn and the lace pattern combine to reflect what I like best about this ride:  the greenery and the winding road.

Speaking of Pigeonroof, Krista is working with new base yarns and Siren 2 will probably be discounted.  I am confident that any fingering weight base she uses will work with patterns I have designed using her yarn.  And, if you haven't visited her new online shop, go there now.  It's really lovely.

I have another sock pattern in the works called Zigzag Road.  The name is also cycling related.  Part of the 2012 Olympic cycling road race was on Zigzag Road.  I was working on the pattern during the Olympics and the name seemed appropriate.  I hope to finish writing the pattern by the end of the month.

One last thing.  I hope that 2013 brings you much joy and happiness!