Southern Tier, highway 78 Glamis to Palo Verde, Ca

[staehpj1]

I never saw anything at all like Westinghouse describes on the ST, the SC, the PC, the TA, or any of my other tours.  I also think it would be pretty hard for trucks going in opposite directions to even manage to meet at the exact point the cyclist was at, even if they were in radio contact.  I just don't see this happening intentionally.

If we are talking about professional truck drivers in big rigs, I am especially doubtful both because they don't have time to mess around playing games and because I have generally as a group found them to be well behaved and skilled drivers.

I have seen the occasional yahoo in a pickup truck who intentionally passes too close, apparently intentionally, but that happens more often when at home than on tour.  It has been a very rare occurrence on tour in my experience.  Even at home it has become increasingly rare in recent years.

[Westinghouse]

Pete, The implications of your post are ridiculous. I did not see you anywhere around when all that was happening. You have deliberately disinformed the import of the facts. Because you could not possibly know what you are talking about, it makes me curious as to why you would have an interest in trying to obfuscate facts.

[Catherine]

Pete, well said.

[John Nettles]

Westinghouse,

Gotta admit, I have toured the TA, PC, NT, AC, ST, GPN, LEC, and several other 30+ days tours in my 35 years and 50+k miles of loaded touring and have never seen a repeated "coordinated" effort.  I am not saying these repeated occurrences did not occur to you (only you and the "criminals" were present) but perhaps you should re-evaluate the effort it would take to do this.  And I do agree that it happens occasionally by happenstance to ME.

Heck, if I were driving and to time it so I pass another car when a cyclist (who is not participating in this effort AND is crossing an expansion joint at the precise time) is in the between us AND to make it happen hundreds of times strains credibility.  Please note I am NOT saying this does not happen but in all my tours, I have it happen once or less per week of touring and never the same trucks over and over.  Disclaimer:  I do not track when I cross expansion joints but will unfortunately probably begin doing so.

What gets me is how the EVIL dogs out there ALWAYS attack in pairs (one on each side) and ALWAYS on the uphills, in the rain, against the wind, while crossing expansion joints.

Let's go ride and find some dogs and truckers!  Back to the original thread now.

[Westinghouse]

I reported what happened. Anyone's credulousness as to the facts is irrelevant. I was alone. The chances of those many events being mere unplanned happenstance are absolute zero. Believe whatever you need to believe. You were not there, or were you. I reported it to the FBI. What do you know about extremist groups, about me, about anything? Another cyclist noticed something similar to this. I believe it was on this forum. You said they didthat to me and me alone? How would you know that?

[bobbys beard]

i feel the need to weigh in, not to discredit westinghouse, but to reassure others riding the glamis section of the ST. i've been through twice now and not once experienced anything other than courteous traffic in this section. the police on both occassions drove past regularly and it was a beautiful, interesting desert ride, although i only went through during summer when traffic volume is clearly somewhat lower.

many times on the road i've been passed by trucks in the manner westinghouse has mentioned, this can be happenstance or no doubt the odd trucker finds it hilarious to time his passing to scare a cyclist off the road. in the states i spoke to many truckers with a sincere dislike for cyclists, but aside from a few logging trucks in florida, i never felt threatened on purpose. the rednecks however.... yes they will throw items at you and dangersously swerve in front of you. that happened many times!

[glamis.support]

Mentioned in this line of posts, that Nancy offers rides for an alternate route near Highway 78 is definitely
an incorrect guidance. No such offer exists.
99% of my cycling guests mention that semi trucks give them room by going over when they can to the
other lane.
The RV'rs on the other hand are less inclined to give room.
This is a road that demands a mirror, good listening and careful watching.
Not recommended on 3 day weekends due to high tourist travel to Glamis Sand Dunes.
Nancy