17th Cyclist Killed In Tampa Bay/Manatee

[litespeed]

I just got back from a quick trip to and from Savannah GA from my home here in Holiday, about 30 miles NW of Tampa. No problems whatsoever except for arrriving exhausted in both places. I did the 400+ miles heavily loaded in four days each way. (At 70 I have to learn to take it easy. Or at least easier.). I have done this route numerous times. Florida isn't the best bicycling state but it's certainly manageable. I haven't even heard a cross word or any sign of hostility from a motorist in this state in years. I don't get in their way and they don't bother me.

I wouldn't live anywhere else (except maybe Latin America). And you can't beat the weather.

[tonythomson]

Lightspeed, that is awesome distance covered in 4 days, well impressed.  Especially if it was as hot as it was today  riding the West Orange Trail.  That's nice ride if you just want to meander for the day.

Took my '52 Murray out as it wasn't raining!! Bet you wouldn't do your trip on that 

[Tourista829]

Litespeed you are an inspiration to all. I am turning 60 this year and 400 miles in four days is impressive at any age. I live off of County Line Road near Wesley Chapel. I would be interested in your route from Holiday to Savannah. We like to ride from our house to Tarpon Springs, have lunch and back 62 miles. I just had a stint put in so no cycling for me for a month. Like you, I do not have trouble in other parts of Florida and you can not beat the weather.

[litespeed]

My route from Holiday to Savannah:
I pick my way through developments to Starkey Park Trail and the Suncoast Parkway Trail.
Up the Suncoast Trail to SR50 and east a few miles to Brooksville.
N on 41 to Floral City and on the Withlacoochee Trail to Inverness.
E on 44 to the Wildwood KOA.
N on 229 (right next to the KOA) to 466 and E to 301.
N on 301 to 42.
E on 42 to 19.
N on 19 and 445 to 40.
E on 40 to 11
N on 11 and US1 to 312.
E on 312 to A1A. St Augustine Beach KOA one block south just off A1A.
N on A1A to Mayport Ferry and on to Amelia City.
Buccaneer Trail and Amelia Parkway (shortcut) to A1A by bridge and E to Yulee.
US17 to Savannah.

I'm not really bragging about covering so much ground. I should cool it and take it a lot easier but this is a route I have covered so much that I just get out and hammer. My heart is also showing signs of weakness (Arrythmia and needs a lot of hydration). Also, this route lets me KOA it all the way.

[Westinghouse]

That's pretty good. I rarely do a 100 mile day, and four like that is even rarer. I am considering taking off on another tour now that I am back in the US for a while.

[Tourista829]

16th cyclist killed on US 19 in Spring Hill north of Tampa in Hudson County. Cyclist hit by a silver Chevy Silverado and dragged a ways and the motorist fled from the scene. The cyclists was on the shoulder. TV news did not indicate any wrong doing by the cyclist. I wish, if someone saw this, that they would step up and do the right thing.

[litespeed]

The cyclist was killed on US19 up by Weeki Wachee Springs. He was a young guy from Spring Hill in Hernando County. For the full story go to:
http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/accidents/patrol-seeks-help-finding-driver-who-killed-bicyclist-in-hernando-crash/1162976

Since they have pieces of the truck he will probably be caught.

[Tourista829]

Thanks Litespped for the update and your route to Savannah. I caught it quickly on the noon news on our ABC affiliate. Sorry it wasn't accurate. I hope they do catch the guy. The sad thing was the guy who hit the Japanese research assistant, who also fled the seen and they eventually caught, they never charged him with vehicular homicide. After researching things I believe some were the cyclist at fault but to not charge any driver is wrong. I never gave it much thought, about getting hit when cycling, I think of it a lot now.

[jimbo]

Three weeks ago a father and 17 yr old son were killed by a drunk driver at 9AM on Sunday on "River Road" in Wilmington NC. The road has a bike lane and I am certain is part of the ACA route from the Southport Ferry at Fort Fisher and then through Wilmington.  I ride that route 12x yr when I visit my daughter.

[Westinghouse]

Hit and run is supposed to be a serious crime. I just now read that article. The driver fled the scene and there might have been reasons for that, all of them bad. First, he might have been drunk, and he figured it was better to get caught later and sober for hit and run than it was to stay at the scene and get arrested for vehicular homicide while drunk. Second, he / she might have been driving with a suspended license, another reason for not hanging around to face the consequences. Also, the driver might have been an illegal alien, or someone dodging the law, or someone with so many DWIs and traffic tickets that the judge swore to throw the book at him if he ever showed up in court again for a traffic violation. The driver might even have been transporting contraband goods such as drugs or such. Who knows why someone would flee the scene of a fatal collision? I am only guessing why someone would hit and run like that. All these incidents underscore the importance of being vigilant and aware out there.

To fatally collide with someone on a bike, and to just keep going and leave him there dying on the side of the road is a low piece of work, but what can anyone say. It happens.

[litespeed]

Let's face it, touring cyling is inherently somewhat risky. We could get hit anytime by a drunk, a distracted teenager on facebook, a mother tending to her fussing baby in the back seat, etc. We are at a distinct disadvantage riding on a 25 pound vehicle on the road while most everyone else is in a much faster 3000+ pound vehicle. All we can do is be as careful as possible. Or stay home.

[Westinghouse]

This world has never been all that safe. The main keys to safe cycling are the right roads, vigilance, safety, and caution. We cannot as cyclists control all the variables that might lead to disaster, but we can act to minimize the likelihood that potential hazards will become real dangers that befall us.

[mucknort]

.... but we can act to minimize the likelihood that potential hazards will become real dangers that befall us.

One way to do that is to take a L.A.B. Bicycle Safety Course. My wife, 11 year old son, and I took their course before riding across the U.S. last year. Our main reason for doing it was to help prepare our son, but my wife and I both learned a good deal even though we'd both been riding/touring for many years/miles. I highly recommend it!!!
http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/

[Tourista829]

Mucknort great idea! One tip could be life saving. I am ultra cautious, very visible and try to choose routes that are as safe as possible. However, I believe when your number is up well it is up. In this part of Florida it may happen a little quicker. Westinghouse, when a driver drags a cyclist for a while he is either impaired or just doesn't care. Anyone who leaves, the scene of an accident can be summed up in one word, "Coward."

[ronn12]

IM from FLA and what i read here i.ll take a dam bus before i ride down there. MY Mom say,s not cycle down there take bus. or just be smart. driver there are all A.. holes!!