May 20, 2007
I know I have griped about this before, but it is so frustrating. I think I should petition the State to be given a license to take potshots at FlatLanders that can't drive Highway 9, and refuse or are too ignorant to use turn-outs. I don't want to hurt anyone, so can't I get a license to pelt them with paintballs? I'd even take a class to get said license. We could go over ways to identify FlatLanders. Aside from poor vehicle control on twisty roads, can you spot the decals and license plate brackets that suggest the driver is from San Jose, San Francisco, Palo Alto, or where ever? I think so. Granted, not all FlatLanders drive that way, so they would be graciously mistaken for Mountain Folk.
The sun has been out today, but there is a chilly wind blowing in from San Francisco that is making it a little unpleasant outside. Nevertheless, the FlatLanders and Crotch Rocket riders were out in droves. As I drove to work, I got behind a string of cars putzing along, and was suddenly in a swarm of motorcycles. It was like being in a herd of cattle that were suddenly beset with a swarm of locusts. Frankly, I am surprised that no one panicked and hit something. I finally got around some of them, and not in the preferred way of them using a turn-out, only to get behind more. I gave up.
After I picked up Annie, it was more of the same. Every turn became a reason to slam on the breaks, and if they did decide to use a turnout, they accelerated. I managed to get by them eventually. Thankfully, there was no one coming in the other lane. That said, it is not always FlatLanders that drive that way. It is amazing how sensitive people are about being passed. I pull over anytime that someone comes up on me and is obviously driving faster. I couldn't care less. I just don't like to be riding the brakes if I don't need to. Several years ago I was going to work and a guy (from the mountains) was putzing. He refused to use a turnout, and accelerated as he went by turn-outs. He didn't pull over, just gassed it when there was one. I was ticked, but was fine with it. I found a place to get by him, and did... even though he gunned it as I moved to pass him. His outrage at being passed suddenly brought him new driving skills. He stayed with me all the way to Saratoga, where he rolled down the window and started railing about me passing him. Strange. If he had just pulled over, or driven with the same purpose that possessed him after I passed him, it would never have happened...
Oh well, at least I am now home Annie. Time for homework...
Road Rage? No, Highway Justice... the Law says to pull over...
The sun has been out today, but there is a chilly wind blowing in from San Francisco that is making it a little unpleasant outside. Nevertheless, the FlatLanders and Crotch Rocket riders were out in droves. As I drove to work, I got behind a string of cars putzing along, and was suddenly in a swarm of motorcycles. It was like being in a herd of cattle that were suddenly beset with a swarm of locusts. Frankly, I am surprised that no one panicked and hit something. I finally got around some of them, and not in the preferred way of them using a turn-out, only to get behind more. I gave up.
After I picked up Annie, it was more of the same. Every turn became a reason to slam on the breaks, and if they did decide to use a turnout, they accelerated. I managed to get by them eventually. Thankfully, there was no one coming in the other lane. That said, it is not always FlatLanders that drive that way. It is amazing how sensitive people are about being passed. I pull over anytime that someone comes up on me and is obviously driving faster. I couldn't care less. I just don't like to be riding the brakes if I don't need to. Several years ago I was going to work and a guy (from the mountains) was putzing. He refused to use a turnout, and accelerated as he went by turn-outs. He didn't pull over, just gassed it when there was one. I was ticked, but was fine with it. I found a place to get by him, and did... even though he gunned it as I moved to pass him. His outrage at being passed suddenly brought him new driving skills. He stayed with me all the way to Saratoga, where he rolled down the window and started railing about me passing him. Strange. If he had just pulled over, or driven with the same purpose that possessed him after I passed him, it would never have happened...
Oh well, at least I am now home Annie. Time for homework...
Road Rage? No, Highway Justice... the Law says to pull over...