Damn!
When did was this announced? I would have loved to ride to work today, but
when I ran out of my apartment (20 min late) the metro was easier to hop on
than my bike. I'll ride tomorrow for the post Ride-To-Work ride to work...
It always seems like I am the last to know!
Regardless, for all you MD, DC and NoVA riders, if you have nothing better
to do, I would recommend the "ride 55 on 95" ride this weekend. As many of
you may or may not know, Maryland announced "operation Road Rocket" several
weeks ago to crack down on all the crazy crotch rocketeers on the roads.
They cited two fatal motorcycle incidents from the previous year as reasons
for the program (apparantly one of them was caused by an out of control
dump-truck) and have enlisted two motorcycle cops on K1200RS's and a
helicopter with Infrared imaging to hunt the offending motorcyclists.
I have no problem with them trying to make the roads safer in the DC Metro
area, but I don't appreciate the anti-motorcycle tactic they are adopting.
The planned ride will be from the Beltway up 95 to Baltimore I believe at
55mph in the 3 right most lanes to demonstrate that motorcyclists are not
dangerous speed freaks but law abiding motorists.
All riders are encouraged to were tee-shirts with "55" scrawled on the
back. If you can't ride, they're looking for people in cars to run rear
blocker with camcorders... Apparantly last weekend when they did this
several cars executed a high speed pass on the right hand shoulder to get
ahead, then slammed on their brakes once in front of the motorcyclists. They
would like to document this behavior and would appreciate any and all help.
The specifics: (graciously taken from the DC-Cycles list)
>
>
Reno on the burgandy 12 organized this event.
(every saturday this month)
specifics:
meet at 12 p.m. at the rivertown mall checkers
st barnabas rd right?
route: from that beltway exit 4 north to the college park exit 25,
turn around on 95-south, and back to 295 then to NY ave checkers.
purpose: to show sportbike riders riding in a peaceful law abiding
manner as a community and show who the real aggressive drivers are,
and that motorcycles shouldnt' be singled out.
Ride on the 3 right lanes and leave the passing lane open. 15 bikes
were at the last event, and the # is expected to grow as word gets
out. We will be doing this for the next 3 saturdays. Further protest
will be decided later.
Those without bikes are welcomed to come along in a car. Especially if
you have a camcorder, to record the cars/trucks that come around on
the shoulder and intentionally cut off, and wrecklessly endanger the
law abiding riders of this protest. (as they have done last week).
Below is the flyer as written by Reno:
Promoting a peaceful ride at 55 on 95
Well people in helping Maryland State Police making our highways
safer, we are promoting (A Peaceful Ride At 55 On 95) starting on Sat
7/15/00 for a month (every Sat). We are meeting at the Checekrs in
River town shopping center in oxon hill at 12 noon and leaving at 1
p.m. The ride will go from exit 4 North on 95 to exit 25, then we
will turn around and head back down 95 South taking up all 3 lanes
except for the left passing lane, driving only at 55 mph.
Then we will take 295 into dc to the checkers on New York Avenue. The
news and radio stations ahve been called in advance so it will be
televised. Please wear a white T shirt with 55 on the back (over your
gear). This is to show that it's not all sport bike riders that drive
at high speeds, it's people in cars and trucks driving reckless and at
high speeds as well as creating fatal accidents. Not all sport bike
riders drive 150 MPH. I hope one day that all motorists in cars and
trucks will give motorcycles a little bit more respect. We are only on
two wheels you know, without the protection of doors. I would like to
say THANKS to the Maryland State Troopers for getting the jet
helicopter and BMW motorcycles to help catch speeders (operation road
round up). The majority of us sport bike riders are behind you ONE
hundered percent. I would like to say thanks to the news and radio
stations for listening to us and getting our side of the story out to
the public. We are asking all bike riders with VALID drivers
lisceneses to participate. Please send this to all the riders you
know. If not by email, then please give them a call.
RENO!!!
Ps: kawasaki rules
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I also would like to make note that off duty police officers are
riding along with thier bikes. The reckless automobiles that come on
the shoulder tend to back off when that badge comes out. I Still would
like cars with camcorders to come along. Would make for some great
news footage showing that CARS are the true reckless & agreessive
vehicles killing other motorists. how often do we see sportbikes
cutting off cars "to get back at them"? never. That's like playing
russian roulette in someone elses house to make them "pay".
Many of you didn't know about the event this past saturday, nor did I.
I did meet up with them afterwards. I will be out there with our
friends & fellow riders next saturday. Will you?
BTW, I repeat, cars supporting the ride, are especially welcome to
follow behind us, acting as a barrier to protect the riders from tail
gaters. (note signs in the rear window are illegal).
Bring your camcorders if you have them, and help record activities
that show who the real dangerous DRIVERS are, that willfully endanger
other peoples lives.