Radio host infuriates cyclists

The Raleigh News & Observer ^ | 10/1/03 | BRUCE SICELOFF

[Hatteras]

Radio host infuriates cyclists

By BRUCE SICELOFF, Staff Writer

G105 radio host Bob Dumas told listeners last week that he just hated to see bicycle riders on the road. He laughed at stories about running cyclists down, and he talked up the idea of throwing bottles at bikers. It wasn't funny to cycling enthusiasts across the Triangle. This week they are lobbying government officials and local advertisers in a campaign to punish radio station WDCG and its corporate owner, Clear Channel of San Antonio, and to promote bicycle safety."One caller said her dad had purposely hit a biker on the road on the way to church one Sunday and kept on going," said G105 listener Holly N. Proctor of Cary on Tuesday of the Sept. 21 and 22 broadcasts. "That got laughs. Bob thought that was funny.

"And Bob said he'd love to be on a motorcycle and driving it down a bike lane. Because he didn't think bikers should be allowed on the road. He said they should ride on the sidewalk," she said.

Proctor, a photo technician at N.C. State University, joined two dozen fellow cyclists at a 5 p.m. protest outside the radio station's offices in North Raleigh.

Tom Norman , director of the N.C. Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation , said that reports about the broadcasts revealed dangerous ignorance of state law.

"I have talked to the G105 manager, who was not aware that it is legal to ride bicycles on the public roadways of North Carolina, that cycles are legally recognized as vehicles in North Carolina," Norman said. "Where do you draw the line? What is the distinction between humor and actually inciting or encouraging listeners to harass a group of people?"

Kenneth C. Spitzer, the station manager, declined to provide tapes or transcripts of the broadcasts to Norman or to a Capital Area transportation planning committee that discussed the controversy Tuesday.

In e-mail responses to several Triangle area residents who complained to the station, Spitzer said the "Bob and Madison " show aims to entertain listeners with "animated banter ... that can be both humorous and caustic." But he said some comments last week "went too far, and for that we sincerely apologize.

"Be assured that G105 does not advocate harm to cyclists," he wrote.

G105 is the third Clear Channel station to draw fire in the past four months for on-air comments perceived as advocating violence or animosity toward bicycle riders. Officials at WMJI in Cleveland and KLOL in Houston apologized in July and September for similar remarks. They agreed to broadcast "share the road" messages and to finance bicycle safety campaigns.

Leaders of the N.C. Bicycle Club outlined requests they said would help Clear Channel "mend relations with Triangle bicyclists," including similar public safety campaigns and a detailed apology.

Spitzer declined to comment. A corporate spokeswoman to whom inquiries were directed Tuesday did not return calls.

Members of area cycling clubs have shared copies over the past week of protest letters to the Federal Communications Commission, to state and local prosecutors and to G105 sponsors. Several critics noted that G105 radio hosts have sparked controversy in the past with crude stunts.

"It's one thing to drive around with a naked man on the radio station's van," said Raleigh lawyer Kimberly Bryan. "To encourage citizens to harm cyclists, that has crossed a different line. It's irresponsible. It's not caustic, it's not banter, it's not funny."

David Smith , 38, a software developer at UNC-Chapel Hill, took it personally. His right forearm still bears the scar of an attack by an Orange County motorist who found Smith cycling down a rural road one afternoon in April 2001.

"How are people going to take this, what was mentioned on G105?" Smith asked. "Are people going to say, 'You know, I'm tired of these cyclists?' Is that situation going to exacerbate what happened to me, with somebody else coming down a back road?"

After running Smith off the road, the driver stopped, chased him down on foot and struck him with a hatchet, sending him into a ditch and over the handlebars of his wrecked bike. Marvin Glenn Manring of Orange County pleaded guilty in July 2001 to assault with a deadly weapon. He promised to enroll in an anger management program.

Staff writer Bruce Siceloff can be reached at 829-4527 or bsicelof@newsobserver.com.

[bicycle thug]

My first derailleured machine was a Raleigh Super Course with a B-15. I bought it in 1969 with paper route money. It was 129 dollars and I still have both the bike and that saddle.

They are like shoes, uncomfortable until you break them in. If you regularly use Brook's Proof hide, cover it in wet weather, and keep it tensioned right, there is no saddle in the world that hold a candle to it for comfort and duribility.

Like many things in our culture, people don't maintain their brooks and the chap and degrade. I have saddles from 1974 that have been heavily used and hardly look it. If someone has the patience to ovehaul free bearings in the four main bearing components of a bike, maintaining a Books saddle is something one does without much though to it.

I am a journeyman bicycle mechanic and keep my machines in preventive care mode. I rarely ever suffer neglect wear on my equipment. I had an expensive mountain bike stolen some years ago, and it took me almost two years, but I got it back. I spent more then it was worth to do so, but it was MY bicycle.

It's a long story, but one outcome was the current crop of sleaseballs stealing

If you looked at my collection you would see right off the bat that my taste in bicycles is extremely conservative. I am just as at home and happy on my Austro-Daimler Superleicht with a Campy Super Record Groppo, friction shifting from the downtube, 7 cog cluster and all as the above mentioned Bridgestone, that bike was also the last machine I raced on.

Sounds like you have a nice machine, I had an Alan Carbino for a while, but I saw someone do a 6 Million Dollar Man Show grade disintergration at high sprint...man, that was ugly. I sold it to a woman who weighs much less then me to keep it and me alive.

This was unusual because usually I am far too attached to any bike to sell it.

Your bike is newer and stronger then the Carbino, so don't lose sleep over it. I have an Aluminum Allez with a carbon forkset that is newer with Shimano 105 stuff, and I would swap it for a simular sized model like yours in a minute.

It pays to watch garage sales, Goodwill, and other outlets of second hand stuff, because I have found astounding bikes and equipment at a very cheap price.

Most people don't know a Raleigh Record from a Raleigh Competition, Professional, or an International. If it is grungy, it goes for cheap, and I have the patience to overhaul, clean and refit fine old machines.

It is a fun hunt and hobby I am really into. And when I find a Campy equipped Flying Dutcheman with dirt and a lousy repaint job for 25 dollars, it pays off too.

Keep your eyes open, good stuff for cheap is out there if you've the eye and patience to look for it.

[Heyworth]

Thanks Thug. I knew it was a good bike when I bought it, but I was a bit bummed about the downtube shifters. I looked at all sorts of ways to put STI shifters on it, but there was just no way to do it without dropping more money than I paid for the whole bike. After a while, though, I got to like the downtubes. If nothing else, they make you think and plan about your gears a bit more rather than just flicking around every minute.

If it is grungy, it goes for cheap, and I have the patience to overhaul, clean and refit fine old machines.

I always see the opposite, some piece of crap with cheap Suntour parts rusted frozen that the guy wants $500 for. Personally, my dream find is an old Raleigh or other Brit-make 3-speed Tourist style.

[bicycle thug]

"Personally, my dream find is an old Raleigh or other Brit-make 3-speed Tourist style."

Oh, those are common here. It is quite easy to find Raleigh Sports, and other 3 speeds cheap here. I must have 8 Sturmey Archer hubsets, and know of three machines in great shape that are quite cheap. Blue Heron Bicycles on E13th St specializes in old bikes and has several upstairs in the loft, and Revolution used bicycle Shop on Blair Blvd has some of those and some more rare three speeds.

I guess I am spoiled because this city has five percent of commuters going to work on bicycles, and a long history of deep bicycle empathy and use. It's the main reason I stay here, I've ridden in metro areas where I felt I deserved combat pay the road system and bike situation was so horrible.

I only have one myself, a Puch with Austrian rear hub I came across abandoned because of a blown tire in the Burnside District of Portland. I brought it home and use it if I am just going around the immediate area. It is bulletproof, and thieves don't covet it.

As for your shifting problem, there are screw on cable stops and barcons (at the end of the handlebars plug style shifters) that would give you more convenient shifting. I would use SIS cable and housing though, as that setup is longer, and longer means stretching.

Ratchet barcons are popular and show up often on E bay. I have a couple of sets of those too as I try to upgrate to SIS barcons on my touring bikes.

[cyclotic]

Thug,

You seem quite expert on older bikes. About ten years ago, I found a Cycles Gitane 12 speed racer at a garage sale. I was training for my first real tour. (MS150) 150 miles over 2 days. Up to that point, I considered 20 miles quite the accomplishment.

Anyway, my Schwinn LeTour was showing its age and would need a bunch of upkeep. I sunk $35.00 and a set of tires in that Gitane. Rode it for several thousand miles.

I've never seen another one and don't know anything about the company. Can you enlighten me at all?

[johnb838]

I think you are full of hate. You should be made to take some anger management courses.

[bicycle thug]

"I think you are full of hate. You should be made to take some anger management courses.

Well, you don't cite why you feel that way,but off the top of my head, I never talked of hurting or attacking anyone. As you see by my posts regarding my general reaction to the few bad things that happened to me on a bike, I generally retreated rather then precipitate violence out of the bad behavior shown me.

Now if you can make a case to back yourself up, have at it. I am intensely curious as to how you could prove your assertation.

Hey, thanks for the amusing comment. I am indeed very intese when I talk about engaging political topics. But even then, I have done way more reading then posting since I signed up here, and jumped into this thread on all fours for the first time because it is a major interest and influence in my life.

You have a good day John, and by all means explain yourself better. Because otherwise all you are is puzzling to me.

Oh yes, drive safely, and share the road. ;-)

[Hank Rearden]

Skintight clothing serves a very functional purpose.

Yeah. I'm sure it does. Especially in San Francisco.

[bicycle thug]

"Yeah. I'm sure it does. Especially in San Francisco."

Brave words, now if you go to the star finish line of a criterium or road race and repeat something simular to the large group of surely, competitive men in the best of shape I would be impressed. Yeah, that would really be something to watch. Especially if you threw in something about how vulgar shaved legs look on a man.

Bicycling clothes are the time tested and proven gear for the job. Pushing the envelope of distance on particular courses in 'X' amount of time and being the first of the group doing it means everything, you and your conditioning, the bicycle, what it is and how well it is maintained, and your clothing, how well it protects and lets you pass sweat and heat while not creating undue wind resistence.

If you ride on rollors or an exercise bicycle without a fan, the 'engine' overheats very quickly. By slamming the clothing, you are making the same argument as begrudging the fins on an air cooled motorcycle engine.

Or do you also take other sports to task if they show too much of the human body? They have their out of shape posers who often wear the clothing for those sports too.

Your browbeating about the clothes is pointless and serves only a mean spirited purpose. But, you already knew that.

[bicycle thug]

RE #437 - I am saddened to hear about your friend.

Life is ferociously short, and many of us ride because we want to be out and as close to the real world as possible. To pass things in a way that let's us absorb them, see hear and smell the details.

I like riding back form Florence and to feel the 'back to the barn syndrome' hit at around milepost 45 and to feel myself quicken the pace more then I though I could.

To ride up from the thick atmosphere of a Western Oregon valley of tall thick trees to the colder, thin air of the spindly, smaller trees by lava beds and mountains and then to sail back down into the pregnant and humid warmth racing the water of the MacKenzie River heading into the home stretch.

He died while living life as fully as possible. I saw this happen before in a bike race without travelling road closure when a cyclist was hit by oncoming traffic. It was something I never will forget seeing.

Some of my friends have been hurt in recent years and have hung up their bikes. Russell Morton, coop member of Burley design, best local racer in the mid seventies, race promotor for many years of the Tour Willamette.

Robert Craft, (Crafty Craft) one of the smartest and most creative racers I ever met. He runs one of the Paul's Bike Shops in town.

I am very glad they lived. Seeing hurt and near death makes you really appreciate life all that much more.

Your friend lives on in the memories of you and his friends and family, especially when they remember what they shared with him when they do what they did with him.

[bicycle thug]

Could you tell me the model name or a general idea of the components on it? Look for a tubing brand sticker on the seat tube as well.

Gitane is a French company, and they have imported bicycles for many years. Most garden variety Gitanes come with the plastic Simplex derailleur system, and if it has a three piece cotterless crank, the bevel on the axle only works with three pin cranks, and replacement involves the whole thing.

If it is old enough to have French threading, that is a major problem. There used to be Frence, Italian and English threading, and English became the standard over time.

That's some of the main reasons knowing the age, and model would help. Do that and I can tell you all you need to know about it. As I said, I am a journeyman mechanic. I work part time at Burley Design Coop as a trailer assembler, wheel builder, or bicycle assembler currently several months a year.

I have the contacts to get info where my knowlege fails me. The people at Blue Heron, Revolution Cycles, Pauls Bicycle Way of Life, the Center for Appropriate Transportation or CAT as it is called here all reprocess and make big bucks off old machines.

CAT has a large loft full of them, and it has a charter school to teach youngsters how to build frames, and do other manufacture work on bicycles.

My good friend and former fellow Eugene Cycle Club racer Dan has Co-Motion Bicycles. Green Gear, the Bike Friday Company is here.

There is no doubt Eugene, Oregon is a city with many bicycle resources. I have worked in several shops here in Eugene and Portland over the years, Including Bike Gallery on Eastside in PDX. I have a Schwinn LeTourLuxe in excellent shape. It is a stable reliable touring bike, with cantilever brakes, and a frameset that handles the full load well. It is my token Schwinn and I ride it periodically in the Winter if I have to use panniers or a trailer.

[KneelBeforeZod]

how many cars do you see running red lights and stop signs compared to bikes running red lights and stop signs?

in my town where the roadies flip off almost every car, they also run almost every red light. then the complain about dangerous drivers on Sand Hill Road

its more than a few bad apples.

[neutrino]

See my post in #60. I was in a subdivision heading toward a bike trail when I got shot. I'd beat the crap out of those kids had I caught them.

I can understand your sentiment - it's all in the perspective, isn't it?

Still, surely you'll concede that the image of black lycra with a large green spot on it is hilarious! (As long as you aren't the...ahem...target)

[DollyCali]

Life is ferociously short, and many of us ride because we want to be out and as close to the real world as possible.

I had learned this more about myself in all areas...

.I have biked most of my life.. but found past 15 years or so I prefer kayaking, sailboarding over large morotorized craft.

would rather do ANYTHING outside (yes even love lawnmowing & gardening) than MOST THINGS inside.

Your discussions with several others re: bikes are fun to follow. I have had one bike with Litespeed - guess my best bike ever in most respects - .."modified full load" campy to the hilt, carbon fiber, titanium.....

I traded it for some green that was at the time needed a whole lot more than a 10th "good" bike..

[DollyCali]

what is your take on what the olympic swimmers & divers wear, Hank ?

pretty "revealing" also...(probably also "hot" in San Fran ) but functional.

do you think these outfits are worn ONLY by gay swimmers?

Series cyclists wear the proper clothing. (Just like I wear proper clothing when I cross country ski) If it bothers some & presents an opportunity for "uneducated flaming" .... so be it.

When you do serious, long rides, the proper attire is impt.

out on the trail for 10 - 20 miles....your cargo shorts & Reebok tennies are fine.. (and I wear those too for casual rides with some friends).. but in HOT weather on long rides I go for the wicking element that Bicycle Thug described & the streamline effect. For some reason these clothes are less offensive on we gals ( *G*)

But do believe Hank.. the reason the men wear these is NOT to turn on the gay element of our society.. (although I am sure we have some gay riders of both sexes).. Trust me.. these outfits turn on MANY MORE WOMEN THAN MEN IN OUR CIRCLES !!! and it not just the outfits.. it is the spirit and the love of life that is inherent of most bicyclist that I have known over the years.

Just like the flight suit on W.. yes, a bit of a turn on for many.... but the character of the man inside is what makes the turn on complete...

so dont judge to easily, my FReeper friend.. there are good folks on this thread, who just so happen to have as an avocation: Bicycling !

Yes, many are guilty of thoughtlessness when biking - me included. Bikes are less forgiving when we make mistakes than in cars. I try to be very considerate to cars.. I sometimes am not. I dont judge every auto driver harshly when several drivers PO me on a given day. Even the very best drivers have their moments..

Have a good day to you two gentlemen & all other FReeprs who find their eyes on this thread this day...

[bk1000]

For the record, during my Wednesday afternoon commute I
observed three cyclists at three different points. The first
two were wearing street clothes and helmets and were being
very cautious and courteous. The third, wearing spandex
adorned with various commercial logos, was much more in the
way and unrelenting to traffic. I would expect more from the 'pro', but regardless, the majority of the cyclists were doing their best to share the road. The bit about the tag is just a little vent of frustration and really serves no useful purpose. Everybody be nice. My last on this.

[cyclotic]

Thanks for the info. I don't have the bike any more and don't remember the model name. It did have Simplex components. It was a real fun bike to ride, but I finally hit the point where my abilities outran the abilities of the bike. I was able to get some used parts from a couple of friends and build myself a pretty decent setup on a Trek 1000 frame.

I'm not much of an equipment snob so it works great for me.

I have a different LeTour up in my attic too. I keep meaning to drag it out and leave it at my in-laws so I have something to ride when we're visiting. They have some great hills for a flatlander like myself to train on.

[Genetic]

"Roads was made for one puprose, for motorized vehicles only"

Actually, depending on where you live, roads 'was' made mostly for cycling. Most roads where I live existed before a fraction of a percent of the population owned automobiles (or had ever been in one). They owned horses or bicycles.
Paving of roads is largely due to cyclists, not Henry Ford. The truth will set you free.

[Constitution Day]

Zoom Zoom!

[jonalvy44]

first Rush attacks black football players, now another host attacks bikers...I'm afraid that the next target might be badminton players...Hannity have a beef with badminton?