Three Feet

Last month, The Ohio Bicycle Federation provided an update on the status of Senate Bill 174, which includes a three foot passing law:

Update on Senate Bill 174
The OBF testified before the Ohio Senate Highways and Transportation Committee on May 19 to support our Senate Bill 174, which would require Ohio motorists to pass bicyclists with at least three feet to spare. Senator Tom Patton of Strongville must now schedule a committee vote on our bill. Our sponsor, Senator Fedor, says that we have the votes to pass it out of committee to the full Senate. Senator Patton may be reached at:

Senator Tom Patton
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, 1st Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 466-8056
Email: SD24@senate.state.oh.us

If you have the time to read this blog, you probably have the time to send Senator Patton an e-mail or call his office.

More on "negative" racing

A few weeks ago I talked about the frequently used term negative bike racing, and how it is a meaningless adjective.

Today I received an e-mail about that post, which stated in part:

Has anyone ever been accused of racing "positively?" As in, that guy gets my respect for racing so positively. And what would that be like? A guy who lets another guy get away and doesn't chase is racing positively?

I couldn't have said it better myself.

I now have a request for all of the bad ass dudes against whom I will be racing this weekend at the Tour of the Valley: Please race positively, at least when I attack.

Fourth of July

There is a country club on our street that usually has fireworks, open to the public, on or around July 4. The temporary no parking signs that appeared on the street clued us in that they were happening today. Earlier in the evening, we walked over to see this place where we have never ventured in several years of living here.

It must have been "Kevin's" 50th birthday bash, because a bunch of beautiful people in sundresses and golf shirts with beautiful children were attending an outdoor party while a plane overhead flew a banner that read, "Happy 50th Birthday Kevin, we love you."

I am not kidding.

While we walked past the outdoor driving range (still unsure of whether someone was going to out us as an uninvited guest to this gig), some of the people who were driving golf balls (country club members, party guests??) noticed a baby deer about 100 yards from the tees.

Then, these same people (a mix of male adults and boys) all teed up, aimed their clubs at the baby deer, and took their best shots at trying to hit the animal.

Aaah, there is nothing that makes me feel more proud of my country than seeing a bunch of privileged assholes try to hit baby deer with golf balls.

So now, it sounds like Dresden circa February 1945 with a commercial grade fireworks display exploding over our house while the dogs (especially Alex) fret over the commotion.

Happy Fourth!!