Open Letter to a Jacksonville Florida rider
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I get it you are mad at this rider and your feelings are heightened by your feelings for your mother, but this open letter is in bad taste and probably not the parting memory of your mother you'd like to enshrine in the public record. Let the rude be rude if this is the case, though chances are high this is just a massive misunderstanding. You are grieving privately, inwardly, but also in public. Respect that the rest of the public is not grieving with you and life goes on for those sharing the world around your procession. Calm those around you who are talking about injuring and maiming another human being for the crime of being rude by his mere uninvited presence. I doubt this person was actually rude in his behavior. Just merely uninvited and unfamiliar; not dressed in black with a somber face; not sharing your grief. Forgive this one individual in your mind rather than shouting your rebuke to the world. If nothing else, be glad your mother's last journey provided a joyful stranger on a bike some unexpected shelter from the hazards of the road.
#27
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Respect is a thing of the past ,so many people don't consider how a person who grieves feels at their loss , the world is in such a big hurry ,until it happens to them,
Sorry for your loss ,there is no other love than an mothers love ,and once it's gone it's gone .
When my son passed the fire truck was in head of his procession . And we had to go on a bypass route for 12 miles ,people would pass regardless ,made me feel good when other people in the procession dropped back and blocked all the lanes as we drove on up , life is short enjoy your memories , God bless
Sorry for your loss ,there is no other love than an mothers love ,and once it's gone it's gone .
When my son passed the fire truck was in head of his procession . And we had to go on a bypass route for 12 miles ,people would pass regardless ,made me feel good when other people in the procession dropped back and blocked all the lanes as we drove on up , life is short enjoy your memories , God bless
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Sorry for you loss, Lotek, I cannot imagine how badly this idiot must have made you feel. Losing your mother must be really tough, I hope that you are at peace, or finding some means of solace. I have absolutely no doubt that he realized exactly what he was doing, there is no excuse for that kind of disrespect and rudeness. Hopefully, Karma will quickly find this low life, I do not care if he is a cyclist, he deserves what ever comes his way.
In Escambia County, the police or sheriff's escort, would have taken him out of the procession, they make any motorist remain in the procession, and sit in their vehicle during the graveside, or columbarium, service. They may, or may not, receive a ticket for violating a county ordinance, depending on their attitude. I have seen them put cyclist to the side of the road and have them wait until the procession passes. It can be a release to watch them stew about getting caught, I watched them hold a motorcyclist for trying to cross an intersection, cutting between the vehicles in the procession. Truly a screwed up person that would do this type of thing.
Bill
In Escambia County, the police or sheriff's escort, would have taken him out of the procession, they make any motorist remain in the procession, and sit in their vehicle during the graveside, or columbarium, service. They may, or may not, receive a ticket for violating a county ordinance, depending on their attitude. I have seen them put cyclist to the side of the road and have them wait until the procession passes. It can be a release to watch them stew about getting caught, I watched them hold a motorcyclist for trying to cross an intersection, cutting between the vehicles in the procession. Truly a screwed up person that would do this type of thing.
Bill
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No, you don't get it, because if you had any empathy or even any class at all you might have considered writing the OP a private message instead of making a splash with this inconsiderate, self-serving, attention-grabbing post. There's an ages-old truism that goes 'if you can't say nothing nice, don't say nothing at all'.
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#32
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I certainly understand and respect Ratliff's view, which I think didn't mean to be disrespectful, even if it did come off a little patronizing.
Anyway, if the OP feels hurt by it, he can say as much.
Anyway, if the OP feels hurt by it, he can say as much.
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No, you don't get it, because if you had any empathy or even any class at all you might have considered writing the OP a private message instead of making a splash with this inconsiderate, self-serving, attention-grabbing post. There's an ages-old truism that goes 'if you can't say nothing nice, don't say nothing at all'.
Well said, there seems to be some people on this forum who seem to think its always the OP's fault whenever they complain about something. For the love of God, the rider interfered in the OP's mother's funeral procession for many miles. You'd have to be a complete idiot not to know this is disrespectful and antagonizing to many at their most vulnerable time.
#35
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No, you don't get it, because if you had any empathy or even any class at all you might have considered writing the OP a private message instead of making a splash with this inconsiderate, self-serving, attention-grabbing post. There's an ages-old truism that goes 'if you can't say nothing nice, don't say nothing at all'.
Bill
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I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
#36
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I think that a lot of you are missing the point here.
Am I mad at this guy? yeah.
Are my feelings heightened because it was my mother's funeral? probably.
is this a massive misunderstanding? I don't think so. what's to misunderstand?
Regardless of my personal feelings, we as cyclists suffer from poor perception by the general population,
something like this does nothing to dispel the idea that cyclists are just another nuisance who have
little or no respect for traffic laws or people in general.
Marty
Am I mad at this guy? yeah.
Are my feelings heightened because it was my mother's funeral? probably.
is this a massive misunderstanding? I don't think so. what's to misunderstand?
Regardless of my personal feelings, we as cyclists suffer from poor perception by the general population,
something like this does nothing to dispel the idea that cyclists are just another nuisance who have
little or no respect for traffic laws or people in general.
Marty
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Undoubtedly the mother of the OP was quite aware of the passion her son has for bicycling and in my warped sense of humor I can imagine that if one has a belief regarding the great beyond, one might envision her looking down and smiling at the rider knowing that in her last journey on earth she was providing a draft.
Peace be with you-all.
Peace be with you-all.
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To the OP, truly sorry for your loss.
Because this rule is rarely, if ever enforced here, I'm not surprised at all that somebody felt comfortable posting unnecessary nonsense on a grieving member's thread. Virtually every thread on the 41 is full of inconsiderate, self-serving, attention-grabbing posts. This forum reaps what it sows.
Because this rule is rarely, if ever enforced here, I'm not surprised at all that somebody felt comfortable posting unnecessary nonsense on a grieving member's thread. Virtually every thread on the 41 is full of inconsiderate, self-serving, attention-grabbing posts. This forum reaps what it sows.
#39
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We don't ride bicycles in funeral processions for the same reason we don't ride bicycles in cemeteries. It is extremely disrespectful and poor taste. The afterlife or what the deceased may have thought about it is completely irrelevant.
Go ride a bicycle in national cemetery and see how fast you get thrown out. Riding in a funeral procession is the same thing. Here in Georgia the police would have put a quick stop to it.
For some Christians, especially for Catholics, the Rite of Christian Burial is a sacred rite which starts at the Funeral Mass in the Church and ends at the graveside. Interfering with it is highly offensive to those participating.
Go ride a bicycle in national cemetery and see how fast you get thrown out. Riding in a funeral procession is the same thing. Here in Georgia the police would have put a quick stop to it.
For some Christians, especially for Catholics, the Rite of Christian Burial is a sacred rite which starts at the Funeral Mass in the Church and ends at the graveside. Interfering with it is highly offensive to those participating.
Last edited by TimothyH; 02-10-16 at 10:54 AM.
#40
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That said, onto a completely different subject...
I don't really care what happens to me when I die, but if people want to do a bike ride funeral procession, that'd be pretty cool in my book.
#41
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I wish this post was a joke. Hitching a free ride on a funeral procession is just poor taste on every level.
Not really the same thing, but I always get annoyed when I see cars (usually SUVs) following directly behind an ambulance when traffic has moved aside to let it through.
Not really the same thing, but I always get annoyed when I see cars (usually SUVs) following directly behind an ambulance when traffic has moved aside to let it through.
#42
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I sincerely hope that whoever you are you had a good long ride up
San Jose Blvd without having to bother with minor annoyances like traffic lights, cross
traffic and being passed by other vehicles.
I'm sure that you had a good draft on the 7 odd miles you joined my mother's funeral
procession the Sunday before last (January 31st).
The police escort could do nothing as you weren't technically breaking any laws.
Needless to say there were quite a few people in the procession who found your
lack of respect a little more than disturbing.
We as cyclists have a difficult enough time with non riders' perceptions without you adding something
as thoughtless of this to those perceptions.
Some of the comments I heard in response to your ride ranged from 'dooring' you, to one person who thought
physical violence was a good option.
Based on what I saw (specialized bike, helmet, lights etc.) I would venture to say
you're a fairly serious rider. I'm just saddened that you thought your training
was more important than common courtesy and respect.
Lotek.
San Jose Blvd without having to bother with minor annoyances like traffic lights, cross
traffic and being passed by other vehicles.
I'm sure that you had a good draft on the 7 odd miles you joined my mother's funeral
procession the Sunday before last (January 31st).
The police escort could do nothing as you weren't technically breaking any laws.
Needless to say there were quite a few people in the procession who found your
lack of respect a little more than disturbing.
We as cyclists have a difficult enough time with non riders' perceptions without you adding something
as thoughtless of this to those perceptions.
Some of the comments I heard in response to your ride ranged from 'dooring' you, to one person who thought
physical violence was a good option.
Based on what I saw (specialized bike, helmet, lights etc.) I would venture to say
you're a fairly serious rider. I'm just saddened that you thought your training
was more important than common courtesy and respect.
Lotek.
By way of contrast, I was at my grandma's funeral in Beaumont, TX last fall. Most people we passed were standing next to their cars, paying respects. A group of cyclists were straddling their bikes with helmets off. It was very touching.
My uncle said that's normal in Beaumont. Not here in New Jersey, lol.
#43
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#44
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More of a thing in Miami than in Richmond, though, since everyone in South Florida is a terrible driver.
#48
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And on a somewhat different note, I once got stopped for speeding on my bike in Arlington National Cemetery, got a warning from the MPs.
I do know of some folks who got speeding tickets for doing the same.
I do know of some folks who got speeding tickets for doing the same.
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#49
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Sorry for your loss Lotek,
But not sure what the big fuss?
For one thing roads are public, and it was not an emergency situation, the cyclist may have felt safe among cars that were driving carefully being in a procession.
Also I thought funerals were a celebration of life? A little color in a funeral procession is a break from sadness and uplifting!
Would I have done it? unlikely, but again?
#50
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Not even a great training move - there must be more benefit from stopping/starting at lights and taking the wind than from drafting.