From: swayzed@brandonu.ca
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Re: Redneck alert!
Date: 31 Jul 92 15:14:34 GMT
Organization: Brandon University, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada

In article <16835B13.RONEAL@lexmark.com>, RONEAL@lexmark.com writes:
> Well, I thought I was in an area of the country that was essentially
> immune to the recent reports of near misses, jackasses behind the wheel,
> ad nauseum.  Unfortunately, last night I was reminded that this is not
> so.  I commute 17.4 miles one way to work, just under 35 miles daily.
> On my way home last night, about 6 miles from home, deep in horse farm
> territory, I noticed a truck and two cars approaching.  Hmmm... unusual
> traffic for *this* road at this time.  Oh well, they were moving slow
> and the road was forgivingly wide in that area... no stone fences 2 feet
> off of the paved surface.  I'm headed up a slight hill, preparing to turn
> left once these three beasts pass.  As I'm just about to slow for the
> delay for traffic and subsequent turn, I hear a loud pop and instantly feel
> a stinging sensation on the back of my left arm just below my shoulder.
> Thank God I usually clasp the brake levers/hoods while climbing as I have
> a good grip on the bars, otherwise I'd be going down.  I notice that this
> neanderthal swerved towards me so his cromagnon passenger can reach me with
> a 2-quart Hawaiian Punch jug.  He smacked me with it hard enough that the
> jug came out of his hand.  They motor off.  Damn it!  They spray paint these
> blasted horse farm fences around here and the truck, an old Chevy, is so
> covered with black creosote and white paint that I can only see the outline
> of the license plate... no chance at all of making out any numbers.....

(Much deleted here)

  
> The one thing I definitely don't want to do is nothing... I'd rather somehow
> teach these jerks that they *don't* have the right they claimed on me.


Weel, don't do anything irrational and take the law into your own hands. How
about going for a nice Sunday drive or ride checking out the local are to see
if you can find that truck again. You could also put an ad in a local newspaper
looking for witnesses. Maybe the people in the other two cars will come
forward.

I had a similar experience a few years ago. Myself and a few friends were
riding down a quiet country road when a 'Good Ol' Boy' decided to toss a GLASS
beer bottle at us as he passed in a truck. Similar story as the driver was
cooperating fully. One of the guys I was with received a small, minor, cut on
his hand. All we saw at first was glass streaming along all around us.

We were able to get the license number as the driver was stupid enough to allow
this within a few meters of the driveway to his farm. We immediately reported
it to the RCMP (The Mounties always get their man  :-)). We all filed reports.
Shortly thereafter we were contacted and informed that the driver had been
charged and subsequently convicted of littering. It wasn't something great like
attempted manslaughter, but he did get slapped with a $350.00 fine.

So, as you can see, it may have only been a slap on the wrist but I am sure it
will make him think twice next time. 

Good luck!
-- 
 
David Swayze        | SWAYZED@BrandonU.CA    | Reading furnishes the mind only
Brandon University  | Canada (pokey) Post:   | with materials of knowledge; it
Brandon, Manitoba   | 56 Wilnor Bay          | is thinking which makes what we
Canada              | Brandon, MB, R7B 3H1   | read ours.           John Locke
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