Home > Behind the Rocks > Archives > 2007 > October > 08 > Entry
For cryin’ out loud, gimme my three feet!
A gaggle of cyclists turned up at a Colorado National Monument cycling safety meeting with Superintendent Joan Anzelmo Tuesday at St. Mary’s Hospital. The goal: To find a way to promote peace, love and understanding between Rim Rock Drive motorists and the road’s plethora of pedalers, who sometimes tend to clash ascending and descending one of the Grand Valley’s most spectacular roadways.
Visiting Colorado National Monument whether astride a bike or in a pickup truck is quite a stirring experience. Indeed, said frequent visitor Peggy Shaw, “I’m very emotional when I think about the monument. It is my church.”
It’s a pretty darn nifty ride, that’s for sure.
Full disclosure: I’m a cyclist. I love my bike. I love riding Rim Rock Drive, and I do it frequently. Riding it is a real rush, especially descending the East Hill toward Grand Junction. I plan to do it this weekend, whatever the weather.
I’m new to the sport. I’ve been riding Rim Rock only since June, and I’m pleased to report that, as of this writing (knock on wood…), I’ve never had any significant close calls with irresponsible motorists or cyclists.
Further disclosure: I’m a motorist. I love my car. I love driving Rim Rock Drive, and I do it frequently, mainly to get to the Ute Canyon or Monument Canyon trailheads, or even Glade Park. Driving it is a real rush, especially in the evening when the Book Cliffs glow with the setting sun.
Since I started cycling, I’ve begun to pay closer attention to the cyclists on the highways while I’m in my car. When I’m behind the wheel, I’ve become keenly aware that I’m in charge of an iron and steel killing machine if I choose to be careless. Cyclists are hardly a match against the ferocity of my monster Corolla. So, I take care.
Anzelmo says there have been confrontations between motorists and cyclists on Rim Rock Drive. I haven’t yet seen any. Sure, the traffic is heavy on Rim Rock Drive sometimes. Whatever the outcome, whatever new rules, if any, shall govern Rim Rock Drive cyclists and drivers, I’ll abide by them, so I don’t care how things turn out. As a reporter, I’m neutral on that issue.
But when I’m riding my bike on Rim Rock Drive and following the rules of the road to the letter, I cease to be neutral about what happens on the highway. Astride my bike, I feel as I presume most law-abiding motorists out there feel: We licensed drivers and determined cyclists just want to get to where we’re going without taking lives, damaging property or injuring egos. For sure, that’s advocacy — on the side of harmony on the highways.
On Rim Rock Drive, the law requires drivers to give cyclists three feet of space, while cyclists are required to ride as far to the right as possible and single file. Anything else is grounds for one of the monument’s three rangers to issue citations. Four have been written thus far in 2007.
Anzelmo asked that everyone respect each other on Rim Rock Drive. Sounds good to me. Just one request, though:
Just a little space, like the signs say.
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