Monday July 3rd re-visited the "back 3-gaps" again. Jack-Jack Attack, Eric Hollifield, Theron "the Badger", and 4 or 5 others joined me in Helen for a 9 AM start. After a slight delay we cycled out of town through the paths in Unicoi Hill park.
About an hour later the temperature was rising and six of us had traversed the infamous Hogpen Gap via the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway. Another thirty minutes later, after back-tracking and searching and waiting on two riders who started with us, we decided they must have bailed out and turned around - it's a brut of a climb.
As we started up and over Jacks Gap, I drifted off the back of the group by myself and settled into an easier tempo. By now the roads were getting a little busier with tourists and sport drivers.
Nearing the top of the final climb at Unicoi Gap and I was buzzed pretty close by two speeding dualies (six-tired pick-up trucks) towing large travel trailers. On the way down the other side I came upon Theron, who was clearly injured and bleeding. I found out that one of the dualies had hit him and just kept going. In fact at least 50 cars had passed this obviously wounded man on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere and didn't even slow down. Let me just say right here; it's a fucked-up society we live in!
Appearently the assholes in the dualies had tried to run the other cyclist off the road as well but were not quite as successful. I searched the town of Helen for the homicidal maniacs in thier road-hogging vehicles, hoping to ID them and call the police, but they were not to be found.
Dan,
That was a very bad situation your friend was involved in. There have been two deaths in Manatee county in just the last two weeks where bicyclists were struck by hit and run vehicles. Both drivers have been found and are in the court process.
Did you call the police anyway about the accident? Often run away drivers get turned in by a family member.
Those big " red neck " vehicles think they own the road and anyone else especially bicycles have no right to the road.
Hope your friend heals quickly.
Dad
I'm glad you are okay and I hope Theron will be alright as well. I really do have a hard time understanding stupid morons. Love you!
Posted by: Ruthie at July 4, 2006 09:24 PM