So, last week we reported on one Laura Weintraub, the now ex-cop from Santa Paula, California, who decided to make a little video that happened to go viral. As she filmed herself while her husband was driving, she not only made fun of cyclists – so sticks and stones, etc. – but she also decided it might be a good idea to talk about running a cyclist over. Well… that went over like a lead balloon and within the nanosecond that the interwebz can broadcast something, she was suspended and then resigned.
The silver lining in this story is lovely and attorney, cycling advocate, and writer Seth Davidson, called Police Chief Steve McLean to see if law enforcement might meet up and have a face-to-face. To Seth’s surprise, the Police Chief not only WELCOMED the conversation but took full responsibility for his errant officer. It’s a story with a very happy ending – except for Ms. Weintraub of course!
We’ll check in with Adventure Cyclist Magazine’s editor, Mike Deme about a new collaboration between AC and EuroVelo.com. For the past couple of years, AC has been working on the U.S.B.R.S. map. To date, the national network of bicycle routes, which will link urban, suburban, and rural areas using a variety of appropriate cycling facilities, has established 6,790 miles in 15 states and more than 40 states are working to create more US Bicycle Routes for the mapping project.
But, when a U.S. cyclist wants to go to Europe to ride, the map system is a bit different and Mike, along with AC’s Ginny Sullivan, came up with a way to join forces to offer more routes on both continents.
Lastly, we’ll speak with Dennis Johnson. Dennis is a stay-at-home Dad for his young adopted daughter. Dennis is also is a long-distance, endurance cyclist. At RAAM 2014, riding a recumbent bike, Dennis placed 7th overall out of 48 soloists, the largest starting field ever. It was the first time a 60+ rider has ever finished in the top ten. Also, it was the first time a 60+ rider was the first American to finish. But, wait, there’s more… Dennis set other records too.
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