[bikeqld] Riding around Toowoomba

[Matt]

 I guess this should be passed around as a warning more than anything
for those in the Toowoomba area who ride through Murphy's Creek (the
circuit from Mt Kynock / Ballard Hill / Murphy's Creek / back the
Toowoomba Range.
 I was talking to someone on the weekend who lives near the area (not
in the township itself) and there is a LOT of discontent in the area
with cyclists - particularly the packs who ride 2- and 3-abreast on
the narrow, single-lane road. For the sake of clarity, this person is
an ex-cyclist and has ridden motorbikes for near 40 years, so they are
well versed in the life on two wheels.
 (Remember - I'm not advocating anything here - just passing on a
message to the cycling community from someone I spoke to who lives
near there and is expecting to wake up one morning to the sounds of
many sirens).
 Now... the funny thing about Murphy's Creek is that it is somewhat
like the joke about Tasmania - a bit of inbreeding - a lot of boozing
- it's known for people who indulge in the wacky weed - the occasional
bit of after-dark "lurve" with Bessy (before tipping her later in the
night) - and even a family or two who may share the teeth around so
that they can take turns chewing during mealtimes.
 My own experience has shown that there are people down that way who
will NOT give any credence to the right of a cyclist being on the
road and often think nothing of pulling out of a blind driveway onto
a road with highway speed at zero knots (I've experienced the 4-wheel
lockup more than once thanks to people who think like this).  Someone
in lycra automatically becomes a target for sport from a lump of wood
or an empty stubby.  You are not dealing with city types who will
semi-respect your rights on the road!
 The whole point of this is that if anyone knows of people in the
Toowoomba area who ride through here - PLEASE tell them to ride
single file through this area (as dictated by the road rules) and be
sure to allow vehicles to pass whenever possible because there are
people down that way in their 4WD's or old Falcon/Holden who will
think nothing about running a pack off the road into the scrub for
sport - especially if they are "hogging the road".
 Remember too - don't blame the messenger - I just want to help
prevent someone losing bark or getting their bike trashed.
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