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HYPERASHEL
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Joined: 18 Nov 2003
Posts: 15397
Location: The South's Sauna, Atlanta
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 Posted: 03/15/05 - 13:26 Post subject: to my skating buds
| Quote: | About last night’s skate.
First of all, I had apologized already to the individuals I blew up at last night but I would also like to make the apology public. I should not have had such an extreme reaction and it was not very responsible of me to react that way. I’ll leave names out of this but those around know to who and what I am referring too.
For the rest of the crowd I’ll now explain the previous paragraph. There were a few spanky skaters on the intermediate group skate last night. In true Spanky format they disregarded several of the traffic laws and common sense. Throughout the night I had to remind folks to “skate right” repeatedly for each vehicle that approached from behind.
While I was the sweep for last night’s skate I was mostly in the back with a newer skater and saw limited exposure of the “spankys” but nearly every time I did at least one, normally more, were violating common traffic courtesy and laws. These are by the folks are supposed to know how to skate. Giving up a brake and strapping on your speed skates does not remove the responsibility that you have to everyone on the road. This means cars, cyclist, pedestrians as well as your fellow skaters. This does not mean you pass on the left, into oncoming traffic just because you don’t want to scuff off your wheels. You made the choice for those skates in this condition that means that you accept the responsibilities that go with that choice. A brakeless skates does not give cart blanche rule of the road, if you need to “T” stop or drag to SAFLY drop in behind a skater then do it. If you can’t “T” stop I suggest a class with an instructor to learn to do so.
You spanky skaters are setting an example whether you know it or not. This group is so speed oriented that a lot of newer skaters jump up to 5 wheels before they have learned the basics of a 5 wheel skate. They see you spanky folk zip thru a light it makes it look like acceptable behavior to them. They think that because you’re brakeless is why you do this, they are not aware of the time and distance calculations that you are doing and the vast experience you are basing your decision on. All they see is a spanky skater running a light, crossing into traffic, slaloming across 2-3-4 lanes of traffic, blocking cars from turning all because YOU decided not to wear a brake. Get over yourself, if you skate with the group you can not be so selfish about your skating and only think about what you can do. There are several others on the road that have no clue what you’re doing. I have been polite and subtle in the past but for some folks subtlety has as much affect as a feather trying to stop a brick wall. If ANYONE sees someone doing something stupid or not using good judgment tell them just that. The leader should be in front and probably is not able to see all that occurs behind them and the sweep is frequently to far back to be heard. It takes the whole club to get the skates to become a safe and courtesy minded event. Just like that old saying, “It takes a community to raise a child.” The same idea works here.
While I was reminded that my tirade last night is not a proper leadership act, I will defend it partially by stating that the same type of skater and frequently the same individuals are the ones repeatedly doing stupid things. Yes it gets frustrating, we have been kicked off of yet another street and if this type of skating continues it won’t be long before all the cops enforce the law. You spanky skaters in prison in spandex might teach you a lesson or two, but the rest of won’t be able to skate either do to your selfish style of skating.
Chuck O. |
your opnions?
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jrjo
Gone Fishin
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16451
Location: Lake Wobegon, MN
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Posted: 03/15/05 - 13:32 Post subject:
Doesn't sound like you need to apologize at all. One spanky skater smeared on the front of a bus and there's eulogies instead of memos.
Whatever it takes to educate your group, that's leadership.
It's a good letter.
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wanttorun100
Member
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Joined: 14 Feb 2005
Posts: 4946
Location: Just to the right of Atilla the Hun!
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Posted: 03/15/05 - 14:08 Post subject:
what's a spanky skater?
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HYPERASHEL
Member
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Joined: 18 Nov 2003
Posts: 15397
Location: The South's Sauna, Atlanta
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Posted: 03/15/05 - 14:11 Post subject:
| wanttorun100 wrote: | | what's a spanky skater? |
the speedy skaters, they got nicknamed "spanky" becuase they'll put a spanking on your @ss if you don't train.
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TriBob
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Joined: 29 Aug 2002
Posts: 5771
Location: Lost in Transition
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Posted: 03/15/05 - 14:12 Post subject:
| jrjo wrote: | Doesn't sound like you need to apologize at all. One spanky skater smeared on the front of a bus and there's eulogies instead of memos.
Whatever it takes to educate your group, that's leadership.
It's a good letter. |
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Joined: 14 May 2002
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Posted: 03/15/05 - 14:20 Post subject:
I think that is great. I think you made your point very well. If these jerks keep up their routine, they'll ruin the sport for everyone. Sounds like you were valid in your yelling, but I think the apology is a nice touch.
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HYPERASHEL
Member
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Joined: 18 Nov 2003
Posts: 15397
Location: The South's Sauna, Atlanta
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Posted: 03/15/05 - 14:26 Post subject:
well i have a few replies to my mailbox voicing support. i requested to to make thier opinion known. i figure the only way, if at all, these folks will changes is via peer pressure or enforcement of the laws. thankfully most of the cops turn a blind eye towards us skating around town. Skating in the streets in Atlanta is actually considered jay-walking by the actual laws on the books, these folks tend to forget that we are already being granted favors by those police that let us pass by instead of giving us tickets.
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HYPERASHEL
Member
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Joined: 18 Nov 2003
Posts: 15397
Location: The South's Sauna, Atlanta
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Posted: 03/15/05 - 17:57 Post subject:
UMMM.  this letter has had me busy all afternoon now. both pro and con. but it got my listserve buzzing today. i hope they placed an extra server on duty. 
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