'Spandex causes people to lose sense of humor'

[HoooooRayBeer]

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden is standing by a column he penned last week in which he singled out Boulder cyclists as leading to an increasing number of conflicts between motorists and riders in his jurisdiction.
In his "Bull's Eye" column, posted on the sheriff's Web site, Alderden said many cyclists "cop an attitude when stopped," and that "many of the cyclists with attitudes are part of the Boulder cycling community."
The column went on to say that Larimer County sheriff's deputies have been ordered to step up their enforcement of the state's laws on single-file riding and other cycling laws.
The piece has since led to a deluge of e-mails, phone calls and letters to the Sheriff’s Office, and a spokeswoman said the responses are 2-to-1 “in favor of the sheriff’s stance.” Alderden said Wednesday that he stands behind his opinion.
“That’s not to say there aren’t cyclists in Larimer County who don’t have attitudes,” Alderden said.
The sheriff said he brought up real problems in his column and he addressed the need to treat riders and motorists equally.
“The intent of the message was to clarify the statute,” Alderden said. “The issues have been primarily in the south half of the county with people coming out of Boulder County.”
Alderden pointed out that a group of Boulder cyclists brought up the issue in the first place. He said the cyclists were complaining about a Larimer deputy who allegedly told them, “Don’t let the sun set on your behind in my county,” and to go back to Boulder or face getting a ticket.
“I think they distorted what the deputy told them,” Alderden said. “That certainly wasn’t the message.”
In addition to receiving complaints and angry letters, Alderden said a recent act of vandalism to his personal property might also be connected.
A horse trailer owned by Alderden was “scratched and gouged” over the weekend when he left it parked at the Bobcat Ridge trailhead. Whether any riders were connected to the vandalism of the Sheriff’s Office logo on the trailer, Alderden isn’t sure.
“I hope that wasn’t the case, but you never know.”
Last fall, Alderden wrote in his column that Fort Collins is “becoming more like the imbecilic borough of Boulder than many would like to admit.”
Alderden said he generally tries to write with a humorous slant, which some people take too seriously.
“It must be the Spandex that causes people to lose their sense of humor,” Alderden said.
Donald Cicchillo, president and founder of the Boulder Cycling Club, said he and many other riders are upset with the sheriff.
The longtime rider said there is a small percentage of riders who cause problems on the road.
“You can’t say 100 percent of all the cyclists are doing everything right, but in my experience, 98 percent are obeying all the rules and it’s the other people who stand out,” he said.
How people responded in their own words
Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden has received dozens of phone calls and e-mails about a column he wrote last week about Boulder cyclists purportedly causing problems in the neighboring county. The following are excerpts from a sampling of messages Alderden has received in recent days. The Sheriff's Office declined to provide the names of the authors.
"I find it amusing and a bit shocking that the County Sheriff Jim Alderden would openly bash a group of people."
"Thank you so much for addressing this, sheriff. I live on a county road and the problem with the cyclists has gotten exponentially worse over the last three years. Saturday and Sunday mornings are so bad that I make a real effort to stay in until most of them are off of the roads. There is a lot of resentment from the residents toward them because of all of this. I appreciate your efforts to address this and hopefully it will get better soon."
"Your provincial attitude is simply counterproductive to law enforcement. You're not doing your job, you're doing Rush Limbaugh's."
"Nearly all cyclists are also motorists and should be thankful for law enforcement that defends the rights of both on an even-handed basis."
"After reading your entire comments in the newsletter, I think they were, overall, fair and kind of funny. I like your sense of humor."
"I read your ignorant diatribe on your bull's eye forum. ... It's simply amazing that you are an elected official and are allowed to spew such hate, ignorance and narrow mindedness on the public's dime. Apparently the hiring standards in Larimer County only require a sixth-grade education and the ability to find the nearest donut shop."
"I'm sure you are receiving e-mails about your Boulder comments. I want you to know I am a Boulder resident (and native) and totally support what you said. Bicyclists here have long been an issue and what I consider the 'new Boulderite' attitude is equally grating. I think it's great that you are willing to speak out."
Source: Larimer County Sheriff's Office
http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008...e-on-cyclists/

[Iron Jaw]

I always thought everyone in Boulder had a snobby attitude.