We rode our bicycles
Cover, Sept. 17: “The Bike Issue”
Omitted
You listed local bike shops, but failed to include Spin Docs, which is, to my mind, the absolute best bike sales, service and rental shop in the area. Located on the Old Las Vegas Highway next to Café Fina, it's Eldorado's go-to spot, as well as getting lots of bike traffic from Santa Fe proper. Kirk and Chandler Rhinehart run a wonderful place, are community-minded, care about their customers and really ought to have been included.
Ellen Taylor
Santa Fe
Organize!
Part of Santa Fe's problem is infrastructure. The New Mexico Department of Transportation roads, such as St. Francis Drive and Cerrillos Road, were built to maximize a motor-vehicle level of service at the expense of other modes, something that the late Gail Ryba fought tooth and nail. The St. Francis-Cerrillos intersection is just the tip of the iceberg. Smaller city roads make overtaking difficult, but the David Coss administration got the ball rolling on sharrows.
The new police chief, Eric Garcia, has earned the wrath of cyclists across New Mexico (when he was with the State Police) for his anti-bicycling attitude. Residents of Santa Fe will have to confront that issue if it appears. Santa Fe cyclists need to organize.
Khal Spencer
SFReporter.com
Skipped Century
When talking about cycling in Santa Fe, it is important to remind people of the largest cycling event in Santa Fe and also in the state of New Mexico, and that is the Santa Fe Century. About 3,000 people ride in it every year. In addition to the Century's mission, which is to promote cycling in Santa Fe, it has a positive million-dollar economic impact on the City of Santa Fe. Last year people came from 37 states, and two foreign countries.
The Century is held the 3rd Sunday in May every year. 2015 will mark the 30th anniversary. The Regional Cancer Center benefits financially from this event, as do Youth Shelters and Family Services and the Santa Fe Public Library.
Charlie Loesch
Ddirector, Santa Fe Century
Testament
Pedal beautiful Santa Fe in my bike shoes and experience this one day of a true, perilous trail tale: At Yucca crossing, a car stops and is severely rear-ended by an inattentive driver. His then propelled vehicle nearly hits me. At St. Frances/Zia, two cars intentionally run the red right-turn arrow—both texting. After activating flashing lights at Rodeo, nineteen cars fail to yield, another ten at Second Street. At Siringo, two cars obstruct the crossing lane, one lady applying make-up. I cross myself at St. Michael's.
Bikers understand trains are predictable. Regrettably, cars are dangerously unpredictable. Most bicyclists, like many motorists, courteously obey traffic laws. However, deadly two-ton machines have the same legal highway rights and responsibilities as fragile bikers.
Transfer Cerrillos-St. Francis crossing bond money to install brightly-painted, raised speed-humps at trail crossings. Continue installing large, unambiguous yield signs with warning lights at intersections. Issue "failure-to-yield" tickets.
Gary Reynolds
Santa Fe
Mountain Bike Mania
A favorite myth of mountain bikers is that mountain biking is no more harmful to wildlife, people and the environment than hiking. Of course, it's not true.
Mountain biking accelerates erosion, creates V-shaped ruts, kills small animals and plants on and next to the trail, drives wildlife and other trail users out of the area, and, worst of all, teaches kids that the rough treatment of nature is OK (it's not!).
The common thread among those who want more recreation in our parks is total disinterest in the wildlife there. Yes, if humans are the only beings that matter, it is simply a conflict among humans (but even then, allowing bikes on trails harms the majority of park users—hikers and equestrians—who can no longer safely and peacefully enjoy their parks).
The parks aren't gymnasiums or racetracks or even human playgrounds. They are wildlife habitat. Even kayaking and rafting, which give humans access to the entirety of a water body, prevent the wildlife that live there from making full use of their habitat, and should not be allowed. Of course those who think that only humans matter won't understand what I am talking about—an indication of the sad state of our culture.
Mike Vandman
SFReporter.com
Everybody’s Rude
On the other hand, what am I to take from this? We stopped for a cyclist near the Roundhouse. The cyclist yelled at us, "Get the **** out of my way, you ****head!" (Please note, I am a cyclist and an avid supporter thereof. The golden rule of cyclists, though is, "Larger moving vehicles always have right of way.")
Aalbo P Fossa
Santa Fe
Blue Corn, Sept. 10: “Getting Our Just Desserts”
Bizcochito Brouhaha
Thank you, Glenda Murphy, for taking the time to call out Robert Basler on his lack of respect for our beautiful town and many of our traditions. Since his arrival here, or at least since the Santa Fe Reporter unfortunately gave him a venue for his commentary, he has repeatedly shown nothing but insensitivity and disregard. His column early this summer regarding the response by some locals to the closure of streets around the Plaza was downright insulting. Fortunately, Santa Fe has a way of dealing with folks like him, and it will likely not be too long before she spits him out and sends him on his way.
Betty Latson
Santa Fe
Deep Breaths Now
I believe that any tradition in any culture that requires the eating of calorie-dense, diabetes-inducing cookies should be ridiculed often and destroyed utterly. But I'm just some kale-eating hippie from Montana.
Joel Whitney
Santa Fe
News, Sept. 17: “No Man’s Land”
Loose Caboose
I've been wondering what will happen to this corner plot as I walk the bike trail daily. I'm glad to hear they are planning an underpass to connect the trail across St. Francis Drive. However, if the city plans to develop this gateway, there are a few issues to consider.
First, nearby on Alarid Street is the homeless shelter. This is why the southeast corner of the park is saturated with drunks. The shelter does not allow intoxicated guests, so they drink in the park or on the bike trail, often passing out in the bushes. Before the underpass is created, I recommend having the shelter move, otherwise it will soon become their toilet and a scary place for locals to pass. I have literally seen drugging under the red caboose and have had to call the police.
Second, I recommend putting a mesh fence along the bottom of the caboose to prevent people from crashing there. I hope the city can keep this iconic train. I agree a mural would be attractive, and I hope buying it is an option for the city. Otherwise, a red paint job would really spruce it up.
Third, please consider keeping the wildflowers and growth along the acequia, as this is an undisturbed ecosystem. The area is frequented by indigenous birds and bees and is an amazing micro habitat. If there is a fear people may wander too close and slip in, maybe consider a fence?
Lena G
Santa Fe
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