ACS

   This past weekend while out riding with my usual Sunday cycle group I suffer an ACS attack. I haven't had an attack of ACS in years and it can be frightening. ACS strikes suddenly, intensely and can have side effects that last for hours and in some individuals can last for days.
   Riding along enjoying the weather and the company I was buzzed by a passing vehicle. This driver passed so close to me that I felt the heat of his car on my leg. Not that there is ever any reason to pass so closely to a cyclist, there really wasn't in this case as there was no oncoming traffic on a long straight length of road. As he passed I used the universal sign of "what are you thinking" to which he responded with the universal sign of "that will teach you to ride on my highway". Feeling shaken and perturbed I settled back into my riding when I notice that the light ahead was turning red. That's when it hit me, Angry Cyclist Syndrome. Instantly sensing my opportunity to provide some much needed HTA education I snapped up three or four gears and although it was closer to 400 watts in my mind's eye I could have lit 40 100watt light bulbs as I stood on the pedals to catch him. Coming to a screeching halt beside his vehicle I began to recite every word learned in my "How to be a Foul Mouthed Trucker" lessons in an effort to make my point. My Mother would NOT have been proud. To no avail he continued to show his lack of understanding of the law as well as a command of the English language then drove off. While I would asterisk this with a "don't try this at home" had he stepped out of his vehicle I know I would have at least challenged him to a duel at dawn if not something more immediate.
   In the aftermath I can say that nothing was gained and everything could have been lost. Calm, rational education would be a more logical choice but when in full blown ACS handing out Share the Road brochures was not on my radar. Educate a driver, save a cyclist.

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   In one of a few 30k events in North America Kate Just ran A Midnight Summers Run 30k in 3:37:05 and was joined by Edward Kooistra (2:25:11) and April Archer (3:37:05). At the same run in the 15 were Petra Austin (1:27:55), heather Landry (1:38:52), Rita Zeran (1:53:59), Rhonda Cassibo (1:29:42), Teri Dittmann (1:22:39), Jennifer Johnson (1:51:02), Gloria-Anne MacDonald (2:04:38), Linda Mumford (1:11:55) Andrew Thew (1:22:49), Sharon Voteary (1:22:49), Brian Walker (1:27:29), Danielle Boyko (2:12:40), Dave Boyko (2:12:42) and Jennifer Smith (1:23:44).
   In other races Hannah goad raced the Courtice KOS 8-9 age group in 26:57, CJ Tipping placed first in her age group and 14th overall at the Stanhope Sprint Tri (750/20/5) in 1:17:29 and at the Kash End of Summer Dash 10K Ken Murray ran 48:45 while Bernie Hogan ran 37:47.