SHARE THE ROAD

You may have noticed those “Share the Road” signs on Geyserville Avenue on both ends of town.  Back in the 50s, what is now Geyserville Avenue was the two lane Highway 101.  It was also a time that local lumber mills were booming.  The 101 through town was a nightmare, lots of traffic and a parade of aggressive 18 wheelers hauling logs and lumber.  There wasn’t much complaining by locals; lumbering was an important part of the local economy. We shared the road and if there had been any signs on each end of town, the truck drivers would have put up “Get Outta the Way” signs, certainly not “Share the Road.”

                More recently, with nary a complaint, we’ve learned to live with slow moving tractors, grape trucks and mechanical harvesters.  Like logs and lumber, grapes and wine are good for the economy.  I also suspect that sharing the road with 18 wheelers and tractors is not really a choice.  No signs needed. So the “Share the Road” signs must be about those healthy folks from somewhere else that ride their expensive bicycles through town in large numbers.  Like lumber trucks and tractors, they’re often a nuisance.  Unlike lumber trucks and tractors, they generate a considerable amount of grumbling from sedentary locals. 

Yep, those bikers can be a bother and a few of them can be downright rude.  However, might I suggest that local businesses have probably noticed most of them have a checkbook tucked into their Spandex shorts. These pedaling tight bodies in gaudy shirts just might be good for the local economy. 

-          Mickey Bitsko