Plus, just the sheer size and scope of the thing. It’s not unheard of for a rider to be hurt or killed. Garrett Wonders [photo], a ride from George Hincapie’s South Carolina team was struck from behind & killed by a pickup truck a couple of years ago and there’s now a criterium held in his memory every year.

Even Lance Armstrong himself has written in his books about being run off the road by pickup trucks trying to play chicken.

It’s losers like Howie Carr that legitimize this sort of thing and make into a fun game.

It’s tough, because a bicycle is not the same as a motorcycle, which can keep up with the speed of other traffic while on the road. (This is why they’re safer there, not that “loud pipes save lives” nonsense.) Bicycles, you have to pass them, and since I don’t even trust other cars when I’m /driving/, cyclists are really at a disadvantage with regards to safety.

As for the loudmouths, they’re best to be ignored.