How to survive as a lycra-wearing liberal in the middle of cousin-kissing get-r-done USA.

Christmas weekend. I traveled home to see my Dad and friends, spend family time and what not. Of course I had to bring my bike! I wasn't gonna miss out on a chance to ride on some flat land for a change. Christmas day I road a ten mile loop through the country. I must say that I never appreciated the views around here by car as much as I did by bicycle. I pedaled past goats farms and horses grazing in fields. Beautiful, and very peaceful.

However, this is a very different part of the state. This is Nash county. Of the population that own bicycles, I would have to say that the majority are little children who just ride around in their driveway. The roads here have little to no shoulder, so I was forced to take up the lane. The motorist response was one of the following:

1. Slam on breaks, honk the horn, and then pass making sure to accelerate in an angry manner.

2. Just ignore me and whiz right passed me, giving me very little space.

3. The was the occasional kind, considerate person who slowed down, passed, and waved.

I have found that when cycling in these parts it is best to avoid the large pick up trucks with over sized tires, rebel flags, deer silhouettes, multiple antennae with tennis balls impaled upon them. These particular motorists i think found it sport to try and run me off the road. Especially watch out if the horn plays "dueling banjos"....yipes.

Another thing to be weary of is the amount of unfenced dogs that will come running out to the street. I am not certain of the leash laws in this county. It makes me angry to see this not because they are chasing me, but that the people that own these dogs dont seem to care if they are hit by a car. I did have one dog try to bite my back wheel, but I was able to get away.

Luckily, I made it through my ride alive and unscathed. It is a shame that their are so many roads that are unfriendly to cyclists. It also seems that in areas like this, the vehicles people drive are much bigger. Therefore making Nash County an environmental disaster.