Cycling

Dear Editor:

We had the misfortune to ride through Stanwood this week on our way to La Conner - and what a ride it was!

One driver laid on their horn as we stopped for a light, another honked and yelled at us for being in the turn lane instead of being out in the middle of traffic on a torn up street in the middle of a construction zone.

Having barely made it through the downtown area with our lives — we were buzzed by several cars on Pioneer Highway - even though we were far to the right side of the shoulder — they were intent on trading their paint for our flesh and exceeding the posted speed limit.

We would love to tell our friends what a great trip we had and how they should go through Stanwood as well, spending time and money - but we cannot - it was a harrowing experience that we wouldn’t recommend to our enemies.

It’s hard to imagine in a rural community why locals have to go so fast, be so rude and come so close to maiming a bicyclist.

Amazing that in this time of serious economic decline the people of Stanwood couldn’t show a bit more care for another human being in a significantly more vulnerable position.

In other towns throughout Skagit and Island counties we found drivers far more considerate and willing to share the road.

Shame on you Stanwood!

Ken Thomas Kirkland