Garry McGivern’s bike-ride to Australia-and-beyond Monday, 4th-June-2012 Maybell to Steamboat Springs. 72 miles. I got stopped by the police today! as I was cycling up a hill, I heard a whoop whoop behind me. I turned around, and there was a police car sitting on my tail, with a police officer inside beckoning me to pull over.
I stopped, and he remained in his car but gestured to me to wait. It took him nearly ten minutes to get out of his car. Perhaps he’s trying to wind me up, hoping that I’ll ride off so he can give chase! Or maybe he’s trying to find my number plate.
When he eventually got out of his car and came up to me, I asked if I’d done something wrong? Yes, he replied! I wracked my brain, trying to think what I’d done. I don’t recall riding through any red lights. Maybe he’s just got the wrong person, a case of mistaken identity. He’d pulled me over for not cycling on the hard shoulder, which is the law. I usually do cycle on the hard shoulder unless there’s a lot of crap on there. But maybe I hadn’t, to be honest, I don’t give it much thought!
He asked for some ID, so I handed over my passport, which he looked at, and then took it back to his car. Great, that’s all I need. Another fine, I’ve got a crown to pay for! After another ten minutes, he returned and said I’ll just give you a warning this time. But make sure you ride on the hard shoulder in future.
I met four other cyclists later on in the day, who said that the police had also stopped them. I think that copper was either bored or a jobsworth!
Please Donate
Don’t forget the main reason behind my ride. I want to raise as much money for cancer research charities as possible. After my wife, Josie, died of breast cancer in 2007, aged only 42. Even the smallest donation helps. You can donate to Cancer Research UK or the Australian National Breast Cancer Foundation. Click on either one to donate. Every little bit helps to rid the world of this cruel disease.
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