The Steamboat Pilot & Today

Mr. Horner made it clear that he is not a fan of "spandex-wearing cyclists" and that he would risk hitting a cyclist with his truck before risking the health of his horses.

The anger directed toward me was not necessarily about the letter itself, but the decision to publish the letter on the same day that cyclists were arriving in Steamboat for Ride the Rockies.

Here is what I got from someone at the chamber:

"Ride the Rockies is one of the largest and most popular bicycle tours in the country. Every few years Steamboat Springs is fortunate to have 2000 cyclists, their families and 1500 support volunteers roll into town during a time of year when businesses and lodging properties appreciate their patronage. I suppose I’m wondering what you were thinking by running the “Cyclists beware” letter to the editor the same Sunday that these folks visit our town…?"

I received other e-mails of a similar vein.

Here is the scoop on the cycling conspiracy: We never made the connection. We run letters to the editor in the order we receive them. The Horner letter happened to coincide with the same day as Ride the Rockies. It was a nothing more than a coincidence.

What I have learned in the newspaper business is that situations sometimes arise that you never would have thought to anticipate and you can't really make a rule to prevent, because it simply is not likely to happen again.

Obviously, Horner wasn't talking about Ride the Rockies. And we're not in the habit of trying to promote (or not promote) Steamboat tourism. Still, publishing a letter that takes a shot at cyclists on the same day the state's biggest cycling tour came to town is, at best, unfortunate timing.

I don't think we have to worry abut this specific incident happening again.

Scott Stanford, Editor
sstanford@steamboatpilot.com

(970) 871-4221/(970) 291-9278