Maybe it says plenty about our race that we often find ourselves in the corner of the Bad Guy. And in the case of this story, the “victim” isn’t always a beloved member of society. In fact there are some amongst us who dislike cyclists and spandex and their blatant disregard for traffic rules and pedestrians. Not all, nor a majority of cyclists are pushy, passive aggressive sociopaths, but enough are to be annoying. You will find that circumstance at the heart of Dough Hawley’s Bike Killer. And when you read it, please take a look at the almost as entertaining string of comments below it.
Q: Love the story. During its various runs in other publications, have you ever had anyone take it seriously, as a threat or abuse to and of cyclists?
Q: This story gained a lot of responses. And most sided with the killer. I know I did. Did that surprise you–or did you expect it?
Leila
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Doug’s responses
Q: Love the story. During its various runs in other publications, have you ever had anyone take it seriously, as a threat or abuse to and of cyclists?
Q1 – I don’t think so, but I would been upset to see a headline “Five bicyclists killed. Killer claims he was inspired by a story in Literally Stories.” I may even have pointed out that the story was fiction some places. Probably mentioned at the time the story was inspired by my experience in 1990s Marin County CA USA when urban bicyclists were threatening both pedestrians and drivers and mountain bicyclists were making illegal trails through the watershed. According to my questionable website it was my first story that was accepted. The journal Hash kept postponing publication, then died. Cindy Rosmus of Yellow Mama, a good writing / publishing buddy, liked it because of a similar attitude towards bicyclists. Let me make myself perfectly clear (done in Richard Nixon voice), murder is worse than bicycles.
Q: This story gained a lot of responses. And most sided with the killer. I know I did. Did that surprise you–or did you expect it?
Q2 – I didn’t think about whose side people would take, but because bicyclists are spending their time sculpting their perfect physiques rather than reading stupid libelous stories in online journals, I escaped their wrath. If anybody reads the comic “Pearls Before Swine”, you know I have an ally in the newspaper world.
literally stories 
Thank you for your answers Doug.
Fortunately this online journal never publishes stupid, libelous material. So all involved are spotless. Ah and it is spring. The relevant fat bottom boys are on their bikes. Just the other day one gave me the finger for daring to beep my horn when he strayed from his lane and into my path, while on the narrow Manette Bridge. I guess he’d rather I’d launch him over the rail. I know which I preferred.
Leila
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Hi folks,
Great choice again Leila – It is so good to see Mr Hawley get another day in the sun.
I find it hysterical when you have the Bike Nazis stating that it is ‘Their road as well.’
Aye my disillusioned friend, it is. But the law of physics slightly favours a tonne plus machine against yours – So principle really does go out the window!!!
Love the story Doug, love your answers.
Get on your bikes and ride!!!
Hugh
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The lesser Portland OR is usually sun deficient, so we need a place in the sun. Was that a Stevie Wonder song? Untethered mind here.
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LS –
I had forgotten that was coming up. Woo-hoo.
Rocking Doug Hawley ________________________________
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Not sure how I missed this the first time it was published so I’m especially glad for the rerun. Dark humor on the surface and just plain dark underneath. Excellent.
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I don’t think this was conscious, but one of the rules that I dislike because it is so unrealistic is the necessity for protagonist, antagonist, conflict, seems to be broken here. In real life there is rarely clear cut good guy, bad guy with good guy winning after overcoming whatever took place in his/her backstory. Rather than the classic structure shaping a good story, the unlikely development hurts in my opinion.
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