In an event like the Trek Across Maine, in which almost a couple thousand cyclists pedaled from Sunday River to to the sea this weekend, odd moments of temporary insanity will occur, as bicycles and cars uneasily share the road.

Like this year, when an aggrieved motorist driving along the trek route in New Portland harassed a group of riders, according to Ed Miller, chief executive officer of the Trek’s sponsor, the Maine Lung Association. The motorist, says Miller, had a case of road rage that was cured by powerful dose of law enforcement.

It’s an expected act of idiocy. The Trek Across Maine, now in its 23rd year, has grown into a premier cycling event, with participation rising. An estimated 1,800 cyclists trekked this year, an appreciable increase over 2006, when 1,425 riders embarked on the 180-mile sojourn.

With popularity, however, comes problems. Though the lung association makes yeoman efforts to publicize the trek – widespread media coverage, law enforcement and signs – more needs to be done during the trek’s three days to prepare unwary motorists confronted with navigating past abundant riders.

Along the trek’s last stretch on Sunday, for example, on Route 17 between Augusta and Rockland, motorists were unaware until cyclists became visible, which caused erratic driving along a high-speed corridor, a situation that put riders and drivers at risk. Riders also entered the road from a 90-degree angle, at a police-controlled checkpoint.

It was an unsafe situation, along a route notorious for accidents.

Miller says the trek can always publicize itself better. The trek is always Father’s Day weekend and the route also remains static, he says, for consistency. During trek days, monitoring riders falls to the volunteers and local law enforcement agencies.

Irrational behavior, like what was displayed by the road-rage driver, is unpreventable but, judging by the response, well-policed by current policies. Like the trek, however, unprepared drivers are an annual occurrence.

With potentially 2,000 riders participating in 2008’s trek, the event must be vigilant against its success causing it to outgrow its current policies for safety and public notification.

If more can be done, then it should.