Are there no rails to trails where you live? Or unpaved trails that would be suitable for a road bike with perhaps 28 maybe 32 tires? Just because you gave up roads doesn't mean you have to give up on cycling.

You were riding with traffic and these two cars came across the center line...or against it and they just got close to you while you were in their shoulder?

Yes riding with traffic and the on coming cars were passing. It was just too close to me, but to the car drivers I am sure worth the risk, if they even saw me.

And agree, I live where mostly road is the only 'out the door' choice but my cross and or future mtn bike could be an growing option, but frequency of rides will for sure decline since I would have to drive. But I am good with that.

Glad you're not hurt and considering you have kids it sounds like a prudent choice. Drivers just seem to be getting worse and worse these days. Maybe use it as a good excuse to get into Xterra?

While I was driving today I saw a big Mercedes SUV blow through a stop sign at about 40MPH and miss a car in the intersection by a foot. I saw the driver and pretty convinced she was looking at her phone.

I've been freaked out by seeing oncoming cars use my lane to pass a slower car as well (assume I am interpreting the situation correctly). As long as I have a wide shoulder I guess they figure they are giving me the same space as if they were traveling with my direction. Logically it isn't much worse than having cars pass you traveling in your direction but it seems a lot worse. I guess coming at you the impact velocity might be 90mph vs with you the impact velocity might be 50 mph, but 50 mph is enough to kill you.

I survived a head on collision with a car...went over the top of him. Broke a collarbone and several ribs. If it would have been a truck I probably wouldn't be here.

I'm working on developing autonomous vehicles....this will be our salvation but it is many years away from being ubiquitous.

If you don't feel safe, don't go...trust your instincts.

Yeah, just a couple of weeks ago I was walking through downtown, crossing an intersection, in the crosswalk, with the walk signal. It was a 4 lane one way street I was crossing. 3 of the lanes had cars stopped at the light, waiting as they should. Just as I am about to finish crossing and step on the curb, I hear a screeching of tires behind me as a car skids through the cross walk and narrowly avoids t-boning a car who had the green.

I have no idea how that car didn't see the red light, or the other three cars who were stopped at the red light. Ok, actually, I do have an idea of how they didn't see all of that.

To the OP - glad you're ok. I guess technically speaking it was a legal pass by the cars? Maybe not. Still super scary and shouldn't be done. But those types of drivers are a danger to all people. Other drivers, bikes, and pedestrians.

I feel the same way sometimes. I try and be visible and the bicycle clothing industry isn't helping much. Just look at the high end bike clothing lines and you won't see much in terms of hi-vis clothes. I wear a neon yellow helmet, neon yellow shoes, light colored jerseys and lights if I ride in the early morning. Hopefully the drivers will see some blip of color between texting and eating.

with phones and in car electronics the roads for sure are more unsafe. I would say you give it a month to think about before making a decision. We can die from pretty well everything including cancer, a bolt of lightening, some weather disaster....the list is endless. If you are happy never riding again though, then that's fine. For me, I don't want to give up riding. I hope to ride till I actually die (ideally from a heart attack in 2 minutes when I am 85 or so). But if you are truly ready to give up riding, then go for it. Just be reminded that the risks of all kinds of other stuff are actually pretty much higher than riding even with all those texting idiots.

Re: inattentive drivers. I went out to the grocery store at 9 PM the other night. We are at 48°N so still daylight out. Got to the 4 way stop sign and there were no other cars. One car was coming up a hill from my right awfully fast and the young lady driving was looking down. I waited and she blew through the stop sign going about 35 (speed limit is 25). She didn't even realize what she had done. Had I gone through the intersection like I was supposed to she would have hit me.

When on the road trust no one. Assume everyone is out to get you.

Oh man yes. We just rented a BMW SUV for a trip last summer and the amount of superfluous electronics that car had all over the dashboard and steering wheel was appalling.

Assuming cycling indoors isn't an option for you? There's really just a few things about your post that tell me u shouldn't just quit.

1) you went on a triathlon forum to ask how to quit lol. It's almost like asking someone if they could convince u to not quit.

2) you have kids and yea being alive is kind of important but I know that if either of my parents stuck with a sport, hell if either of my parents stuck with anything for 20+ years that would motivate me a shit ton. Be an example for your kids and don't show them that they should be scared of the world and let that fear stop them from doing what they want.

3)there are so many safer options for you to continue your cycling with. Maybe take a step back from it and only go in groups like you said, or do some rides on the trainer. Whatever makes you comfortable, but I see no reason to give up completely.

Sorry for your near miss Zippy: frightening and puts things in perspective. I do all my bike training indoors on a trainer with TrainerRoad. Exception is 140.6 training: for long rides greater than 3 hours, I do 1/2 on trainer, 1/2 outdoors. I try to pick times to ride outdoors that are lower traffic volume times/days and only when weather is good. I enjoy group long runs and summer outdoor swims, so I still can get outside and enjoy the scenery. I feel that I am minimizing risk as best I can in that way. And on race day, I feel that there is some safety in numbers being with fellow racers on the road. Ultimately, as another posted, you need to go with your gut on this. Sorry again.

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Blog: https://swimbikerunrinserepeat.wordpress.com

I had a near miss with a Benz SUV a few years back... locked up rear.. release steer.. lock rear..steer.. grazed driver side mirror with my shoulder, not bad considering I was looking at hood emblem at first. SUV ate the corner on a uphill while I was going down. To make matters worse it was a SAG vehicle for a group ride going the other way on a well know cycling road. Lets just say the club leader/organizers got an ear full from me.

Lucky for me I was not bombing the downhill.. and till this day I don't bomb downhills anymore.

Having bounced over the bonnet of a car that turned in front of me almost going through the windscreen, breaking 2 vertebrae, scapula and slash my neck open severing a nerve I'd still rather die living life to the full than live a life fearing death. You could be hit by one of these cars in your car. I understand probably more chance of surviving but potentially more chance of it happening too. I now wear bright colours, try to ride smart and don't think about it. Give it time and see how you feel.

Yet more justification for my decision to do most of my bike training indoors. Yes, I miss the great outdoors, real hills, real breeze, etc. I just see too many accounts of terrible accidents - between the idiots texting, the well intentioned folks who are just trying to deal with their insanely complicated cars (BMW iDrive system, Mazda infotainment system, etc), the clueless teens driving massive SUVs, the drunk drivers, and the genuine assholes who see how fun it is to spook bicyclists, it's just not safe out there. I have a five month old I hope to walk down the aisle one day...seems a shame to stay fit through triathlon training only to leave a fit corpse behind.

My move out of triathlon and towards ultra running just so happens to coincide with a couple of similar incidents for me. Plus, after about 10 years I was getting bored. I still ride occasionally but it's probably only a few times a month and almost always with a group. Most of the time it's very early in the morning when with several high power lights. Of course, I'm running a lot more - and loving it.

That sucks, and people (especially drivers) often suck.

And you can choose to punt, to retreat, if that's what you feel is best for you.

I had something very similar happen to me, car overtaking another going down a hill, came into my lane, and had I not been close to the shoulder on my side, it clearly would have taken me out. I was a bit rattled by it, for sure.

But that was over a decade ago, and I've been riding regularly ever since.

I may get scared off the roads one day. But today is not that day.

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float , hammer , and jog

Sounds like you would not prefer to call it a day in this sport. I've been participating for just five years, but achieved many goals.....and hardly ever ride outside. 90% of my bike training is done at a local gym spin class or inside on my trainer. Very rarely will I ride outside and if I do I can transport bike to a nearby park that has limited traffic and is mainly used for bike riding. I know a lot of guys here seem to pound the outside pavement, but I'm with you.....just a little too skittish to do outside riding on normal street traffic. Are those options open to you.....a local gym and using an indoor trainer? You might be surprised how well your performance improves/maintains.

I know you what mean. It's so dangerous out there. After my second crash late last year, just one year after another major crash, I too almost hung it all up. It took many months to get over my fear of being on the roads again - but what I've found to work among the crazy "Bay Area Traffic" (San Francisco area) is to ride on the roads only with a large group of people that I know and use the trainer when alone. I gave up commuting to work by bike out not out of fear, but out of knowing better. Too many drivers are on their cell phones these days. But, being in a larger group, I've found way fewer close calls and overall much more courtesy from drivers. So, if you haven't been with a group for a while, try checking out your local bike shops and see what kind of rides they lead. In my area, we have a very large mix - some shop rides are super slow and casual and others cater towards a racing crowd. Who knows, you might enjoy the compradore too!

Had plenty of near misses, and a couple of hits...always gotten lucky and gotten away from the Reaper bruised, but whole.

Not feeling great about the dangers, and I do sometimes feel apprehension going out. If I am in that State of mind, I actually won't head out.

I want to be 100% ON and confident on all my rides...assertive, head on a swivel, concentrated and focused. It does make a difference.

I see so many people riding that take huge risks and tune out of what they are doing (headphones), and have seen lack of focus and risky riding take it's toll..

Every dicey situation is a lesson:

Do stop completely there and look first. Take this turn carefully. Do not ride that road at that particular time etc.....

Listen to your Instincts... if you feel you do not want to ride again (see above), don't do it.

I know it's a factor of where you live, but I go out of my way to avoid anything where the speed differential is too high. Even if there is a wide shoulder, I don't want to deal with big trucks blowing past me at 50, 60mph.

Paved trails are best if you have them, followed by residential roads with good bike lanes and low traffic.

I rock two Bontrager Flare R's on the back and two Bontrager Ion 700's on teh front. All 4 on flashing mode unless it's dark out. I find the Ion's are huge in getting people to see me from ahead and almost always get at least 3/4 of a lane from people coming up on me. This video is with only one of each on in the front and back. I'm a frugal SOB, but these are completely worth the money.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZNory1vG0FSGXzj12

This. In my riding experience, this is the only way to ride on roads. I ride like I'm invisible and assume every driver doesn't see me.

Boiler up!

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https://markmcdermott.substack.com

I'm getting ready to do a 60 or so mile ride here in the death zone known as New Jersey. Solo. As I've been doing for nigh on 30 years. I need to pay strict attention to the road, so I don't run into a deer, or a wild turkey, or a squirrel with a death wish.

Although everyone has to decide for themselves what they will do with their riding time, every cyclist who chooses to be scared off the roads is one step closer to making the roads less safe for the rest of us who enjoy what riding outdoors brings.

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"Go yell at an M&M"

Been doing tri's about as long as you. Have been hit by a car in the Vineman race. Have had too many close calls.

I just ride on my trainer 99% of the time. Safe, easy, and keeps me in decent shape for being safe. With all the electronics drivers illegally use today,
I do not care if you shine like the sun, you are dead.

I just spin the bike and watch movies. I save my outside riding for races.

For folks who say I am a wuss, so be it, I am safe.

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Dave Campbell | Facebook | @DaveECampbell | h2ofun@h2ofun.net

Boom Nutrition code 19F4Y3 $5 off 24 pack box | Bionic Runner | PowerCranks | Velotron | Spruzzamist

Lions don't lose sleep worrying about the sheep

First off, I am very sorry to hear about your episode. We had a discussion on this a while back with the road safety stats actually at hand. I don't necessarily agree with the roads being less safe, I think what does happen is we advertise it a lot more than 20 years ago and that creates a illusion of safety or lack-thereof.I think part of it is perception as well as cities expand and less traveled roads became more traveled.

One observation however that I see first hand with riding with other people is that many don't even keep good situational awareness of their surroundings. They never look back. When we drive we look in the rear view mirror but many don't bother on the bike. It is these same people who get freaked out when a car come buzzing by. In general I am a very edge on person, passionate, and competitive, but commuting in the city for the part of 20 years has taught me a lot about interacting with vehicles. Car accidents happen too, a lot, but I don't think you are going to stop driving. I wouldn't quit cycling but that is just me.

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First and foremost, glad you're alright.

If you still love triathlon and you can tolerate riding your bike trainer, that was my solution. Yes, I think it is sad that we live in a world that cyclists are getting severely injured or killed simply by riding a bike outdoors, but that unfortunately is reality. There is not a month that goes by that I don't read on ST or hear from friends that someone was injured or killed while riding a bike.

I have three kids under the age of 7. Every time I ride outdoors I wonder about whether my life insurance would be enough and my kids growing up without a father. (My wife would miss me too!) That certainly doesn't make for an enjoyable bike ride.

But I also don't want to live a life of fear and abstain from something such as riding a bike that brings happiness and pleasure to me. So, I've pretty much taken the Andy Potts training approach to bike training... 99% is done on my trainer. I still get to race outdoors, which is ordinarily much safer from idiotic drivers or completely closed courses. This trade off works for me and allows me to continue being "awesome" in triathlon. (Note: My definition of "awesome," as a MOP triathlete, differs than most. See also "delusions of grandeur.")

Hopefully this post helps. It would be sad to see you hang it up. Your kids still need to see how awesome their parent is in life, which I believe is psychologically valuable to them as well in having a great role model.


(On a related note, if anyone can convince a billionaire or two to help set up a decent and livable car-free city, please let me know.)

Riding in London the other day I was nearly hit by another biker! He didn't even flinch, lucky for me somehow we went through each other like ghosts. It's Pretty hard to get hit on your trainer. Somehow i have transitioned from someone that hates the trainer, to 90 percent indoors and i actually prefer it most the time. mtb and trainers ftw! Oh, and if you don't have a kickr go get one

For sure. I think texting is a large part of it. It's out of control. Seems like half the cars on the road are texting and driving...at least around here.

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Power Meter City
Your Power Meter Specialists

Couldn't agree more. "Ride like you're invisible"...my pops use to always say this to me.

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Power Meter City
Your Power Meter Specialists

I've been there. Gave up road riding for a few years after 2 would-have-been fatal near misses if it weren't for my motorcycle training - "nobody sees me, everyone is trying to kill me". Switched to MTB first, then when I got back into tri I bought a trainer and now ride 99% indoors. Yeah it's boring, but I'd like to see my son's future birthdays so it's worth the trade off.

Mountain biking
Cyclocross
Xterra

When one door closes.....

Off-road is waaaaaaay more fun (and challenging) anyway.

Around here too

My policy is to go out as early as possible on Saturday or Sunday morning, preferably Sunday morning. When do you usually ride? In the summer, if you're up by 5, you can easily hit the road by 6 on a Sunday and should have very low traffic conditions to deal with for at least a couple hours. Obviously this is somewhat limiting in the sense that you're not able to ride several times a week. I have thought about commuting to work many times, but I just don't think it's worth the risk.

Excellent and so true. The earlier I get out on a Sunday, the less traffic I encounter. When I do venture out during "rush hour," I take a lane like a car (when no bike lane) and ride very defensively (but not rudely). I've noticed that if I ride confidently around drivers, clearly making my presence known, most of them will give me space. It's only a handful that act like jerks and try to come close to hitting you.

I have a hunch that people driving a vehicle aren't looking for someone on a bike. Mentally, they are looking out for other vehicles. I've heard reports that when a driver hits a cyclist, it's said, "I didn't see him. He just came out of nowhere!" I've had drivers look "right through me" and pull out in front of me. They are looking at me, but they don't "see me." Hence, I ride like I'm the Invisible Man.

+1.

Do you have a smart trainer? I do TrainerRoad app ($10 per month, worth every penny) and Zwift for occasional "racing." At this point, 99% of my rides are indoor too.

Surely, you kids appreciate and respect a father who is fit and athletic. Don't quit the sport, just because of one incident. We could get hit by a bus walking on the street tomorrow, but we shouldn't be shut-in's.

I'm a physician & I see sick and nearly dead people every day. Enjoy your life, health & fitness now. Dabble in MTB, if you must!!

For me, I just keep it totally simple on my smart trainer.
3 days a week 90 minute spin 120 watts.
3 days a week 90 minute intervals 4/10/230
1 day I ride the IMLT martis/brockway climbs for an hour.

And watch lots of movies. I never miss a day for weather, sun, etc. Start around 5 am so nice and simple.

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Dave Campbell | Facebook | @DaveECampbell | h2ofun@h2ofun.net

Boom Nutrition code 19F4Y3 $5 off 24 pack box | Bionic Runner | PowerCranks | Velotron | Spruzzamist

Lions don't lose sleep worrying about the sheep

Hate to hear that. It's such a dangerous activity back home I totally understand. Borderline suicide where I come from. Handphones + that 4wheels vs 2wheels mindset together = really really tough to look past & say "ya, I'll keep training out on the road"

I left the Midwest few years back for Europe. Northern Germany to be specific. COMPLETELY different cycling/pedestrian culture here! Infinitely safer. Riding here is a factor of 100X more pleasurable in every way.

CC

My hope is that I live long enough - and am young enough that I am still cycling - to see a world with computer driven cars. No speeding, no impaired driver, no distracted driving and no 'us' vs 'them'. I feel like it's the only way we'll ever be safe out on the roads

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Team Every Man Jack

Hmm, I just got off the bike trainer after a 3.5 hour ride. What was your reason again?

Curious...will this change the amount you drive your car as well?

I would give this some time before making the decision to pull the trigger on the road. If you do not have a smart trainer, I would consider getting one and doing your key sessions on that inside.

I like you have children around the same age and will be moving my riding more inside for key sessions. My outside riding will be more MTB and trail riding in the future. Bigger tires and less traffic will be nice.

My wife gave me the OK to purchase a smart trainer so I can do most of my riding inside to be on the safe side.

Also everyone in my family now must have their bikes with a white blinking light on the front and a red blinking light on the back if they are riding on the road.

I have had a few near misses but last year I came 6" close to being killed. A milk trucking passing the opposite direction and going wide almost hit me. The 90 mph wind blast nearly knocked me off my bike. I have been riding or 28 + years and this really changed my outlook. I am not afraid to die, but don't really want to go this way under these circumstances. That would have been a real mess. I would feel sorry for the first responders having to clean me up. I guess what I am saying is that you are not the only one who feels this way.

How about this, I will drive my car straight into a wall at 60km right now and you do the same on your bike. Then we can come back and inform everyone here how that went. I am sure I will be back to report my findings.

Glad you were paying attention and able to avoid the irresponsible motorists. Great responses in this thread. I've been riding regularly on the roads for 50 years. My thoughts:

1. As others have written, assume you are invisible.
2. Use a rear view mirror. I only started doing this a couple of years ago and I shake my head at my stupidity for failing to use one before because it wasn't "cool."
3. Agree with Thomas. When I do group rides it is readily apparent that most of my peers rely too much on drivers to do the right thing. They rarely look back and their main focus is not on vehicles approaching from the rear. If you are cycling on open roads your main focus should not be talking to your buddies, winning the sprint or the climb or staring at the numbers on your electronic devices.
4. Ride where motor vehicles aren't allowed. I do most of my rides on multiuse paths and when we bought a new home a couple of years ago being close to a good network of paths was a high priority for us.

I certainly understand my peers who want to do nearly all their riding indoors, but I question how long triathlon will survive if/when the majority of triathletes decide that is what they need to do. If I ever decide I can't ride safely outdoors, I'll likely give up tris and focus on another sport where I can spend most of my training time outdoors.

Should members of the triathlon community be more focused on using more of our disposable $ to fund organizations such as Rails to Trails that advocate and promote building multiuse paths and other traffic patterns that provide us the opportunity to ride outside on pavement that we don't have to share with motorized vehicles?

Agree completely with these comments here.

First and foremost, investing in a sold trainer is a no-brainer. ROI is easy, especially if you live in the northern regions of the country. From late Oct to May, I ride exclusively on a Kickr because its just too cold in MN to do otherwise. In the summer, if its raining, same deal. In addition, you can be so precise in your training, I consider indoor riding to be an advantage, not a concession.

Second, I do not ride outside alone, ever. There are too many risks as you've mentioned, it's just not safe. Even when we are group riding, we are all on high alert, you just don't have a choice anymore. People and technology are in a really bad place, autonomous driving is the only way we get on the other side of it IMO, and that is a long way off.

Finally, there is no good reason to give up completely; none at all. In lots of regards, you are an excellent role model for your family, promoting a healthy lifestyle. This just provides you with an opportunity to teach them how to deal with adversity as well. At the end of the day, there are risks in all activities... you could give up triathlon, buy a set of gold clubs, and get hit by a golf cart full of drunk golfers. You could buy a kayak and get hit by a powerboat. The list of reasons why NOT to do something goes on and on...

How about this, I will drive my car straight into a wall at 60km right now and you do the same on your bike. Then we can come back and inform everyone here how that went. I am sure I will be back to report my findings.


OK, you first.

Point is, people never say "I'm going to stop driving my car when I don't have to." every time they have a near miss on the road or they hear of someone getting in a car crash.

I do most of my biking on the trainer and watch a lot of Netflix.
I bike outside once a week at most as it is a social event. We drive 12 miles to a place where there is minimal traffic (maybe six vehicles an hour) and even then somebody got hit some years back.
Yesterday an angry motorist blew through a stop sign out in the middle of BFE and almost hit us. Not only did he not slow down, he stepped on the gas. Then he laid on the horn after he passed us. I swear it was the same guy who laid on the horn as he gunned the motor past us last Saturday. I brought up the possibility of renewing my concealed carry, as we were all looking behind us to see if he were coming back. But, if you feel the need to arm yourself for a friendly Saturday morning ride, why go.
We have to park a distance away from where we ride because people's cars get broken into if we park where we ride.
I won't bike alone here as I have been chased around and buzzed by people yelling racial slurs at me.
Then factor in distracted drivers, people throwing things out of the window at you, and constant flat tires from broken glass, metal industrial debris, and goathead thorns....makes the trainer + Netflix in air-conditioned comfort seem like a nice option.
I do plan a multi day bike trip on rails-to-trails every year. Just got back from 300+ miles on the Heartland and Paul Bunyan Trails in Minnesota. Highly recommended!!! There may come a day when my summer bike trip and races are the only times I bike outside.

"Dabble in MTB, if you must!! "


I realize you are kidding but can you elaborate on your comment.

Do you have video of the incident? Something you can share with the police?

I have a friend who "quit road biking" and went strictly MTB and Xterra event... I believe for the same reason (he got sick of near-miss incidents?).

http://lostintransition.com

(His blog. Lots of great MTB related photos).

Personally, I love the speed and smoothness of road bikes & not fond of MTB as much. No disrespect to mountain bikers, mind you.

Got it. Many thanks for the link.

I think the craziest thing that's come up in the last couple years is that other drivers get pissed off if you're an attentive driver.

Case in point - I live in NYC and drive for work in and around the area. With the dedicated cycle lanes in the city proper, and great cycling destinations around the Hudson and Long Island there's plenty of enthusiasts and so seeing a cyclist on the road isn't like spotting Sasquatch. In the city, I always slow down at intersections and check all blind spots quickly, and if a cyclist is behind me I let them pass before making the turn. But every time I do this the driver behind me lays on their horn, like I'm doing something wrong..

Same thing outside the city, where there aren't dedicated lanes and oftentimes cyclists use the same roads as drivers. If I can't pass a cyclist safely, I'll drive behind them with a good cushion (at least 30') before passing, but whenever I do this the driver behind me goes ballistic.

With today's emphasis on on-demand instant gratification it seems like any inconvenience to people is a personal affront. That said I'll never change the way I drive or bike as I know it's the proper form, and if people have an issue I always invite any discussion, proper or not.

I know people that do not drive because of other bad drivers so..............

Feeling the same?

I try to minimize the risk by riding indoors, riding relatively closed/limited access loops of about 3-4 miles and group rides in the country. Between those, I do about four rides and 100 mile weeks. Not a lot but I'm 62 and want to live long and enjoy retirement.

There are local stories in the news about drivers killing drivers or just killing themselves. Most of that is probably distracted driving and being in a hurry. So whether I am in a car or on a bike I can't protect myself. The car offers more protection. The bike is a smaller target. Recently they wrote that the risk was equal between cars and bikes.

PS more likely to buy an indoor spin bike suitable for training than another tri-bike or road bike. Going to spin classes and people watching is also entertaining.

Personally I feel less safe riding in a group than solo. Fellow riders are quite often their own worst enemies, although it is usually nothing that will cause serious/critical injuries.
However groups also quite often tend to antagonise motorists more due to the greater tendency of impeding their progress on the road.

I hear you. I've been on the trainer for over a year now as I just don't want to bother with the crazy drivers anymore. I havent trained for a real tri in a long time as well and have been doing running/ultras exclusively just because I don't want to go outside. I have a cheap magnetic trainer but if I decide to do another half or full IM I'll probably invest in a smart trainer just to stay off the road.

Life gets in the way.... sometimes I'm doing races and sometimes I'm barely finding time to ride or run. Point is, you don't ALWAYS have to be racing. Remember why you are doing this, it should be for the love of the sport.

On a different note, I've had some close calls. One creepy moment was when we waived to a cyclist and minutes later, she was hit by a drunk driver. We read it in the papers the next day. a friend reminded me that we chase death every day, sometimes by seconds. I have had a few close calls with cars, but never hit.

As far as riding mountain bike or something else.... lol, All of my crashes have been on mountain bike and last year I hit a tree and thought I broke my ribs. The year before I face planted and luckily missed landing on the tree stumps and boulders.

Anyway, good luck on what you choose! I don't think there is a great answer.

I was in your shoes a few years back and decided to hang it up for good ( Road riding). With young kids that need me to be around, a wife that likes my income and the overall desire to not be in a pine box just yet, I decided the risk is not worth the reward. I loved riding with friends and the feel of the open road, humming along with a high heart rate and how you felt after a good 60 mile ride, but just can't justify the risk.

I sold all my tri gear, road bikes, wheels, trainers ( about 12K in gear) and never looked back. It was not as hard as I thought. I am more into weight training and running now. Also more time for scuba and other hobbies.

Every now and then I get the itch to get another bike and start again, but then read a post like this or hear how some poor guy got killed on a road bike. Reaffirms I made the right decision.

How would you feel if everyone posted about their road ride that ended without incident? You know, the hundreds of thousands of rides every weekend that resulted in a great experience?

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"Go yell at an M&M"

I ride 90% of the time on my trainer and only ride outdoors for races. it sucks but I have a infant child to look after so ...

There's no reason you can't just bike on the trainer and then on the road for race day. I'd say that most good triathletes do most of their rides on a trainer anyway.

Glad you are ok, I made the same decision a few months ago.

"I am more into weight training and running now. Also more time for scuba and other hobbies."

And yet...scuba has a higher mortality rate than cycling...

I came to the same conclusion several years ago. I just wasn't willing to risk it any longer. I probably helped that cycling was my least favorite discipline. I still do a hell of a lot of running and swimming. My racing is now comprised of ows, marathons and trail races. I don't miss riding on the roads at all.

make that decision based on facts and stats, not the fresh emotion of your terrible experience. i will say however i stopped bike racing after a near miss high speed crash.

things like making some rides indoors, riding with others, always using blinking lights, get on mtb trails some, choosing the right time of day and roads, can make the already tiny chance of an incident truly minuscule.

Nice! Have any cheap bikes for sale?

I respect your feelings here - my daughter is about to turn 8 months old, and here in provincial NZ I've had more near misses like the one you describe in the last 5 years than I care to count. I have one 70.3 in January, and after that I'm giving very serious thought to a switch to Xterra. Like you say - it's a collarbone, not instant dismemberment at 100+km/hr closing speed. I'm doing SwimRun in April for the first time and I'm tempted to keep my riding to groups after this 70.3 in January. Life is short. It doesn't need to be any shorter.

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Ditch the road and hit the trails on a mtb. It's the only thing that got me back on a bike after a couple of incidents on the road with cars.

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I've learned that Zwift with a smart trainer makes indoors actually fun. I've had many a close call over the years but now that I'm getting older riding outside on the road is getting less appealing.

And the gravel roads. That's where I'll be spending a lot of time this winter