It finally happened, after probably 30,000 miles, a car finally hit me. Four miles from home. Luckily I’m only going to be sore for a few days and the ride only needs a few minor repairs.
I know everyone hates reading these things but PLEASE be careful out there.
Send them to Ol’ Blighty next Thursday so I can kick their ass for you.
You going to kick the driver’s ass when you feel better? You want my big, furry feet to kick the guys ass? Did I mention that I want to kick your attacker’s ass?
Sorry to hear it dude. Glad to hear you’re ok. Glad to hear the bike only needs minor stuff.
One word: suckwad.
Hid! Man! I’m sorry you got tagged…I have yet to have the pleasure and am dreading the day. Glad all is relatively well. Take care man…
I’m glad you lived to tell the tale. It is one of my fears. I’m thankful that it was not very serious and that you’re ok.
bummer, but 1 tag per 60,000 miles is probably a decent rate as long as it’s not too bad
.
Glad to hear you are OK.
clm
Sucks dude but at least your ok.
F#cking Sunday drivers…
I try to crash at least once a year in order to stay in practice. In my last 60,000 I’ve been hit twice, numerous close encounters, and I’ve had three friends or training partners killed or injured badly enough to end careers (wasn’t with them at the time).
So let’s be careful out there, and let’s take the time to be thankful for every good day of riding.
Sorry to hear Hid. Great that you are o.k… Where did it happen in S.J.?
jIM
Dude, that really sucks. Glad to hear that you’re OK, though. Where did it happen?
Hid,
I wasn’t around in the past days. Sorry to find out about your accident but glad that you are OK!
Thanks everyone.
It happened on Big Basin Way (Highway 9) in down town Saratoga. Some guy pulled out of a parking lot turning left directly in front of me and I went right into his front fender and across and over his hood.
The guy never even asked if I was okay. He instantly became defensive and started yelling about how bikes shouldn’t be on the road and that it is my fault since I’m only a bike. At first I only wanted his contact and insurance information but his attitude prompted me to pull out the cell phone and call the police. He really didn’t like that.
The guy was a complete jerk. Constantly interrupting the police officer, leading the witnesses, he told the cop to inspect my bike and give his opinion about its condition. I told him I didn’t think the officer was qualified to inspect the structural integrity of a bicycle and it’s components but he was more than welcome to do whatever he liked. But I also told him that he would be putting himself into a position or liability.
I was really insulted by this because from the beginning I told the guy that I didn’t think much was wrong with my bike or me and that we could figure it out.
He then proceeded to ask me to ride around the parking lot a few times to prove to everyone that I wasn’t hurt which I responded with “I’m not doing any monkey dances for you and if you step out of line one more time or ask me anything else stupid I’m going to have them call an ambulance and make a trip to the hospital for every test they can possibly do to make sure I’m alright.”
Afterward the officer pulled me aside and told me “That guy really dug a large grave for himself.”
I’ve met a lot of insensitive and dumb people in life but this guy tops the cake. It really makes me wonder what he does to make enough money to live in Saratoga.
By the way the lead witness was on a motorcycle (motorcyclists have a lot of the same safety issues as bicyclists) coming from the opposite direction. He was watching the car closely because he saw the guy wanted to turn left and was worried that he would pull out in front of him. He saw the guy pull to the front of the exit of the parking lot and look to the left and then to the right. Then saw the guy pull out right in front of me, which surprised him because he didn’t feel that the car had enough space to clear the him (the motorcyclist), and when he pulled in front of me I hit him.
I’m writing this because while I’m the one at right, I’m also the one hurt and without a road bike. There isn’t much I could have done to prevent this but even though we have the right of way, we need to take extra precautions.
Having this happen yesterday was quite the coincidence because earlier in the day I sent a group of friends Tom’s article and reminded them to be safe.
One question…
I was riding 404’s at the time. I put the wheels on a truing stand and they look fine. I’ve looked them over and they seem alright. Would you trust them after an impact like this?
They sound like they’re good, but I think the idiot who hit you would be glad to cough up an additional $1000 for new wheels (and you could donate the 404s to the TSR foundation).
Hid,
Glad to hear your going to be okay and back on your bike very soon! Thanks too, for sharing the details. I was really interested to know how the incident developed and what I (we) could learn to benefit from your unfortunate experience. You know, looking ahead through car windows, anticipating someone’s stupid move/action, etc. Sounds like you had a bicycle friendly officer respond to the scene. That must have been satisfying as well/hell.
And remember what the Sergeant on Hill Street Blues used to say as he dismissed the officers after his preshift meeting, “Be careful, its a jungle out there.”
I am glad you’re alright.
My Bike vs. Car story:
I was whipping around RittenHouse Square in Philly, on my old Fuji, behind a SEPTA bus when someone opened the driver’s side door of their cab (?!!!) about 10 yards in front of me. I immediately locked up both brakes and did a very nice dirt track slide, smacking the door (BONK!!!) with the back half of my ride as I leaned forward on the front wheel to stay upright. The back half flipped around the door and into the cab’s fender as I let go of the brakes. Now the front half and I pivoted back in the original direction of movement and I continued (slowly) on my way. I’m sure there’s a Bike Freestyle word for it, but don’t know what it’s called.
Looked impressive though.
Glad you escaped relatively unscathed. I haven’t done nearly as many miles as you, but I had something similar happen to me last summer – someone turned left in front of me. As it turned out, I didn’t get hit but I did go over the bars (overexcited braking and poor technique). I cracked a rib and my helmet but finished my ride anyway. Shock and adrenaline work better than Powerbars, at least for a short time.
I came to the conclusion that what happened really wasn’t the driver’s fault because of the conditions at the time. I made an assumption about what the driver would do, and I was wrong. Since it happened, I have tried to ride much more defensively and not assume that drivers see me. I also stay on the bullhorns with fingers on the brakes as long as I’m on city streets where there are cars around. I don’t touch the aerobars until I get to the area where I do my circuit rides. There are only three spots on that 3 mile route where there can be cross-traffic, and I’m on the hoods there too. I also started carrying ID in my bike bag…
I know exactly where you’re talking about, and every time I ride through there I worry about the same thing. Despite the number of cyclists in the area, people there seem to be very unaware of them. I’ve had several near-misses of exactly the type of accident you’ve described. In my most recent one I locked up both wheels and actually slid to a stop with my front wheel smacking the driver’s door. They gave me a dirty look like it was my fault they cut in front of me. I could tell exactly what they were thinking by the look on their face: “don’t you know that bicycles belong on the sidewalk?!” Dumb-asses. Anyway, hope you’re back on the road soon.