Road Cycling - An inch from death today

Well, I came within an inch of getting wacked by a car @ high speed today. The following is what happened:

-I was traveling up a moderate hill, and during one of my looks back, I noticed an older car approaching from behind. At this point he was about 150 yard back, and the only car traveling in either direction. I kept the bike in a straight line and continued to ride along the extreme edge of the road.

Then, I heard it. I heard the roar of an old V8 engine gearing down and revving high. I continued to maintain my line @ the edge of the road as the sound of the engine became louder and obviously closer. I didn't look back again for fear that my bike would drift to the left.

Then, he ripped by me within an inch or two of my left handlebar @ a very high rate of speed. He was within inches of striking and perhaps killing me. It was VERY obvious that he did this on purpose as there was no other traffic on the road.

I was able to get a piece of his license plate number, and then later on the ride, I saw the car parked by the side of the road in front of a house. I got the full plate number, and reported the incident to the state police. The trooper whom I spoke with knew the vehicle and the guy very well. Apparently, this guy has had issues with the law before and is somewhat notorious to the police.

Anywho, I just had to vent a bit. As I didn't get a good enough look @ the driver to positively identify him, most probably nothing will happen. However, you never know, and @ the very least this guy has another report on him.

*cough* you should've wrecked his car when no one was around */cough*

Originally posted by KennethToronto
*cough* you should've wrecked his car when no one was around */cough*

Then, he'd be out about $1.25. Unfortunately, this guy is apparently a real low-life with not much to lose. However, I shall find a way! ;)

Rock on! You got him! BWAHAHAA!:thumbup: Not only that, you did the right thing by telling the authorities. Glad to hear you're ok, I bet you had the shakes after that one... :eek:

There are many unbalanced people out there with licenses. Maybe a psych evaluation and a 3 day waiting period should be part of the required regimen to get one.

You did what you could. Although letting the air out of his tires might be a childish and even dangerous thing to do, it's nice to dream.

Originally posted by oceanrider
Although letting the air out of his tires might be a childish and even dangerous thing to do, it's nice to dream.
I've done that before:D. I've also smashed a window with a u-lock, but then i was really p*ssed off.
stew

I don't condone violence, we are surrounded by enough of it already. But tyres are fair game and I would have no hesitation in him making go to the nearest tyre dealer for four new tyres.

Let's face it, the cops will say a few words to him about some cyclist making a complaint and tomorrow he is out driving around looking for a cyclist to scare.

At least if you cause some harm to his tyres, he won't be looking to specifically blame cyclists, just the rest of society.

I would never recommend this in a normal car/bike confrontation, but it sounds like his actions were predetermined and life threatening.

CHEERS.

Mark

I've seen so many reports of cyclists not being able to get the registration details of vehicles. It's good to know that you got the details on this low life.

As you've said, even if he doesn't get prosecuted for this one it's one more note to put on his file and to bring him to the cops' attention.

The most important thing is that you're OK.

Geez, you guys aren't helping getting me off the trails :)

Originally posted by RollingGeek
Geez, you guys aren't helping getting me off the trails :)

Ah, this kind of thing doesn't happen that often. Most people are decent drivers. There are just some, like that guy, who are insane.

You'll be on the road soon enough...;)

Originally posted by velo


Ah, this kind of thing doesn't happen that often. Most people are decent drivers. There are just some, like that guy, who are insane.


Yup, 99% of the cars on the road give cyclists the respect the law affords - and sometimes more. I don't think anything can change the remaining 1%. In fact, on the ride that I wrote about in the first post, several drivers waved @ me. There was even one pedestrian who shouted words of encouragement as I pumped up a very steep climb.

It's easy to let the dirtbags of this world turn one into a cynic. I'm going to try and not let that happen to me! :D

God bless you.

I can tell that you were very lucky, considering the fact you are safe and sound, while you actually was able to get him.

I really feel that people who drive cars should show more respect. This is not enough though, it would be best we have some place on the road we can ride on, the road is really great.

I'm glad the drivers over here in Singapore are not too bad, don't see those people who actually try to knock cyclists down. We have been known for being a FINE city, that means lots of bookings. Guess that's the reason why Singapore drivers actually don't try and drive carefully.

However, there are those who show no regards for cyclists or any pedestrians as a matter of fact. They are the taxi drivers, rushing to make money while seldomly caring for us people who they earn money from. Also, there are drivers from Malaysia who drive across the causeway and they are really rough drivers. They speed, they don't care! The truth is, I have never seen a driver from Malaysia driving properly.

UPDATE!!!!!!!

I just got a call from the State Police. The dirtbag in question apparently admitted to the cops that he was driving on the road in question @ the time in question. Thus, he is now linked with his car that I positively identified as the auto that nearly struck me. The trooper has filed several citations against this guy (he had no license - no insurance - no registration, etc), and I will be testifying against him in court in terms of the carreless driving citation.

SOMETIMES .... THE GOOD GUYS WIN! (at least to this point!)

:D :D :D :beer:

Originally posted by bac


Then, he'd be out about $1.25. Unfortunately, this guy is apparently a real low-life with not much to lose. However, I shall find a way! ;)

Get him a bumper sticker that says " I love riding my bike" and stick it on his bumper when he's not looking!

Like I said in a thread I started yesterday, oh yeah, there is justice in the world. At least he'll have to be inconvenienced if nothing else.

And it's true... my experience is that if I flash a smile, generally a motorist will at least smile back. It's part of the eye contact thing that I've come to realize is important in traffic. That takes care of traffic from the front. Maybe I should put a great big smiley face on the back of my jersey for traffic coming from behind:D

Well, don't be too excited about justice just yet. It's unlikely this fellow will be locked up, and if he's as close to the bottom of the barrell as this thread makes him out to be then it's not too hard to imagine he might not feel kindly toward whoever reports him or testifies against him. He will have access to your name and address. Be prepared for the possibility of retaliation.

I'm not trying to discourage you from doing what's right. However, the system is stacked against those who have the most to lose. Don't get into a battle with someone like this. He will win every time because he can go to lengths you wouldn't even consider.

I have to give your state police credit for pursuing this matter. Most would have listened politely then blown it off for a lack of witnesses or evidence.

Yesterday I was out on a two lane state route in rural area and had a very close call too. My first indication was an "escort vehicle" that breezed past with his lights going. My second indication, which happened about a second later, was seeing an oncoming vehicle moving clear over onto the grass as far as he could. Then another second later I sensed an enormous presence and a gush of air rushing past. It was one of those double wides and folks I could have extended my pinky out from the hoods and touched the thing. You would have thought the lead escort vehicle would have slowed it down and given me time to get off the road. That hillbilly mansion was taking up 3/4 of the road easy. The key here was to ride a straight line and hope the driver does too. Dodged another bullet.

Originally posted by ScottyBlues
I'm not trying to discourage you from doing what's right. However, the system is stacked against those who have the most to lose. Don't get into a battle with someone like this. He will win every time because he can go to lengths you wouldn't even consider.

I hear what you're saying, and I have considered the possible consequences. Moreover, the trooper made this guy out to be a real low-life type character, so I may be in for ride. However, I really feel that this is a battle I must fight - if not for me, then for the next guy that this scumbag very well may strike and kill.

I'm sure that this story is not over, and I'll try and keep the group informed of the ongoing saga!

Originally posted by velonut
I have to give your state police credit for pursuing this matter. Most would have listened politely then blown it off for a lack of witnesses or evidence.

Yup, I was very surprised when the trooper contacted me. However, apparently this guy is known to the state police, and they were just looking for a reason to pay him a visit. As soon as I described the car to the police, he knew the guy and where he lived.

I think I'll take as many people as I'm allowed to the hearing for moral support and intimidation purposes. I want him to know that it's just not me he has to contend with.

Has anyone been involved in a deal like this before?? If so, what should I expect in terms of courtroom drama? Any advice??

ThanX!!!! :D

Hi,
Like most of you in here I have had a close call or two. I have been considering getting one of those cheap disposable cameras.
mount it on the bars and when some nut case in a car tries something just hit the sutter button. YOu have em on film . License and who is driving. A cop I talked to once after an incident said they have great equipment for enhancing pictures so even if they are going fast you should be able to get them.
Besides might come in handy having a camera along anyway.

Ride Safe.....Dudley

Originally posted by ScottyBlues
Well, don't be too excited about justice just yet. It's unlikely this fellow will be locked up, and if he's as close to the bottom of the barrell as this thread makes him out to be then it's not too hard to imagine he might not feel kindly toward whoever reports him or testifies against him. He will have access to your name and address. Be prepared for the possibility of retaliation.

I'm not trying to discourage you from doing what's right. However, the system is stacked against those who have the most to lose. Don't get into a battle with someone like this. He will win every time because he can go to lengths you wouldn't even consider.

I'm not totally sure I agree with this. If the tosser has already been hassled by the cops, fined, or whatever else, he might be trying to avoid another confrontation. I find it hard to believe that anybody wants to spend a few years taking it up the butt from Bubba.

has anyone noticed that when you are on the right side (in america) of the white line, even if it is 6 inches, cars will stay in their lane most of the time but if you are on the white line or just to the left of it they swerve out, exaggerating their passing....

and there is nothing scarier than a car in the other direction deciding to pass another car in his lane.....and he's coming right for you!!!

I hate oncoming passers. That happened to me twice this morning. I have found that the best thing to do on narrow highways is to stay just left of the white line, and when cars get right behind you swerve to the right side of the line. I can just hear them cussin me, but by swerving it gives the impression that you are trying to yield to them. And they usually chill then.

The worst thing that ever happened to me was hearing a loud truck coming up behind me (you know the ones), then sensing them passing very close to me, then feeling something just scratch my leg down low. Turned out the truck was dragging a trailer with a bunch of old steel pipe and one was hanging off to my side. That one was too close for comfort.

I tried wearing a mirror one time but it drove me nuts. If my number ever does come up I don't want to see it coming...

If my number ever does come up I don't want to see it coming...


I agree..... Ignorance is bliss.:D

CHEERS.

Mark

Originally posted by bac
UPDATE!!!!!!!

I just got a call from the State Police. The dirtbag in question apparently admitted to the cops that he was driving on the road in question @ the time in question. Thus, he is now linked with his car that I positively identified as the auto that nearly struck me. The trooper has filed several citations against this guy (he had no license - no insurance - no registration, etc), and I will be testifying against him in court in terms of the carreless driving citation.

SOMETIMES .... THE GOOD GUYS WIN! (at least to this point!)

:D :D :D :beer:

Well, on the agreed upon facts in the case, this guy is already wrong no matter what you say (driving without a license, registration or insurance). Now if a citizen with a good record says this guy was driving in a wreckless fashion and he has such a miserable record (like driving without license, registration or insurance) just who do you think the court will believe? It sounds as if the local police actually mean to back you up. Good for both of you. However, with our overloaded prison system, it is hard to actully put anyone in jail for anything short of a felony so don't get your hopes up. But getting some more documentation against this guy and perhaps getting him on probation with community service is a good thing.

Hopefully, this idiot will find himself forced to ride a bike after the judge gets through with him. Maybe he'll see things from a different perspective.

So Happy to hear you are fine!! and that you were able to nail the bastard.... how many times do you have some ride really close, or yell and shout when you are passed by them.

Very happy one will have to stand up and explain their moron behaviour.

Annie

Originally posted by supcom
Hopefully, this idiot will find himself forced to ride a bike after the judge gets through with him. Maybe he'll see things from a different perspective.

:D That would be justice well served! :D

I hope you can find a witness. With him gunning his engine, you have proof of intent, and thus can file assault, and the car makes it assault with a deadly weapon. Without the engine to prove intent, all you have is 'oops, I didn't see him.'
This sort of thing has gone to court before, so maybe a visit with the distric attorney could start the ball rolling. If you're going to take this hairball down, take him down HARD.

http://www.plauder-smilies.de/deal.gif

BAC,
You did the right thing. Retaliation will only come back to you in some form or another. Until the day we can walk up to these idiots and remove them from the gene pool ourselves it's best just to let it go. I am very happy you were able to get this guy but be careful of him in the future. Sometimes stupid people have very long memories.

I must admit though...as a rider myself, I have been driving a car and encountered some extremely rude road cyclists. Riding 2 and 3 abreast expecting cars to stop. Let's not forget there are idiots on both sides of this thing.

The older I get the more I find myself riding the bike trails rather than the streets.

Let's all ride responsibly and safely.

a friend of mine carries golf balls in the mesh part of his camelback to thow at cars that pass him to close. Sounds like it would be rather inconvienent, but alas, the price of retaliation is high.

You have to know in my younger days (38 now) I was the king of retaliation. But I have to question being on a bicycle and getting into it with some yahoo in a 4000 pound vehicle. Tough to testify with your head smashed all over the road.

If you must do something...make it non-dangerous to yourself. If you can identify the vehicle and locate it, stop by sometime and remove all four valve stems from the tires. No damage done, just a major inconvenience.

If you want to be really nasty, save the gear lube from your car next time you change it, bust out their window and spray the lube all over their interior. It will never come out and will stink forever.

Or,.....


Enough

You did the right thing, I'm glad to hear you're ok.

Originally posted by WaltH
If you must do something...make it non-dangerous to yourself. If you can identify the vehicle and locate it, stop by sometime and remove all four valve stems from the tires. No damage done, just a major inconvenience.

If you want to be really nasty, save the gear lube from your car next time you change it, bust out their window and spray the lube all over their interior. It will never come out and will stink forever.

Or,.....


Enough
Those were good...but 7 years ago (when my dog was a 2 month old puppy), my puppy was out in the yard exploring (getting close to my neighbor's car), my neighbor decided to scare the crap out of my dog by getting in his car and backing up out of his driveway really really fast with is Dodge Caravan just because he just doesn't like dogs (or cats, anyone else for that matter)....so one day coming home from school (I was around 17), I decided to walk my puppy...had my doggie bag to pick up his do-do. His stool was nice and soft that day, and a lightbulb just lite up in my head, I proceeded to my neighbor's driveway and decided that instead of throwing the bag in the garbage, it would be a great idea to stick it up the door handle on all 3 doors. I then proceded to wipe clean the chrome door handles with my other bag and went home.....

Folks, NO need to get violent. Personally, I prefer to pack some heat in my rear jersey pocket but the ol' smith & wesson just imposes such a huge WEIGHT penalty on hills.;)

Seriously, I mostly ride in early morning with my road bike (when the general public is still snoozing). I'd only ride my urban assault vehicle aka bulletproof Raleigh mtn. bike in heavy traffic.

Originally posted by WaltH
But I have to question being on a bicycle and getting into it with some yahoo in a 4000 pound vehicle.
Assume this always (whether you're driving or riding): A person in a lockable, 1+ ton lethal weapon, that can run away at 60+ mph, knows no fear.

Glad to hear your ok and that the wheels of justice are turning!

*******

My roommate was riding one day. A truck drove past him and the passanger leaned out the window and pushed my roommate over.

That 1% ruins it for everyone.

I would of waited for this bastard and broken every bone in his body with a baseball bat, good and hard, that he won't be able to drive a car again for the rest of his life. This type of scum is a menace to our society and should be placed behind bars.

Originally posted by Albinoni
I would of waited for this bastard and broken every bone in his body with a baseball bat, good and hard, that he won't be able to drive a car again for the rest of his life. This type of scum is a menace to our society and should be placed behind bars.

...And you shouldn't be placed behind bars for taking the law into your own hands and battering someone near to death with a bat ?

I am sure that rage over the incident prompted such an angry post, but surely you see how ironic your last sentence is ?

What goes around, comes around. But someone has to be willing to send it back around. It's CARma. :D

Same thing here Ritalin. Some loser and his mate were riding past and he decided it would be real funny to lean out of the window and tip my handlebars. I nearly pancaked it under his back wheel. Unfortunately as we drive (and ride) on the left side of the road here in oz my rear mech was badly damaged, not to mention all the other bits and pieces that get broken in a decent fall.

My revenge? I quickly returned to the road, and spotted these wankers waiting at a set of traffic lights. I took off my helmet (now ruined from the fall), flew past him at about 60 km/h and absolutley DESTROYED the side mirror on his car, before ducking off on to a cycle bridge and away to safety. Irresponsible maybe but jeez it felt good.
:D:crash: :D