Foo - Close Call

I was on my third road ride of the weekend putting in some miles before a 100k charity ride next weekend. It's a nice Sunday morning and all is going well, though I'm a little tired after yesterday's ride. So, I'm on my way back home and I'm coming up on an intersection where I have the green. Two oncoming cars take lefts before I get there. There was plenty of time, so no big deal. Well, the third in line decides that she's just going to go without looking. It becomes apparent to me that I am heading into her front quarter panel hard if I don't react. She seems to not care. Since she's not making an effort to avoid the accident I have to do something, so I brake hard. My wheels lock, the tires skid and the bike starts washing out to the left. I'm still heading for her, but now thinking I will land under her car instead of on her hood. I throw my weight and now the bike starts washing out to the right. Again I throw my weight, correct it, remain on two wheels and narrowly miss her car. She refuses to look at me, makes no apology, continues on her way as though nothing happened.

Just thought I'd share. I don't know if she didn't see me or thought that as a car she automatically had the right of way. But, I figured that if by posting my experience it raised some awareness then it might provide some benefit.

Did you get her license plate number?? follow up with the cops.
Glad you're okay. It sounds like those bike skillz helped save your noggin'.

Thanks.
Didn't get the plates, unfortunately. I did yell a couple choice things at her, though.

Stupid $*%&!.

Stupid $*%&!.
QFT

Glad you're okay. That sounds pretty scary. You've just got to be super defensive with all the *******s on the road...

Hopefully you left out the part where you kicked a big dent in her door, and smashed out a window with your U-lock.

Glad you escaped with nothing more than a few new flat spots on your tires and a bit too much adrenaline in your blood. Good pilotin'!

No dying, only living.

glad you are okay. sounds like one of those adrenaline rush encounters where 5 minutes later you just have to pull over and get the shakes and think of what might have been.

Hopefully you left out the part where you kicked a big dent in her door, and smashed out a window with your U-lock.

Glad you escaped with nothing more than a few new flat spots on your tires and a bit too much adrenaline in your blood. Good pilotin'!

That was my buddy's suggestion. I believe he said "you have a large cleat on the bottom of that shoe for a reason."

That happened the other day, except I was walking. In a crosswalk. Dumb c**t in her Rav4 on her cell phone didn't bother to look, missed me by about a foot. Yelled a few sinful things at her, but didn't bother to get a liscense number.

I hope she does it again, except into a brick wall.

That sucks. In a bad way.

Good to hear you're okay, though.

Junkyard, I was in a nearly identical scenario last month. The woman had no intention of stopping, even though I was halfway through the intersection (as was the car behind me). The kicker was that instead of simply ignoring me after I slammed on my brakes and missed her Mercedes SUV by inches, the driver smirked and blew me a kiss. If I'd had a rock in by hand, I would have thrown it through one of her windows.:mad:

Glad you're OK!

That sucks. In a bad way.

Good to hear you're okay, though.


Thanks, brotha. I think it was them MTB skills that snapped into action. Let me tell you, skidding on those skinny road tires is a whole new level of fun.

the driver smirked and blew me a kiss

This would have set me off. The police officer would have been asking how the driver wound up in such bad shape.

Thanks, brotha. I think it was them MTB skills that snapped into action. Let me tell you, skidding on those skinny road tires is a whole new level of fun.

I just finished my road bike and I got the "wider" 25c tires. Those skinny little things scare the crap out of me.

What a beeotch! I can't believe how reckless and inconsiderate people can be! I'm glad you're ok!

I just finished my road bike and I got the "wider" 25c tires. Those skinny little things scare the crap out of me.

Congrats on finishing the build. The thin tires aren't so bad. You'll get used to them quickly. And then the knobbies will just feel plain sluggish under you. Well, maybe not on that Turner.

Oi - good riding. I've gotten to assume whatever dumb thing a driver can do they probably will because 'it's just a bike' So many people don't deserve a license :(

A$$holes do vex me. :(

Glad you're ok. People can be so reprehensible. I had a near miss today just before I got home. Couldn't get plates because it was another bike. :mad:

Glad you're all okay.

Try and ride defensively. Can't really do much about people who choose not to share the road. A car will win only 100% of the time ..

I never assume a person [in a car] will do the correct thing and yield when I clearly have the right of way. It's saved me many times.