Please Be Careful out there (Car vs. Cyclist North County SD)

[Foovanadil]

Just a reminder to please be careful when you are out driving (and riding)


On my ride home from work today I came upon a accident between a cyclist on a mountain bike and a car

For those who know the area it was on Rancho Santa Fe Rd At Caminito Junipero (Just south of San Elijo Rd) in Carlsbad

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Rancho+Santa+Fe+Rd+%26+Camino+Junipero,+Carlsbad,+San+Diego,+California+92009,+United+States&sll=33.088683,-117.228155&sspn=0.012351,0.020943&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=0,33.087520,-117.225770&ll=33.087515,-117.225773&spn=0.012351,0.020943&z=16&iwloc=addr&om=1


I didn't see the accident just the aftermath. Apparently the car was making a left had turn from Caminito Junipero onto Rancho Santa Fe Rd. and the cyclist was coming across the intersection. At this time of day the sun was certainly in the drivers eyes, she claimed the light was green but who knows.

The cyclist was in a bit of shock at first but we managed to calm him down and hang with him until the emergency services arrived. He was awake and alert. It looked like a bit of road rash and a banged up shoulder was all the damage.

It could have been MUCH worse. By the looks of the drivers windshield (completely spider-webed on the passenger side) and the description of the accident (the cyclist apparently did a 360 in the air after rolling off the hood / windshield of the car) the cyclist got lucky.


I think the cyclists name was Bob? If you happen to post here Bob give us an update so we know you are doing ok.


Remember please drive and ride safe. With the sun setting earlier it is going to be in drivers eyse on the way home work and things like this can happen.


There is no worse feeling then coming over the crest of a hill and seeing a bike flipped in the middle of an intersection and then seeing a cyclist sprawled in the intersection in pain.


Be careful out there.

--Brad

[Nachoman]

You're preaching to the choir, bro.
But thanks for reminding us again to be careful!

[Chaco]

Ouch, that's right in my back yard. I hope he recovers quickly.

[ChromeSE5]

Ah geez... I just came back from biking the opposite side (Twin Oaks is now open to San Elijo). I saw a mountain biker climbing up and I am wondering if its the same guy. Did he have a back pack on? Hopefully Bob is okay.

[jsigone]

OOHHHH they FINALLY opened that road!!!! I'll have to do a lunch ride tomorrow there to check it out. How long is that hill now?

[ChromeSE5]

its suppose to be about 4800 ft and climbs at about 400 ft. It was pretty busy in the afternoon/early evening. I saw a few cyclist out there. You can actually climb further up close to the highest peak in San Marcos (where the trees are if you look at the hill profile from the 78). That area is closed but to get there just follow twin oaks, past the fire station, and then make a left at the stop light (about 1/2 mile from the fire station). Then take that all the way up and pass the closed road signs. You can easily loop this by taking the double peak trail up and descending Twin Oaks or vice versa on a mountain bike.

[Foovanadil]

Ah geez... I just came back from biking the opposite side (Twin Oaks is now open to San Elijo). I saw a mountain biker climbing up and I am wondering if its the same guy. Did he have a back pack on? Hopefully Bob is okay.


I don't think he had a backpack. He was riding a yellow bike (didn't catch the make) and wearing a green jersey (It looked like an century type ride jersery)

[Mo'Phat]

There is no worse feeling then coming over the crest of a hill and seeing a bike flipped in the middle of an intersection and then seeing a cyclist sprawled in the intersection in pain.


There's plenty of worse feelings out there, my friend.


I rode by there on Monday. I'll ride by there again, and try not to wander between the sun and a driver without the foresight to don their shades.