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05-14-08, 09:38 PM
O.K. I just got back to Cape Cod from Ft. Myers Florida last week, where I rode almost daily in heavy traffic, stuff coming from all directions.Urban, keep your eyes peeled, and think fast riding. Not THE safest place.No problems. I haven't ridden for a week since I got home. The skies have been grey, it's still pretty chilly here, and I am Mr. sunlight depravation.Needless to say I've been pretty disgusted with the N.E. for my first week back. Today was sunny, but a little chilly, so I'm OUT THE DOOR for a bike ride.I rode the rail trail from Dennis to the Brewster/ Orleans line, then turned for the return ride back.We're talkin nice quiet farmland here!! The bike path runs along Great Western Rd.,once you get back into Harwich. Almost into Dennis coming up on Lothrop Ave. I see white spray flying across the bike path some ways up.I'm thinking, they're blowing out a fire hydrant. As I get closer, I see lines of fire trucks, and ambulances, lights flashing, I smell fuel oil, and I see a front end loader crossing the bike path. What the Hell?
I'm maybe six feet from the road on the N. side. On the S. side I see a semi/ tanker trailer overturned, on it's side. The cab is maybe 40 ft off the road through a fence, into someones back yard, AND underneith the overturned tanker trailer is a...small pickup truck... FLATTENED! #2 fuel oil is gushing down the street.(4000 gals).A front end loader is building a birm to catch some of the spilled fuel. I'm told the semi driver is still in the cab but being rescued although I can't see from my view, and I get two conflicting stories on the fate of the driver of the pickup truck. Well, turns out the guy MADE IT OUT with a few broken ribs!!! His truck was totally flattened, and to see it you would say no way!!! The semi driver was pulled out safely too. That the driver of the p"up made it is a miracle, if I've ever seen one. My wallet is thicker than that pickup!! They shut off the power to the area tonight for fear of fumes igniting. I still smell like fuel oil hours after yet another shower, and this all in conservation lands, swamp,cranberry bogs, etc. One neighbor( N./S.) said "People are always running that stop sign. Another guy (E./W). said, Those damn big rigs always fly down this road! You couldn't get out of their way if you had to!! Who knows. It was just a nasty scene!! Not knowing the fate of the drivers til later tonight, I was damn near sick just thinking about it.
Point is...This is a peaceful mellow ride through the quiet back woods of Cape Cod. Again we're talkin farmland here!! Trees, ponds, nature, etc. I'm 6 to 10 ft. off the road, and the accident is 40 ft. DEEP on the other side. Mass destruction!! What if we were on the same side, and I was maybe 10 minutes earlier....Just because you are on a seperate path, and "WAY" off the road, doesn't put you in a safe place. Whenever, and where ever you're riding, keep your senses finely tuned in. Turn off the I-pods, and cell phones. Pay attention, and be safe. You just never know. Sorry for the long post.
I'm maybe six feet from the road on the N. side. On the S. side I see a semi/ tanker trailer overturned, on it's side. The cab is maybe 40 ft off the road through a fence, into someones back yard, AND underneith the overturned tanker trailer is a...small pickup truck... FLATTENED! #2 fuel oil is gushing down the street.(4000 gals).A front end loader is building a birm to catch some of the spilled fuel. I'm told the semi driver is still in the cab but being rescued although I can't see from my view, and I get two conflicting stories on the fate of the driver of the pickup truck. Well, turns out the guy MADE IT OUT with a few broken ribs!!! His truck was totally flattened, and to see it you would say no way!!! The semi driver was pulled out safely too. That the driver of the p"up made it is a miracle, if I've ever seen one. My wallet is thicker than that pickup!! They shut off the power to the area tonight for fear of fumes igniting. I still smell like fuel oil hours after yet another shower, and this all in conservation lands, swamp,cranberry bogs, etc. One neighbor( N./S.) said "People are always running that stop sign. Another guy (E./W). said, Those damn big rigs always fly down this road! You couldn't get out of their way if you had to!! Who knows. It was just a nasty scene!! Not knowing the fate of the drivers til later tonight, I was damn near sick just thinking about it.
Point is...This is a peaceful mellow ride through the quiet back woods of Cape Cod. Again we're talkin farmland here!! Trees, ponds, nature, etc. I'm 6 to 10 ft. off the road, and the accident is 40 ft. DEEP on the other side. Mass destruction!! What if we were on the same side, and I was maybe 10 minutes earlier....Just because you are on a seperate path, and "WAY" off the road, doesn't put you in a safe place. Whenever, and where ever you're riding, keep your senses finely tuned in. Turn off the I-pods, and cell phones. Pay attention, and be safe. You just never know. Sorry for the long post.