Road Cycling - Had to happen sooner or later...I guess

Just started road cycling not too long ago and today it happened...f***er pulls out in front of me and to avoid him I eat the curb...he even had a stop sign but hey we don't need no stinking stop signs...didn't even stop to see if I was still alive...lost some skin, bike scratched up a bit, front wheel needs re-alignment, front brake working kinda funky but after that everythings ok (including me :) )...thank goodness...

I knew it was gonna happen but not this soon...and this was in my neighborhood...if I see you again black Acura....argh!...

taking my bike to my LBS tomorrow for some TLC...hopefully it won't be too bad...

taking my bike to my LBS tomorrow for some TLC...hopefully it won't be too bad...

Man that sucks, sorry to hear about your luck. :( At least you are ok, bikes can be fixed and replaced... ;)

yeah, you gotta stay sharp.

i live in dc and several times cars have swerved at me on purpose to get me to wreck.

it's important to remember that cars look for other cars so even when they look at you they sometimes don't see you. well, maybe that's not the best way to put it, but you know what i mean..

they cant even see... wait... they dont even see motorcycles so how much more for bicycles...

when you ride either of those two wheeled vehicles you finally realized how bad the US needs to improve their driving tests... it seems like they just give out licenses to anyone with eyes, hands, and feet.

driving around in a cage makes you feel invincible.

Sometimes the problem is that they DO see..

The other day, a buddy and I were biking along some parked cars (far enough out of the door zone, but still...) As we are passing this car that had two teenagers in it, we hear the snot in the passenger seat (windows were down) yell "Dude, open your door now!! Open your door!!" I was following my buddy, and the door opened JUST behind me.. we slammed on the breaks, and gave these two snot nosed little HS punks an earful.. ugh..

Just started road cycling not too long ago and today it happened...f***er pulls out in front of me and to avoid him I eat the curb...he even had a stop sign but hey we don't need no stinking stop signs...didn't even stop to see if I was still alive...lost some skin, bike scratched up a bit, front wheel needs re-alignment, front brake working kinda funky but after that everythings ok...thank goodness...

I knew it was gonna happen but not this soon...and this was in my neighborhood...if I see you again black Acura....argh!...

taking my bike to my LBS tomorrow for some TLC...hopefully it won't be too bad...

Welcome to the club! Be glad you're not hurt, and wear your wounds with pride - everybody gets it sooner or later, and getting it early and coming through (relatively) uninjured is all for the best. After three or four times, you'll start to be able to spot the ones who are gonna do something monumentally, ridiculously stupid and dangerous... it's taken me a long time and a number of minor collisions, but I'm finally learning to listen to that voice of warning in the back of my head! Heal fast, wear your safety hat, and we'll see you in traffic!

-chris

They can drive at 16 but can't have a beer until they're 21. There's something intrinically wrong with that. *laugh* I'm begining to think that we're a peaceful lot down here in Australia. I've never been abused, delibrately hit, or anything like that - despite living in the inner city pretty much all my life and not owning a car. I guess I just assume every driver is an idiot, assume they haven't seen me, and ride accordingly. You also can't püssy out either - have presence on the road and don't take any sh1t.

Also, learning how to bunnyhop gutters can be useful sometimes. :)

There is a novel idea, make the driving test harder than it is. Make people think a little.

Welcome to the club! Be glad you're not hurt, and wear your wounds with pride - everybody gets it sooner or later, and getting it early and coming through (relatively) uninjured is all for the best. After three or four times, you'll start to be able to spot the ones who are gonna do something monumentally, ridiculously stupid and dangerous... it's taken me a long time and a number of minor collisions, but I'm finally learning to listen to that voice of warning in the back of my head! Heal fast, wear your safety hat, and we'll see you in traffic!

-chris

Thank you...

Words of wisdom...I will sure keep and eye out (more than I already was) and I never go anywhere on my bike without my helmet...

The scars will be a nice addition to the collection (skateboarding, soccer cleat,etc... scars :) )

Sometimes the problem is that they DO see..

The other day, a buddy and I were biking along some parked cars (far enough out of the door zone, but still...) As we are passing this car that had two teenagers in it, we hear the snot in the passenger seat (windows were down) yell "Dude, open your door now!! Open your door!!" I was following my buddy, and the door opened JUST behind me.. we slammed on the breaks, and gave these two snot nosed little HS punks an earful.. ugh..


I know some punks who'd been bragging about doing some stuff like that... was your experience in the southern suburbs of Chicago?

Also, learning how to bunnyhop gutters can be useful sometimes. :)

I tried in vain :( at least I hit at somewhat of an angle and not dead on (bad choice of words)...

Thank you...

Words of wisdom...I will sure keep and eye out (more than I already was) and I never go anywhere on my bike without my helmet...

The scars will be a nice addition to the collection (skateboarding, soccer cleat,etc... scars :) )

My unavoidable day came today! :mad: I got caught in a midwest thunderstorm, fishtailed through car oil, couldn't unclip fast enough and am now sitting here with a broken shoulder! I am so.. depressed as the doctor is saying 3 months healing time and I have trained and trained for a fast century ride in June and was hoping to do a double century in September. I don't think I am going to be very pleasant to be around these next few months!
broken biker babe :eek:

I alway assume every car is going to pull out in front of me. This way you're better prepared to react. Something I picked up when I used to ride motorcycles.

My unavoidable day came today! :mad: I got caught in a midwest thunderstorm, fishtailed through car oil, couldn't unclip fast enough and am now sitting here with a broken shoulder! I am so.. depressed as the doctor is saying 3 months healing time and I have trained and trained for a fast century ride in June and was hoping to do a double century in September. I don't think I am going to be very pleasant to be around these next few months!
broken biker babe :eek:

dang!...sorry to hear that...hope you feel better soon....more importantly, on your bike soon :D

That sucks and all, but am I the only one who thought this was gonna be another "I forgot to unclip" thread?

I know some punks who'd been bragging about doing some stuff like that... was your experience in the southern suburbs of Chicago?

Nope.. Central NJ... Guess punks like that are all over huh??

I always slow down at intersections and I watch cars like a hawk. I have flew the bird a nubmer of times and if someone buzzes me when they pass me, they will get an earful at the next light. I actually like riding in traffic, its like mtn biking with cars. One thing that really annoys me is when drivers go out of their way for me. Like the other day I was no where near a four way stop and there was someone already there at the sign. They waited for me to cross in front of them before they finally went through the intersection. While I understand this person was probably just being nice, people need to understand that there are certain expectations on the road. Its when people do the unexpected that accidents are caused.

I had a car turn right in front of me I avoided him by slamming on the brakes. I proceeded to yell a few choice words in his direction and continued on my way home. A couple of blocks latter he cut in front of me again and jumped out of his car. I made the mistake of not trying to out run him and got off my bike. He decked me and I was so shocked I just started yelling at him. He eventually got back in his car and left. I finished my ride home a little confused and with a sore jaw. Ever since I have been very wary of cars turning right in front of me and I no longer yell when I do get cut off.
I guess you live and learn.

powells- that's terrible. get well soon, babe.

here's an aside now:
i live in DC and there's one courier in particular that rides a mtb with slicks on it. he rides in full downhill armor - even in the dead of summer and i've seen him swing his arm out at cars that invade his personal space. i like the warrior angle, but he's one sweaty mofo.

on some level i relate to that guy and would like an anti-car weapon of some kind. some sort of baton that one could quickly access off the seat tube and give some inconsiderate s.o.b. a quick need for some touch-up body work.

now i know this eggman mentality wouldn't go anywhere toward getting respect for cyclists in traffic, but... well, at times like that i'm not exactly looking to turn the other cheek.

He decked me.....

That's assault and that can be a felony. Hope you got his tags. Report him to the police.

Sometimes the problem is that they DO see..

The other day, a buddy and I were biking along some parked cars (far enough out of the door zone, but still...) As we are passing this car that had two teenagers in it, we hear the snot in the passenger seat (windows were down) yell "Dude, open your door now!! Open your door!!" I was following my buddy, and the door opened JUST behind me.. we slammed on the breaks, and gave these two snot nosed little HS punks an earful.. ugh..


You see, this is why you should always carry a spare hex screwdriver.

I had a car turn right in front of me I avoided him by slamming on the brakes. I proceeded to yell a few choice words in his direction and continued on my way home. A couple of blocks latter he cut in front of me again and jumped out of his car. I made the mistake of not trying to out run him and got off my bike. He decked me and I was so shocked I just started yelling at him. He eventually got back in his car and left. I finished my ride home a little confused and with a sore jaw. Ever since I have been very wary of cars turning right in front of me and I no longer yell when I do get cut off.
I guess you live and learn.

If someone gets out their car to confront you when they've tried to use their vehicle as a weapon, I suggest you do the same. We have GOT to stand up for ourselves.
:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

You don't always have to have people like you, sometimes respect/ fear is enough. I know that cyclists lose clash with cars but that does not mean we cannot fight back. My favorite response to obnoxious behavior was cell phoning the cops- legal and smart. I say carry a cell phone report and report reckless driving off the tag number. Even if the cops don't do anything at first, when they are looking to prosecute that guy for another offense the cops will have a complaint showing idiotic driving was a pattern.

krich, I can't believe you didn't kick the crap out of him after he decked you- I don't think I would have the restraint.

If you ride enough, having run-ins with stressed out drivers will occur. My worst encounter was catching a guy cutting my cable at George Washington Univ. in DC, once. I confronted him and called out for help ("Get Security, Bike Theft") and crowds passing by looked at me like I was crazy or was harrassing the theft. I left him go when he grabbed at his pocket and threatened to knife me.

Anyway, the bigger point here is I've bike commuted thousands of times, in DC, Philadelphia, Portland, etc, along with a lot of recreational riding (being hit by a packet of burning matches was fun once), but overall these type of events are at least statistically rare. For me, at least, something really obnoxious occurs maybe once every 300 or 400 rides, and being extra cautious about cars and situations can reduce that further.

I had a driver approach a stop way too fast and overshoot halfway into the middle of the intersection. I started reading his license plate off real loud like I was on the phone with the police and I noticed him going real slow down the street afterwards.