Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Thought it was going to be a Good day

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA
kwduffy02
08-21-09, 01:09 PM
So I thought it was going to be a good day. I picked up a used bike yesterday, more of a vintage type bike but I think it will be fun to play around with, it is a mid 70's Murray Road bike with Shimano Eagle parts.

http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo18/quicksilverfox2/IMG00088-20090820-2226.jpg

Did a tune up to it last night, adjusted brakes, derailuers, changed the saddle, etc. Took it out for a ride this morning to my LBS to pick up some parts for my MTB, was riding on the sidewalk (Really busy 4 lane road that I would have to cross if I wasn't on the sidewalk), and was only about 200 feet away from the start of the Bike Trail, when all of a sudden a guy pulls out to turn onto the main road and runs right into me, at least he was only doing a few mph, and I was doing about 10 mph so I wasn't going very fast, I was able to catch myself before falling into the main road, but twisted my ankle a little bit and got a few scrapes along my leg. Of course he took off and I didn't get his plate number. I am OK and the bike will be ok, it is built like a tank and weighs as much as one too lol.

bautieri
08-21-09, 01:22 PM
I'm glad to hear that this wasn't any worse than it could have been. It's great that you made it out without becoming a pancake.

*Wait a sec while I climb up on the ole high horse*

What you just learned the hard way is exactly why it is more dangerous to ride on the sidewalk instead of the street. Granted there are times when you are much better off on the sidewalk, but when you do find yourself in a situation like that you should be walking and pushing the bike instead of riding it. A motorist is expecting a walker, not a bicycle moving multiple times faster. Ok, I need to climb back down, the air is kind of thin up here.

Nice bike BTW, I like that green color :thumb:
kwduffy02
08-21-09, 01:55 PM
Yeah I know your right about not being on the sidewalk, just wasn't thinking I guess being so close to the start of the bike path. I think that I am going to be modifying my current route to include a non busy street that I can ride on but is a little bit further out of the way. I don't like close calls like that hehe.

bluegoatwoods
08-21-09, 02:43 PM
Sorry to hear it. It could have been worse, I suppose. But I'm not strongly inclined to criticize you for riding on the sidewalk when I remember that that jerk cager committed a hit-and-run.

Doesn't sound like you called the cops. He should thank his lucky stars.
Mr. Beanz
08-21-09, 04:06 PM
Sorry to hear it. It could have been worse, I suppose. But I'm not strongly inclined to criticize you for riding on the sidewalk when I remember that that jerk cager committed a hit-and-run.

Doesn't sound like you called the cops. He should thank his lucky stars.


He probably would have gotten himself a citation for riding on the sidewalk.
eshvanu
08-21-09, 06:59 PM
Glad to hear you're mostly ok. Hope you recover quickly and fully.
turtlewoman
08-21-09, 07:10 PM
I've been known to ride on the sidewalk for various reasons. Hope you are really ok and keep riding!
kwduffy02
08-21-09, 07:17 PM
I'm fine thanks all, my ankle is twisted but nothing a day of rest won't fix, probably doesn't help that I was out riding on it all day again. The bike trail is only accessible via the sidewalk where I get on, and i was right by the bike trail so that Is why I was on the sidewalk there. But I have already modified my route and now bypass that sidewalk entirely and get on the trail a block down.