Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Chicago ride - an accident, cursed?

We started off in good spirits. We congregated at the Thorndale Red Line stop where Al5 and Jenny were getting people to fill out surveys concerning community Gardens, part of Jenny’s thesis. The riders assembled: Fugazi Dave, Stickerguy, Skitbraviking, Cyclorat, [ 165 ] and me. A flat and a slow leak were fixed and we headed south to Argyle. A stop in at Ba Le for some banh mi sandwiches and beverage and we made another stop off at Urban Bikes in Uptown. Picked up a few things and looked around. We were off again, terrorizing the streets and irking drivers. While on Broadway we lost [ 165 ] and Skitbraviking. They pulled out as the four of us headed south, with the Handlebar as the final destination for some R & R.

Cyclorat was pulling point with me closely behind followed by Fugazi Dave and Stickerguy. The two of us pulled through a three street intersection lights not in our favour. Fugazi Dave and Stickerguy were behind waiting for the green and I looked back, and then again shortly after.

The second time emitted a “****” from my mouth as I felt a cool shiver run down my spine. In a brief glimpse I saw a cab, a bike fly in the air and that “thud”. I’ve never gotten used to hearing the thud of an accident, or the screeching of rubber. As I doubled back, Cyclorat following suit, I saw Stickerguy was up and a small Lincoln Park contingent had gathered. The cab was blocking my view. Fugazi Dave wasn’t on his feet. With great trepidation and afraid to see what might be around the corner I pulled up.

I saw the bike first, the front tire warped. I saw no blood on the ground. The frame, bent in two places. “Percival”, Fugazi Dave’s current sticker on the frame stared back at me as I found a line of sight to Fugazi Dave himself. He was sitting, knees arched, feet on the ground. Everyone was asking if he was okay. He was stunned, a little bit in shock. He got up, he insisted he was okay. The cab driver was up and asking too.

Cyclorat made the call to clear the street and get everything off the ground and to the side. We gathered at a corner. I remembered to breathe at this point, a mixture of disgust, relief and a bad vibe hitting me all at once. We kept checking in with Fugazi Dave, who was responding well. The cabbie was a good guy -- he pulled his cab over and talked with us, completely upfront, caring and claimed responsibility. I was surprised. I was glad. I didn’t want this to degenerate into a fight, an argument, a disagreement. The parties were handling this like adults.

We stood there on the corner, discussing what just happened as an ambulance came by and left when Fugazi Dave said he was fine, a cop came and filled us in. Fugazi Dave went to handle some business and we stood there talking, recounting. He came back, locked his bike up and left for the police station to file a report, the cabbie taking him. It sounds twisted in a way but it seems right too. Somehow, this didn't end up with anyone hurt and with anyone slinking off. We can count our stars tonight. The four of us said our farewells and headed off, the ride ended but planning to do it again anyway.

(I also took photos of the broken Percival, 'tis sad. Will post later - Dave will probably recount the experience too - glad you're okay - and I got that frame for you if you want it).

Damn.

That is never something you can get used to, but the fact that things were able to be resolved in a civil manner should help to smooth out the pain.

I always have a little twinge when a car gets too close, remembering the crashes I and others have had. It takes some time to regain your full confidence in riding again. I am very thankful that no one got hurt, especially with the seemingly unending news of "cyclist killed..." that we hear all too often.

Keep on the upside, maybe set up a white bike at the spot, and remember that now F.D. gets to start on a new project.

-Pete

Yeah....that really sucked. The worst part of it actually came after the accident, though. The police officer that showed up at the scene was pretty cool. We talked and the cabbie and I agreed to go down to the police station together. I lock up my bike, I go with the cabbie to the station. We go in, and are immediately confronted by an officer that I now believe to be among the world's greatest *******s. First he asks for ID and proof of insurance from both of us. I say I don't have insurance, he looks at me and says, "Why the hell not?"

"I don't have a car."
"So if you hit a car, you're not responsible for it?"
"No..."
(he cuts me off) "NO?!? You're saying you're not responsible for it?"
"That's not what I'm saying."

It went on like this and he continued to tell me that my ID was not valid because I have been in Illinois for more than 90 days and don't have an Illinois license. He repeatedly said things along the lines of, "I can't file a report because I don't know who you are." Essentially, he was the biggest prick I think I have ever met.

Eventually, the cabbie and I said just f*ck it and left. There was no way we were going to get that report filed and neither of us felt like dealing with the ******* cop any longer. So we left.

And so now I've got a wasted frame and front wheel, a bunch of bruises, and I can't really do anything about it. Without a police report filed (which isn't going to happen), I can't file a claim with the cab company. Without a claim with the cab company, I'm out the cost of all that sh*t on a bike that I only recently finished building.

I think I may be done with city riding for a while. I'm sick of this crap. I'm sick of people endangering you and then getting pissed off at you, purposefully messing with you, disrespecting you, and generally make it unsafe to ******** ride.

I hate this weekend.

Lovely, no?

That really sucks man. I wished I could say it 'sucks beyond belief' but we all know the truth of it. It seems like nearly everyday, someone I know, or know of, gets knocked off their bike. Good thing it only 'seems' that way tho.
Glad you're o.k.
As for the bike, well... damn.

FD, I'm sorry to hear about your problem with the taxi. Glad you weren't hurt. Maybe this pic will make you feel a little better.

http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/hpoon/images/wreck_taxi_1.jpg

it sucked, but please, dont give up riding. just ride a slow mini geared fixed gear and get used to the psychic abilities it edows you with (mostly)
or a cruiser or something, just keep RIDIN'!

Couple more pictures now that I've got the entire bike stripped down. Took the tape off the frame, so you can more clearly see the bends in the frame. It used to be so pretty. :( Note the nice deposit of yellow taxi paint in the second shot. I think I'm going to nail it to my wall.

yeah - that blows...I am glad you are not bent like your frame Dave. Sorry we ditched out - just didn't feel like playing cat and mouse anymore.

i just called jeff - and heard about the wreck.. geez.

to add some more mahem to the madness, about 1/2 an hour after you all left.. there was a road-rage induced GANG FIGHT at thorndale redline. complete with punches through open car windows, tire-irons to the face, and lots of blood / cops / screaming / honking.

needless to say, the surveying stopped early.

-al

p.s. good to meet you all

Holy sh*t man. An effin' gang fight a block from my apartment? o_O Sure as hell makes me feel safe now...

YIKES!

Sorry to hear about that, man. I hope things go better on our ride out here tonight...

Hoping you heal fast...

Do you have the cab info? I'd try again with the police report -- especially if you can get the cabbie to go to the station with you again. Get a different cop. Insist on a different cop and get the report done. You two aren't even fighting with each other ... no reason to let police intimidation create a new problem. Also, report that cop to his superior (after your report is successfully filed). Just a simple straightforward letter about his behavior. It was outrageous.

Good luck with everything!

Lovely, no?
F**k! Now I know why you insist on riding with a helmet.

165 thought it was fortuitous that we quit early.

Can I punch the second cop for you?...since you are probably in pain?

Hope **** feels better.

I was reading the old Richard's bike book i picked up at the library i work at used for one dollar. In the book which was written like in 1972 or so it says that cab drivers are enemies. LOL straight out says that as well as that cars kill cyclists.

Guess my point is that times don't change much, huh? Sorry about your bike, Dave.

And yeah, stuff like this does help out others, believe it or not i use a helmet 100% of the time now because of all the **** thats happened on this forum

damn dude, I'm at a loss for words....that sucks, and I'm amazed that anyone can keep their head straight after something like that...'

You should really go up there again, with the cabbie, and try to get the report done again...if you have a picture work ID, bring that as well. I tend to keep mine on me in event of having to deal with an A-hole like that....more ID the better...I bet he just want willing to deal with it since their paperwork sucks....most places don't have multivehicle accident forms that deal with anything but motorized vehicles.

...Plus...how the hell do you even get PLPD coverage on a bike? I'm pretty sure that guy was a few fries short of a happy meal, if you know what I'm sayin.

Honestly, as much as I'd like to file a report and then try to get a claim from the cab company, at this point I am so fed up with morons and ässholes that I'm content to take the loss of the frame and the wheel if it means I don't have to deal with another 15 morons and ässholes. I'll eventually get another frame, fork, and wheel together, but until then I'm also happy to walk, and after that I think I will ride very, very slowly. Though I do enjoy surreal moments, I can do without long fractions of a second when everything is going in bullet time and I'm thinking to myself, "How the FÜCK did this happen?"

You would think having just been hit by a car that the police officer would have been a little more considerate.
p.s. I'm glad you were not badly hurt!

Hey i picked up a frame and fork for 6 bucks on ebay, ok 42 with shipping:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3694210090&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT

Going to upgrade my 17" frame/fork to this 19" that will fit better. Chromoly, front and rear eyelets, and look what is that? Horizontal drops!

Thinking of having my lbs make me a custom rear wheel fixed/free, fixed for street and free for snow/offroad.

Point is this does mean you get to shop for a new bike!

Couple more pictures now that I've got the entire bike stripped down. Took the tape off the frame, so you can more clearly see the bends in the frame. It used to be so pretty. :( Note the nice deposit of yellow taxi paint in the second shot. I think I'm going to nail it to my wall.


Doesnt look that bad, I think most of those Dings can be buffed out!

oh man, just kidding, that is horrible! I just hope you feel better and get back in the saddle really soon.

FD - good to hear your back on a fixie accident+1. it was a pretty spectacular wreck from my standpoint! a career as a stuntman may be in your future.

good riding all and we'll have to ride again when i get back.

curse this.
jeff

Jeff - mind posting a description of the accident as you saw it go down? I still don't have too clear a picture of how it happened...

Can't file a police report because your ID is 'invalid'? Like maybe you are no longer the same person? Or maybe only bonafide residents are entitled to police services? I guess Chicago is one place I will not be visiting.

If nothing else, avoid getting hit by cabs here.

Yeah this is what I saw happen...

We were traveling south on Lincoln Ave. We came upon the intersection of Lincoln - Armitage - Sedgwick. The light turned as you were going through (I stopped). The cabbie gunned it when he got his green light despite the fact you were just moving right in front of him. ...and then he hit you.

It was a really tough situation because there was a large truck that kind of obscured traffic and in general there was a lot of congestion. The cabbie really should not have slammed on the gas the instant he got the light not only because of the potential of errant bikers, but because of other pedestrians in crosswalks and late turning vehicles clearing the intersection. Experienced Chicago drivers know this.

I'm going to San Francisco for a week, but I'll pm you my email if you need to reach me.

this sounds too familiar. another three street intersection, lincoln even. two weeks ago when i got hit by a driver doing damn near the same thing, after the ambulance ride, the x-rays, and the dressing of the gash on the top of my head (wearing a helmet now for even the shortest of rides), the cop came in a did the almost exact same thing with the ID not being valid because i have been living here more than 90 days. he did take a police report but didn't bother getting information from the driver that hit me. this city is really wearing on me. but i'm back on my bike, riding a pretty small gearing (40x14) because my ankle is still terribly swollen.

but dave, good to hear you are alright. stay safe with the new ride.

at least you had some friends with you, so i guess it could have been worse.

at least you had some friends with you, so i guess it could have been worse.


yes, they could have all been hit.

Just to let people know - I've reconsidered and will be filing a claim with the cab company. I shouldn't have to cover the cost of a new bike because of an accident that wasn't my fault.

Glad you're doing so.

On a related note: guilty parties at this ride pictured here -

http://www.boochakanan.com/2004/0821.html

Guess who's who...

dunno, dave, you, supportbra, 165

I'm not in the photo actually - but you're pretty spot on.

Cyclorat, Fugazi Dave, Stickerguy, Skitbra, 165

well 165 just posted a pic of himself skidding, that was easy. so was dave (hat)

and now you know a very essential fact:
Anyone seen eating, from the Chicagoland area, in a 'group' ride picture is most likely skitbraviking. Mr. "2 grilled pork sammiches, coconut/bean/lemongrass pudding, and a tall fat coffee"...