Southern California - Crash on 101 today (1/29/11 SDBC ride), all pretty much okay

There was a crash in the B group of the San Diego Bicycling Club ride this morning, and I thought I'd post about it and mention that everyone was relatively okay. There was a fire truck on the scene quickly, which was positive. I believe there may have been a crash with a different group within the SDBC ride as well (heard it mentioned from someone at Java Depot and B&L afterward), but this info is about the B ride.

Crash happened coming south on 101 between La Costa Ave and Leucadia Blvd. Riders reported traveling at between 18-22mph. About 10-15 in the group at that point. A car pulled out abruptly but did not strike anyone. At least one rider braked hard to avoid the car, wheels collided, and 4 or so riders went down. Seems like no broken bones, but some road rash on hands, elbows, etc. One rider was run over by a few others and had a cracked helmet. Some damaged wheels and bicycles, but it didn't look like catastrophic failures (no frames that visibly came apart at the scene, etc). All in all, fortunate that no one was hurt more seriously.

Someone in the group had a helmet cam that I noticed when we stopped at the crash site, so there might be footage of the incident. Just to be clear, not assigning blame of any kind, nor criticizing anyone. Just sharing info on what turned out to be a scary/lucky morning. If anyone else was there and has more to share/info on injuries/video, post away.

That part is always sketchy section of 101, road is crap plus traffic and cars. Glad no one was seriously hurt.

When I ride that area I am especially careful around the Leucadia Donut Shop. Drivers turning in to park or coming out to the street never look where they're going.

I was on that ride, but I was pretty far ahead of that group. I heard about it when we were getting something to eat at the coffee spot. The B ride fragmented pretty quickly about 10 miles after start. My team mate here at UCSD was in the A ride crash, it was just before the first regroup point I think, he's fine though.

I was on that ride, but I was pretty far ahead of that group. I heard about it when we were getting something to eat at the coffee spot. The B ride fragmented pretty quickly about 10 miles after start. My team mate here at UCSD was in the A ride crash, it was just before the first regroup point I think, he's fine though.

Glad your teammate is okay. The crash near the school must have cleared up quickly, because everything was quiet when we came through. Looked like B regrouped reasonably well, I met the group right at the turn onto San Dieguito Road (live north, don't like driving to a ride :) ) and it was a pretty decent sized group when the pacelines were sent out. Not as big as last weekend, though.

Did you guys have any trouble with the police officer in Rancho Santa Fe? Word came back that two cyclists were ticketed for not putting a foot down at the stop sign right before the 2nd regroup point at El Montevideo.

I saw a couple riders pulled over by a motorcycle cop around Rancho Santa Fe, the group I was in just rolled by.

Any riders ticketed for "not putting a foot down" at a stop should plan on fighting the ticket. There is no language in the CVC that requires cyclists to "put a foot down" at a boulevard stop. The more cyclists that clog up the traffic court docket with trials the less likely misinformed LEOs will write chicken tickets like this. Such tickets are routinely dismissed when challenged. Be careful on the SDBC "crash rides." Keep a safe distance from the wheel in front of you in traffic.