Steely Dan

it was April of 2008 when i decided to start riding my bike to work in attempt to lose some weight and just get generally healthier.

since then this whole bike commuting thing has become a bit of an obsession in my life. i'm looking forward to celebrating the fact that i've been doing it almost everyday for the past decade.

and then last friday i was right hooked by a motorist attempting to turn into a walgreen's parking lot who neglected to see that i was in her way in the bike lane.

it was my second major crash so far (i was hit by a bus in 2011), and like my previous crash, my guardian angel was on the ball once again, and i escaped with only some minor injuries. (my helmet got the worst of it, thank god i was wearing it)

now i have to wear this brace on my wrist/thumb for the next month while my main injury heals. riding a bike with the brace on is next to impossible as i can't grip a handle bar. so it's back to the train for me for now.

oh well. here's to recuperating and getting back in the saddle for 10 more years (and hopefully zero crashes)!

BobbyG

I grew up in Chicago and still have family there. The only thing more depressing than being crowded on the El is being stuck in a car in traffic. A speedy recovery.

ksryder

Glad you're OK.

10 years eh? You're really reelin' in the years.

mcours2006

Sorry to hear about the crash. Hope it heals soon.

Steely Dan

i don't find riding the el to be depressing as much as i find it to be annoying. i don't like to be beholden to someone else's schedule.

10 years of bike commuting has made me rather transit impatient, particularly because i have to make a train-to-train transfer to get to work, so i have two platform waits that can be anywhere from 0 - 10 minutes, depending on how stupid the CTA is being on any given day.




you know, just stowing away the time and gathering up the tears.........


in truth though, the past 10 years have been the best 10 years of my life.

pre-bike commuting: obese, alcoholic, somewhat lonely, unlucky in love, bachelor

post-bike commuting: healthy-ish, happily married father of two

thanks bike commuting!

alan s 

Don’t worry. 10 more years of marriage and you’ll return to your former self.

ThermionicScott 

noglider 

That ticks me off, @Steely Dan. What did the driver say?

CliffordK

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Oh, and it gives you time to tune up the bike, post-crash

I'd probably figure out how to get back on the bike post-crash. If you take it easy, you should be able to do most of your riding and braking one-handed, and perhaps use the second hand for "support" once most of the pain is gone.

Shifting might be a bit of a pain depending on which side the injury is on. If it is a left injury, choose the correct front sprocket, and do most of the shifting with the rear. If it is a right injury, perhaps stop, put the foot down, and shift as needed.

Steely Dan

our brief conversation went something like this:

she (walking hastily from her car over to me): Oh my god! i didn't see you. are you ok?

me (laying on the ground dazed, wincing in pain): uhhh..... i think so.... mostly.... my arm really f@<%ing hurts.

she: should i call you an ambulance?

me: yeah, i think so.


by that point other passersby had scrambled over to me and were telling me to lay still on the ground and not move until the ambulance arrived.

noglider 

I don't know the nature of the injury, so I can't say if the hand and arm can support the normal amount of weight. If you don't have full use of your left hand but can ride otherwise, I would recommend connecting the front brake to the right lever so you can use it fully.

no motor?

Best wishes on a speedy recovery. I think I've been a fair weather commuter for over 10 years and have managed to avoid getting hit yet, and hope to keep it that way.

Darth Lefty 

Dang, man

work4bike

I've been commuting since the mid-80's and have been hit four times, the latest was late 2017. It's just part of cycling I guess...

RubeRad

I hope you got information from her. Her insurance should be paying for everything, and she should be paying deductible.

Glad you're mostly ok, 2nd most important question, how's the bike?

HardyWeinberg

Ouch sorry to hear about that. Get better!

Steely Dan

i've already lawyered up. he's on the case.




it looks remarkably fine. i haven't been able to ride it yet to know for sure, but everything at least looks right.

ptempel

Sorry to hear about the right hook. . Hope your wrist heals up soon. I don’t recall getting hit by a car yet. Hoping to keep it that way. 10 years is pretty safe record. Chapeau to you for at least achieving that.

rumrunn6

wishing you get well soon. be good patient!

rumrunn6

fyi

BikeWoke | Cyclist Awareness

Steely Dan

after roughly a month out of the saddle while my arm recuperated, things feel good enough to give it a go tomorrow.

i'm gonna take a little test ride around the neighborhood tonight to see how my arm/hand feels in riding position.

and my return will be almost 10 years to the day when i first decided "hey, i'm gonna try riding my bike to work".

what a great idea that was!

wphamilton

Good luck! I'll bet you wind up riding mostly one-handed, just keeping the injured hand on the bar in case you need it. Just be careful with that.

Leisesturm

Actually it is not. Sarcasm noted, but ... is it? I'm serious. Four crashes in one lifetime? One crash and I never rode a motorcycle again, it was probably my fault, and likely due to inexperience. I've been bicycle commuting as long as you and have never been hit. The first time that ever happens, whether it is my fault or not, will be the last time I take a bike out in traffic, even if I am not seriously injured.

CreakingCrank

Crashing sucks

-- Captain Obvious

whitecat

Riding in traffic is like jumping from a plane. You might think about it, but when the time comes, I just start and go riding. Thoughts about dangers or similar are replaced by keeping myself actually in one piece by being observant and alert. No time to think, just do it. To be truthfull, I've had one heavier crash due to innatentive car driver, and at least a few crashes caused by zombi pedestrians jumping out in front of me on the road without looking at all. There were nice crashes, one actually sent me and the zombie flying for about 10 to 15 ft haha!