Destroyed today on a two mile commute
02-05-07, 11:00 AM
#1
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Destroyed today on a two mile commute
Today has been the first day I've commuted in three weeks because my mom doesn't let me bike in the cold (she's out all of today so I can do it anyways). I had to go pick up some stuff from my church and I decided to bike instead of asking for a ride.
So I'm riding on a residential street in front of a blue toyota minivan at about 25 miles an hour (downhill section). Mind you this is a small small street so the cars shouldn't be going faster than 25. I signal a right turn and slow down b/c the road is dusted with snow and the van driver lays down on the horn for a good 3 seconds. I make the turn but as I do the driver slams on the breaks because there is a guy crossing the intersection who he/she didn't see (probably b/c he was too busy with the damn horn). The van spins and runs over the curb and I reflexively snap my neck back to see what caused the loud bangs. While I do so I grip the breaks (still leaning in the turn) like crazy seeing the van plowing through a snow covered lawn straight at me (don't ask me why I used the breaks - I couldn't control my hands
). Before I knew what happened I'm on the ground and there is the van with a busted tire trying to get out of the snowy lawn. Thank goodness for helmets - mine is broken in three pieces after I took a hard blow to the pavement.
The van was stuck but when I asked if he needed help getting out he just told me to "**** off gay ass".
Whatever, his problem. I just took off my helmet and biked away. Giving him the thumbs up
Scariest biking moment ever.
So I'm riding on a residential street in front of a blue toyota minivan at about 25 miles an hour (downhill section). Mind you this is a small small street so the cars shouldn't be going faster than 25. I signal a right turn and slow down b/c the road is dusted with snow and the van driver lays down on the horn for a good 3 seconds. I make the turn but as I do the driver slams on the breaks because there is a guy crossing the intersection who he/she didn't see (probably b/c he was too busy with the damn horn). The van spins and runs over the curb and I reflexively snap my neck back to see what caused the loud bangs. While I do so I grip the breaks (still leaning in the turn) like crazy seeing the van plowing through a snow covered lawn straight at me (don't ask me why I used the breaks - I couldn't control my hands
). Before I knew what happened I'm on the ground and there is the van with a busted tire trying to get out of the snowy lawn. Thank goodness for helmets - mine is broken in three pieces after I took a hard blow to the pavement.The van was stuck but when I asked if he needed help getting out he just told me to "**** off gay ass".
Whatever, his problem. I just took off my helmet and biked away. Giving him the thumbs up
Scariest biking moment ever.
02-05-07, 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by kill.cactus
Scariest biking moment ever.
BTW, guess you'll have to take another picture of your bike with your NEW helmet on the rack...
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02-05-07, 11:27 AM
#3
Neat - w/ ice on the side
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wow! Too exciting.
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02-05-07, 11:36 AM
#4
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The moral is, "don't use the front brake on snow and ice."
Then again, you could have admonished the van driver to stay on the sidewalk.
Paul
Then again, you could have admonished the van driver to stay on the sidewalk.
Paul
02-05-07, 12:04 PM
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Did you ask the driver if he's found Jesus yet?
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02-05-07, 12:04 PM
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I would have happily 'helped' him out by calling the police to report a single vehicle accident, and that the driver was currently stuck on someone's front lawn. 
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02-05-07, 12:12 PM
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Glad to hear you're in one piece. Sounds like you got off to a wild start this morning. Another endorsement for helmets.
02-05-07, 12:12 PM
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Maybe the driver was drinking !! Kill 2 birds with one stone - just a phone call away ! HAHAA
Glad you made it out alive. =)
Glad you made it out alive. =)
02-05-07, 12:27 PM
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Originally Posted by jeff-o
Ha, serves him right. Glad you're OK.
All it did was contribute to his animosity towards us.
But hey, you can't control everything.
Next time, careful with the front brake, especially on snow, especially in a turn.
Glad you're OK!
02-05-07, 12:29 PM
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Glad you're ok. You must be a little relieved about not having to hear "I told you so" from your mom.
02-05-07, 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by FidelCastrovich
Serves him right - maybe. But we don't benefit from it in any way. All he's thinking is - if it weren't for that stupid idiot riding his stupid toy where he doesn't belong, i wouldn't be in this mess.
All it did was contribute to his animosity towards us.
But hey, you can't control everything.
Next time, careful with the front brake, especially on snow, especially in a turn.
Glad you're OK!
All it did was contribute to his animosity towards us.
But hey, you can't control everything.
Next time, careful with the front brake, especially on snow, especially in a turn.
Glad you're OK!
02-05-07, 12:47 PM
#13
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Glad you made it out of that OK.
02-05-07, 08:59 PM
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Karma's a real mother...
I'm glad you're okay! I'd love to see pics of your helmet!
I'm glad you're okay! I'd love to see pics of your helmet!
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Originally Posted by Bklyn
Obviously, the guy's like a 12th level white wizard or something. His mere presence is a danger to mortals.
02-05-07, 11:15 PM
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Originally Posted by PaulH
Then again, you could have admonished the van driver to stay on the sidewalk.
Paul
Paul
Reminds me of my personal favorite quote to the guy in the ditch during a blizzard that complained because it took too long for me to get there:
"I was going slowly lest I lose control of my car."
02-08-07, 08:24 AM
#17
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Originally Posted by centexwoody
no kidding...glad you're okay and the bike is too (?)
BTW, guess you'll have to take another picture of your bike with your NEW helmet on the rack...
BTW, guess you'll have to take another picture of your bike with your NEW helmet on the rack...
)The bike is good though and I'm fine, thanks
I would have called him in... I guess I just was so surprised with the outcome that I just didn't...
BTW I drove past that same turn and there is still the big gash in the lawn (as the snow hasn't melted). Kind of funny how my mom was asking what happened there XD
02-08-07, 10:12 AM
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No.1: Glad you're OK!
A very gripping tale. And so many tantalizing details.
A mom who's "all out of it."
Riding a bike 25 mph, downhill, in snow.
A neck snapping back.
Hands that don't work, a helmet broken in three places.
Surreal.
Now, I have many questions, but I'll leave it at this. What could the asterisks possibly be masking that would make this phrase make any sense: "**** off gay ass".
Someone who just wrecked called you "gay ass"? Are you sure this wasn't a dream?
A very gripping tale. And so many tantalizing details.
A mom who's "all out of it."
Riding a bike 25 mph, downhill, in snow.
A neck snapping back.
Hands that don't work, a helmet broken in three places.
Surreal.
Now, I have many questions, but I'll leave it at this. What could the asterisks possibly be masking that would make this phrase make any sense: "**** off gay ass".
Someone who just wrecked called you "gay ass"? Are you sure this wasn't a dream?
02-08-07, 10:46 AM
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Originally Posted by kill.cactus
Today has been the first day I've commuted in three weeks because my mom doesn't let me bike in the cold (she's out all of today so I can do it anyways). I had to go pick up some stuff from my church and I decided to bike instead of asking for a ride.
I guess your Mom is going to read you the riot act. This incident would obviously be proof in her eyes of how dangerous it is to ride in the cold.
But then again. Seems like bikes are safer than cars under the circumstances. The van driver was the one who really wiped out.
02-08-07, 10:53 AM
#20
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Originally Posted by deputyjones
Sir, You know you can't park there, right?
Reminds me of my personal favorite quote to the guy in the ditch during a blizzard that complained because it took too long for me to get there:
"I was going slowly lest I lose control of my car."
Reminds me of my personal favorite quote to the guy in the ditch during a blizzard that complained because it took too long for me to get there:
"I was going slowly lest I lose control of my car."
When I lived in New York (where I grew up and learned to drive) it always seemed like the 4x4 trucks were the ones in the ditch whenever it snowed. I don't recall ever losing control of my SAAB on snow covered roads though.
