Gurgus

I agree. Folks should learn to ride in traffic for about a year before they could take the test for a regular license. I feel that would make the road a little less dangerous place for us all, cyclists and drivers both.

SandySwimmer

Thanks for the responses. I was feeling a bit unsettled and overwhelmed. Responses on this thread made me feel better.

Layton - I am hoping I would know if I had a torn tendon. I've never had one, but I will keep an eye on it. I've been able to play tennis (it's my tennis right arm that was injured), so I'm thinking it's ok. It is bruised though. You said, I might find out at a later date . . . could you elaborate?

John Wilke - your crash is very sobering. I do have a lime green (tennis ball yellow?) jacket. I've pulled it out. A few times when I have worn it while cycling, I've had people at red lights tell me they could see me. A guy at the bike shop had a similar story and a similar response (about discovering that people in cars don't care).

Time off the bike is putting me in the car and out on foot going for runs . . . I saw someone doing paperwork on their steering wheel this morning. Many people are on cellphones or are eating doughnuts (or both at the same time). Yikes. A lot going on. The accident is making me see things I didn't before. And once you see, you can't go back it seems. A lot of cyclists really are invisible . . .and I am looking for them out there. In the car, I see runners that other drivers don't see (because I am a runner). Cycling is making me a much more aware car driver. I never try to make yellow lights any more in the car because I see the cyclists on the cross-light clipping in, preparing to cross. I don't think I ever noticed that before I was a cyclist.

slagjumper - I went to the bike shop this morning to check on the repairs. Guys at the bike shop are treating me differently. I can't really explain it. Before the accident they were 'salesman friendly' (publicly charming - perhaps flirtatious is the word). Now, there is a seriousness to their tone. I do like that.

Paul L. - I like what you said about the arteries. It made me think - I would much rather take care of myself (with biking, running, etc) with slight chances of accidents than have a guaranteed lingering disease without it. That gave me a nice perspective.

Also, thanks for the humor.
Sandy

Layton

I had an accident which resulted in a torn tendon in my shoulder. For 3-4 weeks I just thought I was stiff, sore, bruised, etc. I had it x-rayed, and the doctor said it was likely some irritation/the beginnings of tendonitis. He gave me some Vioxx (best drug ever made), told me to ice/heat it, and the pain did go away, completely. I competed in the swim leg of two triathlons shortly thereafter, actually winning our category in one. I figured everything was back to normal, as I hadn't felt pain for months and was very strong in that shoulder.

After 5-6 months Vioxx was no longer an option, and the downward spiral began. Began to hurt so much that I couldn't sleep easily, couldn't put weight on it, had twinges when lifting things, etc. An MRI showed that I did indeed have a tear, and the only thing that would fix it was surgery. A surgery and many thousands of dollars later, I'm currently 3 months into what will likely be 6 months of rehab before it'll be back to normal. It's been an issue now for two years (since the accident), but at first I wouldn't have suspected it was a tear, never having experienced that. I hope that explains things better.

I've just learned that it's possible to have serious damage to your body without really being aware of it. If you break your femer, you should know, unless of course your head was also broken in the same accident. But if you damage some small but vital part that won't repair itself, you're in for a lot of time and expense to get things back to (hopefully) normal.

SandySwimmer

Layton - thanks for sharing your experience. I hope you have a healthy recovery. I wouldn't have thought of that. It is interesting that a doctor didn't know and that an x-ray didn't show it earlier . . . and that you were able to compete well wtih it.

Today, the bike shop called to let me know my bike is ready. I've been thinking a lot about my first ride and how it would be and where it would be. The bike shop is within 5 blocks, so I walked to it with my helmet wearing my slacks (dress clothes). I biked home before I realized I had already taken my first ride. I didn't have time to think about it because of the practicality of getting my bike home.

A lot of accidents. . . at least according to the guys in the bike shop . . . seem to happen during the daytime (vs. early morning hours). I noticed when I used to go out early before sunlight, there was very little traffic, but I usually waited for the sun to come up figureing I was safer. My accident happened at 7:40 am when people were rushing off to school. Perhaps earlier is better. Not sure. Darn, now I am anxious.

Sandy

LV2TNDM

Interesting discussion.
My only advice to add is to search out alternative routes (when possible). My new commute takes me five miles through the "urban jungle." I initially took the more direct arterial routes; that was until I simply explored the side streets a few evenings after work. Now, instead of being passed by multitudes of auto traffic rushing to punch in on time, I happily pedal residential streets with very few cars passing me the entire ride.
I see cyclists on busy streets day in and out. Sure, it's our right to be there. But why take the chance when there's a nice calm residential street one block away?
(College Ave. in Berkeley/Oakland is a prime example. Narrow and busy with cars, SUV's and busses, all in a hurry to escape the masses.)
I urge all bike commuters to take the extra time to find the quiet streets!
Now a question. Has anyone heard about a study conducted on motorists' field of vision? I had someone relate it to me years ago that found motorists become accustomed to looking for horizontal objects in their path of travel. Those shapes equate to other cars and trucks on the road, which register as hazards to avoid. At the same time, the driver tends to disregard vertical objects as irrelevant clutter - light poles, street sign poles, etc. Unfortunately, cyclists and motorcyclists match this shape. This would explain the response to just plowing into said cyclist by saying, "I never even saw him/her, officer!"
Anyone know of this study?

lws

Unfortunately, the bike shop guys are unreliable because their statistics are distorted by the fact that most people *ride* during the day time. I sure wish I knew how to trade off lower traffic volumes on the one hand, versus poor visibility on the other. I do find that my visibility is better when it's truly dark out, rather than at twilight, but then I have a harder time picking out road hazards and unlit road users.

SandySwimmer

I do remember hearing that about a motorist's field of vision when I first took my driving test. I had forgotten. The police officer said it in reference to the high number of motorcycle accidents.

Today, I drove my regular route by car in search of side streets to my side streets. My accident happened in a residential area, but I have since discovered that there have been some fender-benders on that same corner. It's a block from a stoplight (and the other street has a stopsign).

I have my bike back now, but I haven't been on an official ride yet. I've decided to plan one for Sunday morning. When I was riding regularly, I was amazed to discover what a difference in traffic volume Sunday made. That used to be my day off. I have my lime-green-yellow jacket out and ready.

My local bike shop didn't have the wheel hub (and forgot to order it or something like that), so they put a much nicer one on it in addition to a nicer wheel because they had them in stock. They charged me only what they had estimated (and what the car driver already paid me), but the difference was significant as I discovered when I looked over the paperwork after I got home. My only experience has been with car places.

The other social side to an accident . . . two of my closest friends who are not cyclists who usually call me once a week, have not called since I told them about the accident two weeks ago. They don't know each other and live in different states. It may only be coincidence, but part of me is thinking it is connected to the accident.

After a colleague discovered that I had been in an accident, she said, 'we have too many deadlines coming up, we don't have time for you to be injured". It is funny because I was very lucky. All healed up. But the potential of being injured seems to freak people out.

Sandy

SandySwimmer

I'm biking regularly again. I still haven't gone on my big loop that begins through traffic. I am hoping to try it on Sunday morning when there is very little traffic. I am considering buying a bike rack holder for my car, so I could drive over Any suggestions for bike carriers?

t was helpful to read these responses. I think the accident has actually made me a safer (more aware) cyclist.

Sandy

shaq-d

cycling can be dangerous. that's an unfortunate fact for all of us... most accidents happen at intersections. every time i come to one i am extra alert. try to communicate your _intentions_; when you come to an intersection, don't sit up unless u're going to stop. instead, get down and look like u're giong to keep going. look straight ahead while eyeballing the car(s) that look like they wanna cross. that kind of thing.

i commute on a road that is reputedly one of canada's worst. on the way home in rush hour traffic i often take the whole lane. i've only been beeped once in 2 years for doing so; but i maintain a good pace and look serious and safe in my cycling gear.

hang with it; but ultimately the decision is a balance... u just might not find it's worth it. as for me, i'd be one helluva depressed ****** if i stopped, so i don't see it as much of a choice or, if it is one, it's an easy choice.

sd

edit: oh, check out the commuting forum by the way, if u haven't already. we'll support ya there.