Buzzatronic

TL;DR: Went for an "easy" ride, crashed due to someone else's negligence, didn't get info at the scene and wish I had. Don't think I'm hurt enough to warrant a hospital visit and bike only has minor damage. Lesson learned, always get info at the scene.


The Long Story: I set out this morning to put in an easy (ie flat) 50 miles before the end of the month (damn Strava badges!). Since it was totally gross out in Seattle today, I figured the MUP would be sparse at best, so I didn't bother hooking up my normal commute cameras.

For the most part I was right, the trail was almost empty, but about 7mi in I got reminded that it only takes on person being irresponsible to ruin my day.

I'm moving at a completely reasonable 15-16mph pace and there is a lady with her dog by her side standing next to the trail. As I approach, the dog who has a ball in his mouth steps onto the trail and drops the ball. The ball starts to roll across the trail right into my path so I slow down as to not hit the ball. The lady is making hand motions as if she's tightening a leash since she's looked up and made eye contact with me. I then notice that this dog actually has no leash (I'm about 15' away from the ball now) and of course the dog runs right out on front of me to get the ball.

I grab two hands full of brakes but it's not enough and I hit the dog right in the ribs and I promptly go over the bars. The lady freaks out as I do my best to minimize the impact by shoulder rolling onto the asphalt. I get up and promptly tell her "check on your dog" because I'm worried he's hurt. . To her credit, she ran to me first and not her dog. I estimate I hit the dog at between 8-10mph.

Luckily the dog seems fine, tail wagging and no limp or other indications of pain. I'm also feeling fine, bit of course anyone who has crashed knows that feeling fine 20 seconds after hitting the deck and *being* fine an hour later are two very different things.

Once she realizes we're both fine, she starts to walk away FAST. She even says something like "thanks you for being so nice about this" as she leaves me to evaluate the damage to my bike. My bike seems fine but my rear camera mount is broken off and my bar tape on my left side is a bit shredded. Wheels are true, drive train works since the bike landed on the non-drive side. Garmin and lights are all still working.

As I gather up the broken plastic of my camera mount she's about 50 yards away now, heading towards the road through the grass. I spin my wheels, get my chain in order (it had dropped from middle to small front ring) and saddle up to test it out.

I rode off still a bit in shock about things but my bike seems fine and I seem fine so I soon get back into my flow but decide to cut my planned 50mi ride in half.

As I'm riding later my foot starts to hurt (think I tweaked it as I unclipped while going over the bars) and I start to question myself about why I didn't get her information. She was clearly at fault and knowing what I know about injuries appearing well after a crash, I'm frustrated that I made such a rookie mistake.

Now I'm home and I have a small bruise on the top of my foot and a small bruise on my hip. I think I'll be fine but I'm still bummed that I didn't get her info.

The Lesson: No matter how uneventful you expect a ride to be, always be prepared for something bad happening and be ready to do the right things at the time rather than being left to second guess it all after it's all over.

nesdog

Well, glad to hear you and the dog are mostly okay. Yeah, sometimes it hurts worse the second and third day! And if the bike is fine then you got off lightly. Probably would have been better to have gotten name and contact info but you can't always think clearly after a crash. I didn't get any of that after my crash in August that I'm still recovering from...but then again, you can't really get a name from a speed bump!

banerjek

This. The woman may have been irresponsible, but you were a chowderhead. Both of those conditions were necessary for the crash.

You should always assume that animals and kids will suddenly dart right into your path because that's sometimes exactly what they do. The woman may be legally liable because her dog was off a leash but this accident was 100% avoidable -- colliding with something you had plenty of warning on shows failure to adjust for circumstances.

BTW, people are creatures of habit which means they tend to show up in the same places about the same times. It's not that hard to ask around, so you can find her if you really want her info.

But if I were in your position, I'd be kicking myself in the butt for being in a dumb wreck. Every path I've ever been on is full of knuckleheads so you must ride accordingly. If you want to ride more unfettered, that's what roads are for.

MikeyBoyAz

When this happened to me the dog didn't walk away and I didn't endo. (not proud of it at all) Glad to hear you are o.k. Sorry about the bike.

furiousferret

This is why I don't like the the mup concept. Most 'Multi Use Paths' in America were built with commuter dollars for cyclists then they build an infrastructure (parks, etc.) for pedestrians. Suddenly you have a bike path that really isn't functional for bicycles because of speed limits and pedestrian traffic. I don't like being put in the position where someone has a 2 year old kid or dog on wandering on the mup; regardless of the speed a collision is not going to be good for either party.

rpenmanparker 

MUPs are the single most dangerous cycling environment known.

Buzzatronic

Well I wouldn't call myself names but yes, I'm glad there were no serious injuries to me or the dog. Certainly a learning experience for me and hopefully others who read this.

Buzzatronic

Agreed.

Dudelsack 

I think riding in downtown Kabul wearing a Youth for Christ t-shirt would be a bit dicier.

Geez Louise, this weekend I rode a MUP crawling with kids, dogs, baby carriages, old coots with walkers, rollerbladers, Goatman, just every kind of weirdo and threat one could imagine. I didn't feel any danger. When you encounter them, you go real slow and ring the ole Hello Kitty bell like there's no tomorrow. Use a little common sense.

And no one hates on the Kitty.

rebel1916

What good would it do to have her info? You have some bumps and bruises and $25 worth of property damage. Breathe.

mmm___

I have difficulty understanding the mindset of people who let dogs off leashes next to bike thoroughfares. If there's anything dogs like to do, it's go crazy at passing strange shiny whizzy objects.

GuitarBob

Sorry to read all that, but thanks for posting. I'm glad to be reminded to anticipate the worst. I have ridden a motorcycle for a lot of years, and when I am on that thing, I consider myself invisible to most drivers and act accordingly. I also imagine that some of the ones who are aware enough to see me are out to kill me.

I hope you heal up quickly.

Buzzatronic

I got lucky. If I wake up tomorrow with a massive headache and get diagnosed with a concussion, I'd certainly wish I had gotten her info.

Are you suggesting that people not get information of all parties involved in an accident?

daihard 

I sure hope you wake up fine tomorrow...

Did it happen on Burke-Gilman or Interurban? Or another trail?

Long Tom

That's what I thought too. It's unlikely she had some sort of umbrella liability insurance... so odds are even with the contact info, the OP would be forced to sue for any significant redress.

OP: glad you are ok! Sounds like you kept your head during the actual crash. Well played on that level!

Buzzatronic

North section of the Burke Gilman right by the golf course and tunnel.

rebel1916

Nope. But in this instance, it doesn't matter much. You would know if you were concussed, so no need to add "what if" melodrama.

daihard 

Thanks. I ride on the Burke-Gilman between Northgate and Bothell quite a bit. Thanks for reminding me that I need to be careful with dogs and their owners. Again, glad you're okay.

R578645

I usually avoid places like "trails" that attract dogs on cords, walkers, kids on scooters, etc.....
Walkers in the bike lanes can be irritating also. Some won't move out of the way. Others don't know
what to do and then get all confused and start running/walking all over the place.

catonec 

HA!

Samfujiabq

I'm glad you're ok as well,and I won't armchair quarterback the whole ordeal.We all make mistakes but those mups are dangerous and I plan most of my rides on weekdays when most people ar working.Weekends are like a friggin circus.Then again street accidents aren't as forgiving as MUP accidents,,hopefully!

diverguy

Wow, that could have easily been so much worse! Glad you're basically okay. If you rode away from it, it couldn't have been too bad.

datlas 

Glad you are ok.

I agree, from what you describe, that fault is likely shared and having her info probably would not matter.

Also agree that when on MUP be prepared, in essence on the MUP you are the car and the walkers are the cyclists. Metaphorically speaking.

inspclouseau

So confused by the contact info part. Was she a hottie?

thump55

So you had enough time to determine the gender of the dog, but not enough time to avoid hitting him. Sounds fishy.

Disclaimer: One stupid quotation mark may have possibly been slightly shifted in order to enhance the humor of this post.