Almost bit it today
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Moraga, CA
Posts: 1,701
Bikes: 2008 Cervelo RS, 2011 Scott CR1 Elite, 2014 Volagi Liscio
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Almost bit it today
I was riding solo on a two lane road with about a two-foot bike lane on either side. It was a really nice day so there were lots of cyclists and motorcyclists out there.
I was in the bike lane going up a slight grade and I look up and there's a motorcyclist going the opposite direction way over on my side of the center line. He came within about 3' of me going easily 50 mph. Scared the ***** out of me.
He either didn't see me or didn't care since he was hell bent on catching up with his buddy.
I was thinking about how I could have prevented this and all I could think of was to use my blinking headlight. I usually ride with it on all of the time regardless of conditions, but this one time I stopped for a snack and turned it off. I didn't turn it on again since it was a nice sunny day and I thought that I didn't need it. Wrong decision! It'll be on all of the time from now on.
I ride in Northern California and the drivers have always been very courteous and almost overly cautious. This is the second time, however, when a motorcyclist has almost taken me out.
Be safe out there, folks!
I was in the bike lane going up a slight grade and I look up and there's a motorcyclist going the opposite direction way over on my side of the center line. He came within about 3' of me going easily 50 mph. Scared the ***** out of me.
He either didn't see me or didn't care since he was hell bent on catching up with his buddy.
I was thinking about how I could have prevented this and all I could think of was to use my blinking headlight. I usually ride with it on all of the time regardless of conditions, but this one time I stopped for a snack and turned it off. I didn't turn it on again since it was a nice sunny day and I thought that I didn't need it. Wrong decision! It'll be on all of the time from now on.
I ride in Northern California and the drivers have always been very courteous and almost overly cautious. This is the second time, however, when a motorcyclist has almost taken me out.
Be safe out there, folks!
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,546
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5223 Post(s)
Liked 3,579 Times
in
2,341 Posts
he was in the wrong for sure. you should report it before he kills someone. strobes all the time, especially when it's sunny.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 7,048
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 509 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times
in
8 Posts
Methinks part of why the motorhead didn't see you was your extremely far right positioning. I grew up (well, got older) riding that road and most of it calls for riding in the right tire track. (Redwood Rd. doesn't have bike lanes; a fog line does not delineate a bike lane.)
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,546
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5223 Post(s)
Liked 3,579 Times
in
2,341 Posts
you call the police station closest to the area it happened. you don't call 911. you say this is not an emergency but you are calling to report a traffic incident, you don't have to wait for permission, you don't have to wait for the answerer to evaluate your information, you don't have to have an argument with the answerer, you just speak what you know. the call will be recorded. you don't have to insist they do anything. if the answerer has questions answer them to the best of your ability. at some point they will say OK thank you. that's when you hang up.
you tell what you know. no more, no less. jot down the facts as you know them before you call.
as civilians we don't have to connect the dots. the rider may have been involved in other incidents (before or after yours) and law enforcement will connect the dots. but them can't if no one ever says anything.
you tell what you know. no more, no less. jot down the facts as you know them before you call.
as civilians we don't have to connect the dots. the rider may have been involved in other incidents (before or after yours) and law enforcement will connect the dots. but them can't if no one ever says anything.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: In my car with my Garmin, stealing all your Strava KOMs
Posts: 327
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Back-of-beyond, Kootenays, BC
Posts: 747
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix Exp ert Road and Specialized Stump Jumper FS Mountain; De Vinci Caribou touring, Intense Tracer T275c, Cramerotti, Specialized Allez, Condor
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 165 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
56 Posts
This thread comes under the "why I (increasingly) prefer mountain biking" heading.....
#14
SuperGimp
I was out in Vegas one time riding along blue diamond road (near red rock canyon) and some motorcyclists went screaming by at 100+ IN THE *** BIKE LANE!
There were 5 or 6 of them, I was too freaked out to count. One of them passed within inches of me, the rest were further out.
Freaked. Out.
There were 5 or 6 of them, I was too freaked out to count. One of them passed within inches of me, the rest were further out.
Freaked. Out.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Allen, TX
Posts: 1,916
Bikes: Look 585
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I was riding solo on a two lane road with about a two-foot bike lane on either side. It was a really nice day so there were lots of cyclists and motorcyclists out there.
I was in the bike lane going up a slight grade and I look up and there's a motorcyclist going the opposite direction way over on my side of the center line. He came within about 3' of me going easily 50 mph. Scared the ***** out of me.
He either didn't see me or didn't care since he was hell bent on catching up with his buddy.
I was thinking about how I could have prevented this and all I could think of was to use my blinking headlight. I usually ride with it on all of the time regardless of conditions, but this one time I stopped for a snack and turned it off. I didn't turn it on again since it was a nice sunny day and I thought that I didn't need it. Wrong decision! It'll be on all of the time from now on.
I ride in Northern California and the drivers have always been very courteous and almost overly cautious. This is the second time, however, when a motorcyclist has almost taken me out.
Be safe out there, folks!
I was in the bike lane going up a slight grade and I look up and there's a motorcyclist going the opposite direction way over on my side of the center line. He came within about 3' of me going easily 50 mph. Scared the ***** out of me.
He either didn't see me or didn't care since he was hell bent on catching up with his buddy.
I was thinking about how I could have prevented this and all I could think of was to use my blinking headlight. I usually ride with it on all of the time regardless of conditions, but this one time I stopped for a snack and turned it off. I didn't turn it on again since it was a nice sunny day and I thought that I didn't need it. Wrong decision! It'll be on all of the time from now on.
I ride in Northern California and the drivers have always been very courteous and almost overly cautious. This is the second time, however, when a motorcyclist has almost taken me out.
Be safe out there, folks!
#16
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,299
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1443 Post(s)
Liked 713 Times
in
367 Posts
The motorcyclist was a bit of a dick, but by your own description you were in the bike lane, and he missed you by 3 feet. He was entirely in a seperate lane. You wouldn't have thought twice of a car passing you within 3 feet heading the same direction as you, with the car in the same position as the motorcyclist.
I've had cars passing another car while I'm riding the opposite direction in the bike lane, where we pass 3 abreast (the 2 cars and me).
Bit unsettling, and I wouldn't do it as a driver because you can't count on the bicyclist not to screwup, but it's not that big of deal.
I've had cars passing another car while I'm riding the opposite direction in the bike lane, where we pass 3 abreast (the 2 cars and me).
Bit unsettling, and I wouldn't do it as a driver because you can't count on the bicyclist not to screwup, but it's not that big of deal.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
#17
Portland Fred
Been there. Also have been in several situations where someone purposely passed where the oncoming lane was not clear forcing a car onto the shoulder.
Some people are unfathomably stupid. About 10 years ago, an idiot driver doing one of these insane passes collided head on with a box truck and I almost got taken out by the front wheels and axle of the truck. In that particular incident, the car driver was killed. The box truck driver was injured.
Some people are unfathomably stupid. About 10 years ago, an idiot driver doing one of these insane passes collided head on with a box truck and I almost got taken out by the front wheels and axle of the truck. In that particular incident, the car driver was killed. The box truck driver was injured.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 8,088
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 686 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...l#post16591580
Now you're trying to act all tough. That's cute.
#21
Senior Member
To be honest, I'm not sure how the driver is supposed to see the cyclist. That road is probably 55 mph speed limit, when the truck starts his pass he's at least 1/3 mi away, you'd need a massive blinkie to be visible against background clutter. Realistically, the only thing he could have done is crowded the guy with the trailer and bought an extra foot or two.
That road fits pretty thoroughly into to my definition of no go. 55+ mph and no shoulder is a bad combination.
That road fits pretty thoroughly into to my definition of no go. 55+ mph and no shoulder is a bad combination.
#22
Portland Fred
To be honest, I'm not sure how the driver is supposed to see the cyclist. That road is probably 55 mph speed limit, when the truck starts his pass he's at least 1/3 mi away, you'd need a massive blinkie to be visible against background clutter. Realistically, the only thing he could have done is crowded the guy with the trailer and bought an extra foot or two.
That road fits pretty thoroughly into to my definition of no go. 55+ mph and no shoulder is a bad combination.
That road fits pretty thoroughly into to my definition of no go. 55+ mph and no shoulder is a bad combination.
Anyone who drives like that is either a jerk or has his head up his ass. My money's on the former -- some drivers just think they can intimidate or ignore cyclists. Anyone who can't see the cyclist head on with clear road has no chance of seeing one going the same direction in the traffic lane, especially with vehicles in front blocking the view. Anyone who is that incapable is going to be hitting things, animals, and people on a regular basis.
55+mph (most people drive 65+ on roads like this in our neck of the woods) with no shoulder isn't ideal. But sometimes that's the best you can get.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 8,088
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 686 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
Actually, it's a 40mph road that leads to Lake Pleasant and the backway to crown king. The only people on the road are either going trail riding through the desert or to the lake. It's a pretty low traffic road.
Edit to add: Maybe I should post the rest of the video to show how little traffic was on the road. Not many people are going to the lake in late February, even in Phoenix. It'd probably also be entertaining to see just how close the guy was to the stop sign at the end of the road. Another 1/4 mile and he had to stop to turn left or right onto the main road.
Edit to add: Maybe I should post the rest of the video to show how little traffic was on the road. Not many people are going to the lake in late February, even in Phoenix. It'd probably also be entertaining to see just how close the guy was to the stop sign at the end of the road. Another 1/4 mile and he had to stop to turn left or right onto the main road.
Last edited by SpeshulEd; 04-07-14 at 03:48 PM.
#24
Senior Member
Sight lines are excellent, weather is excellent. Nothing on the side of the road to make the rider harder to identify.
Anyone who drives like that is either a jerk or has his head up his ass. My money's on the former -- some drivers just think they can intimidate or ignore cyclists. Anyone who can't see the cyclist head on with clear road has no chance of seeing one going the same direction in the traffic lane, especially with vehicles in front blocking the view. Anyone who is that incapable is going to be hitting things, animals, and people on a regular basis.
55+mph (most people drive 65+ on roads like this in our neck of the woods) with no shoulder isn't ideal. But sometimes that's the best you can get.
Anyone who drives like that is either a jerk or has his head up his ass. My money's on the former -- some drivers just think they can intimidate or ignore cyclists. Anyone who can't see the cyclist head on with clear road has no chance of seeing one going the same direction in the traffic lane, especially with vehicles in front blocking the view. Anyone who is that incapable is going to be hitting things, animals, and people on a regular basis.
55+mph (most people drive 65+ on roads like this in our neck of the woods) with no shoulder isn't ideal. But sometimes that's the best you can get.
I'd like to hope that I could spot a cyclist in that situation, but I can't be 100% sure. To some extent that's not even the direction I'd be most concerned about safety. I probably would've bailed off the road in that situation. The real danger is someone approaching from behind at 65+.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SoCal
Posts: 3,078
Bikes: Roubaix SL4 Expert , Cervelo S2
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 85 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I'd like to hope that I could spot a cyclist in that situation, but I can't be 100% sure. To some extent that's not even the direction I'd be most concerned about safety. I probably would've bailed off the road in that situation. The real danger is someone approaching from behind at 65+.