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Hit by car - continuation of the Chicago fixie curse?

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Hit by car - continuation of the Chicago fixie curse?

Old 12-30-04, 05:30 PM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by ryan_c
Yeah, I really need to stick with the helmet more. I kind of got out of the habit in the cold weather - been wearing warm hats instead. Guess I ought to reconsider that.

I picked up a nice (and dorky looking) winter cap from Yojimbo's that fits nicely under my helmet. I'm sure Marcus can hook you up.
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Old 12-30-04, 06:22 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by skitbraviking
I picked up a nice (and dorky looking) winter cap from Yojimbo's that fits nicely under my helmet. I'm sure Marcus can hook you up.
Good call, thanks!
Also, glad I could be an example to you and others
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Old 12-30-04, 06:57 PM
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thanks to all of you for your concern and suggestions - kinda shows this is my first winter huh?
cheers
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Old 12-30-04, 07:05 PM
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is the company that makes you happy little hat called headsweats?
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Old 01-03-05, 01:32 PM
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Originally Posted by ryan_c
Well, I knew it was bound to happen sooner or later.

Location: 93rd and Cicero
I would rather not get into too many details, as I don't want this to be another who-was-at-fault thread - I think we both were. To make a long story short, a guy turned right into a parking lot in front of me while I was spacing out, and I hit him / he hit me. Knocked me out of the pedals, hit my head on the ground (not wearing a helmet b/c I'm an arsehole) but that wasn't too bad, head pain was gone after a minute. Hit my knee somewhere in the process (pretty ugly at first, not so bad after I cleaned and dressed it), and the minivan ran over my right hand (two swollen fingers, no real bad pain, no pain w/ movement). I'm familiar with health care and first aid from school and boy scouts (don't laugh ).
Assessment of the situation: He turned right w/o checking his mirror, I should have been paying much better attention but was distracted. I did not have a front reflector or light on my bike, and it was getting dark out. I had no helmet or brakes (try explaining that to the police... I don't think so). I have a slightly tacoed 27" front wheel that I paid $15 for and am building a new wheelset anyway, relatively minor physical injuries, and I messed up his minivan pretty bad. Real bad, actually. Big dent and gash - at least two panels that he's going to have to repair. We traded contact info and he gave me a ride home, we called it a draw.

I wish it hadn't happened, but once I throw a new wheel on and the swelling is gone I think I'll be fine, and hopefully a bit more aware. I have a newfound appreciation for helmets, for sure.

Looks like I'll spend a few days off the bike, maybe even a week or two.


ryan,

do you live near 93/cicero? i'm always on teh lookout for more southside riders. i'm just a few blocks from midway

chris
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Old 01-03-05, 01:41 PM
  #31  
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Midway? Rad. I'm just off of 100th and Western actually. Only other south side riders I know are in Hyde Park - we are few and far between. Keep in touch, you ought to come out on one of the Chicago group rides.
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Old 01-03-05, 02:11 PM
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i'll be at the tour da chicago this sunday with a white raleigh road bike. send me an email if you want to meet up

chris
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Old 01-03-05, 04:15 PM
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Originally Posted by harlot
Be safe boys and girls! Wear a helmet, use blinkies, whatever it takes to have you around for a long long time.

Safety is for sissies!
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Old 01-03-05, 04:23 PM
  #34  
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And recklessness is for the dead.
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Old 01-03-05, 05:54 PM
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Take that L.A.!!!!
Earthquake dodgers...
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Old 01-03-05, 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by [165]
Take that L.A.!!!!
Earthquake dodgers...
Wait...what are we taking?
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Old 01-03-05, 06:09 PM
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Originally Posted by junioroverlord
Wait...what are we taking?
hopefully reading comprehension classes...see below your post regarding safety being for sissies. let me know if you want the coloring book version of this conversation.
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Old 01-03-05, 06:11 PM
  #38  
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I would like to place an order for the singalong version in betamax format.
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Old 01-03-05, 06:13 PM
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with or without hand-clapping?
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Old 01-03-05, 07:21 PM
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Originally Posted by [165]
with or without hand-clapping?

With, obviously!

Sheesh!

As if you could without!

Flippin' idiot!
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Old 01-03-05, 07:23 PM
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Bow to your sensei!
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Old 01-03-05, 08:26 PM
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8-track with finger-snapping and foot-tapping?

Ryan and Rusholme-

well, I don't have anything at all unique to say other than be careful out there, guys. Watch your back and look all around like a crackhead who owes some money.

How are you guys doing now? physically or emotionally?

Jess
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Old 01-04-05, 02:38 AM
  #43  
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Well, part of me is kind of freaked out about getting back on the bike, but realistically I don't really plan on riding on streets like that again (NOT bike-friendly) and I now know that I need to keep more of an eye out and not be too cocky on the road. I wish it hadn't happened though, regardless.
My knee has a giant bruise on it and my fingers are really sore. Head hurts a little too, mostly to touch. Probably had a minor concussion, but not much can be done about that.
After the guy dropped me at my house he asked me to call him later that night and let him know how I was, but I never called him. I thought about calling him and yelling something like "The doctor told me I would never play the piano again!" and hanging up, but I decided that it would probably be better to avoid a bitter, awkward conversation and put it off alltogether.

Er, sorry for the essay.

Anyway, count me in for the 8-track, I recently came across my player while digging through my basement.
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Old 01-04-05, 09:58 AM
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although ryan is clearly worse off than i am, i am admittedly more of a wimp. go ryan!

physically, i'm fine from injuries due to that day, but worse off from other injuries since (can't walk right now!) definitely not commuting until i get more blinkies & stuffs. me, i'm glad it happened because now i know to stay much farther away from cars with fogged-up windows.

thanks for asking! and i might need the coloring book version, cos i still dont get s**t.
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Old 01-04-05, 10:40 AM
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What the he!! are you doing at 93rd and Cicero? The Top-Notch Beefburger at Western is better anyway, and I know you're not going to Palermos on your bike. Looking for Paris Hilton at the Hilton?

Looks like Mayonnaise is leaving Midway and going into the deep south. While you might be the fastest on your block, you'll have trouble being fastest in your neighborhood.

Don't even try being my friend unless you wear your helmet each and every ride.

End of sermon
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Old 01-04-05, 11:50 AM
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Mayo - it will be good to have you in the hood. I was actually riding back from the thrift store at 87th, the minivan was turning into Fox's.
Looking forward to having someone to chase - I'm not the fastest guy around but the middle-aged guys who put on a jersey to ride a mile to Border's certainly aren't much competition. I'll wear the helmet, I promise
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Old 01-04-05, 11:53 AM
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Originally Posted by rusholme
and i might need the coloring book version, cos i still dont get s**t.
join us on the next DCC ride. I'll bring a flask of 18 year, single malt goodness and explain the comments above to all those interested. But seriously, come out for the ride.
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Old 01-04-05, 12:00 PM
  #48  
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Aww, can't you 'splain them here?
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Old 01-04-05, 02:01 PM
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okay hold up - i have a question.
we got all this 'wear a helmet' talk, but in the DCC ride pics, no one is wearing a helmet!

did you guys just take them off for the pictures? or did i miss the coloring book for this one as well?
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Old 01-04-05, 02:15 PM
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Yes - half of us took off helmets usually because when we're taking photos we're taking a break or having a rest or taking photos. Some of us do, some of us don't.

Originally Posted by rusholme
okay hold up - i have a question.
we got all this 'wear a helmet' talk, but in the DCC ride pics, no one is wearing a helmet!

did you guys just take them off for the pictures? or did i miss the coloring book for this one as well?
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