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Old 10-16-11 | 11:30 AM
  #15  
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Bike Gremlin
Mostly harmless ™
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,462
Likes: 243
From: Novi Sad

Bikes: Heavy, with friction shifters

1) Front wheel slipped on some gravel left by MenAtWork on the bicycle lane. I was turning sharp right, going into sunset so didn't see the gravel from being sunblind. In a split of a second I was on the ground, didn't know what happened. Marshal arts falls are good when they become instinctive and that saved me from any injury. Just broken rear derailleur, so installed a crash protector on it afterwards.

2) Hit by a car on a bicycle lane on a green light. Car was turning right and was supposed to give right of way. I was approaching real slow, walking pace and was sure he saw me. Sun was shining off his windshield so I couldn't actually see where he was looking.

Just as I passed, he turned towards me and slammed the throttle. Like he was deliberately going to run me over. Managed to just turn so it hit the rear part of my bike. Bike and I flew a few meters away. Rear rack took a big dent, wheels got a bit misaligned, but no damage. 12 e repair bill for re tensioning the spokes. I just got a few bruises.

Man stopped and got out of the car completely amazed. Didn't see me. 2 small kids in the car all scared. I said I'm all fine, no need to worry. Asked him for number to send him repair bill. Met him a few days later to collect money. He said we were both lucky nothing bad happened. It is a very small chance that if you hit a biker, you hit one wearing full motorcycle protective gear (I was on my way home from the garage) and knows how to fall.
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