Originally Posted by
banerjek
That is what normally happens. Every few years, I'll find myself in a situation where I really need my reflexes to do the right thing and they consistently do exactly what I hoped they would. So I often wind up feeling like a total badass where many people would be traumatized. But once in a long while, something gets in my head. 12 years ago, a friend of mine was killed on a highway I rode regularly. Even though it was his mistake and I wasn't even there, I developed a fear of cars and had to get off the bike entirely for two months.
I actually quit road riding for good a few months ago, mostly because of all the "hit-from-behind" deaths we've been experiencing in my neck of the woods. Back when I felt like I could control most of the risks of road riding - like getting hit in an intersection - I was confident enough, but I don't figure I've got much of a say when some jackass on a cell phone ends up in the bike lane.
Good luck to you, anyway. You've always seemed like a competent cyclist, from what I've read. Doesn't seem like there's any real reason for you not to have your head on straight here.