Not one, not two, but three close calls today.
03-26-12, 07:29 PM
#1
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Not one, not two, but three close calls today.
First occurrence happened a block away from work. Guy in a Corolla makes a right hand turn from a side street to go the same direction as I am (turns out he's a co-worker). It's daylight, no glare from the sun in the this particular area, I'm rocking the tennis ball look (bright yellow vest w/reflective stripes) and I'm in the center of the lane. Either he didn't see me initially or misjudged my speed or something, but he swung out, notices me... and continues the turn up onto the sidewalk- nearly high centering and hitting a retaining wall. Luckily, there was no oncoming traffic (and I was anticipating him gunning around the corner), so i had already had my hands on the brakes and swung to the center line. No harm done.
Second occurrence happened two block away from work on the way home. Coming up to a stop sign at a busy street, went to put my foot down... and nearly did a face plant. The lace from my new shoes got caught on the right spindle of the crank arm right behind the pedal. Luckily, I had my foot in the grass, which was slightly higher than the street I was on, or I quite probably would have a broken leg right now. No broken bone or sprains on the right side, but during the creative dismount my front fender decided to feast on my left leg (that thing has blood lust!). The RD appears to have come through unscathed, as I was able to shift up and down with no problems, but I now have a new noise that is coming from the crank/bottom bracket area...
The last one happened on part of my old route that I used before I started this new job. I was headed South, going up an incline, and was basically positioned in the right tire track of the outside lane- the road has some pretty nasty guttering. It's a 4 lane, and I get buzzed by a car who squeezed between me and a car that was making a left hand turn from the inside lane.
That is three close calls in one day. Not sure if I want to tempt the Fates tomorrow...
Second occurrence happened two block away from work on the way home. Coming up to a stop sign at a busy street, went to put my foot down... and nearly did a face plant. The lace from my new shoes got caught on the right spindle of the crank arm right behind the pedal. Luckily, I had my foot in the grass, which was slightly higher than the street I was on, or I quite probably would have a broken leg right now. No broken bone or sprains on the right side, but during the creative dismount my front fender decided to feast on my left leg (that thing has blood lust!). The RD appears to have come through unscathed, as I was able to shift up and down with no problems, but I now have a new noise that is coming from the crank/bottom bracket area...
The last one happened on part of my old route that I used before I started this new job. I was headed South, going up an incline, and was basically positioned in the right tire track of the outside lane- the road has some pretty nasty guttering. It's a 4 lane, and I get buzzed by a car who squeezed between me and a car that was making a left hand turn from the inside lane.
That is three close calls in one day. Not sure if I want to tempt the Fates tomorrow...
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Last edited by no1mad; 03-26-12 at 07:35 PM.
03-26-12, 07:48 PM
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Glad you're alright, No1mad!
You're a great guy!
- Slim
You're a great guy!
- Slim
03-26-12, 08:11 PM
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Bet you make DAMN sure that shoelace is tucked in real good from now on, right, no1mad? I know I sure would! I HATE it when that happens, to me OR my kids -- nephew had it a couple weeks ago, he almost fell into my rear wheel.
Don't worry about tempting the Fates... you should be good til about August.
Don't worry about tempting the Fates... you should be good til about August.
03-26-12, 08:23 PM
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Yeah, I think I will make sure that the laces are 'secured'. I'm still tempted to remove that blood thristy fender, even though I just put it back on a week ago...
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03-26-12, 08:35 PM
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I got a pair of Scott Trail Boa cycling shoes last week, no laces to worry about once I finally get around to installing the cleats. When I first got a pair of Shimano clipless shoes I wondered why they had laces and velcro. That was until I got the laces caught in my crank. So with those shoes I tie the laces and close the velcro over top of them so they don't go anywhere.
My only notable vehicle related incident lately was the driver of a left turning truck who decided to gun his engine and lurch toward me before I cleared the intersection. I get that all the time as a pedestrian, vehicles that start accelerating from a stop before I am clear.
My only notable vehicle related incident lately was the driver of a left turning truck who decided to gun his engine and lurch toward me before I cleared the intersection. I get that all the time as a pedestrian, vehicles that start accelerating from a stop before I am clear.
03-26-12, 08:50 PM
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Well, they say bad luck comes in threes....
03-26-12, 09:06 PM
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Glad they were just close calls, and also that they are not ALL cagers out to get you.
I think we've all learned the shoelaces lesson the hard way once. If you go clip less, there is another lesson you may have to learn the hard way too.
I think we've all learned the shoelaces lesson the hard way once. If you go clip less, there is another lesson you may have to learn the hard way too.
03-26-12, 09:18 PM
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I had a car turn from the opposite side of the road towards me, lucky to say i was faster to cross the road. but i am glad no1mad wasn't injured seriously.
03-26-12, 09:31 PM
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Still not sure if i should continue to ride the bike or just hike until I can get it checked out. It's only 2.4 miles to work, it's totally walkable, but that morning commute cruising at 15+ mph sure does get the blood a flowing first thing in the morning...
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03-27-12, 12:08 AM
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I'm walking tomorrow/later today (in the a.m.). ForecastFox (powered by AccuWeather) is showing wind gusts of 45 miles per hour. I'm better on foot in that kind of wind.
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03-27-12, 12:32 PM
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03-27-12, 04:29 PM
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Tied the shoes and rode in anyway. No issues with the laces this time, but that guy from event #2 in the OP at least acknowledged me before pulling out. I really need to learn to get out the door a few minutes earlier...
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03-27-12, 04:58 PM
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Yeah, it seems that when you rush bad things are more likely to happen to you, even if you're not directly responsible. I don't know, karma or something? Or perhaps just your reflexes and awareness are compromised by the stress of the rush? All I know that yeah, leaving early and allowing myself some extra time usually means a calm, uneventful commute.
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