Hit a truck today
#1
Thread Starter
My leg made the cover!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 459
Likes: 0
From: Franklin, IN
Bikes: Trek, Arbourne, BMC, Orbea
Hit a truck today
I went out to do a quick 40 mile recovery ride this morning. On one ot the sections heading West, I have a tailwind, my HR is low, so I dial it up to about a 30mph, knowing that in a mile I turn North and will be fighting the wind more. This is in a rural area, full daylight, and I'm wearing a predominately orange team kit.
A Ford F-150 heading east pulls across from their lane across mine to enter a parking area for one of the farms on this road. I locked up the brakes, felt the bike fishtail, somehow recovered, and headed from my lane into the east bound lane, into the path of a car that was behind the truck; luckily, it was able to move into the westbound lane to avoid me. I actually hit the truck with my right hand and tore my glove from the contact. I'm still surprised, because I thought I was going down in front of the truck when I felt the bike fishtail.
I'm pretty pumped on adreline, confront the driver, and give her an earfull. I proceed to call the police to file a report. Her family comes out to see what the commotion is, she's crying, saying that she didn't see me and didn't mean to do it, which I believe to be true. When the cop arrives, he lets me drop the whole thing, as I truly believe that it was an accident, and fortunately for me, not one with more severe consequences.
I know it gets preached on here time and time again to be careful when riding. But by the grace of God, I just got lucky. If I had been any closer before she turned, I would have made a lot more contact with the truck, and would likely have a different outcome. And there would have been absolutely nothing I could have done about it.
A Ford F-150 heading east pulls across from their lane across mine to enter a parking area for one of the farms on this road. I locked up the brakes, felt the bike fishtail, somehow recovered, and headed from my lane into the east bound lane, into the path of a car that was behind the truck; luckily, it was able to move into the westbound lane to avoid me. I actually hit the truck with my right hand and tore my glove from the contact. I'm still surprised, because I thought I was going down in front of the truck when I felt the bike fishtail.
I'm pretty pumped on adreline, confront the driver, and give her an earfull. I proceed to call the police to file a report. Her family comes out to see what the commotion is, she's crying, saying that she didn't see me and didn't mean to do it, which I believe to be true. When the cop arrives, he lets me drop the whole thing, as I truly believe that it was an accident, and fortunately for me, not one with more severe consequences.
I know it gets preached on here time and time again to be careful when riding. But by the grace of God, I just got lucky. If I had been any closer before she turned, I would have made a lot more contact with the truck, and would likely have a different outcome. And there would have been absolutely nothing I could have done about it.
__________________
"If it first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no use being a damn fool about it." - W.C. Fields
"If it first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no use being a damn fool about it." - W.C. Fields
#5
Thread Starter
My leg made the cover!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 459
Likes: 0
From: Franklin, IN
Bikes: Trek, Arbourne, BMC, Orbea
#6
Thread Starter
My leg made the cover!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 459
Likes: 0
From: Franklin, IN
Bikes: Trek, Arbourne, BMC, Orbea
Tires are relatively new...I checked a little while ago to see if I flat spotted. I didn't see anything, and didn't notice/fell anything on the rest of the ride. I'm kind of surprised, I've flat spotted doing a whole lot less before, so I guess another "+1" for Conti 4 Seasons.
__________________
"If it first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no use being a damn fool about it." - W.C. Fields
"If it first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no use being a damn fool about it." - W.C. Fields
#7
#8
Have bike, will travel
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,286
Likes: 317
From: Lake Geneva, WI
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
Most motorist have never seen a 30 mph cyclist. Glad your A-OK.
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
#9
Thread Starter
My leg made the cover!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 459
Likes: 0
From: Franklin, IN
Bikes: Trek, Arbourne, BMC, Orbea
Thanks to everyone for the well wishes.
The most upsetting part to me is that the driver's mother was trying to console her by saying that she was sure she (her daughter) didn't do it intentionally. I'm guessing the daughter to be around 35. I know I was initially pretty angry with the driver, and I also know that the driver didn't do any of this intentionally. The scary part to me is that they don't understand the consequences of what they did.
I can only hope daughter will be more careful in the future, but I'm guessing probably not.
The most upsetting part to me is that the driver's mother was trying to console her by saying that she was sure she (her daughter) didn't do it intentionally. I'm guessing the daughter to be around 35. I know I was initially pretty angry with the driver, and I also know that the driver didn't do any of this intentionally. The scary part to me is that they don't understand the consequences of what they did.
I can only hope daughter will be more careful in the future, but I'm guessing probably not.
__________________
"If it first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no use being a damn fool about it." - W.C. Fields
"If it first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no use being a damn fool about it." - W.C. Fields
#11
Thread Starter
My leg made the cover!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 459
Likes: 0
From: Franklin, IN
Bikes: Trek, Arbourne, BMC, Orbea
Actually, the officer was really cool. I approched him, laid out the story, and asked if he minded if I just let it go, to which he was fine. I might have been too nice dropping everything, but like I've said, I really think it was just an accident. It wasn't caused as a result of any malicious intent, or negligence other than inattentiveness (i.e., no cell phone, etc.). Hope I'm right.
__________________
"If it first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no use being a damn fool about it." - W.C. Fields
"If it first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no use being a damn fool about it." - W.C. Fields





