Barese Rider

On this ams ride . I was out on my A.M. ride and while on the stretch back was riding along Ocean Ave. in Spring Lake. It was before 7 so traffic was light and the beach loones had not yet come out. I normally push it [for me] along this stretch and was up to 22 mph. when I saw a car running a stop sign to my right going at a good clip with the driver looking right and in the process of making a sweeping left turn right in front of me. My first thought was if she doesnt look up Im cooked because theres no where to go and no way to stop. I didnt know whether to pull to my left as that would be in her path if she continued or swerve to my right which would put me on a path to run into her if she slowed down /stopped.

I started screaming at her as loud as I could and at first got no reaction . I swear I saw myself in an ambualnce while this was happening. I moved left and she looked up and hit the brakes as I went around her and slowed.No accident ! I just plain got lucky that she had the sense not to accelerate into the turn . I looked back and screamed '' What the f---! Are you trying to F---king kill me? "

It shook me up and I piddled home at 12 mph.

My question is should I have used the F word twice or was that over the top?

Dr. Banzai

According to some cyclists, you should have pulled out your gun if she was trying to kill you.

spwelton

She was looking right and turning left? wow.... In that case, no, not over the top

KD5NRH

1) You should have used a lot more words, most of which would make a sailor blush and/or cry.
2) You now need to focus on two words: Galeforce Blaster.

Barese Rider

Good Idea. Next time she'll be toast if I make it thru. But where to hide the gun ?

Tunnelrat81

I agree that you had reason to be upset....and I'm glad to hear that you made it out unscathed. That being said, defensive riding assumes that every car on the road is blind to you, and will try and kill you. I'm seriously not trying to start a fight here, but is it possible that you could have seen the car pull up and slowed your hammering a bit "just in case" while you watched the driver to make sure she saw you? I acknowledge that there are situations that don't allow this, but even when the fault is entirely on the other person for creating an unsafe situation, that doesn't mean that we're powerless to defend against anything.

I also enjoy getting into the rhythm and carrying a strong pace back from a good ride, but being in "the zone" shouldn't involve lowering your alertness to what's up the road.

Glad you were able to keep it upright. My wife and I commute to work and back every day and I occasionally ponder the potential for disaster that goes along with that, and do my best to both ride and influence her toward defensive techniques of riding.

-Jeremy

Seattle Forrest

I think it shows extreme moderation on your part.

Dr. Banzai

That thread got deleted.

Stuff it in the jersey apparently.

Barese Rider

Im an older folk so I take no offense in what you say and theres alot of truth in it. Unfortunately I made the mistake of thinking I could do a little hammering in a section of town that is relatively quiet at that time of the morning. Its a main road that runs along the ocean and every intersection leading to it has a stop sign.At the sign one has to take a right or left as all roads head towards the ocean and begin and end there. Problem being she ran the stop sign and was looking right turning left and there was not any way to see her before I did.If I did I would have slowed

noobpone

That's ridiculous. I'm from nyc but have a place in Belmar(or rather my parents do)I go down in the summer as they are rarely there,and you should have done a hell of a lot more to her. There is no place for stupid driving on Ocean Avenue and especially since there is a 25mph limit and all pedistrians have the right of way. That was definately reckless driving on her part. I always am very careful driving and if there was a cop it would have grounds for wreckless driving.

Also a suggestion, I'm sure you have though of it, but have you tried riding on 138 west? There is a large shoulder and good visibility, granted it is not as scenic but seems safer at elast to me. Also a better place to hammer, at least for me

noobpone

I forgot to congratulate you on surviving!

spry

Drop the lycra,shoot her a moon.

ultraman6970

Actually in other countries besides the F word the guys just smash the tail lights with the pump, 3 secs tops, once the driver figure it out the cyclist is way to far to find him, in that way they wont forget ever again. Besides, insurance is not as efficient as here so for some stuff like that u have to eat the dust and spend the 500 bucks or whatever it is for the taillights, believe u dont forget no more, ever.

Barese Rider

Yes I head west on weekends and later in the day along 524 out thru Allaire, Howell and Jackson but enjoy an Ocean Ave ride early during the week. After what happened this AM Im thinking of just heading west until after Labor Day. But I have a feeling that this lady was a local so who knows?

noobpone

Well you have every right to be upset and your use of explitives was certainy called for. I'd hate to think of this lady is a local, as most know to obey the traffic laws, partying and ignoring the civility of the area is for Bennys only. Boy I hope I don't fall in that category.

Also where do I catch 524? I've been going down to belmar for over 10 years and only know the 138 route. Thanks

Zeake

You should have through in a great big C word as well for affect/effect

Barese Rider

Atlantic Avenue turns into 524. You can pick it up off of Rt 35 in Wall at the Manasquan Circle or if you head out 138 from Belmar take a jug handle left on Allenwood road and it t bones w/Atlantic Ave rt 524 in Wall. Go rt and you can head about as far west as you want.You can also head out Belmar Blvd, turn left on Hurly Pond and another left on Allenwood. Or head toSquankum Yellow Brook on Hurly Pond and when you get there take a left or right and youll get to 524. If you google this area you can take all kinds of routes to the reservoir and across rt 9 on relatively quiet roads. If you google ABC [Atlantic Bicycle Club ] you can find their route out to Perinville and back . Ive done it and its a nice ride but one needs directions to do it.

Barese Rider

I lke that idea !

Barese Rider

Noobpone. Theres a ride out of Brielle Cyclery at 8 am on Sat mornings that takes you out west . There's three rides this time of year a b and c. The A [42 miles] group is a hammerfest so be forewarned if you go with with them. The b [40miles] and c [30 miles]groups vary from week to week and end pretty much at Labor Day Weekend . The ABC allows "guests" provided you announce yourself and fall into the parameters of the ride. Im probably not going to be around on weekends until after labor day but let me know if you try any of the roads and or rides.

Howzit

Im all about that word, its so powerful....

On a serious note, I believe that it is really the cyclists responsibility.
I say this because when in Rome you do as the Romans do. My point is that in the US, traffic (vehicles) are not used to checking for cyclists and pedestrians, and as such, responsibility falls on you to keep an eye open.
Now im not saying this is the way it should be, im saying this is the way it is.

For example, when you are on streets with cross roads and traffic lights, the most obvious thing to look for is such people, turning while looking the other way. Secondly you should not be "hammering" on roads with intersections, thats only asking to get hit.
In fact, if you collected some of the world's greatest minds, and locked them in a room without food or water on the condition that they come up with a perfect suicide, that is the result they will return with. A sure-fire way to go. I would go as far as to say you should be ticketed for "hammering" in traffic filled with buffoons like the woman who nearly ran you down. Imagine the emotional anguish you would have caused her should you have died under her car? Imagine as she sipped on her soy chai latte gaining a valuable sympathy card from all her friends on alimony as she chatted on her cell phone all day with her friends.
Tut-tut old friend.

In conclusion I think you ought to find a nice stretch of road without intersections to hammer on, and just go on "cruise" mode as you make your way through the city on your way home. This way, you will have plenty of time to see "Cs" like that and avoid a potentially life changing, if not lethal event.

bostongarden

I say just count your blessings. Glad you're okay.

Barese Rider

That I did. When I got home I kissed my wife and told her that I loved her. She said boy are you sweaty and you stink what are you doing. I just smiled. I mean in the middle of what happened I would have settled for a 10 day hospital stay so I was happy to be home in one piece .

Barese Rider

Howzit, I think thats what Im going to do.

noobpone

Thanks for the routes, taking the same one has definately become a "little" boring. I'll give em a go next week when I'm vacationing there.

gazelle5333

what is it with people getting hit/almost getting hit by cars recently? This is like the 5th thread in the last few weeks...are people just getting more stupid?