I’ve been scared a relatively few times when cycling, Saturday was one of them. In the past, I’ve crashed, almost crashed, and seen many crashes, but trucks are what really get me.
On Saturday, on a bike ride up a long hill on my way to Valley Center, CA, I entered a construction zone and could not get out. It all seemed normal until I suddenly entered an area where the construction crew had put the dividers dangerously close together--in fact, I’m not sure how most cars fit through.
I glanced back around as I found myself in this narrow pass, and sure enough a series of pick up trucks, vans, and a large semi was heading towards me - not slowing down.
Now, educated drivers, when entering a construction zone would see a biker and slow down, realizing that there was not enough room for a bike and a car. Unfortunately, the cars behind me were not of this same cloth. They were on their way home to mamma and a martini.
I thought quickly and saw a place about 100 yards ahead where I would be able to stop, but as the trucks passed me one by one at speeds of close to 60mph, I was shocked that they continued to blaze past me, narrowly missing me each time.
People driving cars really have no idea how dangerous their actions are to bikers. As I neared the ‘safe zone,’ a truck with a grudge nudged me, either from sheer lack of depth perception and spatial skills, or from his Bud Light for lunch, or because he was simply one of those drivers who enjoy causing bike crashes – we all know the type – the same people who hurl their glass bottles out their car window trying to hit the passing signs, and same guys who like to yell loudly from their window to try to scare bikers as they pass.
This black, jacked-up truck brushed my left shoulder pushing me to the right. Holding on tightly to my handle bars, my adrenaline went into full release mode and I leaned back into the truck, as he jammed into me, pushing my leg to scrape into the guard rail.
I then reached out and punched his car, which made a loud noise – and he backed away. He drove away and I made it to the safe area where I could dismount my bike and walk the rest of the way in the dirt, to then safely turn around - and leave the construction area. Luckily, I got out of this one with nothing more than a mild abrasion.
WARNING to California Cyclists. Avoid the Construction Zone between Escondido and Valley Center. It is a bicyclist’s death trap. In fact, avoid all construction zones if possible. Remember to keep your cool and your balance if you are attacked by a rogue driver or passenger that has watched “Mad Max” one too many times. Focus on safety.
On Saturday, on a bike ride up a long hill on my way to Valley Center, CA, I entered a construction zone and could not get out. It all seemed normal until I suddenly entered an area where the construction crew had put the dividers dangerously close together--in fact, I’m not sure how most cars fit through.
I glanced back around as I found myself in this narrow pass, and sure enough a series of pick up trucks, vans, and a large semi was heading towards me - not slowing down.
Now, educated drivers, when entering a construction zone would see a biker and slow down, realizing that there was not enough room for a bike and a car. Unfortunately, the cars behind me were not of this same cloth. They were on their way home to mamma and a martini.
I thought quickly and saw a place about 100 yards ahead where I would be able to stop, but as the trucks passed me one by one at speeds of close to 60mph, I was shocked that they continued to blaze past me, narrowly missing me each time.
People driving cars really have no idea how dangerous their actions are to bikers. As I neared the ‘safe zone,’ a truck with a grudge nudged me, either from sheer lack of depth perception and spatial skills, or from his Bud Light for lunch, or because he was simply one of those drivers who enjoy causing bike crashes – we all know the type – the same people who hurl their glass bottles out their car window trying to hit the passing signs, and same guys who like to yell loudly from their window to try to scare bikers as they pass.
This black, jacked-up truck brushed my left shoulder pushing me to the right. Holding on tightly to my handle bars, my adrenaline went into full release mode and I leaned back into the truck, as he jammed into me, pushing my leg to scrape into the guard rail.
I then reached out and punched his car, which made a loud noise – and he backed away. He drove away and I made it to the safe area where I could dismount my bike and walk the rest of the way in the dirt, to then safely turn around - and leave the construction area. Luckily, I got out of this one with nothing more than a mild abrasion.
WARNING to California Cyclists. Avoid the Construction Zone between Escondido and Valley Center. It is a bicyclist’s death trap. In fact, avoid all construction zones if possible. Remember to keep your cool and your balance if you are attacked by a rogue driver or passenger that has watched “Mad Max” one too many times. Focus on safety.
-Mitch
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2 comments:
Dang! Looks like you're lucky to get out of that with just those scrapes.
Bad scrape...could have been worse. Glad you're ok. I hate trucks...they hurt. I lost a Chevy Tahoe vs. cyclist fight and know the pain/rush.
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