invsblwmn
08-23-2007, 02:07 AM
I've been commuting by bike for about 1.5 years in Harrisburg, Pa. Snow was fun, lots of rain, but the biggest challenge is the people in their gas eaters. Last April while riding a shoulder at about 30 mph, a landscaping truck passed me on the left and then immediately turned right without signalling.
I saw the beginning of the turn, hit the brakes and broadsided him on the right side of his truck. My cannondale's handlebars with my hand got wedged under his backend. Feet were cleated in, he drug me upright about 20-30 feet when i finally got unwedged and bonked on my left elbow, feet popped out of the cleats.
Thank God for Pearl Gavia, for real. One tear in my pants, none in the coat, lots of bruises, separated shoulder, broken left pinky, nail came off, only blood was on the pinky and impact on the elbow(no bandaid even needed). The Sidis survived with only a slight scratch, phew(sad isn't it?). The helmet I would NEVER go without, my Bell alchera, phew.
I was so pumped and angry that I got up, stood on the front tire which was now perpendicular to the handlebar, pulled hard, shoulder popped back in and straighted that dang tire.
Seven people witnessed the accident, no one got the plates. Cops investigated two landscaping companies, no charges filed. Get this, though, my CAR insurance paid for my medical bills and gave my a "pain and suffering" check, PA law, go figure... No deductible, no increases in costs to me.
Anyway, Got on the bike, finished (swearing the whole way)the remaining seven mile commute to the hospital where I work, got sent to the ER by my department manager, and finished the day (with a ride home, I was hurting by then).
About 2 weeks later the sling came off, the finger nail started showing signs of returning, and one week later, back on the bike, after $600 in repairs.
I have had many near misses riding in the city(one not so much a miss, but a hit:) ), but I wouldn't trade it for the world. It is my sanity, my breath... I stay very alert, always look for a way out, then breathe.
Ride on.
I saw the beginning of the turn, hit the brakes and broadsided him on the right side of his truck. My cannondale's handlebars with my hand got wedged under his backend. Feet were cleated in, he drug me upright about 20-30 feet when i finally got unwedged and bonked on my left elbow, feet popped out of the cleats.
Thank God for Pearl Gavia, for real. One tear in my pants, none in the coat, lots of bruises, separated shoulder, broken left pinky, nail came off, only blood was on the pinky and impact on the elbow(no bandaid even needed). The Sidis survived with only a slight scratch, phew(sad isn't it?). The helmet I would NEVER go without, my Bell alchera, phew.
I was so pumped and angry that I got up, stood on the front tire which was now perpendicular to the handlebar, pulled hard, shoulder popped back in and straighted that dang tire.
Seven people witnessed the accident, no one got the plates. Cops investigated two landscaping companies, no charges filed. Get this, though, my CAR insurance paid for my medical bills and gave my a "pain and suffering" check, PA law, go figure... No deductible, no increases in costs to me.
Anyway, Got on the bike, finished (swearing the whole way)the remaining seven mile commute to the hospital where I work, got sent to the ER by my department manager, and finished the day (with a ride home, I was hurting by then).
About 2 weeks later the sling came off, the finger nail started showing signs of returning, and one week later, back on the bike, after $600 in repairs.
I have had many near misses riding in the city(one not so much a miss, but a hit:) ), but I wouldn't trade it for the world. It is my sanity, my breath... I stay very alert, always look for a way out, then breathe.
Ride on.