Too close for comfort

Yesterday while out on a short (17 mile) ride, my SO and I were heading down a short (1/4 mile) section of heavily-traveled highway. Visibility is good, though the road curves slightly to the right and goes a bit downhill. It is a two-lane highway (Rt. 15) with about 2 ft. of smooth pavement to the RIGHT of the white line.

We were riding on the right of the line and knew traffic was coming from behind. SO was about 25 yards behind me. A car passed and then I heard a large diesel motor. I did not turn to look, but kept my line & kept pedaling hard. Suddenly, beside me was a tractor-trailer, pulling closer and closer to me! I pretty much froze and everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. My choices were to try and stay on the pavement or hit the ditch, which was about a 4 ft. drop. It seemed to take forever for the truck to pass & I thought I was going to get sucked under the trailer. I managed to stay upright and on the pavement but for the life of me I don't know how. SO said the truck swung around him slightly & gave him about a foot of clearance (his estimate), but then it pulled back in toward me - SO's guess is that I had about 3 inches between me and the trailer!

After he passed I flipped him off (I know I shouldn't have but I wasn't thinking quite clearly at that point) and I yelled some words I don't usually say! When we got to the end of the quarter mile section of road and could pull off into a country store lot, I dissolved for about a minute - I guess the aftermath of a massive dose of adrenaline.

Being a cyclist, I have had close calls before; things that happened quickly and scared me but were over in an instant. This was something entirely different. It seemed to take forever to play out and scared me far worse than anything else ever has. I was telling my DS about it last night (he, too, is a cyclist and has had similar experiences). His advice is to tell all those close to us that we love them, to hug them whenever possible, and then go out and ride, knowing that we can only control so much of what happens. I agree. So here is a big hug for all you wonderful women and men on TE - {{{{{{{{{{{{{HUG}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

This almost made me cry :o

((hugs)) back.

((big Hugs)) back! Glad you're okay!

Hugs Jane back

I hate stories like this... I wish people behind engines would consider consequences before they take risks like this.

Maybe before they get licenses they should have to ride a bicycle on a busy highway so they understand....

So pleased you are ok, Jane

Thank you all for your good thoughts! I am physically fine - it remains to be seen how I will react the next time a huge truck passes me. For the time being I plan to stick to our little country roads where there is little traffic. ;)

{{{HUGS}}}}!!!

I was telling DH last night after my incident "I feel stupid for being so upset, they didn't hurt me". He went on an absolute tirade about how I couldn't be upset, that those losers had no right to be that way to me. I was obeying laws (like yourself) and just getting some enjoyable exercise.

It is a sad world we live in when motorists view us as pests instead of someone's wife, mother, sister, daughter, best friend.... Your son is wise, I send e-hugs to all you wonderful TE friends and plan to ride again whenever I want!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IFjane

Yesterday while out on a short (17 mile) ride, my SO and I were heading down a short (1/4 mile) section of heavily-traveled highway. Visibility is good, though the road curves slightly to the right and goes a bit downhill. It is a two-lane highway (Rt. 15) with about 2 ft. of smooth pavement to the RIGHT of the white line.

We were riding on the right of the line and knew traffic was coming from behind. SO was about 25 yards behind me. A car passed and then I heard a large diesel motor. I did not turn to look, but kept my line & kept pedaling hard. Suddenly, beside me was a tractor-trailer, pulling closer and closer to me! I pretty much froze and everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. My choices were to try and stay on the pavement or hit the ditch, which was about a 4 ft. drop. It seemed to take forever for the truck to pass & I thought I was going to get sucked under the trailer. I managed to stay upright and on the pavement but for the life of me I don't know how. SO said the truck swung around him slightly & gave him about a foot of clearance (his estimate), but then it pulled back in toward me - SO's guess is that I had about 3 inches between me and the trailer!

After he passed I flipped him off (I know I shouldn't have but I wasn't thinking quite clearly at that point) and I yelled some words I don't usually say! When we got to the end of the quarter mile section of road and could pull off into a country store lot, I dissolved for about a minute - I guess the aftermath of a massive dose of adrenaline.

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Im so glad you are ok!!
I can really relate to this as I got run off the road by a rubbish truck the other day. Funny thing was I got passed twice before the incident by two big trucks with those double trailers behind ( I found out later they were working on the little country road further ahead) and they passed when it was safe and gave me plenty or room. Then comes this rubbish truck and it just goes past with a car coming the other way.:eek: He obviously ran out of room and just started coming over and it was pull off to the side or be hit by the truck. Lucky for me the edge was level with the dirt and I managed to get off and stay upright. I really did feel like someone was watching over me that day because it is the only section of road where the drop off is not huge.

I agree with your son. I wont stop riding but I make sure that everyone in my family gets a big hug goodbye before I leave for a ride.

Glad to hear you are okay! And whoo-boy, can I relate to your story. I had a very similar experience several years ago.

forums.teamestrogen.com/showpost.php?p=213826&postcount=14

I just cannot understand what could be going on in the heads of drivers who, because of meanness and/or stupidity, are willing to risk destroying the life of another human being. It boggles the mind.