rite of passage

I was right hooked today. I was lucky that the driver was going slow, and although I was going pretty fast, I was able to brake and turn right with her. The only thing that's hurt is my right elbow, which was hit by the passenger side mirror. I think pure stubbornness kept me from falling. I got one foot down, and as I was being pushed over by the car, I-was-not-going-down. That was a long second. I don't know how I held it up, but I did.

She was pulling into a gas station when she hit me, and I went in after her to tell her she just hit me. Yeah, that was warm and fuzzy. I think I would have felt better had she asked me if I was okay, but she was just defensive, and said she didn't see me. I stayed pretty calm considering, and pointed out that a turn signal, and checking to see if anyone was in the bike lane is what she should have done. I don't think she even believed she hit me since she never saw me. I just left at that point. Lecturing her on driving rules was only making her more defensive, and nothing she was saying was making me feel any better.

I have a minor bruise, and my bike is fine. It could have been much worse. C'est la vie.

Wow, glad you're okay.

I definitely would've called the cops, though.

Yeah, I probably should have. I didn't do any of the things I thought I'd do. I didn't write down her license plate. I can't even tell you what color car it was, never mind make or model. I didn't even know my elbow was hurt until I was several miles down the road. I guess I was a bit in shock.

I'm going to go to my chiropractor, just in case. I feel fine, but last time I crashed it triggered a migraine. I wouldn't be surprised if it put me out of alignment.

I notice I get super calm after this kind of stressful event. I'm a little more shaken up now than I was when it happened. Last year when I wiped out on sand, I felt almost euphoric afterward. After today's incident, I was probably too calm (like, I should have been getting license plates and cops, noticing the elbow was hurt), and now I remember the accident in a choppy way, and the rest of the ride is a blur. I did not hit the ground, so I did not hit my head. I'm guessing it's just a reaction to stress hormones?

Ugh, the classic SMIDSY* defense. :(

Well, glad you and the bike are ok, but to anyone still paying attention:

Be prepared to act on stuff like this! Take a cell phone picture of their car, get the person's insurance info, keep them there until cops get there, whatever, just like a regular car-to-car fender bender! No reason that being on a bike should release you of any of your rights as the hitee.

-- gnat!

* Sorry, Mate, I Didn't See You

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Originally Posted by redrhodie

I notice I get super calm after this kind of stressful event. I'm a little more shaken up now than I was when it happened. Last year when I wiped out on sand, I felt almost euphoric afterward. After today's incident, I was probably too calm (like, I should have been getting license plates and cops, noticing the elbow was hurt), and now I remember the accident in a choppy way, and the rest of the ride is a blur. I did not hit the ground, so I did not hit my head. I'm guessing it's just a reaction to stress hormones?

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Last Saturday I grade 2 sprained my left ankle during a trail relay. I finished my leg (another ~4.5 miles) and ran my second leg (5.4 miles) a few hours later. I was in minimal pain, even though I looked like I had a golfball under my ankle and things were turning purple.

Adrenaline is an amazing thing. 8 days later I am in a splint and still walking around pretty clumsily with a great deal of stiffness and weakness in my left ankle and probably won't be able to run comfortably for another 3-4 weeks or more.

Take care of yourself. You may have incurred more injury than you think. Make sure that elbow is not fractured...I would get an x-ray, just to be sure. Apparently some people can have breaks that are not painful, but won't heal well if not treated right away.

I'm glad you're otherwise OK. That driver was an idiot. Scary how many oblivious people share the roads with us.

That sounds scary. Glad you aren't hurt any worse. I think feeling shakier after the fact is normal -- at least it is for me.

Glad you're OK, Red. I thought falling was my right of passage?!

Thanks, guys. I'm feeling good today. No pain. The bruise is really minor, and I walked to the store earlier and everything felt fine.

Don't know how I rode away from that one without a scratch on my bike. Whew!

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Originally Posted by redrhodie

Thanks, guys. I'm feeling good today. No pain. The bruise is really minor, and I walked to the store earlier and everything felt fine.

Don't know how I rode away from that one without a scratch on my bike. Whew!

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Glad to hear there was no serious damage to you or your bike! I also thought falling was the rite of passage.

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Originally Posted by Catrin

Glad to hear there was no serious damage to you or your bike! I also thought falling was the rite of passage.

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There are many, grasshopper. ;) Don't worry, some are good, like passing the 10,000 mile mark, which I'm guessing you'll do by Sept at this rate!

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Originally Posted by redrhodie

There are many, grasshopper. ;) Don't worry, some are good, like passing the 10,000 mile mark, which I'm guessing you'll do by Sept at this rate!

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LOL :D Looking forward to those GOOD rites of passage!

Now time to go ride my bike in the heat and the sunshine :)

My bike-vs-car was a woman pulling into a parking space on the side of the road. It worked out quite well, because she was an insurance lady, and there was an ambulance 2 cars back. :eek:

I only suffered some bone bruising.

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Originally Posted by redrhodie

There are many, grasshopper. ;) Don't worry, some are good, like passing the 10,000 mile mark, which I'm guessing you'll do by Sept at this rate!

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10,000 miles?

That's going to destroy the rest of my afternoon................

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Originally Posted by TrekTheKaty

10,000 miles?

That's going to destroy the rest of my afternoon................

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Lifetime, not in one year. Better? Plus, I made it up. :D

Oweeergh.... physical contact with a car is Not a Good Thing :eek: :mad:

It never fails to amaze me how many drivers don't realize that their blithe "oops, didn't see you, sorry!" moment is more like "OMG I almost died!!" to a cyclist. It is so not like buzzing another car, or even bumping into one, which would probably generate more shock and disturbance than bumping into a cyclist...

Glad you came out safe.

Glad you are OK, Red.