I guess they win.

[telegirl]

I have decided to take a break from road riding.

Last night, after work, I went on a road ride. On one of the first fast downhill sections, a dually work truck passed me very closely and cut in right after he got by. The only problem was that he was pulling a long, flatbed trailer, which pushed me off the road and onto the dirt. Thank goodness I started mountain biking, because it gave me the skills and confidence to keep myself from doing a header into a tree.

Heading into the second half of my ride, I was on a straight road - you could see me for miles- and I saw several cars approaching me from behind (I always wear a helmet mirror). The third car back was a jacked up pickup truck with extra large mirrors. As they approached, I could see that he was over toward the side of the road so far that the mirror disappeared behind my head - This particular road was pretty torn up over the winter, so the edge of the road was not rideable at all. As he got closer, all I could think to do was to drop down onto my cross bar and duck as low as I could get - the mirror passed over me, but I had to try to ride through broken up asphalt. Again, love those mountain biking skills.

To get home, I have to ride over the Conneticut River, on a really well traveled road, but the road has a very wide shoulder so I thought that at least there, I could relax a little. As I was about half way over the bridge, I noticed a white car coming from behind, but instead of staying in his lane, he was drifting onto the shoulder. As I was on a bridge, I had nowhere to go. And there was a biker killed on that bridge by a drunk driver a few years ago and I literally thought that it was a good thing I had my Road ID, so that they could identify my body right away. I actually thought I was dead. And then the car slowed as it approached, leaned on the horn, a guy screamed at me out the window and then threw trash at me. Not young teenagers, either, but probably in their 20's.

I rode the remaining 5-6 miles to my car, sat in it and cried. Last year, I gave up road riding for awhile because of the close calls I had. But I figured I didn't want them to win and went back out this year with a vengence. But now, I just can't take it anymore and I would rather live to fight another day- So with sadness, I am saying goodbye to my road bike for awhile.....

[crazycanuck]

Telegirl. At least you made it to your car!

Are there any other areas you could bike to or around?

You mentioned you've taken up mountain biking: Perhaps stick to that for the time being. I hate being around cars & I think that's why I took up Mtb.

How far are the Mtb trails & do you have anyone to ride with?

I wish you luck in your quest to find a safe road

Take care

C

[Kimmyt]

Your post made me so sad and angry for you.

I am so filled with anger against these people. They just don't understand.

I hate that because of people like who you encountered, you have to give up a wonderful sport. But I know that you're making the right decision for you. Good luck, and keep pedalling, whether it be on the road or the dirt!

K.

[missymaya]

Oh telegirl, Im sorry this all happened, what are people thinking. Just reading your post really got my goat. But what can you do about it, even though your not riding the road anymore? Others might be riding the road too and might not be so lucky to live or not get hurt. Could you call up a local state representative or congressional member for your district and complain? (cause they do care). Call the cops? Talk to your local municipality or transportation group? Something needs to be done about this, whether it be a bike lane, share the road sign, or some ordinance providing more protection for cyclists.
But, whatever you do, if you love to ride, find some way to ride, whether on the trails or somewhere else. Dont let them stop you from enjoying your life.
I'm glad your ok and hope better riding days come your way.

[mimitabby]

Telegirl, Would you consider writing a letter to your local newspaper or even CALLING them and telling them what happened ? (ask for the city desk)!

I can't believe all that happened in one ride! what a bummer!

(it's the full moon!)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Yes PLEASE write a letter to your newspaper- or even ask to be interviewed for a small article! It might help someone, somehow, or might make some driver think for just a moment.
See if you can get license plate numbers as offending cars drive away, and report to the police. Report to the police anyway and tell them your story.
You never know where these efforts might lead- they could save some future biker's life if people are made more aware of what's going on.
Meanwhile...are there other safer roads that you could ride on in your area? Bike paths maybe, or rail-to-trail paths?

I'm so sorry- it's hard to believe that people act this way.

[7rider]

That is really distressing, Telegirl.
Vermont (and New Hampshire, if you crossed the CT river on your ride) seems to pride itself as a cycling destination. In fact, several tour companies I can think of off the top of my head have trips to VT. Cycling is a big industry in Vermont and it's terrible that there aren't better facilities (and treatment) for cyclists where you are.
I agree - talk to your local reps, the newspaper, even the chamber of commerce where you live.
Ignorant motorists should not be allowed to rule the roads.
Good luck. Don't give up on bikes all together. There are other options -- and perhaps better roads - for you out there!

[telegirl]

I'm afraid that right around my house, the roads are fairly narrow and heavily traveled. And unfortunately, more times than not, I am trying to save myself from getting thrown off my bike, into a tree or under someone's wheels and haven't gotten a license number.

Vermont (and New Hampshire) are definitely either bike friendly or bike haters. Not a lot inbetween. Most of the people I know have taken a year or two off of road riding after having one too many close calls. I can't tell you the number of times that people in my local coffee shop will explain to me why bikes shouldn't be on the road and how much they hate them. There are a lot of groups trying to push for more shoulders, cleaner shoulders, harsher penalties for drivers who are caught, etc., and I have started a draft of a letter to our local paper outlining my Ride for My Life last night.

It just really amazes me how clueless people are and how they don't realize that if they hit and kill me, their night is going to be ruined as well!

[mimitabby]

yay! Telegirl! go for it! and feel free to post your letter here if you'd like and we'll help you make it better.

I'm sorry that your neighborhood is so intolerant!

[RoadRaven]

I got the shivers reading that account, telegirl.

I completely understand you wanting to take a break from riding on the road - but OH WHAT A SHAME!!!!

Some of the things I have done to try and raise bike-awareness in car drivers...

Asked the local council to put up signs with bikes along our road (I am rural and it is 16kms to the nearest 'settlement' with a shop)

Talked to our neighbour, a traffic/police officer, and he has "had a chat" with a few locals on the road and drives his work car home when he can.

Asked the local school to pop occasional reminders in the school newsletter regarding bikes, and how many of the people on the local roads are children of the school, or children's parents/older siblings.

I really hope you can find somewhere safe to ride on the road, even if it means a drive.

Can you find someone else to bike with so you are more visible on the road?

Also, do you have long hair? If not, I suggest you make a fake pony tail and attach it somehow - research shows that people are more considerate of a cyclist when they believe the cyclist is female...

Good luck with finding a solution... I really hate to think you are being deprived of something you enjoy.

[Jenn]

Oh my gosh, telegirl, bless your heart, ugh...I HATE that crap. I don't know if you've seen some of my other posts but I mountain biked for years and was thinking that maybe I was just overly sensitive to being on the road with cars but no there are just ALOT of jerks out there,.
However, I've come to the conclusion that I am NOT and there are a bunch of angry, lazy A-HOLES out there that just want to make our lives hell for trying to make ours better.
I am so sorry that your rides are so limited due to your location. But, even then, like here, we could have 14 lanes WIDE open and I guarantee you some SOB is going to ride right up as close to you as he can get. Your paper is definately a GREAT idea. I actually wrote the base paper here after our "BMW" close call and the Base Commander addressed it stating that if drivers did not acknowledge and allow more room for people riding there would be heavy penalties..what those would be....(would probably not be much, if any) BUT he did address the incident!
I hope you are feeling better!!!
Jenn

[7rider]

I can't tell you the number of times that people in my local coffee shop will explain to me why bikes shouldn't be on the road and how much they hate them.

You know, it just blows my mind how so many people hate cyclists on the road and are so agressive towards them. And most of the reasons have to do with them being slower than traffic and "taking up space on the road." But, good grief, don't those descriptions apply to farm equipment and payloaders and street sweepers on the road? But, you never see motorists buzzing them, or screaming out the window to get that d**n tractor back in a field where it belongs, or throwing trash at them. It's always about picking on the little guy. It's all about intimidation and control (or lack thereof) in their sad little lives. <sigh>

[Jenn]

It comes down to today everything and everyone is rush, rush, rush, and that REALLY means drivers!! Like it takes a few seconds longer to get around a cyclist.

[cosc]

Telegirl, I'm so glad your still living and breathing to tell this horrible tale. People can be so selfish all they think about is hurry and get there or something worse. I want to go back to slug-bug horse-buggy lifestyle. Yes, the gals gave you good advice. Write about your experience to "letter to the editor" section of your paper. The people that put your life in danger might never see the article, but it would remind others not to be so clueless while sharing the roads with bicyclist. I think schools should have safe driving assemblies and include comments on driving safely w/ bike on roads, as well as no alcohol. I'm very leary of any teen driver. Just hearing about close-calls on the forums give me the hebie- jebies so I can understand your feelings. I hope you can find a place to ride that you feel comfortable again.

[Batbike]

Telegirl ... I hope you were able to report this to the media, police, or SOMEbody that can draw attention to the situation -- how AWFUL!! Glad you are OK. Can't blame you for wanting to stay off road bike, but sounds like it is more the roads than the bike, so maybe can find some better roads (in time). Heal ... ride your mountain bike and enjoy the ride!