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.
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08-23-2007, 02:07 AM #1
Can you see me now?
- Join Date
- Aug 2007
- Location
- PA
- Posts
- 176
Crashed, survived, recovered, riding again!
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08-23-2007, 03:09 AM #2
Red bikes rule!
- Join Date
- Jul 2006
- Location
- MD suburb of Washington, DC
- Posts
- 1,832
Wow. You are a tough woman. I would have taken the day off...or maybe two. Glad you recovered and aren't afraid to keep commuting by bike.
My bike commute is a highlight of my day.
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08-23-2007, 06:08 AM #3
Ride your ride.
- Join Date
- May 2006
- Location
- Md suburbs of Wash. DC
- Posts
- 2,131
That is an amazing story. As DB said, you're damned tough! Very glad that you're ok.
Keep it up!I stay very alert, always look for a way out, then breathe.
And I may need to move to PA, if their laws create such great insurance coverage."How about if we all just try to follow these very simple rules of the road? Drive like the person ahead on the bike is your son/daughter. Ride like the cars are ambulances carrying your loved ones to the emergency room. This should cover everything, unless you are a complete sociopath."
David Desautels, in a letter to velonews.com
Random babblings and some stuff to look at.
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08-23-2007, 06:38 AM #4
Wanna race?
- Join Date
- Jul 2005
- Location
- Cincinnati
- Posts
- 332
Holy Crap!
You are unbelievable! You rock! I don't think I would have been able to react like that, although you never know what adrenaline will do to you!
(okay - I'm quite positive I would have taken a few days off work)
Go girl!
Jeni
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08-23-2007, 06:59 AM #5
I like bikes
- Join Date
- Apr 2006
- Location
- Seattle
- Posts
- 8,548
wow, what a story! welcome to TE and keep riding!
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08-23-2007, 07:10 AM #6
Shine on...
- Join Date
- Mar 2007
- Location
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Posts
- 502
Oh my God! I got sick to my stomach just reading that! You are amazing. So glad you weren't hurt worse.
2007 Trek 5000
2009 Jamis Coda
1972 Schwinn Suburban
"I rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a bike. It gives her a feeling of self-reliance and independence the moment she takes her seat; and away she goes, the picture of untrammelled womanhood."
Susan B. Anthony, 1896
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08-23-2007, 07:10 AM #7
Grizzled
- Join Date
- Sep 2006
- Location
- Oslo, Norway
- Posts
- 4,066
Wow!
It takes guts to get back on the bike and finish your ride, but a lot more guts to do it again after all the adrenaline has gone away. Well done, and welcome to TE. We can trade horror stories all day long
Winter riding is much less about badassery and much more about bundle-uppery. - malkin
1995 Kona Cinder Cone commuterFrankenbike/Selle Italia SLR Lady Gel Flow
2008 white Nakamura Summit Custom mtb/Terry Falcon X
2000 Schwinn Fastback Comp road bike/Specialized Jett
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08-23-2007, 07:14 AM #8
picsiechick
- Join Date
- Jan 2005
- Location
- Vernon, British Columbia
- Posts
- 2,226
invs, You rock!!! Sending loads of butterflies to keep you totally visible even to drivers who aren't paying much attention!!
Hugs and butterflies,
~T~The butterflies are within you.
My photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/picsiechick/
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