How about getting shot on your home commute?

[mimitabby]

http://petermckay.blogspot.com/2007/...mute-home.html


My husband just left on a 130 mile bike ride, but before he left he forwarded this to me.
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I am sitting up in my hospital bed with my MacBook Pro. Harborview has the UW WiFi network. I have access by virtue of being an alumnus. Anita brought my laptop to me tonight to make feel "normal.”

Last night, I left Bellevue at 7pm on my bicycle under clear skies and crisp cold temperature. It was one of those wonderful commutes home. While it was dark, I had my usual compliment of front and rear lights.

It was cold, but I stayed warm under my long-sleeve wool t-shirt, bib shorts, tights, wool socks, wool glove liners, bicycle gloves and long-sleeve yellow jersey. Every pedal stroke/revolution of the crank brought warmth into my core. I was very happy.

I enjoy riding during autumn: the colors, the scents, the “rice crispy” crackle of orange and red maple leaves underneath my spinning wheels.

I am nearly home. A mile from home, I hit a pot-hole and puncture my front tire. I replace the tube, but have difficulty getting the tire bead to hold to the rim. On the third try, it holds. I mount my bicycle, ride another two blocks and a car passes to my left. I hear gun-like shots and immediately feel pain in my chest. I ride a short distance and stop. I hunch over my handlebars while I “absorb” the pain. Every inhalation brings a sharp pain to my left lung, as if I had a broken rib. I look at my “clean” yellow jersey. As there are no marks, I suppose that the assailants shot me with an air gun or some sort of blunt projectile.

[Eden]

Yikes!!! that is too scary - he was just minding his own business and someone nearly killed him. I'll bet the dumb **cks who did it think that they are "safe" if they just use bb's - but they nearly killed him! I only wish that he had gotten a license plate. The police at least usually take it seriously if guns are involved. He at least ought to go on the news to 1. spread the word that someone is doing this and 2. make it entirely clear that shooting anyone, even with bb's is a stupid and serious thing to do - that you can seriously hurt or even kill someone.

(cross posted his blog to Cascade - locals need to know about this!)

[mimitabby]

Thanks Eden for doing that.. I was thinking of it...

[northstar]

[LBTC]

Mimi, is that someone you know? How awful!!

Hugs and extra butterflies for his quick recovery,
~T~

[Tri Girl]

How terrifying!!!

Stupid punks- just let people ride their d*mn bikes and leave us alone! Why do people out walking, running, or riding appear as targets for hooligans. I hope they can catch the little jerks. I'm so angered right now. Grrrrrr...

A couple years ago we had a huge problem where kids with bb guns were shooting out car windows, store windows, and wreaking havoc. My mom's car was hit and she had to replace the back window and side windows. They finally caught the little buggers, and they were so pathetic (all sad and crying). Like they didn't know it was wrong... please.

[smilingcat]

Dear Mimi,

YOU HAVE TO REPORT THIS TO THE POLICE. BB or not, this needs to be reported.

Too many idots think BB's can't hurt. Growing up, boys in my neighborhood used to shoot and kill sparrows perched on a tree limb or telephone poles. They wouldn't stop on count of me. I also know of a NRA nut at my work and he told me that todays BB's can kill a child. He said that it kills one or two child every year. I remeber him telling me that those thing have a muzzle velocity (speed of the bullet) the same as a 22 caliber.

Simply, he said they are very dangerous.

I hope he is okay. OMG!! I can't believe these crazy kids today!!

smilingcat