Scarey Semi Experience

[BeeLady]

I rode my bike often in heavy Houston traffic many years ago but have only been riding regularly for the last few months.

The following info helped me to better understand the risks of cycling.

http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/health/risks.htm

Now I feel like the aircraft pilot who has about 700 hours - which I believe is a very dangerous time for a pilot. Getting a little cocky, too sure of one's self, no longer as worried about the dangers. So, I'm back to concentrating on safety, but I don't want my perspective to become overly fearful either.

Glad you were able to hold your line when the truck went by.

[Duck on Wheels]

When I was learning to drive, my Mom warned me about hay trucks and log trucks. Some cousins of hers got sucked under one by the wind drag. They weren't on bikes even, they were in a sports car. If the aerodynamics of those things can suck a sports car in, imagine what they can do to a bike! Glad you managed to hold on there, Likinbikin!

[emily_in_nc]

The following info helped me to better understand the risks of cycling.
http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/health/risks.htm

I don't know if you are aware, but ironically, Ken Kifer, who wrote this page, was hit and killed by a motor vehicle a year or so (2 years?) ago. Very, very sad. Thankfully his informational web pages do remain behind. He was an incredibly safe and experienced cyclist. I believe he was hit from behind, which is statistically a rather rare way to be hit while riding a bike.

I had many thousands of miles of safe riding under my belt when I had my accident (dog-induced) in April of 2005 and fractured my pelvis in three places. Unfortunately, it's not really a matter of if you will crash, but when you will crash. Fortunately, some crashes are not serious, but some are obviously deadly. Close calls can be good if they teach us how to better handle a situation later. I definitely believe in rear view mirrors! Unfortunately, mine didn't help a bit with the two dogs who ran right out at me from the side -- nor could I even reach for my "Halt" pepper spray in time.

Emily

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I don't know if you are aware, but ironically, Ken Kifer, who wrote this page, was hit and killed by a motor vehicle a year or so (2 years?) ago. Very, very sad. Thankfully his informational web pages do remain behind. He was an incredibly safe and experienced cyclist. I believe he was hit from behind, which is statistically a rather rare way to be hit while riding a bike.

Emily, it appears Ken was hit by a drunk driver going in the opposite direction:
http://www.kenkifer.com/death.htm
So so sad and so tragically needless. His friend is maintaining his website which is so full of wonderful information for cyclists.

Beelady, I was not aware of Ken's website, thank you for pointing it out- I will read every single article!

[BeeLady]

The driver who killed KenKifer was drunk and released from jail only four hours earlier for DWI.

Also, what I've been able to glean from his site is that Ken did not wear a helmet and felt quite strongly about his right and his reasons not to wear one. I don't know if that would have made a difference when the drunk hit him.

[likinbikin]

"Now I feel like the aircraft pilot who has about 700 hours - which I believe is a very dangerous time for a pilot. Getting a little cocky, too sure of one's self, no longer as worried about the dangers. So, I'm back to concentrating on safety, but I don't want my perspective to become overly fearful either."
BeeLady
(sorry, I am not sure how to properly quote!)

This is where I was with my riding before I had my wakeup call. Thank you for Ken's website. I have learned alot from it already.

I went out for a ride again and was really nervy. I checked my mirror constantly and even when I knew a vehicle was coming I became startled as it passed. Hopefully I will get over that soon. I don't want to become overly fearful either I love riding!

There sure are alot of expected and unexpected ways to get yourself into trouble! Dogs, mice ( I just read a thread on here about a cyclist found dead on the side of a road next to a dead mouse),sticks, pot holes, cars, trucks...etc....! I even have to worry about Mountain Lions! There have been sightings around my area and is a rumour that the ND wildlife Dept is releasing Mtn lions to control the deer population. Along with that....it is hunting season so I get to hear gun shots going off in the distance as I ride. I never knew I lived in such a dangerous place until I started cycling! Maybe I should just pack my bike away for the winter and start fresh next year

It's a crazy world! Be Careful Out There Girls

[BeeLady]

Nah - don't pack your bike away!!! At least ride around big parking lots to practice emergency stops, fancy turns, holding a line, etc. And surely you can find somewhere other than a highway to get some miles in. Keep going!

[spokewench]

"Now I feel like the aircraft pilot who has about 700 hours - which I believe is a very dangerous time for a pilot. Getting a little cocky, too sure of one's self, no longer as worried about the dangers. So, I'm back to concentrating on safety, but I don't want my perspective to become overly fearful either."
BeeLady
(sorry, I am not sure how to properly quote!)

This is where I was with my riding before I had my wakeup call. Thank you for Ken's website. I have learned alot from it already.

I went out for a ride again and was really nervy. I checked my mirror constantly and even when I knew a vehicle was coming I became startled as it passed. Hopefully I will get over that soon. I don't want to become overly fearful either I love riding!

There sure are alot of expected and unexpected ways to get yourself into trouble! Dogs, mice ( I just read a thread on here about a cyclist found dead on the side of a road next to a dead mouse),sticks, pot holes, cars, trucks...etc....! I even have to worry about Mountain Lions! There have been sightings around my area and is a rumour that the ND wildlife Dept is releasing Mtn lions to control the deer population. Along with that....it is hunting season so I get to hear gun shots going off in the distance as I ride. I never knew I lived in such a dangerous place until I started cycling! Maybe I should just pack my bike away for the winter and start fresh next year

It's a crazy world! Be Careful Out There Girls

LiknBikn - Don't give up. We all have fears and sometimes the feelings go in waves. After I got hit by a car a few years ago, I had nervous feelings when cars got too close to me and still do every once in a while. It gets better with time and practice. Just don't give up

[likinbikin]

Thanks for the all of the encouragement! I won't give up riding, just need to make sure I am better aware of what I am doing and what is going on around me from now on. My DH would not appreciate me giving up after spending all the money on the bike, clothes and gear!

If many of you can overcome being actually injured during rides, I REALLY don't have any excuse to turn it all in! You all are great inspirations and I thank everyone for your responses

Michelle

[ChickWithBrains]

Always remember to do a backwards check when you're moving your position on the road -- mirror, quick look backwards after a careful study of the upcoming road, whatever floats your boat...

...and get rid of your distractors! Don't wear headphones on busy roads, don't grab a drink as the passing lane ends, don't fumble for Gu as the road gets rough. Stay safe! It's an awesome ride!!!

[tygab]

I have felt the same way, my husband and I did a bunch of riding in British Columbia near Squamish last summer. While the roads were not very heavily used, they were used by heavy trucks (logging trucks, and the occaisional hay truck). I had been riding oh, 4 months or so at the time. Needless to say as the loggers rolled by (some closer than others), it always freaked me out that I could look to my right and see nothing but truck wheel. I just held my line and kept pedaling when they'd go by.
I think taking whatever road you need is the best option. Trucks and cars have to share, even if they don't want to. But I know that is easier said than done.
The good thing, is once I was back in Mass riding the backroads, cars seemed more my equal. But we still hear too often of riders lost due to inattentive or drunk drivers.

But don't give up; enjoy each ride you get to go out on, and enjoy each safe return a little more...

[cosc]

Living in SD my road choices are mostly shoulderless. Years ago I used to ride the interstate when the shoulders were better and sp. limit lower. Those many big trucks would suck you around even with a big shoulder. On no shoulder roads when I notice 2 cars of opposite direction meeting close to me I get out in the middle of lane to hopefully slow car in back until safe to pass. I watch closely in my rear view mirror and ride accordingly. Yes, debris, broken glass alway shows up at the worst possible moments. I often just have to ride through it. I feel much safer wearing brillantly bright clothing for visibility. I try to ride roads with little traffic. Sometimes I have to load my bike to ride roads I feel are safer to ride with high winds, sand, gravel and possibly icy patches. Keep lovin that biking!