Quote Originally Posted by IFjane View Post
Yesterday while out on a short (17 mile) ride, my SO and I were heading down a short (1/4 mile) section of heavily-traveled highway. Visibility is good, though the road curves slightly to the right and goes a bit downhill. It is a two-lane highway (Rt. 15) with about 2 ft. of smooth pavement to the RIGHT of the white line.

We were riding on the right of the line and knew traffic was coming from behind. SO was about 25 yards behind me. A car passed and then I heard a large diesel motor. I did not turn to look, but kept my line & kept pedaling hard. Suddenly, beside me was a tractor-trailer, pulling closer and closer to me! I pretty much froze and everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. My choices were to try and stay on the pavement or hit the ditch, which was about a 4 ft. drop. It seemed to take forever for the truck to pass & I thought I was going to get sucked under the trailer. I managed to stay upright and on the pavement but for the life of me I don't know how. SO said the truck swung around him slightly & gave him about a foot of clearance (his estimate), but then it pulled back in toward me - SO's guess is that I had about 3 inches between me and the trailer!

After he passed I flipped him off (I know I shouldn't have but I wasn't thinking quite clearly at that point) and I yelled some words I don't usually say! When we got to the end of the quarter mile section of road and could pull off into a country store lot, I dissolved for about a minute - I guess the aftermath of a massive dose of adrenaline.
Im so glad you are ok!!
I can really relate to this as I got run off the road by a rubbish truck the other day. Funny thing was I got passed twice before the incident by two big trucks with those double trailers behind ( I found out later they were working on the little country road further ahead) and they passed when it was safe and gave me plenty or room. Then comes this rubbish truck and it just goes past with a car coming the other way. He obviously ran out of room and just started coming over and it was pull off to the side or be hit by the truck. Lucky for me the edge was level with the dirt and I managed to get off and stay upright. I really did feel like someone was watching over me that day because it is the only section of road where the drop off is not huge.

I agree with your son. I wont stop riding but I make sure that everyone in my family gets a big hug goodbye before I leave for a ride.