Shaking My Confidence

[five one]

So sorry you had such a terrible experience. Thankfully, these types of jerks are few and far between. Hope you'll get back out there soon and resolve not to let the b@stards get the better of you.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Yes, the van driver should have looked more carefully (or more than once) and had his signal on. But also you were passing moving traffic on the right. You were in his blind spot when he checked his mirrors just before turning. Mini-vans have big blind spots, too.
Even though it was basically his fault, cars just WILL do the wrong thing, and you can bet they'll do it on a regular basis. It's up to us to try to keep ourselves out of dangerous traffic situations where they can get us.
I always get really nervous when I start going faster than traffic and am on their right near the curb- it's a situation I try to avoid because I know eventually someone will suddenly turn right into a driveway without signaling and without seeing me, or one of them will suddenly swing a passenger door open to let someone out or something. It's always something. At that point I start coasting and make a choice to either get IN the lane with the traffic or else I slow down to their speed so I can watch for the obstacle course to unfold. Sometimes in that situation I'll even get on the sidewalk if there are clearly no pedestrians around anywhere. Whatever keeps me safe.

I'm sure glad you didn't get more badly hurt! Good thing you weren't going really fast.

[VeloVT]

Lisa, you're exactly right. I think that's why I'm still feeling badly about it. Even though the accident was technically the car's fault, nonetheless it was a situation I could have avoided.

Anyhoo. Sorry for the drift!

Be safe out there!

[HillSlugger]

I'm sorry that this happened to you. Never accept that "I know this is part of cycling". It shouldn't be a part of cycling and people acting that way shouldn't be a part of life. It's unacceptable behavior! Good on you for reporting it!

[Aggie_Ama]

Well dealing with jerks is part of life, sadly. But MD you are right, it shouldn't be and that is why I felt like I should file a report even with very little information.

We went for a ride tonight. I found myself very apprehensive of every car that passed. I felt like a newbie all over again but at least I was back out there.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Well dealing with jerks is part of life, sadly. But MD you are right, it shouldn't be and that is why I felt like I should file a report even with very little information.

We went for a ride tonight. I found myself very apprehensive of every car that passed. I felt like a newbie all over again but at least I was back out there.

Good for you Amanda. And good that you filed a report. If 3 cyclists file reports then they might get a description and put out some patrols looking for those jerks. Also, if someone else does get their license #, then the police will see the other reports filed and it will add proof of their guilt. A third reason is that if they continue to get away with this kind of thing, they might eventually cause a cyclist to get seriously hurt or killed.

The more you get out there now, the quicker you will feel stronger again.
Hugs to you.

[luv'nAustin]

Amanda,

I'm so sorry that you were treated that way by the teens. I'm also glad that you filed that report. Hope it never happens to you again. I would offer to ride with you this week so that you wouldn't have to go alone, but I moved and now live in North Carolina.

On another note, glad to hear that you found some good weather to ride. I hear that it is still raining quite frequently. I just left in late August...what a wet summer.


Liza- glad that you are ok. Stop beating yourself up. It sounds like you learned something from the experience that may help you if you ever find yourself in that same situation.

Be safe...one and all!

[onimity]

Amanda,

So sorry that this happened to you but I am VERY glad that you reported the information that you had to the police. I have had a few similar situations and know what you mean about feeling vulnerable and angry; a guy ran me off the road (intentionally) a few weeks back and I totally lost it on the phone with the police outside of my office. I was embarrassed & felt I should have been stronger but I think it is natural to react that way.

Teenagers especially can be so nasty to those they perceive as 'weaker'; they're probably the same sort that torture animals because they can't fight back. I hope that they get a taste of their own medicine someday and survive to learn from it.

I hope that you quickly recover your confidence; don't let the jerks take away your freedom.

Anne

[glamgurl36]

aw that sucks...

people can be so disrespectful..dont worry about it, not everyone is like that

[invsblwmn]

Punks r everywhere. we ride because we must. it is freedom, light, breath. do not let fear be your captor, make it ur coach to push u to the next level. u will be my inspiration for "rehab day 3" in the commuters board, invsblwmn crash thread. thank you for ur strength, we girls gotta hang together!

[elk]

why not--if you won't take a notebook-- carry a piece of paper and a golf pencil...so you can write it down? And a cell phone.

[northstar]

why not--if you won't take a notebook-- carry a piece of paper and a golf pencil...so you can write it down? And a cell phone.

The guy I chatted with at REI says he keeps a pen in his pocket and if something happens, he writes it right on his arm, as soon as he gets the chance.

I think that's a great idea. Easy enough to keep it in a pocket.