Reality Check

[ninerfan]

Yesterday I completed the longest ride of my brief cycling career, a 30 mile ride with TNT, training for my first century.

I was so jazzed after my ride yesterday, not only because I had finished it, but because it was harder than anything I have experienced so far. There were several rollers and my first climb. Though my quads were screaming, the weather was gorgeous and I was so excited to move closer to my goal.

Then I heard today that 2 cyclists were struck and killed this morning on the route I rode yesterday. I remembered descending yesterday down the road and seeing a pick-up zoom around a bend in the opposite lane and thinking how even when we as cyclists do everything right, there are still drivers out there who are oblivious to the fact the the second they take to check their cell phone or whatever else is a second that is endangering our lives.

This has me pretty shaken. But it WILL NOT keep me from riding, and it will not keep me from riding that route again. Just wanted a place to vent my frustrations.

[Veronica]

Congrats on completing a tough ride.

I don't want to sound callous or blase, but my personal philosophy is, "Crap happens." You can't let the potential of something bad happening rule your life. You do what you can to minimize your risks - bright clothing, developing good handling skills, following the rules of the road.. but you can't control the other people out there.

Bad things can happen at any time, not just when you're on your bike. All we can do is keep living our lives and making the most out of each moment we have.

Carpe diem!

V.

[ninerfan]

To make matters worse, I just read that the car that struck the cyclists was a patrol car from the county sheriff's department. The car crossed the double yellow line. . But I do agree with you Veronica, crap happens and we can't allow it to rule our lives.

[Trek420]

Bad things can happen at any time, not just when you're on your bike. All we can do is keep living our lives and making the most out of each moment we have.

Carpe diem!

V.

I'm with V on this. The crash is very sad but we can't control what's behind us, can't control that piano dropped out of the UPS plane that hits us ... I don't mean to make light of this but there is a moment each time I get on a bike when I say to myself "self, pay attention, you could die out there".

But once I've done everything I can think of to be safe there's stuff that's just beyond our control.

Would I trade the thrill of a bike ride with its possible risks for the certainty of all the effects of a sedentary lifestyle?

No.

I was on a ride with my cousin, the one whose fiance died in a crash. We were descending Old Tunnel Road and on a curve when my front wheel got lodged into a crack in the road. I was turning right, the crack was going straight ahead Somehow I kinda bunny hopped out and completed the turn. Later when I said "did you see that we were .... and the crack went ... and I coulda ... but I did this and ...."

And he said simply "and yet you survived We don't ride to anticipate everything that could go wrong".

I figure if he can say that, I can.

Seize the carp. Go Niners

[smilingcat]

It is always very sad to hear about someone being killed on the road. I pray for the families whose loved one died.

I think what we need to realize is that life is fleeting and you never know how unexpected death can be. And we should be mindful of our lives and that we really need to live each day of our lives to the fullest. Never in fear, loathing nor in anger; but, to embrace it, enjoy what we have.

Strange, but a friend of mine just sent me this link. It is very touching and made me tear up. something to really think about.

http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=ithct48cqw

peace on earth, and peace be with you,
Smilingcat

[wackyjacky1]

http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=ithct48cqw

Wow, that's awesome. I just forwarded it to my friends and family.

[breezy]

The thing to think about is all the hundreds of cyclists who passed that very spot with no incident.

We all have such a false sense of safety while in our cars despite the fact that just about every stretch of road has seen some sort of injury or death, if not many. Feel safe on your bike cause as long as you are doing everything you can to stay safe you are exerting all the control you have over the issue.

[latelatebloomer]

I've had some scares that still shake my confidence, but I keep going because sometimes either during a ride or after, I feel like a great Amazon Queen, my self-esteem mountain-high and my body humming with good health. One idea that I use keep the fear in perspective is that statistically, cycling is safer than equestrian sports or skiing - and I'll jump on a horse at any opportunity, never thinking of omigodIcouldgetkilled. (skiing's another matter) And I figure that all the things I do right (wear brights, ride cautious, ride daylight) help a great deal. Yeah, the bad thing could happen. But I do believe I'm going to die sitting against a mighty tree, my silver braids blowing in the breeze, many, many years hence.