Crash,T-boned a car on Saturday. Anybody have these thoughts?

"Bman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

So I am with my group ride on Sat in the West Covina area climbing
Grand Ave going south for those of you that know the area. The decent
is fast and at the bottom there is a shopping center. I don't push it
in this area because you never know whats going to happen. Near the
end of the shopping center a guy does a left turn in front of me and
stops. Later he said he did not see me. His positon when he stops puts
the front of his car father than the sidewalk line would be. No time
to swerve and not enough room. I impact at 21 - 24 mph at his fender
above the wheel. I as always trained not to do a head on if you can
avoid it. I have just enough time to lock the rear brake, brodie the
back tire to the left slide and I remember unclicking my left foot
from the pedal. I impact puting a huge dent in the fender of his 74
Ford (like an El Camino). I land on his hood, and fall off the car
forward to the ground in front of the car.

Seconds latter, it was like the wind was knocked out of me and I am in
shock. ME in an accident, impossible! I sort of check myself out on
the ground and every thing is intack, nothing broken-so far ok. By
this time the driver is out of the car having a panic attack. I get
up look at my 3 month old Bianchi XL Carbon 15 1/2 lb bike on the
ground by the fender where I left it. Upon inspection the front and
rear wheel is trash and the frame may be cracked. The driver is
insured. (good thing)

All week end long I was wondering if I should give this up.

Anybody else have these thoughts?

Sorry about your bike. Glad you seem to be OK.

I was having deja vu as I read your account. In my case, a teenage girl
talking on a cell phone made a left turn in front of me. I was probably
going in excess of 25 mph at the time. A car passed me on the left and the
teenager, driving in the oncoming direction, turned left immediately behind
the vehicle that passed me. She never looked. It wouldn't have mattered if
I was driving a tractor trailer -- except that she'd have spent the next
week and a half in the hospital instead of me. Broke my hip, pelvis, ankle,
plus I had a compression fracture of the spine. I went off her front fender
and into her windshield which launched me straight up in the air. I landed
squarely on my head.

I thought about never riding again. For a while, I didn't figure I'd have a
choice. But as it became clear that I'd be able to walk again ... and ride
.... I couldn't wait to get back out there.

I'm more careful about the roads I select and the times of day I ride. I
also embrace the philosophy where I assume I'm invisible and ride
accordingly.

Give it a few days. You'll be itching to get back out there.

Again, glad you're OK. (I hope you've made sure you're OK.)

Bob C.

"Bman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

All week end long I was wondering if I should give this up.

Anybody else have these thoughts?

If you mean give up crashing, yes. But if you mean give up riding, hell no.
Would you give up eating just because you had a crappy meal?

Cheto

(Bman) said:

All week end long I was wondering if I should give this up.

Anybody else have these thoughts?

Yeah, it took me about a week to ten days to 2 weeks on the outside to get
back my nerve from a low speed crash where I dinged my ribs pretty good
U-turning in the rain on an incline.

Ride somewhere low risk, perhaps, but get back on the bike right away if
you're not injured. I had to not ride for about 4 days while my rib healed,
I thought, in case I fell again, I didn't want to be less than 100%. Had
trouble sleeping on it for a week. Then suddenly about 8 days out, iirc, I
had the nerve and drive to ride again and the incident faded.

The whole insurance, hidden injuries, bike replacement is another thing.

Since your bike looks to be unrideable, hope you have a back up.

Good bike handling though. If you're up at the level of 'group riding' at
decent speed you're in too good a condition to not keep it up.

Good luck.

-B

Quoted message said:

Anybody else have these thoughts?

I'm glad you're okay, Bman.

I own and occasionally drive an SUV. I've rolled it and been rear-ended
three times, once by a semi-truck (that one hurt). I don't drive
often, but when I do I always encounter idiots on the road. It's never
even occured to me to give up driving because somebody dies every two
weeks in my county in a car accident. In the next county over, they
average two traffic deaths per year, and they have much traffic as
ever.

I hit a car with my bike once (my fault), and I've been hit twice,
including the
left-cross-over-the-hood-faceplantwindshield-fly-up-hit-the-ground-wham.
I've had a number of near-hits, including last week when the driver
completely blew through a stop sign without looking for cross traffic.
It's never crossed my mind to quit riding.

Bob C writes that he rides as if he's invisible. If he's talking about
riding defensively and always watching the other traffic, I agree
absolutely. I ride to make myself as visible as possible. That means
moving away from the curb, if necessary, to where people expect to see
other traffic.

RFM

Bman said:

Seconds latter, it was like the wind was knocked out of me and I am in
shock. ME in an accident, impossible! I sort of check myself out on
the ground and every thing is intack, nothing broken-so far ok. By
this time the driver is out of the car having a panic attack. I get
up look at my 3 month old Bianchi XL Carbon 15 1/2 lb bike on the
ground by the fender where I left it. Upon inspection the front and
rear wheel is trash and the frame may be cracked. The driver is
insured. (good thing)

All week end long I was wondering if I should give this up.

Anybody else have these thoughts?

No, I think back to my first auto accident (15 years old with a
learner's permit), when I T-boned a car pulling the same sort of stunt
in reverse. Dad drove me the rest of the way to Grandmother's, but he
made me drive home. He said something like, "You've got to get back in
the driver's seat before you get too scared of it."

He's insured, so you'll soon be riding another nice new bike. Get out
on that new bike as soon as you can.

Some of the standard advice goes without saying, so I'll say it too. 😉
Get yourself checked out thoroughly -- you don't want to find out six
months down the road that there's something seriously wrong, and you
have to pay for it. Take care of your injuries, including the road
rash. Insist on full compensation from the insurance adjuster -- call
in a lawyer if necessary.

But get back out there riding as soon as you can. It's still fun!

Pat

Final word on the "ride as if you were invisible"...you have to watch out
for the 4-wheelers...'cause you cannot count on them watching out for YOU...

Brian.

Work to eat
Eat to live
Live to ride
Ride to work...

1 Nov 2004 08:35:24 -0800,
<[email hidden]>,

(Bman) said:

All week end long I was wondering if I should give this up.

Why? It sounds like you survived more or less intact and now you're
smarter.

Quoted message said:

Anybody else have these thoughts?

Yes. They will pass.
--
zk

"Badger_South" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

(Bman) said:

All week end long I was wondering if I should give this up.

Anybody else have these thoughts?

Yeah, it took me about a week to ten days to 2 weeks on the outside to get
back my nerve from a low speed crash where I dinged my ribs pretty good
U-turning in the rain on an incline.

I still get a minor "freak out" feeling when I ride through the intersection
where I had the hit-and-run earlier this year, so I know where you're both
coming from.

Glad to hear you survived Bman. Next, light a candle at your local church,
synagogue, shinto shrine, or whatever is your preference and give a little
thanks. Think of it as a warning not to quit riding but as a warning to
continue keep your eyes open and your brain clear.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
please substitute yahoo for mousepotato to reply
Home of the meditative cyclist:
http://home.earthlink.net/~cpetersky/Welcome.htm
Personal page: http://www.geocities.com/cpetersky/
See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

Bman said:

All week end long I was wondering if I should give this

up.

Quoted message said:

Anybody else have these thoughts?

Sure. The worst time I had them, though, was when I was
driving.
I was involved in a 4 car wreck on the Kennedy Expressway
and it was many weeks before I felt secure enough to get
back to driving on the expressway again.

My point is this: these are natural feelings after an
accident, no matter what the vehicle.
Don't rush it. Ease back in as you feel comfortable.

--
Mike Kruger
A new Florida poll shows President Bush winning the state by
twenty
thousand lawyers. - Andy Borowitz

Quoted message said:

Final word on the "ride as if you were invisible"...you have to watch out
for the 4-wheelers...'cause you cannot count on them watching out for YOU...

Brian.

Work to eat
Eat to live
Live to ride
Ride to work...

I also commuted with a motorcycle in L.A. for 5 years. I use the same
rules when I ride bicycle in traffic.

1. Nobody sees you. (You're invisible.)
2. If they can see you, they will try to hit you.

With rule 2, it was unfortunately too true in L.A. I don't think 4
wheelers are quite as antagonistic towards bicyclists vs. motorcyclists.
But it doesn't hurt to act like it. The only accidents I had on bicycle
or motorcycle were primarily my fault and didn't result in serious injury.

If I could, I would make everyone ride a bike and/or a motorcyle in
traffic at least one week a year. It would sure change their awareness.

Bryan

Cheto said:

"Bman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

All week end long I was wondering if I should give this up.

Anybody else have these thoughts?

If you mean give up crashing, yes. But if you mean give up riding, hell no.
Would you give up eating just because you had a crappy meal?

Cheto

Yeah, we've all been there. I was hit by a car 2 years ago (exactly,
it was late october). It pretty much ended my season, since I had
minor injuries and wheel damage. But even if I'd been uninjured, I'd
probably have gone riding again as soon as I could. When spring came,
I was eager to ride again but I have to admit, it was a while before I
would go through the intersection where I'd been in the accident. It's
a terrible intersection, and I'd take an alternate route. But
eventually I got over that, although I still hate that [censored]
intersection and avoid it at all costs during rush hour (which was
when the accident happened). Otherwise, it's not too bad. I think
being skittish after an accident is normal; fear is nature's way of
protecting us.

It was a different story after I had abdominal surgery. The first
thing I asked the surgeon when I went for post-op was "When will I be
able to do normal stuff- like ride my bike?" I guess most people ask
about sex, but let's face it, you can have sex any time of the year.

email hidden said:

Quoted message said:

Anybody else have these thoughts?

I'm glad you're okay, Bman.

I own and occasionally drive an SUV. I've rolled it and been rear-ended
three times, once by a semi-truck (that one hurt). I don't drive
often, but when I do I always encounter idiots on the road. It's never
even occured to me to give up driving because somebody dies every two
weeks in my county in a car accident. In the next county over, they
average two traffic deaths per year, and they have much traffic as
ever.

I hit a car with my bike once (my fault), and I've been hit twice,
including the
left-cross-over-the-hood-faceplantwindshield-fly-up-hit-the-ground-wham.
I've had a number of near-hits, including last week when the driver
completely blew through a stop sign without looking for cross traffic.
It's never crossed my mind to quit riding.

Bob C writes that he rides as if he's invisible. If he's talking about
riding defensively and always watching the other traffic, I agree
absolutely. I ride to make myself as visible as possible. That means
moving away from the curb, if necessary, to where people expect to see
other traffic.

RFM

Absolutely! I find that at times it's much safer not to ride too close
to the curb. People stepping off a sidewalk are looking across the
street or out at the car traffic- they are not looking for bikes,
which is why they can step right out in front of you. Same with
drivers. I think the guy who hit me at the intersection literally did
not see me until I was right in front of him and it was too late to
stop; it really was a total accident. MOst drivers will look right
and left to see if it's okay to turn, but they won't look directly
ahead until they turn. So I make sure they see me, including waving.
If I ride in the lane with the cars and they beep at me, tough [censored]-
let them honke, it's better for me to be seen than to end up as a
squished squirrel Which, by the way, is how much most drivers care
about cyclists.

Quoted message said:

Yeah, we've all been there. I was hit by a car 2 years ago (exactly,
it was late october). It pretty much ended my season, since I had
minor injuries and wheel damage. But even if I'd been uninjured, I'd
probably have gone riding again as soon as I could. When spring came,
I was eager to ride again but I have to admit, it was a while before I
would go through the intersection where I'd been in the accident. It's
a terrible intersection, and I'd take an alternate route. But
eventually I got over that, although I still hate that [censored]
intersection and avoid it at all costs during rush hour (which was
when the accident happened). Otherwise, it's not too bad. I think
being skittish after an accident is normal; fear is nature's way of
protecting us.

It was a different story after I had abdominal surgery. The first
thing I asked the surgeon when I went for post-op was "When will I be
able to do normal stuff- like ride my bike?" I guess most people ask
about sex, but let's face it, you can have sex any time of the year.

You: poster grrrrl for Tough Chick on a bike.

-B
me: in awe

On Tue, 02 Nov 2004 17:36:05 -0500, Badger_South <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Yeah, we've all been there. I was hit by a car 2 years ago (exactly,
it was late october). It pretty much ended my season, since I had
minor injuries and wheel damage. But even if I'd been uninjured, I'd
probably have gone riding again as soon as I could. When spring came,
I was eager to ride again but I have to admit, it was a while before I
would go through the intersection where I'd been in the accident. It's
a terrible intersection, and I'd take an alternate route. But
eventually I got over that, although I still hate that [censored]
intersection and avoid it at all costs during rush hour (which was
when the accident happened). Otherwise, it's not too bad. I think
being skittish after an accident is normal; fear is nature's way of
protecting us.

It was a different story after I had abdominal surgery. The first
thing I asked the surgeon when I went for post-op was "When will I be
able to do normal stuff- like ride my bike?" I guess most people ask
about sex, but let's face it, you can have sex any time of the year.

You: poster grrrrl for Tough Chick on a bike.

-B
me: in awe

LOL, I'll take that as a compliment!

However, you should have seen me on my first ride after recovery. It
was two months after the surgery, late in april. I knew I would have
to go very slow and easy, so all I did was get on the bike path and go
35k. Needless to say,I didn't go very fast either. I was surprised
that I was able to go that far. I just totally ran out of gas,
though.I had no idea I'd get so pooped! I did not feel tough at all!
You know, everyone says, "GEe,LANCE went on a bike ride two weeks
after surgery." Yeah, on his HEAD! You don't sit on your head!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

You: poster grrrrl for Tough Chick on a bike.

-B
me: in awe

LOL, I'll take that as a compliment!

Well, yeah!

Quoted message said:

However, you should have seen me on my first ride after recovery. It
was two months after the surgery, late in april. I knew I would have
to go very slow and easy, so all I did was get on the bike path and go
35k. Needless to say,I didn't go very fast either. I was surprised

Uh, think you have a mis-print there. It looks like you typed 35Kilometers,
as in 21 miles. No way you could have ridden that far after major abdominal
surgery. Right?

Quoted message said:

that I was able to go that far. I just totally ran out of gas,
though.I had no idea I'd get so pooped! I did not feel tough at all!
You know, everyone says, "GEe,LANCE went on a bike ride two weeks
after surgery." Yeah, on his HEAD! You don't sit on your head!

OK, now I've spewed my coffee....

-B

Quoted message said:

No, I think back to my first auto accident (15 years old with a
learner's permit), when I T-boned a car pulling the same sort of stunt
in reverse. Dad drove me the rest of the way to Grandmother's, but he
made me drive home. He said something like, "You've got to get back in
the driver's seat before you get too scared of it."

I wish someone had given ME that advice. I was in a highway accident.
I was not hurt but it was a pile up and alot of other people were
hurt. I was not at fault. I was at the back of the group of cars that
kept piling on top of each other. I was young and I could hear a
mother in one of the first cars screaming that her baby had died.
That scream haunts me to this day. I started staying away from the
highways from that day on. It was the worst thing I could have done.
I have to find the long way to everywhere when I drive because I have
a terrible fear of highway driving. My body freezes and I panic as
soon as my wheels are on the highway. As soon as I am off the highway
I am fine. If I had gone back on that highway after the accident this
never would have happened and I would not be taking all the back
roads. Your Dad gave you excellent advice. The longer you stay away
from something the stronger the fear.
Peace.
http://hometown.aol.com/lbuset/

On Tue, 02 Nov 2004 21:08:32 -0500, Badger_South <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

You: poster grrrrl for Tough Chick on a bike.

-B
me: in awe

LOL, I'll take that as a compliment!

Well, yeah!

Quoted message said:

However, you should have seen me on my first ride after recovery. It
was two months after the surgery, late in april. I knew I would have
to go very slow and easy, so all I did was get on the bike path and go
35k. Needless to say,I didn't go very fast either. I was surprised

Uh, think you have a mis-print there. It looks like you typed 35Kilometers,
as in 21 miles. No way you could have ridden that far after major abdominal
surgery. Right?

Quoted message said:

that I was able to go that far. I just totally ran out of gas,
though.I had no idea I'd get so pooped! I did not feel tough at all!
You know, everyone says, "GEe,LANCE went on a bike ride two weeks
after surgery." Yeah, on his HEAD! You don't sit on your head!

OK, now I've spewed my coffee....

-B

It was about 30k, actually, and it was nearly two months after
surgery. It's not like I ran out of the recovery room and jumped on my
bike. I went back and checked, and the ride is recorded- april 27.

Here's a towel for your screen....

Quoted message said:

On Tue, 02 Nov 2004 21:08:32 -0500, Badger_South <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>You: poster grrrrl for Tough Chick on a bike.
>
>-B
>me: in awe

LOL, I'll take that as a compliment!

Well, yeah!

Quoted message said:

However, you should have seen me on my first ride after recovery. It
was two months after the surgery, late in april. I knew I would have
to go very slow and easy, so all I did was get on the bike path and go
35k. Needless to say,I didn't go very fast either. I was surprised

Uh, think you have a mis-print there. It looks like you typed 35Kilometers,
as in 21 miles. No way you could have ridden that far after major abdominal
surgery. Right?

Quoted message said:

that I was able to go that far. I just totally ran out of gas,
though.I had no idea I'd get so pooped! I did not feel tough at all!
You know, everyone says, "GEe,LANCE went on a bike ride two weeks
after surgery." Yeah, on his HEAD! You don't sit on your head!

OK, now I've spewed my coffee....

-B

It was about 30k, actually, and it was nearly two months after
surgery. It's not like I ran out of the recovery room and jumped on my
bike. I went back and checked, and the ride is recorded- april 27.

Here's a towel for your screen....

Well that's just incredible. Even two months. Merciful Minerva, W.W.!

Oh and the not like you just ran out and jumped on the bike? We won't tell
them you had to be restrained now will we. <eg>

-B
Nurse: OK, looks like we're gonna have to strap Marlene down, she's trying
to sneak out and ride the bike again.

[email hidden] (Bman) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

All week end long I was wondering if I should give this up.

Man, that is a personal question. But my opinion is you should not.

Two and a half years ago I regained consciousness while being CT
scanned at the ER. I had been found laying on the side of the road,
unconscious in the center of a 10 ft marked shoulder. Probable hit
and run from behind. Two broken arms/wrists, 3 teeth missing, lots of
skin ground off the face, arms, and legs. Broad daylight, clear day,
straight section of road. Have a plate in my right arm and a bridge
in my mouth, permanent reminders. As I was healing the doctors and
therapists feared I would give up, then they feared I might go back
too soon. I've done somewhere around 15,000 miles on the bikes since
then, including 3 cycle tours. I've had 3 accidents since then,
including hitting a car that turned in front of me into a shopping
center. I minimized the damage on that one by doing a hard right turn
to follow him into the parking lot as much as possible then leaning
into him with a shoulder just before impact. Most recent accident was
bike-bike, with a wrong way cyclist coming around a blind corner into
me; my left hand got pinched between the bars and broke two bones.
Six weeks in casts/splints. Day after the last splint came off I rode
67 miles. Seven days later I did a century. My feeling is if I give
in then they win.

Good luck with the process of getting things straightened out.

- rick