M
Mark and Christine
Guest
First let me set the stage, since I don't post here very often. I
live on Long Island and commute to work and back 5 days a week 22
miles round trip on a Tommaso AS2 with a 61 cm frame (big bike). I am
primarily a runner that bikes to cross train. I don't usually dally,
I average about 18 to 20 mph according to the bike computer.
This morning Jean was leaving the Island and had dumped about 4 inches
of rain over night. When I left home in a bright yellow rain jacket
it was a light drizzle that was tapering off. I had on my headlight
and my taillight because it was still dark. Two miles from work I
came to a place in the street that was flood curb to curb for 100 yds.
I could clearly see the line in the crown in the road and no one was
coming from behind or ahead, so I slowed down and started down the
center line. Just as I entered the flooded area an SUV pulled out of
a side road in front of me and without pause started into the flooded
area straight at me. My first thought was "****, he is going to run
right over me" but as he got closer I realized that he was just over
far enough that I was going to get splashed. So now I am thinking
"****, I'm going to get soaked', but when the wave it me it pushed me
down into the deeper water and the bike, including the drop bars, went
completely under water, followed by me. And that is when I realized
"****, if my toe clips don't release, I am going to drown." When I
stood up the water came to mid chest. I reached down and picked up
the bike (easy to find since the headlight and taillight were still
on) and waded to shore.
Amazingly, my bike computer, headlight, taillight, cell phone, and PDA
survived. The bike seemed fine, but as I was getting to work I
noticed that it was getting difficult to hold my line. At work I
found that the front tire had hit something and is now in a strange
"S" shape. The rim appears to have survived. It almost looks like
the belt (if it had one) broke on the tire.
Now I know how Artie Johnson must have felt with his yellow rain coat
and tricycle. Its funny now, it was not funny this morning.
Guess I'm driving for a few day.
Mark
live on Long Island and commute to work and back 5 days a week 22
miles round trip on a Tommaso AS2 with a 61 cm frame (big bike). I am
primarily a runner that bikes to cross train. I don't usually dally,
I average about 18 to 20 mph according to the bike computer.
This morning Jean was leaving the Island and had dumped about 4 inches
of rain over night. When I left home in a bright yellow rain jacket
it was a light drizzle that was tapering off. I had on my headlight
and my taillight because it was still dark. Two miles from work I
came to a place in the street that was flood curb to curb for 100 yds.
I could clearly see the line in the crown in the road and no one was
coming from behind or ahead, so I slowed down and started down the
center line. Just as I entered the flooded area an SUV pulled out of
a side road in front of me and without pause started into the flooded
area straight at me. My first thought was "****, he is going to run
right over me" but as he got closer I realized that he was just over
far enough that I was going to get splashed. So now I am thinking
"****, I'm going to get soaked', but when the wave it me it pushed me
down into the deeper water and the bike, including the drop bars, went
completely under water, followed by me. And that is when I realized
"****, if my toe clips don't release, I am going to drown." When I
stood up the water came to mid chest. I reached down and picked up
the bike (easy to find since the headlight and taillight were still
on) and waded to shore.
Amazingly, my bike computer, headlight, taillight, cell phone, and PDA
survived. The bike seemed fine, but as I was getting to work I
noticed that it was getting difficult to hold my line. At work I
found that the front tire had hit something and is now in a strange
"S" shape. The rim appears to have survived. It almost looks like
the belt (if it had one) broke on the tire.
Now I know how Artie Johnson must have felt with his yellow rain coat
and tricycle. Its funny now, it was not funny this morning.
Guess I'm driving for a few day.
Mark