Got hit by a boat while riding my bike...

[ParadigmDawg]

I had a prime example of "being glad I have really good bike handling skills secondary to all my mountain biking" just yesterday.

My wife and I were doing an easy zone 1 & 2 road ride last night around the lake. This is an area that sees 100's of cyclist/day and the roads marked for 15 and 20 mph. For some unknown reason I didn't take the full lane going around a blind corner( I always take the lane)and some redneck, in a truck, pulling his boat, punched it and started going around me. Midway through the corner a truck pulling a boat heading in the opposite direction suddenly appeared.

As soon as the truck that was passing me saw he was about to have a head-on he swerved over and hit me with the boat/trailer. I had no choice but to go off road which was a 4-5" drop into a rutted out, bar ditch that had rocks, logs and roots littering it.

It was all down a mild hill so I was carrying about 25 mph of speed as this was all occurring. I figured I was going down but I just got in a very aggressive position, stayed off my brakes, pulled the front tire over upcoming objects and bunny-hopping when I had to. I swear I could hear my carbon wheels breaking along the way.

Once it was all over, I hopped back to the tarmac and to my surprise, I didn't have a flat or a broken wheel. My ankle was a little beaten up as I had inadvertently came unclipped once and it bounced around on my chainring before I could get clipped back in.

I will spare the details on this last section as I don't want to cause any controversy but a did run into the guy as he was unloading his boat. I think he now understands that he almost killed me.

After all was said and done my wife said, I can't believe you survived that, it was the scariest thing I have ever seen.

You learn to stay off the brakes and roll through stuff with a lot of technical mountain biking but I didn't think I would make it when I scanned what was quickly coming up and then I saw my skinny little road tire leading the way.

We finished our ride after my "visit" with the truck driver and then looped back around and took a close look where I was riding the ditch and I was really shocked that I made it.

 

[Chu Gai]

GoPro it next time!

 

[Irvrobinson]

I had my second serious cycling accident last year, which resulted in an ACL reconstruction and meniscus work. The first accident resulted in a concussion. You're lucky (and skillful) that you came out as well as you did. I've sworn off cycling, and have divested from bikes and associated equipment. I'm done. Too dangerous.

 

[adk highlander]

Wow Greg. Glad to hear you are ok and that you did not kill the idiot. Hoping to be able to start riding soon up here. Unfortunately the weather has taken a turn and we may not see above 40 for at least another week or so. That is what I get for buying new golf clubs and cycling clothes.

Did you get your ankle looked at or do you think it is ok?

 

[highfigh]

I had a prime example of "being glad I have really good bike handling skills secondary to all my mountain biking" just yesterday.

My wife and I were doing an easy zone 1 & 2 road ride last night around the lake. This is an area that sees 100's of cyclist/day and the roads marked for 15 and 20 mph. For some unknown reason I didn't take the full lane going around a blind corner( I always take the lane)and some redneck, in a truck, pulling his boat, punched it and started going around me. Midway through the corner a truck pulling a boat heading in the opposite direction suddenly appeared.

As soon as the truck that was passing me saw he was about to have a head-on he swerved over and hit me with the boat/trailer. I had no choice but to go off road which was a 4-5" drop into a rutted out, bar ditch that had rocks, logs and roots littering it.

It was all down a mild hill so I was carrying about 25 mph of speed as this was all occurring. I figured I was going down but I just got in a very aggressive position, stayed off my brakes, pulled the front tire over upcoming objects and bunny-hopping when I had to. I swear I could hear my carbon wheels breaking along the way.

Once it was all over, I hopped back to the tarmac and to my surprise, I didn't have a flat or a broken wheel. My ankle was a little beaten up as I had inadvertently came unclipped once and it bounced around on my chainring before I could get clipped back in.

I will spare the details on this last section as I don't want to cause any controversy but a did run into the guy as he was unloading his boat. I think he now understands that he almost killed me.

After all was said and done my wife said, I can't believe you survived that, it was the scariest thing I have ever seen.

You learn to stay off the brakes and roll through stuff with a lot of technical mountain biking but I didn't think I would make it when I scanned what was quickly coming up and then I saw my skinny little road tire leading the way.

We finished our ride after my "visit" with the truck driver and then looped back around and took a close look where I was riding the ditch and I was really shocked that I made it.

I hope the encounter with Cletus began with "WTF IS YOUR PROBLEM??????????????????"

I hate riding on roads, so I bought a used mountain bike last year. I still have a road bike that I made into a hybrid and if I have to stop fast/put my feet on the ground too hard, the crossbar will probably make me a candidate for soprano in some kind of choir. People drive like idiots around here and now, we have so many high speed chases that go along with auto theft, so there's no point in tempting fate.

 

[lovinthehd]

Glad to hear you made it through the obstacle course. Would have loved to have participated in the visit with and reeducation of the driver. I do the majority of my riding on singletrack just to avoid vehicles of all kinds, especially the RV/trailer types.

 

[Midwesthonky]

Glad to hear you survived the "incident." It is amazing how many people suffer from SWI...Stupid While Driving. That or I am getting old... On my way home last night, I had a car that I never saw in my mirrors blow past me doing at least 55 in a 35, take a hard left at the light right in between oncoming traffic with little room to spare.

As for biking, the roads out of my subdivision are old and don't meet current standards for width so I won't even consider riding a bike on them due to so many people wanting to do 65 in a 45 and pass in the blind areas. We had a drunk guy get killed right outside the subdivision entrance several years ago after losing it on a curve. He didn't take anyone else with him, thankfully. Outside the subdivision, I stick to the trails, paved and other because drivers are so bad around here.

Ride safe!

 

[herbu]

My wife and I were doing an easy zone 1 & 2 road ride last night around the lake.

Greg, sorry for the experience and glad you're OK. Not gonna start and argument. You were right, the guy w/ the boat was wrong.

I understand how winding, two-lane roads around a lake are a problem. I see it every week, as I'm the guy in a pickup truck pulling the boat. The roads are quiet, wooded, peaceful, and I understand the attraction for biking. On the other hand, those same roads are the only access to the lake for boaters. The bicyclers have a choice. I don't.

Quite frequently I'm stuck behind a herd of bicyclers for miles because there is no safe place to pass. Miles. 10mph for miles. It is frustrating. While I creep along, I think about the extra taxes I pay for those roads via boat taxes, trailer license, trailer taxes, truck license, truck taxes, boat gas and truck gas. It is frustrating.

I don't know the answer. The guy who passed you on a curve was wrong. It's frustrating.

 

[slipperybidness]

I had a prime example of "being glad I have really good bike handling skills secondary to all my mountain biking" just yesterday.

My wife and I were doing an easy zone 1 & 2 road ride last night around the lake. This is an area that sees 100's of cyclist/day and the roads marked for 15 and 20 mph. For some unknown reason I didn't take the full lane going around a blind corner( I always take the lane)and some redneck, in a truck, pulling his boat, punched it and started going around me. Midway through the corner a truck pulling a boat heading in the opposite direction suddenly appeared.

As soon as the truck that was passing me saw he was about to have a head-on he swerved over and hit me with the boat/trailer. I had no choice but to go off road which was a 4-5" drop into a rutted out, bar ditch that had rocks, logs and roots littering it.

It was all down a mild hill so I was carrying about 25 mph of speed as this was all occurring. I figured I was going down but I just got in a very aggressive position, stayed off my brakes, pulled the front tire over upcoming objects and bunny-hopping when I had to. I swear I could hear my carbon wheels breaking along the way.

Once it was all over, I hopped back to the tarmac and to my surprise, I didn't have a flat or a broken wheel. My ankle was a little beaten up as I had inadvertently came unclipped once and it bounced around on my chainring before I could get clipped back in.

I will spare the details on this last section as I don't want to cause any controversy but a did run into the guy as he was unloading his boat. I think he now understands that he almost killed me.

After all was said and done my wife said, I can't believe you survived that, it was the scariest thing I have ever seen.

You learn to stay off the brakes and roll through stuff with a lot of technical mountain biking but I didn't think I would make it when I scanned what was quickly coming up and then I saw my skinny little road tire leading the way.

We finished our ride after my "visit" with the truck driver and then looped back around and took a close look where I was riding the ditch and I was really shocked that I made it.

Glad you are OK!

That's exactly why I am a 100% Mountain Bike / Trail rider!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Wow Greg. Glad to hear you are ok and that you did not kill the idiot. Hoping to be able to start riding soon up here. Unfortunately the weather has taken a turn and we may not see above 40 for at least another week or so. That is what I get for buying new golf clubs and cycling clothes.

Did you get your ankle looked at or do you think it is ok?

That ankle is ok, just a little beat up. Unfortunately I am still suffering from my torn Achilles which happened Nov 16th and that was the first ride that I decided to take without it taped. I didn't think I would be riding off road and jumping so it is aggravated again.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I had my second serious cycling accident last year, which resulted in an ACL reconstruction and meniscus work. The first accident resulted in a concussion. You're lucky (and skillful) that you came out as well as you did. I've sworn off cycling, and have divested from bikes and associated equipment. I'm done. Too dangerous.

That stinks man. I could never swear off of cycling as it is what I enjoy more than anything.

 

[lsiberian]

Was it dark or in broad daylight?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I hope the encounter with Cletus began with "WTF IS YOUR PROBLEM??????????????????"

I hate riding on roads, so I bought a used mountain bike last year. I still have a road bike that I made into a hybrid and if I have to stop fast/put my feet on the ground too hard, the crossbar will probably make me a candidate for soprano in some kind of choir. People drive like idiots around here and now, we have so many high speed chases that go along with auto theft, so there's no point in tempting fate.

I am still a mountain biker first but with my Achilles issue and our trails always being closed secondary to flooding the past 6 months, I do more and more road riding. Plus my wife like road better so we end up doing it more.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Glad to hear you survived the "incident." It is amazing how many people suffer from SWI...Stupid While Driving. That or I am getting old... On my way home last night, I had a car that I never saw in my mirrors blow past me doing at least 55 in a 35, take a hard left at the light right in between oncoming traffic with little room to spare.

As for biking, the roads out of my subdivision are old and don't meet current standards for width so I won't even consider riding a bike on them due to so many people wanting to do 65 in a 45 and pass in the blind areas. We had a drunk guy get killed right outside the subdivision entrance several years ago after losing it on a curve. He didn't take anyone else with him, thankfully. Outside the subdivision, I stick to the trails, paved and other because drivers are so bad around here.

Ride safe!

We have a 45+ mile MUT that we can access from our house but I consider it more dangerous than the real road.

Joggers with earbuds that will just left turn without even looking behind them, children drawing on the side walk as their parents ignore them and dogs that have 12 ft long leashes...all just waiting to be hit....

 

[highfigh]

Greg, sorry for the experience and glad you're OK. Not gonna start and argument. You were right, the guy w/ the boat was wrong.

I understand how winding, two-lane roads around a lake are a problem. I see it every week, as I'm the guy in a pickup truck pulling the boat. The roads are quiet, wooded, peaceful, and I understand the attraction for biking. On the other hand, those same roads are the only access to the lake for boaters. The bicyclers have a choice. I don't.

Quite frequently I'm stuck behind a herd of bicyclers for miles because there is no safe place to pass. Miles. 10mph for miles. It is frustrating. While I creep along, I think about the extra taxes I pay for those roads via boat taxes, trailer license, trailer taxes, truck license, truck taxes, boat gas and truck gas. It is frustrating.

I don't know the answer. The guy who passed you on a curve was wrong. It's frustrating.

If those riders are local or from the same state, they're paying the same taxes, but they need to stop thinking they have the right to:

-Take up a whole lane by riding in a pack, rather than single file
-Hold up traffic by riding too far from the edge/curb
-Weaving while they ride
-Doing anything that's unpredictable

Conversely, drivers don't need to:

-Honk when they're right on the rider's tail (scares the fertilizer out of the rider)
-Pass within a foot of the rider
-Pass at a high rate of speed when the bike path is narrow or when there is none.
-Shout at the rider(s)

Who is the local authority? Contact them and let them know the riders are in the way and aren't riding in a way that allows other traffic to pass easily. If possible, record video.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Greg, sorry for the experience and glad you're OK. Not gonna start and argument. You were right, the guy w/ the boat was wrong.

I understand how winding, two-lane roads around a lake are a problem. I see it every week, as I'm the guy in a pickup truck pulling the boat. The roads are quiet, wooded, peaceful, and I understand the attraction for biking. On the other hand, those same roads are the only access to the lake for boaters. The bicyclers have a choice. I don't.

Quite frequently I'm stuck behind a herd of bicyclers for miles because there is no safe place to pass. Miles. 10mph for miles. It is frustrating. While I creep along, I think about the extra taxes I pay for those roads via boat taxes, trailer license, trailer taxes, truck license, truck taxes, boat gas and truck gas. It is frustrating.

I don't know the answer. The guy who passed you on a curve was wrong. It's frustrating.

Yes I get it. As an avid cyclist I even get frustrated when I get stuck behind a group of cyclist for a long time.

My group tries to be very courteous to cars and let them pass as soon as it's safe and then I always try to make eye contact with the driver and I give him the thumbs up for his patience. I doubt there has ever been a situation where a car had to wait more than 1 mile to get around me.

In the end, it probably isn't worth killing someone to get to the dock 4 minutes quicker.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Was it dark or in broad daylight?

5 pm with the sun behind us so no vision issues other than the beer drinking in the red truck.

 

[Irvrobinson]

That stinks man. I could never swear off of cycling as it is what I enjoy more than anything.

I was pretty much into it too. Perhaps never as serious as you are, especially off-road, but I was doing 120 miles per week just before my last accident, and it gave me a high. But I'm about to turn 60, and injuries are healing noticeably slower. Maybe someday I'll get back into cycling. Never lose respect for how vulnerable you are on a bike, and how fragile the human body can be.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I was pretty much into it too. Perhaps never as serious as you are, especially off-road, but I was doing 120 miles per week just before my last accident, and it gave me a high. But I'm about to turn 60, and injuries are healing noticeably slower. Maybe someday I'll get back into cycling. Never lose respect for how vulnerable you are on a bike, and how fragile the human body can be.

Part of the beauty is you can cycle up until about the day you die. One of my friends is 74 and can absolutely murder me on a bike.

I get it that we don't heal quickly anymore. I can't believe my Achilles is taking this long to heal.

 

[lsiberian]

Just so forum members know we live in a heavy biker town so there is absolutely no excuse for what the driver did. I can't say I'm surprised you had a few choice words with him and I hope he learned his lesson. He didn't even have the decency to check on you either. Seriously his car insurance should be paying for your medical bills IMO.