Close call tonight

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2008-03-05 8:31 PM

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Rocklin
Subject: Close call tonight
After my knee surgery, then a huge work thing, then the damn flu, I finally snuck out early enough to get in a post work ride tonight around 4:30. I was on this long stretch in a residential neighborhood with some lights that never turn red. Tonight, I was coming up on a stale red light (mmm odd), but it was just about to turn green. I could see down the cross-road about 50 yards and no cars were coming. I wasn't slowing down, and then the light turned green. For some reason, maybe I was feeling a bit tired, I decided to coast through the light. Some A$$hole in a red durango blew his red light and narrowly missed me. I would have been freaking killed...no exaggeration...he was flying and way late. That was just dumb luck...it was a pretty sobering thought...he was at least 2 full seconds late on his light.

Be careful out there.

2008-03-05 8:36 PM
in reply to: #1255176

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Subject: RE: Close call tonight
Yipe! Glad you're alright. That's one of those stories that reinforces riding alert and riding safe.
2008-03-05 8:52 PM
in reply to: #1255176

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Richmond, VA
Subject: RE: Close call tonight
Whoa nilly.  At least you're alright.  Now I remember why I bought a trainer.
2008-03-05 9:10 PM
in reply to: #1255176

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Subject: RE: Close call tonight
Best advice when I started driving is "drive for everyone on the road", and the same idea can be applied to cycling.

Glad you're ok buddy.
2008-03-05 9:22 PM
in reply to: #1255176

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Subject: RE: Close call tonight

 

Wow! I've had one close call myself...could barely compose myself (legs shaking) to ride back home. Thankfully you didn't get hit! Strange though how you decided to coast...makes you wonder.

-----

Regards,

Rob

Triathlon Swimming Squidoo

 

2008-03-05 9:28 PM
in reply to: #1255176

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Husker Nation
Subject: RE: Close call tonight
Dude that would suck, especially so recently after your surgery!

2008-03-06 10:52 AM
in reply to: #1255176

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Rocklin
Subject: RE: Close call tonight
I'm still a bit perturbed, but in a strange way just more greatful. This freaking guy looked right at me as he blew through the intersection at about 5-10 feet from me. Actually, as I told my wife this story, we discussed how fragile life is, and that how such a minor decision (i.e. to go a little slower last night) probably saved my life. I ride defensively anyway, but I would never normally wait 2 seconds on a green light to go. I would never have anticipated a person just blowing a red light that way.

The experience, along with some others in the past, is making me rethink where and when I ride. It might just be too danagerous for me to ride around my house after work.
2008-03-06 11:17 AM
in reply to: #1256288

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Subject: RE: Close call tonight

aggiecatcher - 2008-03-06 8:52 AM I'm still a bit perturbed, but in a strange way just more greatful. This freaking guy looked right at me as he blew through the intersection at about 5-10 feet from me. Actually, as I told my wife this story, we discussed how fragile life is, and that how such a minor decision (i.e. to go a little slower last night) probably saved my life. I ride defensively anyway, but I would never normally wait 2 seconds on a green light to go. I would never have anticipated a person just blowing a red light that way. The experience, along with some others in the past, is making me rethink where and when I ride. It might just be too danagerous for me to ride around my house after work.

Your odds of getting hit are higher at certain hours of the day, but there are no guarantees.  A woman out jogging at 6:00 AM this Sunday was mowed down and killed on a street where I've ridden and cycled.  Some of it is just dumb (bad) luck.  Early Sunday morning is my favorite workout time.

2008-03-06 11:29 AM
in reply to: #1256353

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Rocklin
Subject: RE: Close call tonight
SevenZulu - 2008-03-06 9:17 AM

aggiecatcher - 2008-03-06 8:52 AM I'm still a bit perturbed, but in a strange way just more greatful. This freaking guy looked right at me as he blew through the intersection at about 5-10 feet from me. Actually, as I told my wife this story, we discussed how fragile life is, and that how such a minor decision (i.e. to go a little slower last night) probably saved my life. I ride defensively anyway, but I would never normally wait 2 seconds on a green light to go. I would never have anticipated a person just blowing a red light that way. The experience, along with some others in the past, is making me rethink where and when I ride. It might just be too danagerous for me to ride around my house after work.

Your odds of getting hit are higher at certain hours of the day, but there are no guarantees.  A woman out jogging at 6:00 AM this Sunday was mowed down and killed on a street where I've ridden and cycled.  Some of it is just dumb (bad) luck.  Early Sunday morning is my favorite workout time.



That's what is so freaky...just dumb luck last night. I hate to hear about cars versus bikers/runners...it's never a good outcome. Be careful everyone, I suppose I hadn't thought about the danger for a while.
2008-03-06 12:35 PM
in reply to: #1255176

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Subject: RE: Close call tonight

I always look left and right when leaving from a light that just turned green, even in my car. You never know when someone is going to blow the red light. Even if I'm like you and approaching, I take a second to really slow up and get a good look. Probably pisses the people off behind me, but after a close call a few years ago (having the slowest stick shift in the land saved my life on that one), I'd rather it take me a few more seconds to get going.

But glad to hear you're alright! 



Edited by AmbulanceDriver 2008-03-06 12:35 PM
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