Annual plea to be careful out there!

by Markk on Jun 30, 2009 5:02 PM EDT Comment 4 comments

I seem to write something about this about once a year somewhere. Hope it helps. This year was tragic in what has made me write. As big rides are happening all over right now I hope this reminder keeps someone safe!

I worked as a Sag vehicle this past weekend at a ride that has been been going on for many years in Wisconsin. This year we had our first fatality. A decent rider in his 40's in a nice paceline group was bumped, or bumped another rider, lost control on a downhill, fell across the road into the oncoming lane and was hit by a pickup that in trying to avoid him went off the road itself. The rider passed away later and the driver was hospitalized. An accident in all ways, but something to keep in mind - when vehicle traffic is coming, please pay attention. A loss of attention could mean a lot greater loss. This is a nightmarish scenario but one that has crossed many of our minds. So please stay alert! I hope I never have to deal with another incident like this.

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Indeed

M. and I just this morning passed a scene where a cyclist had been struck by a car (looked to be okay, thankfully). Careful, all.

by Sui Juris on Jun 30, 2009 5:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Markk, and yes also be particularly careful on downhills,

my wife and I just rode up a local 10 km climb, and on the way down I noticed her sitting up, taking one hand off the bars, other hand resting easy on the bars top. I caught up to her and gently said I had seen a handful of falls over the years from riders doing this then hitting a bump, hole, something. Have fun, enjoy the scenery, but always be paying attention is the key!

by peterfish on Jun 30, 2009 5:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

thx

Important stuff

Few descend slower than me – safety rules – and in traffic ride with confidence, respect, and sense.

Dullest/longest/strangest debate in cycling history – “Should one wear a helmet” – obviously yes, but it’s your head. (3 falls for me where I have banged head hard) … thx to helmet as no brain damage beyond that with which I was born.

sometimes life is a false flat

by Willj on Jun 30, 2009 5:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs