I guess I’m not invincible.
Once upon a time…I was commuting to work on my bike (just like every other day). But this day was different. On this day there was one too many crazy drivers on NYC streets…
I’m coming up to an intersection when a 20-something girl driving a little honda sideswipes me to get around another car that was turning left. Stupid driver, right? It gets better. When she hit me, I was at her right front wheel. I was not anywhere near her blind spot. On top of that, I had enough time to slap my hand on the hood of her car to warn her I was there. But, nope. “Oh, is that a cyclist I’m about to hit? Cool!” Not only does she hit me, but she continues in the sideways direction of travel enough to actually throw me from my bike (I landed ten feet away), and then proceed to run over my halfway decent front wheel. Grrr… THEN, the first thing she says is, “oh my god, I didn’t think you’d catch up that fast”, since she had just accelerated past me in order to slam on her brakes and get in line behind the other cars stuck in the intersection in front of us.
It’s amazing how clueless we humans can be. But, hey, at least I have a new wall ornament.
So, I rebuilt the wheel. Used the original hub, and laced a DT Swiss rim to it. Looks pretty nice.
On another note, I put some Campy Centaur brakes on my Trek (yes, with a full Shimano gruppo…oops!). Campy brakes are much stronger than Shimano. They have better leverage. But, (naturally, I didn’t think of this until I had already installed the brakes), Campy uses a brake release built into the lever, while Shimano uses one built into the brake. So, no more brake release. I just get to wrestle with my tire to get it out!! Woo-hoo! Good brakes, though.
Comments
yea, people are amazing. it's a 20-spoke radial...how hard can that be with a shop full of wheel-building tools? ;-)
Left by mindless on February 07, 2008
Glad to hear you're alright. I've learned the invisibility lesson a few times and have also been quite lucky. It's amazing how someone can be so completely blind and manage to somehow drive a car. Nice job on the wheel BTW.
Left by Douglas on February 06, 2008
...or a 69'er, ha!
Left by wesley124 on February 06, 2008
I'm fine. just some roadrash. the window-bashing was tempting though.
Left by mindless on February 06, 2008
She could have at least offered you a hummer for your woes.
Left by Dirt_Dad on February 06, 2008
Most importantly, are you ok? How did you handle the situation when she said that to you? I had my first run-in with a driver last week. He wasn't paying attention and almost rolled right into me. I told him to pay attention and he told me to get a light. ..But I have a light. A very, very bright one (http://bikelights.com/Products/Stella180L.htm). I flashed it in his face and then sorta went apeshit. I'm not exactly proud of the situation, but it all happened really fast. His hurt feelings will heal a lot faster than my broken legs would. Maybe you had a bit more patience -- but if I were hit by some dumb 20-something bitch... I'd probably break her windows with my u-bolt.
Left by Adam on February 06, 2008