One of those WTF moments. Windsor Heights, Iowa. The intersection of University and the road that goes to Wal-Mart. Just stopped by The Rookie to visit Anders Olson at said intersection. Got behind 2 cars and waited for my turn to cross or turn right onto University. Destination: Hy Vee.
The Impala in front of me made the right turn but despite being in front of the line I had to wait for a garbage truck and another car to go by. I do not want to be remembered as the cyclist killed by a garbage truck. Glanced at my crank. Still in big ring so my take off will be slow. Look up and at the garbage truck again and BUMP!!
Did I just get hit? By the force of the impact I could tell no damage was done. Fritz hits me harder with his paw. Turn around and stare at licence plate. red late model Chevy of undetermined small sedan size. Another soulless Chevy somehow not a a dealer for a recall. Reach for phone and prepare to photograph the plate, car and driver.
I pull up to the driver's window. An old man rolls it down. Good Lord, he must be 80. This is definitely the last new car he will ever own and drive.
"Did you not see me?"
"I thought you took off when the others did."
"No. I did not."
Perhaps the recent earth quakes shifted the tectonic plates enough to generate sufficient energy to create a wormhole and he saw into the future where I left the stop sign and rolled across the street. Perhaps the radioactive orange shirt and the yellow reflective safety vest give the impression of movement. Whatever the reason I am glad he did not push the throttle to the firewall and truly ran me over.
I could not swear at him. "What the fuck do you think you are doing you piece of shit? Have you ran over people before? Is that how you get your jollies you fucking worthless sodomite!" I could not yell at him either or leave an SPD cleat impression on his car. Nor quickly release the front wheel and smash the fork through his windshield. That's the best thing about road bikes, light weight weapons. He had to see the phone in my hand ready to record. No harm done. I got my point across. He was probably picking up medication for his cancer stricken wife. Why do I look at people and assume I know their story.
Now and then a car driver honked their horn. Maybe 5 cars deep behind the old man in the red Chevy everyone of the cagers POed that a fat man in bright clothing holding a bike is impeding progress. Time to get back at the front of the line and cross the road. I took my time and opted to turn and take the turn lane. I noticed that the truck behind me on University gave me 3 car lengths. Yeah, don't fuck with me for the round is chambered and the safety is not on.
Much later i was nearing the horse stables along the Bill Riley Trail when a pedestrian asked me if I was an official or volunteer. LOL. "Nope. I wear this so cars do not hit me." Yeah right. I wear it to hold my mobile phone. I've put in 20 may 30,000 miles since I was last hit by a car. I am a lot more aware of my surroundings and a lot more visible and always assume that there is a car behind me. But stopped at a stop sign and legally obeying it and waiting for a safe time to depart I should not worry about getting hit from behind. It is a busy intersection. Last week a bicycle hit me, today a car. What's a person to do?
Wow!
ReplyDelete