« the grace to go slow | Main | to the white guy who sat in the middle of a three-seat bench on the bus - »
December 18, 2006
have I been sent a sign? 
So, I wrapped up my mom's christmas presents, and jumped on the bicycle to go to my beloved's work. It's only about a quarter mile, but I had other errands to run: buy stamps and send off a package, get lunch, etc.
Two blocks from work, I wait for the light to change. It does, and I cross, slowly, after checking that the traffic is stopping. Except, only the traffic in the near lane stopped. The guy in the far lane was hightailing through. Luckily, I saw him coming, but I couldn't entirely get out of the way, and he hit my front wheel. And then he just kept going.
I'm not sure what happened to the bike beyond the fact that the front brakes no longer work, the tire felt like it was going flat (but wasn't), and to go straight ahead, you have to turn the handlebars about 30 degrees. I rode it, sorta, to MBPOW, and after finding no bike racks at the front or rear of the building, I took it up into the parking structure. I was planning on looking for bike parking, but I saw my beloved's truck, so I decided I would just put the bike in the back of the truck. Which took some doing.
Meanwhile, I was being watched by a bunch of smokers. They all went inside, one by one, until one came over and offered to help me with the bike. He kept insisting that I needed to call my beloved, and I kept insisting there was no way I was going to call my beloved, I was fine, thank you very much.
I did go in, and I did call him, and la-ti-da.
Why did I trust a traffic control? Why wasn't I thinking about the fact that all cars are out to get me?
I was in shock then. I think I'm coming out of it now. And I'm freaking out.
Posted at December 18, 2006
Comments
I would be freaking out too. I'm glad you weren't injured, and I can't believe the car didn't stop.
Be sure to get pampered tonight.
Posted by: grrlpup at December 18, 2006 3:56 PM
Oh wow. Geeez. I'm just so glad you're okay! That could have been so bad!
I'm with Holly - I can't BELIEVE the guy didn't stop. But then, when I was little I was the victim of a hit and run too, also on my bike. I guess these things still happen.
Posted by: Cheesepuppet at December 18, 2006 7:34 PM
How frightening! I'm so relieved that you weren't injured but it's still a traumatic experience and may require some recovery time. Be kind to yourself.
Posted by: Lara at December 19, 2006 8:23 AM
Ugh. I sure wish you have a plate number! It would be so satisfying to know that somebody was paying for been a jerk!
Posted by: Misty P at December 19, 2006 4:13 PM