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Thread started by richtotheie at 12.18.07 - 2:14 pm
At 11:15 this morning, Mixtemotions (nicole) crashed her bike while avoiding a vehicle taking up the bike lane. She chose the sidewalk where her front tire hit a crack and the bike then slid out from under her due to the wet conditions. Unable to roll over or even pick up her own legs, an ambulance was called and she was taken to Good Samaritan.
She is doing great, though suffering from a fractured hip. Her new temporary mode of transportation: Crutches...Really cool crutches.
FEEL BETTER NICOLE!!!!!
ON THIS NOTE -
If you'd like to join the party Friday night at THE BOX for
C.R.U.T.C.H. MOB, Feel free to bring those dusty crutches you have in your closet and be ready to dance it out!!!
Damn, right after a fresh haircut too! Get better Nicole.
If people keep gettin laid up I think we're gonna start to see some tandem wheelchairs...Richie, I'm lookin at you.
Nicole get well soon. hope youre back on your bici soon..stupid cars always in the way.crutch mob it is....now we'll have a fullpacked pace car for CRANK MOB...
Get well soon, was really bummed to hear news from Richie earlier. Maybe you two can race tandem wheel chair in the upcoming Wolfpack event.
And lets all be extra careful out there with the wet roads, almost had my bike slip out from under me today taking a hard turn, but was able to recover traction.
Damn girl. fractured hip. oof. fkn assholes that take up the bike lane should all be forced to ride a bike for 6 months straight. I hope you have a speedy recovery nicole. i'll send some positive energy your way. muah.
IT'S ALWAYS SAD TO HEAR THE A RIDA DOWN, BUT EVEN MORE SO WHEN A "COOL" CHICK GOES DOWN! HOPE YOU GET WELL SOON, I'M ROOTING FOR YOU NICOLE, TRY TO SMILE, OK?
Man Nicole, I just left you in perfect working order.
Looks like we'll have to take turns carting you and Richie around in the rickshaw.
Hope you feeling better soon. I know you're well cared for up there.
Party on Friday huh? Hmmmmmm......
Thank you guys sooo much for the calls texts and MR love. Your wishes are going a long way! I love y'all a ton!!
Here's what happened:
I was riding home along Sunset, when I crossed Park I saw there was a big truck double parked in front of Brite Spot. They were blocking the entire bike lane and 1/2 the right lane. Since there were cars coming up behind me, and it was rainy, I rode up the driveway onto the sidewalk rather than getting in the left lane. I had to swerve to go around some pedestrians and got caught on a grove or a crack or something that made my bike slip out from under me pretty quickly. Most of my weight fell on my hip causing it to fracture in a somewhat unusual place according to the doc. If you look at the fancy diagram my fracture is in "area 4" where the bone arches (between b and d) I have my x-rays to post in "hooray for crashes" as soon as I get my paws on a negative scanner. Seriously though... *not* hooray for crashes =( The doc says I can't ride for 2 mo. and I have to do physical therapy. This makes me really really sad. I will do my best to heal FAST and get back on my bike soon!! Until then C.R.U.T.C.H MOB!!!!
Gary the pics from Den Dinner are sooooo good! That was a good night! Tren Way, Cubz <3 and anybody else please come over to Ridge Way and watch me get fat... I mean keep me company!
SoapBox: I'm about to look at the info you sent... I guess citibank did an incident report and they have video of the driver going into the building. anyhooo. I'll e-mail you. Thanks again for everything guys!
We just saw you on the punk rock ride. That's terrible, but good that you will be OK. I had more car totalled driving a few weeks back by an idiot driving backwards. Watch out everyone it's a bad time to be on the road.
When i read what MR people have to say after they kiss the ground, i'm totally amazed at how resilient they are and in good spirits, it makes me proud to be a part of this movement, It's a natural response for us, at least for me, i accept what ever happens to me on the road, it pales to the pleasure of riding my bike, going super fast, with the wind, people think i'm crazy for what ever i do, and that makes me NEVER want to stop, get well nicole, hope to see you soon, take your time and heal correctly, so we can see you more often, i really enjoyed riding upstairs with you and marcus, peace.
This is an exerpt from Stephen Box's e-mail to me..... somethings I was not even aware of...
"Last year I photographed that section of Sunset (he's talking about the area right where I crashed) over a period of several months and lobbied the Los Angeles Department of Transportation to address the "engineered conflict" that causes a pinch point for cyclists.
1) The delivery trucks all park in the bike lane to service the Bank
Building next to the Brite Spot restaurant.
2) The bike lane curves and then runs alongside a parking lane that
is 7' instead of the usual 8'.
(the cars don't fit and they block the bike lane on a blind curve)
3) The traffic flow is so fast that cyclists can't merge safely into
the #2 lane in advance of the area to avoid the conflict.
In other words, there is history in this section of Sunset and now
Nicole is paying the price. The person I was dealing with was John
Fisher, the Assistant GM of the LADOT.
Thanks for your help. Let me know what I can do.
Stephen Box
p.s. For what it's worth, Sammy Feuerlicht is the VP of Good
Samaritan Hospital and is a good friend. He is on the Board of the
Los Angeles Bicycle Coalition with me. Cyclists who are hurt can
count on Good Sam for help, regardless of their $ situation.
sorry, I hit send b4 I was ready... but anyway, it's not good that the wacky intersection and trucks parking in bike lanes is still not any better a YEAR later, but maybe now it'll be taken more seriously since someone actually got hurt there.
BTW, some excellent resourses for bike free entertainment:
www.stuffonmycat.com and babyanimalz.com..... soooo cute! Now I am so sleepy tho. Must go to bed and dream about how I'm gonna make a miniature mixte for the Fantom 40. (1/4" scale route around Ridge Way!) Also, Gracias Tren Way for coming over and bringing me chocolate, toys and movies. (((((((hugs)))))))
Fuck, I leave for a few days and all hell breaks loose.
Nicole gets hurt (NO!)
I get reminded why I hated riding my bike in Florida with a bit of body to car contact (no damage done aside from being seriously pissed off at an old lady... bitch hit me IN the bike lane. Luckily I saw it coming and was able to avoid anything serious)
and Marino and Dak are sick...
Shit, everyone, Be careful, the holidays make people a little nuts, and accidents/shitty conditions don't help.
Well everyone, be careful, feel better, and let's all make it through this season safely.
So I found out about this about a half hour ago and I was all ready to post an angry rant about people who park in the bike lane, but fuck it.
Every lane's a...
I mean...
Nicole, I'm so glad and relieved to hear that you are going to be OK. Maybe "relieved" isn't the appropriate word for an injury that's going to keep you convalescing for a couple of months, but I hope and trust that you know what I mean. There are worse parts of your body to break and thank God you didn't break one of them, is what I'm trying to say. Heal! Heal!
Pictured above: Super(Ni)Cole uses hips to destroy trampoline
Heal up, kiddo. You'll be back to kicking ass in no time. Well, kicking ass on a bike, anyway, since being off one won't technically stop you from being an asskicker in general.
The stats for calcium intake and bone density don’t add up. And many calcium supplements contain nano bacteria. If you want calcium anyway, to cover all bases, I’d recommend getting it from where cows get it- grass and weeds.
also - real real good for repairing bones, rebuilding cartilage, tightening loose ttendons and otther things is a root called Solomans Seal. I'll try to pick some up over the weekend for you Nicole, and will make you tea from it which you will drink by the cupful and you will heal faster. YES! I mean YAY!
YO RRH
I got some left over Solomon Seal.
ANd I am not planning to fuck myself up again anytime soon.
If I make it out on Thursday I can pass it to you.
If I forget or can make it maybe we can link up.
Better late than never...sorry to hear you ate shit...I think we met on the WIfe Bike ride...not sure though. Either way, get better...better yet, get drunk.
Sorry to hear the crappy news! That sucks being laid up that long too. You have alot of friends and ridazz to keep your spirits up though, and that's going to make a big difference in your recovery. I hope you still play a big part in MR during this time too.
Sending lot of,
~~*~~~~*~~ Cosmic ~~*~~~~*~~ Phy-chic ~~*~~~~*~~ Spiritual ~~*~~~~*~~ Mind ~~*~~~~*~~ & ~~*~~~~*~~ Body ~~*~~~~*~~ Healing ~~*~~~~*~~ Your ~~*~~~~*~~ Way ~~*~~~~*~~
Patrick, I think I Ashira was just talking about solomon's seal! I'll take you up on that offer. I'll try anything that might work. Tomorrow mama's taking me to get stuff to get me better!! I love spinach so I'm all over that dish you suggested John. I've been sooo sleepy, that's the biggest difference in how I feel overall. Alec I am happy to see cacao on that list too... it's getting a little crazy lately... I can not have enough chocolate.
Those will be for y'alls... my one and only experiece w/ "cubcakes" was enough to keep me away fro anything "special" for a long time. Ingrid.... you know what I'm talking about.
a horrible misfortune and i wish your body and mind a speedy recovery.
BUT! i understand the car was in the bike lane, and there's traffic on the freeways, and an old man comes out of no where and tries to cross the street, and the dog escaped from the backyard, your mom came in your room while you were masturbating, but come on folks! i don't know if this is a 'rida', american, or people mentality, but why don't we take responsibility for our own actions! sheesh.
yes, she didn't have many options and having poor weather conditions didn't aid in making her options safer, but shit happens and it seems so easy for us to blame cars in "OUR" lane or "OUR" space.
it would be so refreshing (for once on this site) for someone to say, "yeah, i just had an accident and this obstacle was in the way and i chose this option, and got hurt. c'est la fucking vie! i take responsibility."
stop blaming others, and not everything happens for a reason. if you want a reason for everything, go to church. they'll give you all the answers and make you feel safe a night.
it would be so refreshing (for once on this site) for someone to say, "yeah, i just had an accident and this obstacle was in the way and i chose this option, and got hurt. c'est la fucking vie! i take responsibility."
Not if the obstacle wasn't supposed to be there, and was put there by somebody who made the volitional choice to put it there rather than where it belonged. That wouldn't be refreshing, it would just be stupid.
"Not if the obstacle wasn't supposed to be there, and was put there by somebody who made the volitional choice to put it there rather than where it belonged."
since when did you becoming so trusting in the general public, let alone the car-driving general public? if we rode around thinking things are SUPPOSED to be there and EXPECT that people are going to be considerate/follow rules, laws, or guidelines, or put things where they're SUPPOSED to go (christianity may mention that a penis is SUPPOSED to go into a vagina, but guys like to put those things in almost any orifice), we might be seeing a lot more of these 'rider down' posts.
apoloegies for the caps on 'supposed', but that word coupled with the unpredictable nature of people in life and in cars, just sound like a imminently dangerous situation
In CA, I believe cars have the right to drive in the bike lane. For example, when turning, a car is to signal, merge into the bike lane when its clear, then turn. Cyclists are not allowed on the sidewalk, and supposed to ride one door length away from parked cars.
In OR, cars are not allowed in the bike lanes. Its actually more dangerous because its a hard right rather than a gradual merge.
I've been hit so many times with the classic no look turn across the lane. One dudes excuse was "i'm sorry i have bad vision at night" then drove off. I had a full nite rider headlight on a white bike.
Drivers are just idiots, and the insurance companies that protect them are straight up white collar criminals.
Fuzz, but look at the lane size they are referring to. It's wide enough to encompass the car and the regular size bike lane to the left of parked cars.
@blackflaglover
Yeah, they don't notice you until you fistpound a side panel to get their divided attention.
Get them on the freeways, and they'll think that a bigrig is a toy as well.
Gettin' right in front of my truck, speeding, then slowing to a near crawl.
because this says this:
21211. (a) No person may stop, stand, sit, or loiter upon any class I bikeway, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code, or any other public or private bicycle path or trail, if the stopping, standing, sitting, or loitering impedes or blocks the normal and reasonable movement of any bicyclist.
(b) No person may place or park any bicycle, vehicle, or any other object upon any bikeway or bicycle path or trail, as specified in subdivision (a), which impedes or blocks the normal and reasonable movement of any bicyclist unless the placement or parking is necessary for safe operation or is otherwise in compliance with the law.
i was just merging into the bike lane to park along the curb, that crazy cyclist rear ended me.
i was just merging into the lane to turn, the cyclist tried to pass illegally on the right in my blind spot, couldn't see him. my passenger is the witness.
i was just driving along next to this cyclist going 30mph downhill with at least six inches of room, and he freaked out hitting my window. The sound startled me into braking and turning at the same time.
I agree with you Annie and I'll take responsibility for my fall. I fall a lot and don't post about it because it's pretty embarrassing. ;P Just because someone parked in the bike lane doesn't make it OK for me to go on the sidewalk... I know that's not where bikes belong... I was a threat to pedestrians. I could have stopped and got off my bike and walked it on the sidewalk since it was too dangerous to merge into traffic at that moment. I'm pissed that I can't ride for so long because of a dumb accident so I guess it's an easier pill to swallow saying I HAD to ride around the car parked in the bike lane.
Annnyway, this may or may not be relevant but I'll say it anyway, that the Brinks truck driver parks in the bike lane every time he delivers, even though there's ample parking for him in the lot. Shouldn't he know that he's creating an obstacle for riders (wheather or not it is illegal) OR why don't they should just get rid of the bike lanes? What it comes down to (and I think I am just rephrasing what you've already said) is that if you aren't an alert rider or driver you are either going to get hurt, or hurt someone else. There are laws that could protect you if people followed them but they probably won't, but it doesn't matter because you probably wont follow them either. This is already too long. Franz still wants to see pictures of himself from when he was a young man in Portland and I'm doing a Fantom 40 ova here! Someone start a new thread and have at it!!
Responsibility or not, the path you chose may have still been the correct one. What might have happened to you if you chose to ride into traffic instead could have resulted in a much worse scenario.
it's not a matter of being correct or incorrect, right or wrong. just be careful (especially in the rain), and don't ever expect people to follow the rules. i expect them to not follow the rules and do the most idiotic things just so that i'm constantly alert.
also, i've noticed an increasing amount of buses running red lights, so be very careful when you're timing the lights because your body might be thrown 50+ fee across the boulevard.
Responsibility or not, the path you chose may have still been the correct one. What might have happened to you if you chose to ride into traffic instead could have resulted in a much worse scenario.
Sorry, MAMMB, but with all due respect I still have to call bullshit. I should watch where I'm going, and I do, but if I get plowed into by somebody who wasn't watching where he was going, it's his fault. I should look out for glass in the road, and I do, but if I pick up a shard and get a flat anyway, it's the bottle-thrower's fault. Actions have consequences. A person who performs actions is responsible for the consequences of those actions. That the potential sufferers of those consequences also possess agency does not relieve the actor of that responsibility.
You say, with tongue in cheek I assume, that I have an inordinate amount of trust in the public to do the right thing. That's cute, but the target of your implicit argument happens to be a straw man. I don't advocate, nor do I practice, blithely floating through life heedless of its potential pitfalls. I have never suggested that anybody take any aspect of human behavior (apart from its essentially tragic nature) for granted. Everybody should be alert to the possibility that some self-centered douchebag will do something reckless or depravedly indifferent, and thereby do them harm. But if it happens anyway, the reckless person is still at fault. Period. End of motherfucking transmission.
You say, with tongue in cheek I assume, that I have an inordinate amount of trust in the public to do the right thing. That's cute, but the target of your implicit argument happens to be a straw man. I don't advocate, nor do I practice, blithely floating through life heedless of its potential pitfalls. I have never suggested that anybody take any aspect of human behavior (apart from its essentially tragic nature) for granted. Everybody should be alert to the possibility that some self-centered douchebag will do something reckless or depravedly indifferent, and thereby do them harm. But if it happens anyway, the reckless person is still at fault. Period. End of motherfucking transmission.
Sometimes this motherfucker just wants to rant something up good, and he wants to use fancy words. It kicks ass, but I have trouble understanding it without focusing . . . which is a lot of effort. What is a straw man? How does one pronounce blithely. Where do, I put, commas?
When I scroll down past that pic of Alex Thompson I always think it's chocolate cake or pudding on his face... then I see the big version and it's sad =(
A straw man is somebody who is secure enough in his own masculinity that he doesn't mind the inherent daintiness of drinking through a straw.
"Blithely" is pronounced like the town in eastern California along Interstate 10. The name of the town is pronounced like the word meaning "carelessly."
You, put the comma immediately after the subject of a sentence or clause. That way you, will sound just like Sexy and everybody, will always know when it's, you writing something.
Geometry and English are a bad mix.
Especially when one is definitely not like the other.
I always had an affinity for 'rithmetic anyway.
X=v+1/4x2(x+1)
Never fails to intrigue me.
fuck! PC, i just had this three paragraph response to what you had written and when i hit 'post reply' it fucking asked me to log back in and when i hit the back button, everything was gone.
it's too bad, because i confessed my crush on you.
end of fucking transmission
ps. i will try to remember what i wrote with any due respect.
"Yeah, they don't notice you until you fistpound a side panel to get their divided attention."
Damn, that just brought back repressed memories. Years ago I was riding to work on Corbin in the valley when this RTD bus (yeah, I'm like 82 years old, the MTA used to be the RTD) overtook me just before Vanowen as I headed north. Sure as shit he must have seen the people at the bus stop across Vanowen at the last second while I was next to him and he starts heading to the curb. FUCK. I'm trapped, I can't even hop onto the sidewalk because there are telephone poles, payphones, and newspaper boxes there. I'm pounding on the side of the bus like Bukowski pounding on the door of a bar at 6am trying to get his first drink of the day when miracles of miracles the driver changes his mind and rolls several yards past the bus stop allowing me to slow down enough to remove myself and my bike from certain death between the side of the bus and a telephone pole. Wheeeew.
pc: i never mentioned getting plowed into, but every now and then wouldn't be so bad (wink). as i mentioned, and i think you agree, people are unpredictable and from their actions, decisions, and reactions to situations, may subsequently effect the safety of others. that is why i ride around town with my 30 foot in diameter veganbananapenis, which alerts drivers of my presence on road, while also keeping me aroused and alert should i suddenly become assulted by a grizzly bear heading full speed toward me in a shopping cart, ready to stab me with a freshly cut slice of unripened watermelon.
by saying that one is "'SUPPOSED'" ( anyhow, that's the best i can do at recalling what i previously tried to post . and at this hour, i'm now exhausted.
i did end with this:
'ps. does anyone else have a crush on PC?'
On regular cars, for the squeeze or right turn type of bike/motor vehicle interaction, I prefer the Hip-check to the fist to the door (this doesnt work well against buses though). If the rider/vehicle contact is inevitable, it causes you to have a momentum which the vehicle must counter to knock you over, as well as the fact that your hip will make a MUCH bigger dent in a quarter panel/door panel/etc. plus you don't have to remove your hands from the bars, which can cost you much needed maneuverability and/or leverage in such a situation. This has saved my ass in more than one situation (such as when I got hit on tues). Basically, just before the car would impact you when getting squeezed or cut off, steer INTO the vehicle, and thrust your hip out, this will cause you instead of rebounding out and down, to bounce upright where you can then either continue your line or check the car again, and continue doing so until you can make it out of the situation, plus it sounds to the driver like they just flattened you, and usually the pull out wider when you do so.. thinking they're in deep shit. One way you can practice this is to have someone run next to you as you ride (this is best learned at a slow pace) and have them move in closer and closer and maybe try to shove you off your bike (my friends used to try to push me off my bike all the time in elementary school, this is how I learned to stay up,) and it has actually saved my life a few times.
by saying that one is "'SUPPOSED'" (quoted quotes, eh) to follow such instructions, rules, or laws, implies trust that the person will comply or keep their half of the bargain. danger! trust no one, especially the rat balls.
It's no military secret that the phrase "supposed to" is commonly and informally used to mean "required to" or "meant to." I am pretty sure that you knew perfectly well that I meant it that way; however, I will strive to write more precisely in the future.
pc: you are usually quite eloquent and seem to choose your words carefully. but then again, i don't know you too well. also, i don't like to ASSUME things about peoples intentions, because i could find myself in a face plant.
@fuzzbeast
That "hipcheck" of yours sounds very effective in close quarter operations.
Manuevering through slow, yet dimwitted, city traffic with many cars. Navigating a sea of persons walking slowly and/or milling about, hey, an EMO concert.
I'll have to try it out one of these days and record it.
But, as of right now, that probably wouldn't serve a purpose out here.
The stoplights/signs are usually 2-4 miles apart and the cars are usally doing warp-factor 7 down an, uncrowded, stretch of pavement.
Hell, sometimes they'll even drift around corners and not notice they hit anything until Sheriffs Dept, or CHP show up at their door.
fuzz,
the law is technically 200 ft from an intersection where you might need to merge across the bike lane to make a turn. this also happens to be where most dotted lines start, but not all the time.
from the CVC:
21209. (a) No person shall drive a motor vehicle in a bicycle lane established on a roadway pursuant to Section 21207 except as follows:
(1) To park where parking is permitted.
(2) To enter or leave the roadway.
(3) To prepare for a turn within a distance of 200 feet from the intersection.
(b) This section does not prohibit the use of a motorized bicycle in a bicycle lane, pursuant to Section 21207.5, at a speed no greater than is reasonable or prudent, having due regard for visibility, traffic conditions, and the condition of the roadway surface of the bicycle lane, and in a manner which does not endanger the safety of bicyclists.
I know you've been thinking "DAMN! When will Nicole be all up on these rides again!?" Soon my pets... soon. I just got back from my first check up and the Dr. sez I am healing on schedule. I can ditch the crutches and walk like a gimp now. I can't ride on the streets YET, but if it doesn't hurt I can use a trainer/ roller at home. Sooo...I just looked on ebay and the trainers are 'spensive. I'll probably never use it again after I heal, so my question is: does anyone know where I can get a way less 'spensive one?
Good to hear about your recovery process. And speaking of recovery process, i went to Rutts yesterday morning for breakfast! Had the loco moco. I can't believe that place has been so close and i never knew it existed. Thanks for the tip!
Franz how about you just lift Mel C's rear wheel while I pedal... jobs of the jobless! ;) Speedy that would be rad if you had one (I don't really trust Franz! jaja) I think I might have found some cheap-ish ones used on amazon, too.
@ Stevo- aw, that place really is yummy! I can't not get the Hawaiian bread french toast whenever I go there.
I have an ancient Exercise Bike that you can have... but you'd be cooler riding on a trainer. Rollers, i don't know about that. You can eat shit on those. maybe fly across the room in a wall if you're going fast (fun) enough.
Great to hear your on your way to a full recovery. I just thought I would give my two cents on this.
I would consider using the exercise bike before the trainer. The exercise bike doesn't need nearly as much muscle control that the trainer does, yet you still get roughly the same workout. You could end up hurting yourself on the trainer and setting yourself back. Far less likely on a exercise bike. From the exercise bike I would go to walking and gaining strength that way. Then slowing start on a regular bike. I have absolutely no data to back this up, and is just my opinion.
I wish you the best and hope to see you on the streets soon. I hope others can see the problems with using a trainer and you would reconsider.
He's been gone for such a long time
(Hey la, hey la, my boyfriend's back)
Now he's back and things will be fine
(Hey la, hey la, my boyfriend's back)
You're gonna be sorry you were ever born
(Hey la, hey la, my boyfriend's back)
'Cause he's kinda big and he's awful strong
(Hey la, hey la, my boyfriend's back)
Heyyy Al...good lookin' out. I'll do some research before I use the trainer. If it'll jeopardized the progress I've made so far then I'll use the wbaa ahfashfua hecize bike.. I HOPE YOU'RE WRONG!!!! ;) I want to ride my bike (even in place, in my living room!) I don't want to ride an exercise bike.. yuk. heh. :::pout:::
my friend Amy in NY used a trainer during her last trimester when she was pregnant cuz she couldn't stand not riding but would get tons of flack for riding on the street so noticably pregnant...
I'd say User1's idea is a good one, just to segway back into it... it will put less pressure on your arms probably and keep you sitting more upright which might be better for your hip right now.. but, like Allan, I have nothing to back this up.. just seems to make sense.. but you can probably set up the trainer to be in a less aggressive stance as well...