tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post5819136717375382890..comments2023-12-28T21:22:10.935-07:00Comments on Jill Outside: A harsh end to the holidayJill Homerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983065990450931943noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-37665723414910266882012-05-19T07:52:07.251-06:002012-05-19T07:52:07.251-06:00This is a road through Yosemite National Park. Bi...This is a road through Yosemite National Park. Bicyclists should be able to travel safely on this road with minimal anxiety.<br /><br />If motorists cannot, or will not, share this road safely with non-motorized traffic, the onus for safety should not be on bicyclists who are following the law. <br /><br />Are the government agencies (NPS?) responsible for the design and enforcement for this stretch of highway doing their job to create a safe corridor for all users? Are further restrictions on motorized use necessary?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-87552029363612864552012-05-18T17:37:32.334-06:002012-05-18T17:37:32.334-06:00I'm not saying cyclist's don't get hit...I'm not saying cyclist's don't get hit in other countries, but I just got back from 3 months in England (and I had my road bike with me). I was AMAZED at the COMPLETE lack of cyclist-directed rage (during the 560 miles I logged anyway). <br /><br />The roads I was on over there all make the one in Jill's pic look HUGE. Yet the cars that come up behind slow up and WAIT until I signal them around (if they couldn't see around) or go on their own when they had a chance. I'd always give a friendly wave as they passed, thanking them for waiting, and almost always got a nice wave back.<br /><br />I think in the US drivers are conditioned to ONLY see other vehicles. Also here there is MUCH anger directed towards cyclists who are impeding the driver's speedy arrival at their destination. How DARE you slow me down...get off MY road!<br /><br />As has been said here, our laws typically let negligent drivers walk away, while the cyclist is dead or severely injured. That's not always the case overseas (in the places I've been anyway). In Japan, you hit a bike or pedestrian, you can hang it up...you will pay DEARLY! They do not accept the "I didn't see him" excuse. You are behind the wheel, it's your DUTY to see. <br /><br />And not that Keith's collision have anything to do w/ a cell phone (as far as we know), but until the US gets SERIOUS about cell phone use while driving (ie: treating it the SAME as a DWI), cyclists will continue to die in record numbers. <br /><br />So many people think they can text or yak on the phone and it's not impeding their driving, but study after study has shown it's WORSE than being drunk. I have high hopes that someday we will get there...20 years or so ago drunk driving was a wink-wink offense too...using the "it wasn't his fault, he was drunk" excuse.<br /><br />But god forbid we hold people accountable for their actions...gasp!<br /><br />(OK...sorry for the rant..had a tough day/week at work and had to vent some).<br /><br />Happy Friday! Get out on those TRAILS! I sure plan to!Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10517087265569164625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-54393875153026652452012-05-18T11:14:14.484-06:002012-05-18T11:14:14.484-06:00We Portland cyclists had another fatality yesterda...We Portland cyclists had another fatality yesterday. Large truck downtown turned left into and over a women commuter. Tragic, careless and avoidable, the truck passed her then turned in front of her....mclhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15464565192570706726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-82970441393409683132012-05-18T07:48:58.912-06:002012-05-18T07:48:58.912-06:00It's all down to probability and chance, but s...It's all down to probability and chance, but some of it has to do with choosing your roads carefully. That road looks like it could be nice on low-traffic days, but with no shoulder, risky on a busy day. Hope you don't totally give up on road cycling, it's the pure stuff.Durango Joenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-4835782480160859182012-05-18T01:06:29.552-06:002012-05-18T01:06:29.552-06:00Actually a few years ago my masters swim coach (I ...Actually a few years ago my masters swim coach (I was into triathlon back then) got tragically killed by a drunk driver in the cali wine country just north. The driver (a local resident and alcoholic, not a tourist) hit him with 50mph, then went on to hit his girlfriend a hundred yards later and drove on. He was stopped by an off-duty cop and claimed he didn't notice. Blood was on the cracked windshield. My coach, 30 years old, died on the scene, his girlfriend was for a few weeks in a coma and made a painfully slow recovery (I doubt it was a complete one). It was heartbreaking and horrifying to read her families blog posts: "Today I think she recognized us!". <br />It put me off biking until I met Jill, a solid 8 years during which my (then almost new) Calfee gathered dust ... Jill got me back into biking mostly through mountain biking, which appeals to me for obvious reasons. I have to admit I wasn't initially very happy for her interest in road biking, though I ended up getting the new road bike anyways so I could ride with her.<br />I'm extremely glad Keith didn't get hurt in an irreversible fashion. I do ask myself if it's really worth it. Road biking can be sublime fun (like our bike to work day with almost no traffic) but to be honest I simply prefer trails. I have now multiple friends who had brushes with/full-on death on a roadbike. I am usually fairly conservative when it comes to traffic, but it takes oh so little for a cyclist or driver to make that terrible mistake. In a way you can't let it stop you. But I'm not really stopped when I trail run or mountain bike either ...Beatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-75149132621441218122012-05-17T21:30:47.066-06:002012-05-17T21:30:47.066-06:00As you say "bicyclists never get to walk away...As you say "bicyclists never get to walk away" from collisions with larger "vehicles". I am a cyclist and also a professional driver (bus). The level of risk evident to me in the picture of this road is far beyond any I would be willing to accept. <br />This is not likely the only corner on a mountain pass and while drivers should know there may be animals to avoid hitting I know they don't think in advance or care at all about hitting an animal. There is no shoulder to pull over onto when you hear larger vehicle, and everyone should always accept that there will be all sorts of inexperienced drivers that take risks beyond their ability to manage those risks.<br />I am sorry for everyone involved in this collision.Chyllynnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-63786472462290560002012-05-17T20:52:28.550-06:002012-05-17T20:52:28.550-06:00Thanks everyone. Danni, I had to laugh at your com...Thanks everyone. Danni, I had to laugh at your comments about sweating and being tortured. I think Keith would enjoy a weekend of being wheeled around Lululemon and the bar. For what it's worth we can be as lazy as you want when you come here. That's pretty much where my head is at right now, although I don't have the ability to say no to any outdoor activity (and I do think you'd love the Skyline to the Sea trail run.) <br /><br />Everything is dangerous on some level, and I do agree with Keith's attitude that this kind of thing is a mostly random occurrence, and it's not a reason to quit road biking all together. Still, it's unfortunate, and although preventable as others have pointed out, that doesn't change the fact that it was entirely out of our control. That aspect, to me, is what was most upsetting about this incident.Jill Homerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02983065990450931943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-62081958128201149252012-05-17T19:14:06.967-06:002012-05-17T19:14:06.967-06:00Isn't it weird how often that gut feeling is r...Isn't it weird how often that gut feeling is right? How terrifying... but I'm glad everyone is going to be okay.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01212228308225991239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-50938264546487085552012-05-17T15:19:56.284-06:002012-05-17T15:19:56.284-06:00Bagels? Now I want one.
I do feel badly for this...Bagels? Now I want one.<br /><br />I do feel badly for this Joe guy. I disagree with another commenter's definition of "intentional" -- Joe obviously didn't intend to hit Keith. Certainly our actions (and inaction) can have dire consequences, but any of us could be in the shoes of Keith or Joe under various sets of circumstances.<br /><br />Anyhow, I'm sorry you had to experience this and obviously I am worried about Keith. The only good thing about it is that I can go visit him with zero pressure to spend a weekend sweating and being tortured. I can just wheel him to Lululemon and the bar and sit around :-)<br /><br />I do think road biking on certain roads is super dangerous. For me, just not worth it. Around here, the Seeley-Swan highway seems like it would make for an awesome ride but I am told that many cyclists have been killed on that road. I'll just stick to running... of course as you know that can be dangerous too as learned by my friend who was bit by the grizzly bear...Dannihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02201053516148787578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-11073510210099459882012-05-17T13:11:37.410-06:002012-05-17T13:11:37.410-06:00Uugh.
Best wishes to Keith on his recovery.Uugh. <br /><br />Best wishes to Keith on his recovery.Lynda Wallenfelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00794970198414492308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-81652300895226243212012-05-17T12:54:04.972-06:002012-05-17T12:54:04.972-06:00This makes me sick to my stomach. Yesterday our Ta...This makes me sick to my stomach. Yesterday our Tallahassee cycling community installed a ghost bike for our friend Dave Baton, killed by a motorist not quite a year ago. <br /><br />Please keep us posted on Keith's recovery, and enjoy that quiet time on the trails.Juanchohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01283672346601878803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-22962331695506340742012-05-17T12:41:13.264-06:002012-05-17T12:41:13.264-06:00two feet...two feet...Malvanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-42419058134100165032012-05-17T12:40:41.241-06:002012-05-17T12:40:41.241-06:00I want to echo what Getspoked said. This is a real...I want to echo what Getspoked said. This is a really tough post to read. It's been haunting me since yesterday. Enjoy the trails on your two feets and I wish a speedy recovery to your friend.Malvanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-85758797336278300692012-05-17T12:29:33.964-06:002012-05-17T12:29:33.964-06:00even the phrase 'rented motorbike' strikes...even the phrase 'rented motorbike' strikes fear into my heart.. most motorbikers are very careful as they are the second most vulnerable road users after cyclists but an inexperienced motorbiker or one on a different bike can a danger to themselves and others. having said that, i feel for 'joe' - he sounds like a good guy and is probably feeling terrible for his part in this. <br /><br />wishing keith a speedy and smooth recovery!<br /><br />LyndseyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-62315488336078814012012-05-17T09:53:03.206-06:002012-05-17T09:53:03.206-06:00Get well, Keith! And, Jill, nice job responding t...Get well, Keith! And, Jill, nice job responding to the emergency. Hitting 911 on the SPOT was the right thing to do. What a scary time. My thoughts are with you and Keith. Hang in there, girl!Cyclin' Missyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12055590629075632638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-73613116903088835892012-05-17T09:46:15.778-06:002012-05-17T09:46:15.778-06:00There's so much I could say about this. We'...There's so much I could say about this. We've had a number of local cyclists who have been hit from behind in the past few years and fractured vertebrae represent about the best outcome. It is quickly becoming my greatest fear when out on the road, and is one of the reasons I rarely do long solo road rides any more. I do a lot of my riding on a bike path atop the Mississippi River levee. One of the things that made that bike path possible was the death of a local doctor who was hit from behind by a car.Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03607259821954490651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-16483329925447031222012-05-17T09:34:29.801-06:002012-05-17T09:34:29.801-06:00Jill, sorry for Keith being injured. I hope for a...Jill, sorry for Keith being injured. I hope for a quick recovery. I suffered injury to two of my discs due to a vehicle collision, so I understand what his recovery may be like. <br /><br />Even though you state the collision was not intentional, it actually was. When someone gets onto a motorcycle or behind the wheel of a car, everything they do that is a result of that act alone makes it intentional. You start the motor, you are driving, it is intentional. You take your mind off the road and look around at the sights in a National Park, that is an intentional act, you choose to do such a thing. That makes what Joe did to Keith intentional. There is great responsibility when driving, Joe failed in the discharge of his duty as a motorcyclist. <br /><br />There are no vehicle accidents. It is never accidental. There are collisions, and just about all of them can be avoided if the person driving does what they are supposed to be doing when behind the wheel (or handlebars).<br /><br />As far as knowing what I talk about, the manner in which people drive made me sell my motorcycle after writing too many reports and cleaning up too many bodies off the roadway when I was working in the traffic division of a Southern California beach city Police department. The same experiences made me give up road cycling and focus almost exclusively on mountain biking for years.<br /><br />I feel sorry for Joe, but he very much could have avoided all of this if he simply tried.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-78496426835089917792012-05-17T09:29:39.454-06:002012-05-17T09:29:39.454-06:00Tragic, thoughts are with you, Keith and careless ...Tragic, thoughts are with you, Keith and careless Joe...we have all taken our eyes off the rode at times. As you said, we cyclists always take the mistakes of others at great cost.<br /><br />Get well.mclhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15464565192570706726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-5569063699115633202012-05-17T07:27:20.469-06:002012-05-17T07:27:20.469-06:00You know, Jill, this is a tough post to read. Asi...You know, Jill, this is a tough post to read. Aside from the physical trauma your friend endured, and your own emotional trauma, it's upsetting to read that you knew something wasn't right with the situation but couldn't stop. I don't know how many times I've done the same thing but still came through the situation relatively unscathed. The last couple of years I've been trying to muster the courage to tell my riding partner (usually my husband), "I don't feel comfortable with this situation, and I want us to stop." That's so, so hard to do because it feels like giving up. I want to be as tough as the guys, and yet, I don't want anyone to get hurt. Your post has given me the strength to speak my mind more often. Best of wishes to you, to Keith, and to all the folks out there who push themselves hard. But let's all try to be more thoughtful about our safety, okay?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-60561045041461030172012-05-17T05:58:40.565-06:002012-05-17T05:58:40.565-06:00That is terrible. And a serious place to get a fra...That is terrible. And a serious place to get a fracture, though I do believe, as you say that Keith will recover quickly, given his good attitude, good health and his support network.<br /><br />What I don't understand is why there is not more of an outcry to make conditions safer for cyclists on roads (safe bike lanes) - and increase fines for hitting cyclists. WHY is it that cars & motorcycles have to rule our roads? I'm just planting this seed because I know there are a lot of political activists who read your blog and if our generation doesn't decide to make a change, this will happen again and again.sea legs girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14782712411873234071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-12488562831426085772012-05-16T22:19:04.245-06:002012-05-16T22:19:04.245-06:00Thank goodness you had your SPOT with you. You wer...Thank goodness you had your SPOT with you. You were probably able to get him help much quicker than if you had just waited for someone else to come along that had cell signal. Don't forget though that text can be sent even when you don't have enough signal to make a call. In most states you can text 911 and get help. I have been commuting the last couple of days with out a cell phone. I will not do that anymore. <br />Glad to hear you are okay.OrangeCreamCyclehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14844950250594827205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-55609913321799067942012-05-16T20:30:26.871-06:002012-05-16T20:30:26.871-06:00Heal up quickly Keith. Scary stuff and some long r...Heal up quickly Keith. Scary stuff and some long rehab, but so glad it wasn't worse. Thinking of you guys.Derrickhttp://www.healthandadventure.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-27919998639571901102012-05-16T20:04:30.258-06:002012-05-16T20:04:30.258-06:00Holy SMOKES! I try my best not to, but I think abo...Holy SMOKES! I try my best not to, but I think about this type of thing on EVERY road ride. <br /><br />Keith is very lucky....a typical Harley weighs well over 800lbs, could have really done BAD things to a cyclist. Out there on our bikes we are SO vulnerable to the other vehicles...and can only pray and trust that they ARE paying attention. No idea how this one happened, but I think Cell phones are the biggest danger to cyclists since the invention of the car (and motorcycle). <br /><br />Which is why I love Mt biking so much. My theory on Mt bike crashes are that there are only 2 reasons why I crash:<br /><br />1) I messed up.<br />2) Something broke (which is almost always a direct result of item 1).<br /><br />I can live with those reasons...cuz it means any crash is pretty much MY fault. But being in the wrong place and time when some inattentive driver ruins your life...well, that's a whole different animal. <br /><br />Best of luck to Keith for a full speedy recovery! And glad you are unhurt Jill! I've been in CA for over 10 years now and STILL haven't made it up to Yosemite (and most certainly will NOT be road riding there anytime soon!)Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10517087265569164625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-64459774308284605702012-05-16T19:17:36.499-06:002012-05-16T19:17:36.499-06:00Oh no, you know I can relate to this, although nob...Oh no, you know I can relate to this, although nobody hit me and my injuries are a lot less. It's funny how we sometimes feel a sense of doom before something bad happens. I hope Keith can heal quickly and returns to riding as soon as he can.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11166776565191771729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-33188101518994541162012-05-16T19:02:01.488-06:002012-05-16T19:02:01.488-06:00Keith strikes me as a very positive person, so I k...Keith strikes me as a very positive person, so I know he can get through this. Glad you were okay and could tend to him. As for the motorcyclist...I'm sure he felt bad, and he should. There isn't any excuse for what happened. There is a good reason to fear people in rented vehicles...lack of experience with local roads and possibly the vehicle itself. I hope Keith gets some insurance money at the very least. Cameron and I are thinking about him and wishing him a fast recovery.leahnoreply@blogger.com