FitOldDog says safety is critical on road bikes, have lights and mirror

This guy might be able to walk safely down the median turning lane, otherwise forget it.

Hi folks! Another lovely day on planet Earth, don’t you think?

Road where FitOldDog nearly killed a guy walking in the road in the dark on a rainy night.

Imagine this same spot in the dark of night with pouring rain and an oncoming car: this is where I nearly killed a guy walking in this central lane at 1:00 am. today - thanks to Deb he’s still around (unless he’s collecting his Darwin Award)

How can you expect the unexpected, and see what you need to see all the time? Remember that when you’re riding your bike, and have a mirror and good lights, for heaven’s sake.

I had an early start today, as I picked up Deb from work at the emergency department at UNC at 12:15 am., and then drove us home in my trusty old Chevy truck through the early stage of a major ice storm, and nearly killed a guy.

We were nearly home, the rain was heavy, the lighting difficult with all the reflections, sleet was falling on my windscreen, an oncoming car was blinding me somewhat, and as I turned into the central turning lane to enter our neighborhood, Deb shouted, “Stop.” Then “STOP.” Then “WATCH OUT!!!!!”

The Darwin Awards salute the improvement of
the human genome by honoring those who
accidentally remove themselves from it…

On the second “stop” I saw the guy - between my headlights and walking away from us, in dark clothes, a backpack, and sauntering down the middle lane as if he was out for a country walk. I stopped abruptly roughly 12 feet from him, and he turned to look at us. He gave us a look that said, “What the hell are you doing here.” Then he turned and carried on down the center lane of this 5-lane highway. If Deb hadn’t been there he’d be dead, as my attention was on the oncoming car - I didn’t expect the unexpected. Then again, if Deb wasn’t there, I wouldn’t have been there either.

I‘m a very careful driver with a clean record, and fortunately a slow and cautious one, and even then I could have killed him - I found this fascinating! I couldn’t imagine what I could have done differently.

Sprintech mirror attached by rubber bands to my, ‘work of Victor art,’ Guru tri bike.

My attention was on the road. I wasn’t tired, drunk or on drugs. And even then I didn’t see the guy until the very last second.

Remember this story when you’re out riding your bike at the end of the day in the rain, without lights and without a mirror!!!!

Me? On my bike, I use DiNotte lights and always have a mirror, and even then…

Over and out (not permanently, yet!) from @FitOldDog

Important Note: These posts do not provide medical advice. You should always consult your physician before undertaking or significantly modifying an exercise program.