RR: Hitting the Road in Orange, Ca

[andy aka rut]

Ride Report...

I try to ride my bike to work most everyday. Well this morning was no exception. With only one mile to go, an OC Sheriff made a right hand turn in front of me. I couldn't stop in time and went all Duke's of Hazzard over the hood of the squad car. Once I hit the road with my entire left side of my body, I did my best to get up. Oh, that wasn't as easy as I was hoping. I was able to get up, but boy oh boy did my hip, knee, elbow, ankle and ribs hurt! I never blacked out and didn't hit my head. Phew!!! After 5 1/2 hours in the ER, I was released with no broken bones. Phew again!!!

On a side note (well sorta)
When I was leaving my apartment, I put my beanie on my head as it gets cold out there. Well when getting on my bike I forgot my helmet. I guess I must have thought it was already on. About 10 miles into the ride, I realized it wasn't there. I rode by Switchback Cyclery, but they aren't open at 6am. WTF?!!! I thought "with my luck I'll get hit by a car today." I'm incredibly lucky those were my only injuries. I thanked God right away.
Now I'm at home watching CSI: Miami with a pot pie cooling off and Vicadin in the bottle. Hopefully I'll be on the bike in a week or so. I have the rest of the week off.

The Pista is OK. I will need to purchase some new bars and hoods.

Be careful out there and wear a helmet.
(Yes I do have insurance!)

[Burner]

man, that sucks... glad you are ok.

what'd the cop say?

[CPATCRASH]

Damn Andy that sucks. Glad your OK! Did the cop spill any coffee or get any of the powered sugar from his dognut on his uniform?

[Winston]

"You have the right to remain silent..."

Glad you will ok. Now sell that road bike and get yourself something safer. Like a 7Point or Sunday.

Originally Posted by Burner

what'd the cop say?

[CC]

Your insurance shouldn't have to cover this. After you explain what happend, you may even get a little surprise. Usually they will throw in a bonus so you don't file a personal injury suit.

I hope you're not in too much pain. You are one lucky dood to have someone watching over you.

[andy aka rut]

Originally Posted by Burner

man, that sucks... glad you are ok.

what'd the cop say?

thanks. I'm pretty sure the cops are smart enough to not admit guilt, even if they are at fault. He was exceptionally friendly and helpful in every way. Except for the pain and the bike being a little messed up, the experience went pretty well. I would love to jump on the bandwagon and rip on them as well, but to be honest he felt bad and helped in every way he could.

[Keith B]

Glad you're ok mate. I'd be pissed about the cop but only because he's meant to know better. I *ahem* often jsut wear a baseball cap when riding on the street but I'll do my best to make that an exception and not the rule. Hope you heal fast and enjoy the rest :-)

[stjunkie]

Glad to hear you're OK. The cop could have at least given you a "Get out of Jail Free Card".

[guero]

do the sheriff's have "dashboard cams"? that would be some crazy video to see and potentially could help your case. glad to hear you weren't too seriously injured.

[Kid A]

5-0 takes you out while making a right turn in front of you???. damn, in my book that is most def a get out of jail card free fo' life and a new ride courtesy of the boys in blue.

glad you are okay.

will be interesting how they play it. I was taken out by a car a few years back while riding on the road to a trailhead by a f'n KFC regional sales mgr. I bounced way hard but got up. The driver had such a scared look on his face when he got out of car and approached me. made me laugh a bit until my anger took over as he almost killed me. their corp office called me to check up. Not the d!ckhead I told them no harm, no foul and didn't even get a free bucket of chicken!?! you should def hold out for something bomb like one of the slap on sirens (hahaha) think of all the "fun" you can have with that

healing vibes, bud

[Pain Freak]

Having just been smacked off my bike from a SUV a few weeks back I know what it's like. I was wearing a helmet, but still consider myself very lucky. The guy that hit me, bought me a new carbon fiber handlebar and a set of pedels and thru in 100 dollars if there is anything else I could think of. My thoughts are that a helmet would be more of a benefit on the asphalt then the dirt, but either way, we should always wear them. I'm really glad your okay Andy.

[mtnbikej]

The question is? Does the Sheriff's Dept give himself a ticket for hitting a cyclist? or better yet....does he have insurance to compensate Andy for his pain and suffering!!!

Sherry @ Switchback

[maxwell]

Hey Rut glad you're OK!
I was at the shop when you sent your text to Cheryl.
I'm with Guero, I'd try and get a copy of the video, just for kicks!

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by maxwell

I'm with Guero, I'd try and get a copy of the video, just for kicks!

Vid of Andy getting a smackdown from car see...no helmet

[maxwell]

Man, that's freak'in BEAUTIFUL!

Andy, did you cuss out "the man" in Italin too?

[andy aka rut]

Originally Posted by Kid A

Vid of Andy getting a smackdown from car see...no helmet

I don't think I got up quite that quickly. That is awful for me to watch. So I got a photo of the bruising and I did a little altering to the t-shirt. The bruising is 48hrs after the incident. It is a side angle of my hip. What do you think?

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by maxwell

Andy, did you cuss out "the man" in Italin too?

too much time in a road saddle will do that to you

Originally Posted by andy aka rut

So I got a photo of the bruising It is a side angle of my hip. What do you think?

hey dude priorities must be set. how about a pic of the carnage to the bike j/k, nice one there. sounds like could have been worse. u r a lucky man. just hope u feel better, soon

[CC]

Ouch!...It usually hurts more a day or two after. Hope you're staying medicated.

[genusmtbkr5]

Andy, sorry to hear what happened to you, that pic says it all. I'm glad you're o.k. Get well soon. Gene

[andy aka rut]

Well it's been just over 48 hours since the accident. Monday I really couldn't move at all. It was taking forever to just get out of a chair. I was supersore (Sup'er-sore) verb; meaning a pain so intense on a man, he is legally able to relate it to childbirth.
I took a vicodin just before bed and one at 2am. The stuff works wonders.
Tuesday I was feeling a lot better. I was able to move around but it wasn't at high speed. One more vico before bed.
Wednesday I feel a lot better. I was even able to get out of bed without much discomfort. I think by the end of the day I will be doing much better. Unless of course someone tries to tickle my ribs.
No word from the Sheriffs yet. I'm guessing I won't hear a word from them until after I file a report. I'm hoping to do that either today or tomorrow.
The squad car was brand new. It didn't have a camera mounted on it yet. The officer and I actually talked about what a great video that would have been.
The only things injured on the bike (luckily) are brake levers and the grip tape. All else is good. Pretty amazing, huh!

thanks for all the kind words everyone.