I finally got knocked off my bike today!

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I finally got knocked off my bike today!

Postby Toks » Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:45 pm

I say 'finally' cause I guess its kinda inevitable that sooner or later you'll get in to an altercation with a car. I went to see a client in the lovely village of Pryton in Oxfordfordshire today. Including the return journey a 100 miles of commuting. Now with around a mile to go I was basically cruising up Camden Road a journey I've done most of my life by foot, on Roller Skates, by car and in the last 6 years by bike. Now for me its just straight, straight and straight. Unfortunately there are a few side roads and this guy decides he's going to turn left at one of them just as I approach.

So I'm on the inside left heading straight and he swings left. I catch him in my peripheral but its too late and I bounce off the front panel of his car and down I go quite hard. Ouch! People are trying to detach me from my bike (still clipped in) and pick me up. I remain calm assess the situation and then get up and check out my bike. I then thank people for their help, rub my bruised hip for few seconds and then ride away. Did I make a school boy error and try to overtake on the inside (left) and get caught out because he didn't indicate? Probably. I'm not that mad but I'm annoyed with myself for coming a cropper in such an unnecessary way. Oh well, my elbow stings now and I'm limping a bit. There's a first time for everything I guess. Moral of the story. Stay focussed and keep your wits about after 5 hours thirty mins of commuting or it could be you :(
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Re: I finally got knocked off my bike today!

Postby Will » Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:57 pm

Sorry to hear that.

Sounds like you are ok though? Hope you still feel ok in the morning.

Is it worth giving the bike a proper check just to make sure nothing's cracked etc.?
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Re: I finally got knocked off my bike today!

Postby Antloony » Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:09 pm

:( Had so many close shaves like this. Just bad luck, hope you get mended soon Toks. Good to see you on a club run last week :D
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Re: I finally got knocked off my bike today!

Postby Rob Q » Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:25 pm

Glad you are ok Toks and not to sore in the morning.
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Re: I finally got knocked off my bike today!

Postby Sylv » Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:42 pm

That's bad mojo for not writing a blog post in yonks

only kidding, glad it's ok
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Re: I finally got knocked off my bike today!

Postby Dombo » Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:09 am

Glad you're ok, Toks.
Impressive commute, btw.
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Re: I finally got knocked off my bike today!

Postby Jon H » Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:31 am

Look after those sore bits Toks.
It's a rite of passage; you're a proper cyclist now.
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Re: I finally got knocked off my bike today!

Postby ThePinkDreamMachine » Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:54 am

'Did I make a school boy error and try to overtake on the inside (left) and get caught out because he didn't indicate?'

I would like to know that too? as this happend to kate a few weeks ago too.

Poor old Toks..

ps i like the way you got in your did your 100 miler in 5 and a half hours. nice one :)
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Re: I finally got knocked off my bike today!

Postby Jon H » Fri Aug 14, 2009 10:33 am

[quote="Toks"]Did I make a school boy error and try to overtake on the inside (left) and get caught out because he didn't indicate?

50-50 I'd say:

Highway Code rule 72
On the left. When approaching a junction on the left, watch out for vehicles turning in front of you, out of or into the side road. Just before you turn, check for undertaking cyclists or motorcyclists. Do not ride on the inside of vehicles signalling or slowing down to turn left.

Highway Code rule 182
Use your mirrors and give a left-turn signal well before you turn left. Do not overtake just before you turn left and watch out for traffic coming up on your left before you make the turn, especially if driving a large vehicle. Cyclists, motorcyclists and other road users in particular may be hidden from your view.
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Re: I finally got knocked off my bike today!

Postby Sylv » Fri Aug 14, 2009 10:36 am

I always go on the right. Almost as many chances of being hit on that side but more likely to be seen in driver's side mirror, also more exit room in an emergency.
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Re: I finally got knocked off my bike today!

Postby Andrew G » Fri Aug 14, 2009 12:41 pm

[quote="Sylv"]I always go on the right. Almost as many chances of being hit on that side but more likely to be seen in driver's side mirror, also more exit room in an emergency.

Same here in the majority of cases. Driver's expect traffic on their right, motorbikes overtaking etc. Going down Fountain / College road in the morning is a particular bad spot for cars turning left without indicating and also cars coming out of the side road without checking properly, i.e. they look for cars not bikes.

Hope nothing's swollen up this morning that you didn't want to Toks, glad to see you were getting the miles in too :wink: . Your tale also backs up the theory that you are more likely to have an accident (bike, car, any transport) within a mile or two of where you live.
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Re: I finally got knocked off my bike today!

Postby Toks » Fri Aug 14, 2009 5:15 pm

Thanks for checking in on me guys. My elbow is OK buy my hip is quite sore. Lets hope I can reengage my "always-anticipate-the-worst" button when I get back on the road tomorrow :D
Last edited by Toks on Fri Aug 14, 2009 5:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: I finally got knocked off my bike today!

Postby Andrew G » Fri Aug 14, 2009 5:20 pm

[quote="Toks"]Thanks for checking in on my guys.

I'm doing no such thing, you can check on "your guys" yourself.
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Re: I finally got knocked off my bike today!

Postby Toks » Fri Aug 14, 2009 5:48 pm

[quote="Andrew G"][quote="Toks"]Thanks for checking in on my guys.

I'm doing no such thing, you can check on "your guys" yourself.

:lol: :lol: Nice one Andrew!
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Re: I finally got knocked off my bike today!

Postby kieran » Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:09 pm

hi Toks, happened to me before as well, when it did my bike got damaged but the driver paid for repairs, who is responsible and for how much depends on the situation, if you were coming up on the inside left, as long as you were not bombing along but being careful then I would think most of the fault would be the drivers. The highway code is not clear on cyclsts going up the left, after all cycle paths and bus lanes allow under taking of traffic.
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