Re: Beijing scooter accident
Dear LJH,
Damned good outcome, all things considered. Your suspenseful retelling had me worried till the final sentence that something actually bad had happened. Glad a couple of ice creams were a sufficient cure.
Any thoughts on how to dress better for the next time? I mean that earnestly. Is there a version of ATGATT -- "ATGATT lite"? "ATGATT slow"? -- for small scooters that we ride at only 30kph or less?
cheers!
Re: Beijing scooter accident
"All's well that ends well".
By the way, a very important question: is the ice cream on a stick or in a cone?
Re: Beijing scooter accident
By the way, Richard, I'm amazed that you managed to stay upright despite being broadsided by a car at any speed. Also amazed that you didn't go down into that metal divider; I can only imagine the kind of chaos that would ensue if a bike hit one of those, since your pegs and other protrusions would like catch, and, well, I just don't even want to think about what that would look like....
Congratulations on keeping a cool head! You deserved that ice cream!
Cheers,
Jeff
Re: Beijing scooter accident
Good on you Richard, glad to read you came out of that one ok! Nice to see you using a somewhat common-sense approach as such an accident is easily caused what with so many distractions around at the best of times. I'd hazard a guess though that had the circumstances been the reversed all common-sense would have gone out the window, a long with the bath water. Glad though that injuries suffered on the surface appear to be minor, though I note your sense of doubt over your leg which seems to have taken the impact one way or another. It might be prudent to get an X-Ray just to rule out a partial non-displaced or incomplete hairline fracture. Glad to read that the resulting funds allowed a pleasant relaxing end to the days events. Mmmmm I can taste that Magnum now...
Re: Beijing scooter accident
Euphonius, I can relate to your comment re: ATGATT. I'm into my ATGATT lite or may I offer, ATGATT scoota gear. Armoured textile jacket, leather fingerless gloves (ok 2/3 finger intact top 1/3 not), leather and suede type mid ankle riding boots as opposed to calf or mid-calf, and regular trousers. Just can't stand the heat with armoured riding trousers insitu. Too hot! I do have a mesh jacket that I've not worn yet this summer, but then quite a few of the days since I've been back from OZ/NZ (2 weeks), I've driven my car. ok, ok, brick bats...
Even I have ridden, I'm not comfortable with the gear on, plus we've experienced days and nights with thunderstorms (humidity) lightening, heavy downpours.
Might add that last night, a lot of deep surface flooding around near Dongqian Hu, and the mountains surrounding the lake. Tried accessing one mountain road, but a flash flood across the road, turned me back. Took alternative main road between two main mountain ranges, but visibility not good, and numerous trees (bamboo) down across the roadway, just passable in places. Then hit standstill traffic, lots of container trucks and the like. After waiting 10min or so, got out of my car leaving my son in his car-seat in it.
Nasty accident was the cause, ebike rider hit by a vehicle, rider or pillion suffered above knee amputations. Couldn't tell from all the trucks and cars which was the offending vehicle, plus it was raining - not a pretty sight. Tried to assist, but not so easy with so many onlookers and then had my young son too. With 120 (ambulance) in attendance - left with son in car seat, back the way we came. By the time we back tracked, could make it through the portion of road that had flash flooded. Rest of the journey was quiet, and peaceful through some of my favoured mountain roads.
Re: Beijing scooter accident
Thanks for the wishes, folks.
First, the important stuff - the vanilla ice cream was in a dish, covered with that chocolate sauce that turns hard. Really tasty.
Second, although I'd like to claim god-like riding skills, the truth is I was just really damn lucky. I've heard people say that things slow down, and they remember things in slow motion. Not me. All I remember was the trigger of "shit, he's going to turn in front of me" and me braking like hell and heading for the opening. I do remember the full-stop-jerk, and I think it was followed by him hitting me and pushing me, but maybe I was still moving forward when we collided and the full stop jerk happened after. I really don't know for sure exactly how everything happened. In my aged brain, it seemed everything sped up. I also think my brain told my body to keep the bike upright, but I am not sure how I did it, but I think this is probably how my leg got scraped.
Third, ATGATT-lite. I ride with a hi-viz helmet and a hi-viz shirt and/or vest, and my headlight on. It is impossible to know how many times someone saw me, who maybe otherwise would have not, but in this one particular case, the guy obviously did not see me. In this case, shin pads and textile pants would have helped me. But, it is just too hot and inconvenient.
In retrospect, I actually blame myself. Usually, I am pretty good at reading traffic and keeping an "out" just in case. I know that last Saturday, my mind was elsewhere and I wasn't really paying attention. Normally, whenever there is a car with people in it on the right side of the road, I expect the worst (pulling out, opening doors, etc).
Reflecting, I think what happened was the guy really didn't see me until after he had hit me, and maybe not even until after he had stopped. Who knows. I don't remember if I hit the horn, but my guess is probably not, as things were happening too fast. I was just really damn lucky.
The upside (in addition to being alive) is that a Chinese sweety offers lots of sympathy ... although I've probably already milked that to the max.
Re: Beijing scooter accident
Hey LJH,
glad to hear nothing more serious happened. Did you get an X-ray of that leg already? I can totally imagine how this whole scene unfolded and I guess none of us is always prepared for all the stupidity on the streets of which sudden parking maneuvers and u-turns are probably among the worst.
I guess this still doesn't count as your first get-off?:naughty:
Re: Beijing scooter accident
Richard, your sweetie is special. There are plenty of guys who would be permanently grounded after a close scrape like that, not coddled! So that's a huge upside!
Re: Beijing scooter accident
Quote:
Originally Posted by
fahni
I guess this still doesn't count as your first get-off?:naughty:
Nope! That is probably why my brain said "stay upright and on this bike, at all costs!"
Nyeh, besides, you know I would never publicly reveal a genuine "get-off" and spoil my perfect record.
Stayed on the buckin' bronco the full 9 seconds! That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!