Please Be Careful Out There!!

steveperx

 Folks.  I know we've had a lot of these "please be careful" threads this years, what with Trent's and Patrick's accidents this summer and Al's recent misfortune.  However, with the recent deaths of the young woman in Dallas who was jogging on the Katy Trail when hit by a cyclist, and now most recently, the passing this morning of Attitude Sports owner, Jeff Littmann, who (along with Lauren Jensen) was hit by a car on Friday, it seems to be getting worse and worse, and far too common to see serious training accidents occurring.

Please, please, if you're riding or running on the roads/paths, be extra conscious of your surroundings, and remember that it's ALWAYS better to cut that interval short or to slow down than it is to take a chance.  Also, please take extra caution to be seen, and don't make sudden cuts or turns.

My condolences to any of you who knew Jeff personally.  From everything I've read on ST about him, he was the real deal... a great cyclist, a true ambassador for the sport, and an all-around great guy.  RIP, Jeff.

Nemo Brauch

X a million! This has been an extremely scary and sad year. And with days getting shorter, daylight decreasing, I get more and more concerned about all of you (and me too). Sometimes these things are true accidents of course, but please do whatever you can to stay alert, be seen by others, and be safe out there.

Scott Alexander

The death in Dallas was within one degree of separation of me. A tri friend of mine was her friend, and was there when her family decided to pull the plug.

www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...b1928.html

Make it a point to be seen and heard by others, as well as you yourself being able to see and hear. Situational awareness PLEASE!!!

And, not to be morbid, but DO think of organ donation!  Even in the case of extreme misfortune in these situations, you can help someone else survive their ordeals/situations too!

Swoodowrth

Along these same lines, I have hesitated to post anything about this because I know many of you train with i pods and ear buds but the article mentions this and it is my soap box and real concern that so many people, especially women who become targets train with music. It's one thing at the pool but out on the road or trail, you can't hear anyone coming up on you. About a year ago, I was doing some casual biking with a friend out on the trail in our area. We came up behind a female runner in a VERY remote area of the trail. We yelled several times to get her attention. When we finally came up behind her she jumped and screamed. She didn't hear us even though we made every attempt to get her attention. This trail is on a state highway. She was just a crime of opportunity waiting to happen. If the scenario had been a street with cars, she would have never heard it coming. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE consider training without the benefit of music and ear buds. WIth all the accidents this year....I have thought of saying this several times because it seems that this has been such a tragic year. I echo what all have said, please be careful.

Coach Patrick

Safety first. Can't say it enough. I personally know over 15 folks hit by cars or in accidents this year...just ain't right.

Paul Hough

Yesterday's paper gives you the threat conditions for biking in this area. One of the major themes of these fatalities is biking at night which I don't do. Still, the message is scary and you must watch out!

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Tampa Police say a bicyclist was killed in a collision involving three cars, making the victim the sixth cyclist to die on Tampa Bay area roads in the past two months.
Read more: http://www.winknews.com/Local-Florida/2010-10-01/Sixth-bicycle-fatality-in-Tampa-Bay-area#ixzz11XXZ3dZO

Michele Cellai

I know I look like a real nerd running in a reflective vest, but better to be safe. Please do NOT wear headphones.

michaelgasser17

To add some personal experience to the thread, I was hit by an SUV on my bike almost head on in June. It was quite literally a miracle that I walked away from the impact. I was going 25 and car was going 15 while turning into me. The accident was a result of a few poor decisions on my part (time of day on the road, very little effort in making myself seen) and a driver who wasn't paying attention.

I am very thankful that all I ended up with was terrible road rash and a heap of carbon that used to be a bike. One of the best purchases you can make is one of those ridiculously annoying bright strobe handlebar lights. Use it during the day. Mine will be a permanent fixture on my bike unless racing. I have one that faces the front and one facing the rear.

Paul Hough

After this weekend, Tampa Bay is up to 7 bike fatalities in the past few months. Plus, a lady lost her leg last night. She was riding at 10pm, no helmet, no lights, and an IPOD in her ears. Witnesses say she crossed in front of a green light when a SUV whacked her and tossed her onto the roof. So the driver wasn't at fault...but, the SUV sped away, and knew she was on the roof hanging on. To shake her off, they pulled a U turn which sent her flying. She was 20, a newlywed, and had her leg amputated at the hospital.  Hit and run is bad enough, but we've got people down here who have zero compassion...trying to hurt people even further. 



I had to start my long ride early on Saturday, so the day before I bought "one of those ridculously annoying bright strope lights" that Michael recommends ... plus a Flare 3 rear light. I used them to get the trail I use, but I didn't think about keeping them on in daylight...a good idea!

Norton

For a tail light the randonneuring standard is the Planet Superbike Superflash; an insanely bright, focused tail light. I can see one literally a mile away. For even brighter madness, check out the Dinotte 140, especially in amber for daylight.

Headlights? Most of the cool kids are running Schmidt generator hubs with the new Schmidt Edelux LED headlight; night to day.