Well, actually the other guy got away clean from what I could tell.
I was walking home from the office yesterday on our local bike/running trail. It was a bright clear day, long straight trail, no trees or shadows, and I was wearing a red parka.
A bicyclist came up behind me at high speed, and was either distracted or had his head down to build speed. I had no idea he was approaching until he rode straight into my back, and let me tell you - a 175-lb guy hitting you at 25 mph or so packs a lot of punch.
My face took the brunt of it. So I've got a bunch of stitches (21 - two short of my personal record), a constellation of other abrasions, a headache, and a wicked black eye that's been swollen shut for the past 24 hours.
But seriously - this trail has very high visibility. He should have been able to see me halfway to the horizon. How does someone plow into the only possible thing they could hit?
Originally Posted by Rain Man:
Well, as I expected, he gave me fake contact information. So I guess I'll file a police report. I was willing to work with the guy if he was honorable, but we'll see if we've got security cameras on the trail to get him some criminal charges.
I hope they find him and you sue his ass off. Glad you are okay- best wishes! [Reply]
Originally Posted by Rain Man:
It was odd. We were down in a heap, and he jumped up, apologizing and saying, "Let me help you up". My legs were tangled in his bike frame and he was actually grabbing my legs until I kicked him away. I was bleeding pretty good.
He stood there for e minute and I looked down and saw my glasses smashed, so I said, "Give me your name and number." He took my cell phone and put information in, which I haven't checked yet to see if it's valid, and said he'd take care of any damage. Then he rode off while I was still trying to get up.
I called my wife to get me to the emergency room and made my way out to the street. A police officer happened to be driving by and stopped, and I ended up with three police cars around me by the time my wife arrived.
So I don't know. He hung around for a few minutes and may or may not have given me his contact info, but it's bad form to leave when the person is still down and bleeding. And man, there was a lot of blood.
Dam!! So sorry man and I am hoping you recover well. Its been 20 years since I rode like a bullet. 250 miles a week became my goal. Orange county, Santa Barbara and finally back to Denver.
I always gave right of way to those in front of me on shared trails. With adults on bikes or walking it was always... me shouting."On your Left". Always worked.
The catcher was the toddlers on their little bikes. They will inevitably glide into your passing lane and just deal with it and wave back to the parents to say its ok.
Nowadays I see bikes riding 3 abreast, outside of their lane like its their given right to do so.....
I am really pissed on your account!
I truly hope you heal soon with only a scar. I really hope you get justice. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Rain Man:
Okay, I have a plot twist, though it's unrelated.
I happen to know someone who's very active in the French community in Denver. I haven't talked to him in a decade, so I did a quick google to see if he's still around.
And he's now a woman.
I did not see that coming. I know it's him because the first google hit was an interview with him featuring "before and after" photos. It's none of my business and good for ... well, her ... but this was not a guy where you could see any foreshadowing of this.
Dude, all French men are women, didn't ya know? [Reply]
Update: I put a notice up on nextdoor and someone just sent me the name of the guy. It is indeed a French guy named Max who's a personal trainer. The phone number is identical to the one he gave me except one digit was changed. Now I need to figure out my next step.
I'm healing up pretty good, by the way. I've got a little blurry vision in the black eye, but I'm hoping that's just due to the fact that there's still some swelling and fluids and stuff floating around. I'll get the top level of stitches out tomorrow. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Rain Man:
Update: I put a notice up on nextdoor and someone just sent me the name of the guy. It is indeed a French guy named Max...
Originally Posted by Rain Man:
Update: I put a notice up on nextdoor and someone just sent me the name of the guy. It is indeed a French guy named Max who's a personal trainer. The phone number is identical to the one he gave me except one digit was changed. Now I need to figure out my next step.
I'm healing up pretty good, by the way. I've got a little blurry vision in the black eye, but I'm hoping that's just due to the fact that there's still some swelling and fluids and stuff floating around. I'll get the top level of stitches out tomorrow.
You want us to rough him up some, you let us know. :-) [Reply]
