Yep, I should probably wear a helmet
09.02.2004
Shortly after a sudden burst of expletives, that was the first thought that ran through my head after a dusty green Porsche t-boned me (didn't see me, turned right into me), sending me flying over my moped, across the hood of her car, spilling onto John Street. To my utmost surprise, I made it out w/ barely a scrape or two. And spent most of the next few minutes trying to console the lady who hit me, and was clearly shaken up about it.
She just called, she's sending me a helmet in the mail, asking that I promise to wear it. And, yeah, I was gonna get a helmet anyhow.
In another surprise, my lovely & tough Lucia (royal blue 1977 Bianchi-Snark Eagle Deluxe) took the hit like a champ. The muffler's bent, and I'll need new front forks, but the bike started right up & got me to 1977 Mopeds w/o a complaint.
It's as good an excuse as any to get back on The Motron (red 1979 Motron Medallist).
Posted by Miguel at 07:46 PM
Comments
You should make her pay for the bike repairs.
Posted by: sam at September 2, 2004 09:35 PM
oh miguel! are you ok?! man. at least she was worried about you... and it seems like you hit the jackpot for people who could have run you down. i mean. except for the not being able to see a boy on a moped thing she seems really nice.
hope the helmet fits and i'm glad to hear you're wearing one too.
Posted by: beth at September 2, 2004 10:42 PM
Well, the repairs really won't be that bad, and I don't want to start being all pushy about paying for repairs (might depend on the bill, though). She was genuinely nice, really concered, really freaked out that she hit me w/ her car. She just started crying, wanting to take me to a hospital, talking about how her son was badly injured in a motorcyle accident years ago. And I did end up taking out a whole side panel on her Porsche when we slammed into each other.
Needless to say, after all the insane accidents I've managed to walk away from. I feel like Bruce Willis in Unbreakable right about now. ;-)
Posted by: Miguel at September 2, 2004 11:27 PM
Goodness! Glad to hear you (and Lucia) were not terribly hurt. At least the lady was nice & concerned. While cycling, I've encountered some really rude drivers who truly deserved a pedal-by U-locking.
In cycling circles we have a term "braindead cagers" for people in cars. Many go along, in their big metal boxes, largely oblivious to all of the small movements and events going on around them. I think once you put people in these boxes and move them along in the same direction, they drop to an awareness level & independent decision-making ability similar to that of herded cattle.
Posted by: cat at September 3, 2004 09:29 AM
There you have some interesting news!, I'm glad to know that tou're OK, if itīs the lady's fault she should pay your bike's repair bill!. Miguel have you sent me the palm screens? (I really got used to using a Palm as an agenda). Take care and use the helmet I can assure you that you ain't unbreakable :)
Posted by: Daniel at September 3, 2004 10:06 AM
Good thing you weren't injured. I agree with Daniel, that she should pay the bill. Driving a Porche, she can probably afford it.
Posted by: tom at September 4, 2004 12:52 PM
I don't care about the bill as much as I really, really care that you wear that helmut. Please...
Posted by: j.scott barnard at September 4, 2004 02:36 PM
WHAT KIND OF COWBOY RIDES A MOPED? FOR CHRIST'S SAKE, GET A BIG DUCATI, OR AT LEAST LARGE DISPACEMENT RICE BURNER (PREFERABLY A CROTCH ROCKET), A FLASHY SET OF DAINESE RACING LEATHERS, AND AN AGV DARTH VADER-LIKE HELMET. THESE BIKES ALL HAVE ELECTONIC FUEL INJECTION, SO IN A SENSE THEY ARE 'DIGITAL'. THEN, MIGUEL, YOU WILL BE A REAL URBAN DIGITAL COWBOY. CIAO! JOHN DICKERSON, ATLANTA, GA, USA
Posted by: JOHN DICKERSON at May 3, 2005 12:50 PM