Return of the nightmare!

Well, since my last post a few things have happened. Last Thursday (October 15) I was on my way out of town for the daily training ride. It was cold and wet, and I was not particularly excited to brave another frozen ride. I was about 3 miles in, at the intersection of 24th and Prairie headed north on Prairie. I was on one of my usual wet weather 50 milers. As I was approaching the intersection, I saw a lady coming up to the corner and slowing to stop. As I was entering the intersection, I was keeping an eye on her. Just as I was directly in front of her, she pressed the gas and was headed directly into me! I tried to punch it, but she was turning the corner to go into the same direction that I was going.

She first began to make contact with me on the back half of the rear wheel. I could feel the wheel beginning to give. As she turned and accelerate I could feel the wheel bending under the pressure, and finally their was enough pressure and damage to throw me from the bike. As I was going down, one of the first things that came into my head was "oh no, not again". It was one year and one month ago that I was hit by another car, which totaled my bike.

After I got up off of the ground I checked myself and the bike. Fortunately I was uninjured except a little road rash on my left elbow and left hip. The winter riding clothes saved a little skin. I then checked out the bike. The rear wheel was severely bent, and pushed into and kind of around the frame. We called the police, and reported what had happened.

The officer told us that because their was no damage to her car, that we should just exchange information. To me this did not seem quite right. She hits me with her car, and doesn't even get a ticket?!?!?! After information was exchanged, the officer gave me a ride home, since the bike was broken. I took the bike down to High Gear bike shop to have Matt Brown check it out.

Matt IS the man. He has got me back on the road quickly! He got me a replacement wheel, exactly like the one that was damaged, and got everything back in order in less than a week! A BIG shout out to Matt and his awesome service!!! This is where things get interesting! Now that I got the bike finished today, I went to call the lady that ran into me, and when I called the number, the number was not in service!!! We had an agreement that she wanted to fix it without dealing with the insurance company, but since I was unable to contact her, I called her insurance company today, and filed a claim for her, with the information that I got from the officer.

Now, it is the wait, call, follow up, bug, follow up and see if they are going to settle. Thanks Emporia police department! The insurance company SEEMED to be very helpful. We will see how it goes. I hope that it goes quickly, and easily.

In other news, since the cross bike has been out of commission this week, I have spent some quality time on the mountain bike! This week has got me to fall in love with the HiFi all over again! That in one SWEET bike. I have had a blast this week on it. I think that I am going to have to use it a little more often this winter, and not just stay on the cross bike all winter.

This week when I was down at the shop, I was talking to a couple of teammates, and we have decided that we were going to do the Coronado Challenge on November 22. This should help to not get so bored with the winter training. It is nice to throw a little fun in once and a while!

Also, I have begun to think about some of the events that I would like to do next year. I have started a wish list which will serve as a working list. Will I do all of the races on the list? I would like to, but in all likelihood, probably not. Some races might be added. Some races may be removed. As the season progresses I will use the list to post the result of that particular race. Thought that this would be a helpful addition to the blog. You can fine the list in the right hand column.

I have rambled on enough for now, so I will let you go. Thanks for hanging in their and reading this lengthy post! Remember, always wear a helmet when out riding. You never know what will happen. If you don't have one, go down to the High Gear Bike Shop and my buddy Matt brown will hook you up. He has some pretty cool lids down their. Until next time, keep the rubber side down!

Peace Out!