| EricHiggin said: The locals around here bring up cyclists quite often. There's plenty of trails on and off road in this area, and there are way more cyclists than just a decade ago, but because of the nature and lack of vehicular traffic, it's detrimental to the cyclists because they get lackadaisical. Same with drivers in general, especially the one's who see it as an opportunity to speed or race because police are beyond rare here. I've had more than a few close calls over the years while driving and it's made me pay much more attention myself when driving and cycling. The cities may be congested, but at least it keeps the cyclists more aware. Unfortunate you took a spill but it sounds as if you avoided tragedy that could've been much much worse. Thankfully not. All while pondering safety, though not your own. Has got to make you think. For all the thought we put into safety, no matter what, we're always going to be in danger if we expose ourselves in any way. Just can't escape illness and/or injury. It comes for everyone eventually, in one way or another. You either run and hide forever or face the consequences when they happen and can't be entirely avoided. Just gotta be thankful and reflect if you're one of the lucky one's. I'd suggest taking up aviation perhaps, though that has it's own dangers if you leave the ground. |
Yep, it happens quite often that accidents happen in places that are quiet and wide open for view. The people living in the house nearby said that last year a motorcycle was hit by a car in the same intersection. It's safer to drive in busy places so your mind doesn't go on auto pilot. I take the by roads to avoid traffic, thinking it's safer than taking the highway. However the highway has a paved shoulder so I don't have to cycle on the actual road way, has more traffic to keep you alert and all side roads have to stop.
When I'm going over things too much in my mind I'll stick to the trails from now on. Those have barriers at crossings so you can't blow through on auto pilot. Except one South of Simcoe where you get on Lynn valley road a bit, at Ireland rd, before the trail continues to Port Dover. I had a near accident there a couple years ago. Slammed on the brakes, front brake locked up and went over the handle bars but stopped before getting in the road.
I chalk it up as a case of letting my guard down, the opposite of what I want happen with back to school stuff. I exposed myself by ironically taking a more quiet route to feel more safe. (Instead of trucks rushing by at 80 to 100 kph on Highway 2) I cycle a lot (about 5,000 km a year) so stuff is bound to happen :/ There is never a right answer and this year seems to be the king of making choices between bad or potentially worse.
I don't think my wife will ever let me take up flying haha. I'll stick to FS 2020 and keep on cycling. Live, learn and do better. I've got the falling part down, landing like a pro lol. I already brought my bike in for repairs and bought a new helmet today. The bike should be fixed next week. Life is too short to go hide inside, but you still have to be sensible. Hence I asked for a mask first thing in the ambulance and washed my hands and lower arms for 2 minutes before leaving the hospital, heading straight outside.
Btw it's clear cycling has become very popular, the bicycle shop was nearly empty. They can't get new stock in. I was lucky they still had one replacement wheel left for my bike. I also seem more and more E-bikes on the trails. I hope people realize those have a lot of momentum and are harder to stop.
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