Broadsided Cyclist

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

mangid

Guru
Location
Cambridge
Managed to go into the side of another cyclist today :sad:

Coming down the guided busway NW->SE, at this junction

http://goo.gl/maps/DzJl

Just as I get to the Heavy Plant Crossing signs (coming from the left of the picture), a cyclsit who has come across the crossing comes around the corner, we both see each other, but too late, and I go into her side. I hadn't seen her approaching from the other side. The hedge on the left does block vision around the corner. We ended up in a pile on the floor, a slowish speed collision. The young lady had some road rash, which she washed of with her water, and a chain ring tattoo nearly worthy of David Millar.. For years I've been carrying an Ortlieb first aid kit. So some gauze, plasters, and tape applied, and my number given we went on our separate ways.

Not good, very annoyed with self. I go through that junction most mornings, and have it down as one to take extra care at because of the reduced vision.
 

MisterStan

Label Required
Managed to go into the side of another cyclist today :sad:

Coming down the guided busway NW->SE, at this junction

http://goo.gl/maps/DzJl

Just as I get to the Heavy Plant Crossing signs (coming from the left of the picture), a cyclsit who has come across the crossing comes around the corner, we both see each other, but too late, and I go into her side. I hadn't seen her approaching from the other side. The hedge on the left does block vision around the corner. We ended up in a pile on the floor, a slowish speed collision. The young lady had some road rash, which she washed of with her water, and a chain ring tattoo nearly worthy of David Millar.. For years I've been carrying an Ortlieb first aid kit. So some gauze, plasters, and tape applied, and my number given we went on our separate ways.

Not good, very annoyed with self. I go through that junction most mornings, and have it down as one to take extra care at because of the reduced vision.
Bad luck! Spotted you and stopped to offer help - i hope both of you are OK.
 

LosingFocus

Lost it, got it again.
....The young lady .... and my number given we went on our separate ways....

Well played sir, well played. :tongue:
 
OP
OP
mangid

mangid

Guru
Location
Cambridge
You weren't ringing your bell? Was she ringing hers?

No bells, I don't have one, she did, but no time, stopping and trying to avoid were the primary goals.

Just received text, and it looks like all is okay

Also replenished first aid kit, hopefully many more years again before it is needed
 

Crankarm

Guru
Location
Nr Cambridge
Managed to go into the side of another cyclist today :sad:

Coming down the guided busway NW->SE, at this junction

http://goo.gl/maps/DzJl

Just as I get to the Heavy Plant Crossing signs (coming from the left of the picture), a cyclsit who has come across the crossing comes around the corner, we both see each other, but too late, and I go into her side. I hadn't seen her approaching from the other side. The hedge on the left does block vision around the corner. We ended up in a pile on the floor, a slowish speed collision. The young lady had some road rash, which she washed of with her water, and a chain ring tattoo nearly worthy of David Millar.. For years I've been carrying an Ortlieb first aid kit. So some gauze, plasters, and tape applied, and my number given we went on our separate ways.

Not good, very annoyed with self. I go through that junction most mornings, and have it down as one to take extra care at because of the reduced vision.

What time was this? I went through this junction at about 8:20am this morning, didn't see anything. You aren't going to like my post as I have to say from your description of events you were simply riding TOO FAST. Lucky you didn't collide with me for if you had you would have got more than just my Airzound. I see too many idiots riding too fast along this stretch (usually portly MAMILs on road bikes or hybrids thinking they are riding a stage of the Tour) which happens to be the main entrance to Cambridge Regional College where there are usually lots of people usually students and college staff around at the start and end of day, cycling, walking to and from buses also with cars coming in and going out of the main entrance as well. You should slow right down and ride with due care. Blaming a hedge causing a reduced view for colliding with this lady is pathetic. Very gallant of you indeed. For all those who are from out of the area and not intimately familiar with this location, there is nothing wrong with this junction or any hedge or such similar that reduces view. You just have to slow down and be prepared to give way or stop ie you ride with due care as you approach this usually busy junction. Period. The junction is wide and traffic light controlled. The link you post is very old showing the junction and GBW in a state of un-finishedness. It has since been finished some time ago. All smooth tarmac and every thing new.

I hope the girl you crashed into is not in too much pain and recovers quickly.

Still the College will be closed for holidays at the end of this week so you won't have so many people to dodge slowing you down ;) .
 
OP
OP
mangid

mangid

Guru
Location
Cambridge
What time was this? I went through this junction at about 8:20am this morning, didn't see anything. You aren't going to like my post as I have to say from your description of events you were simply riding TOO FAST .

It was about 7:20, I fear you're correct sir :-(

Am feeling pretty rotten and introspective about it. I try hard to ride and drive to a high standard, and hope I'm teaching the kids the same way.

Any collision pretty much implies you're going faster than the distance you can see to be clear.
I know that junction is bad and has to be taken slowly. As I said earlier, I fear it was familiarity breeding contempt. I go though there at ~7:20 am, meeting the same pedestrians/dog walkers, and cyclists most mornings. Saying good morning to those I see regularly, leaving plenty of room, and still I made a mistake.

Saw lass with head down heading out on the Westwick Longstanton section this morning, and she seemed to be steaming along just fine and dandy, so no permanent damage.
 
OP
OP
mangid

mangid

Guru
Location
Cambridge
First aid kit eh, blimey. Got a kitchen sink in there ?

What's wrong with a cable tie - fix anything with one of them :thumbsup:

Yep, have the cable ties, might have done a better job of holding the gauze on ;-)

Took a trip to Boots yesterday to replenish kit, and have ordered some antiseptic wipes which the kit didn't come with :-(
 

glasgowcyclist

Charming but somewhat feckless
Location
Scotland
The Link is not working, not that it matters you describe it well.
ap.jpg

or.jpg

Ooh, were you the unfortunate injured lady?

GC
 
Top Bottom