Approach the R A B, nothing coming from my right, cars approaching on the other side of the RAB from the left, first passes safely, I start to cross.
Next car completely fails to see me, or attempt to stop and is coming right at me. I pedalled like mad, and kind of slid the rear wheel so I brought the bike sideways so I was clear as she slammed on level with where my rear wheel had been!!
She starts to roll down the window and waves an apology. Absolutely shaking I shouted "you could've killed me!" And something along the lines of telling her she needs to look where she's going.
Then she jumps out of the car and starts yelling about my lights not working and she couldn't see me, so I turned the bike to show her the working lights. I could've also drawn attention to my bright pink jacket, and the ruck sack with hi-vis bands or my very visible white helmet, but I was still thinking "omg, she nearly hit me!" She's still raving about it being my fault and she's apologised so what's my problem. So I pointed out - quite calmly I thought - that she needs to be giving way to the right.
Her response?? " F off! You stupid old witch"
Well, t'is Halloween. But old?! pah!
I'm joking now, but I was really shaking. I called the police, but unfortunately I fudged the licence plate. Obviously didn't see it as well as I thought I had as she squealed away, so while the police have assured me they take these things seriously they can't go round and speak to her unless they "get lucky" and spot her on the road at some point. Highly unlikely as all I could remember was that it was a blue car. Halfords would be ashamed of me.
So, what's the response?? More lights?? Better hi-vis?? More caution at the RAB??
I'm actually quite nervous of cycling home tomorrow, it really was an "feck, that car is fecking close, what the feck do I do?" moment.
I'm glad I hadn't geared down for the hill (I was on the apollo with it's three functioning gears) because when I do I tend to spin and not go very far until I hit the hill, if I had been in the lower gear I wouldn't have managed a spurt to get out of the way and I'm fairly certain I'd have left a sizeable imprint in the bonnet.
Next car completely fails to see me, or attempt to stop and is coming right at me. I pedalled like mad, and kind of slid the rear wheel so I brought the bike sideways so I was clear as she slammed on level with where my rear wheel had been!!
She starts to roll down the window and waves an apology. Absolutely shaking I shouted "you could've killed me!" And something along the lines of telling her she needs to look where she's going.
Then she jumps out of the car and starts yelling about my lights not working and she couldn't see me, so I turned the bike to show her the working lights. I could've also drawn attention to my bright pink jacket, and the ruck sack with hi-vis bands or my very visible white helmet, but I was still thinking "omg, she nearly hit me!" She's still raving about it being my fault and she's apologised so what's my problem. So I pointed out - quite calmly I thought - that she needs to be giving way to the right.
Her response?? " F off! You stupid old witch"
Well, t'is Halloween. But old?! pah!
I'm joking now, but I was really shaking. I called the police, but unfortunately I fudged the licence plate. Obviously didn't see it as well as I thought I had as she squealed away, so while the police have assured me they take these things seriously they can't go round and speak to her unless they "get lucky" and spot her on the road at some point. Highly unlikely as all I could remember was that it was a blue car. Halfords would be ashamed of me.
So, what's the response?? More lights?? Better hi-vis?? More caution at the RAB??
I'm actually quite nervous of cycling home tomorrow, it really was an "feck, that car is fecking close, what the feck do I do?" moment.
I'm glad I hadn't geared down for the hill (I was on the apollo with it's three functioning gears) because when I do I tend to spin and not go very far until I hit the hill, if I had been in the lower gear I wouldn't have managed a spurt to get out of the way and I'm fairly certain I'd have left a sizeable imprint in the bonnet.
