On todays outdoor road ride there were 6 of us riding an easy 15 mph pace line, when all of a sudden an oncoming car, driven by a young teenager speeding,crossed a double yellow line to pass a slower car in front of him, and ran directly into the last rider in our group instantly killing him.
It was beyond devastating. I am 69 years old and have never, ever witnessed something so horrible and tragic.
My thoughts now are to never ride outdoors again and limit my riding to Zwift.
My question is how is even possible, after what I have just witnessed, to ride outdoors again?
I can’t even envision it.
I am shaking now as I am typing this.
Holy crap that is horrible. I have no words.
1 Like
I’m sorry for your loss and offer my sincerest condolences to you and the others in your group. It’s an awful thing. 
It is possible, you all have to stick together and look after each other. I suspect I’m a world away - otherwise I’d ride with you.
I’m very cautious of the roads I ride on.
1 Like
Absolutely heartbreaking…
I left the road for the expectations of what happened to your groupmate. Roads are too busy and inadequate controls on the driver. I have been on Zwift, and others, for several years. I am seriously looking at getting into gravel riding and skip the roads as much as possible.
I am sorry for your loss. I used to be an avid ultra-distance cyclist, but switched to trail running because of the life expectancy of road cyclists. I “found” Zwift about a year ago and have gotten back to loving being on a bike, but refuse to put a bicycle on the road, there are too many drivers who are paying more attention to their technology instead of their driving.
I sympathize. I’m fortunate to live in Maine. While we do have “incidents”, they are rare. Ou the door and I’m immediately onto lightly travelled secondary roads. I have friends in Boston who ride on the roads every day and I’m at a loss as to how they do it.
This upsets me greatly reading that. A lot of the problem is not paying attention to technology but rather deliberate lack of care around riders, or even trying to intimidate/hurt them. This week a rider in Sydney died and the guy he was riding with was seriously hurt when a young driver hit them.
In early 2022 I also went very close to be ming wiped out deliberately on Northern Road south-west of Sydney by a truck whose driver decided it would be fun to scare me by deliberately passing with barely any distance when the road shoulder I was riding on ran out.
He had another lane empty to use. Only my bike handling skills kept me from getting pulled under the truck as it (and the trailer) passed.
Loads of riders I know all have these kinds of stories, even the pro cyclists.
This is devastating to experience. Men, women and even children have overcame worse. My recommendation is to look for safer riding zones in or near where you ride. Many urban and suburban areas have designated cycling trails. Research your area for these. Look for groups that frequent them. Also, if you’re in the USA, look for nearby military bases. Many welcome cyclists as part of their local community outreach. Military patrols on these bases make the roadways far, far safer for cyclists. Look for one near you. Finally, my condolences to you for loss of a friend and fellow cyclist, and to the family too.
Edited to add: It looks like you are in the USA, and possibly in the southeastern region. Contact me. I’ll come ride with you, or you can come ride with me on safe pavement nearby.
1 Like
My heart goes out to your friend, that is terrible.
I got hit and knocked off by a car 4 weeks ago at high speed.
By a miracle i came away with just bad road rash, no broken bones or broken bike.
I was a little nervous getting back on the road but if you fall off your horse (bike) you just gotta get back on but there is absolutely no shame in hanging up your outdoor boots and sticking inside from now on.
Its safe, convenient and enjoyable
2 Likes
What you experienced is terrible.
I would allow yourself some time to come to terms with it before you make any decisions on your own cycling future.
(I only ride indoors now for a few years because of the danger on our roads, but it is an individual decision to make)
I hope you and everyone affected can grieve and move forward. Take care.
1 Like
I’m so sorry to hear this.
I can feel for you. I felt the same being knocked off my motorbike. I said I’d never ride a motorbike on the road again, but here I an 8 years later riding one again.
No mistake it is shocking, but how often does this tragic incident occur?
I hope this driver gets the book thrown at him.
1 Like
Thank you one and all for your kind words of condolence and support.
It is very much appreciated!
2 Likes
That’s absolutely horrible. I think you should respect the trauma you experienced and not deny it.
Incidents like this, with a teenager, show the toxic influence of the culture of speed, with which we’re inundated from the womb. Virtually every action film has a high speed chase, for example, and while showing a character smoking a cigarette would be considered unacceptable, showing drivers recklessly endangering lives is applauded. We go thru life being told that faster is better, that cars are power, and that lives of other road users are expendable.
Cycling on the roads is dangerous. Running on the roads is dangerous. Driving on the roads is dangerous. The roads are a dangerous place. That’s an unfortunately normalized fact. We needlessly accept it as a cost of doing business. So should we just refuse to go on roads? Maybe. But cycling is not unique in its risks. The problem is roads and our driving culture.
3 Likes
So sorry to hear this
Years back, when a paddling buddy got runover and killed (2nd one by the way), I kind of lost interest on riding altogether. Back them, my primary sport was kayaking and cycling cross training; still, I was riding 6x week, commuting to college, and doing 300 miles of outside rides.
Actually, it took me 4 years to get back on the bike… I have done/do a few sports that some would consider extreme, but I never forget that every time I take my bike on the road “that’s the most dangerous sport!” Interestedly, nowadays, cycling has become primary and somehow-sometimes I wonder whether it’s fair for my wife and kids…
Ira, I just saw this post and I feel your pain. I’m so sorry for your loss and your buddy’s family. This brings back raw emotions.
Two years ago my riding buddy and I were creamed from behind by a DUI driver in a box truck - hit and run. My buddy took the bumper and hood and I took a 55mph mirror to the back of the head. Unlike your scenario, we both survived, though my buddy will never ride again. He was in ICU for weeks and almost didn’t make it. I ended up knocked out, a separated shoulder, rib damage, etc. The helmet literally saved my life. I watched it all unfold in my mirror, but could do nothing to alter the outcome.
I hate to say, but this is a trauma which will always be with you now. It has taken me this long to get over it, and I’m still not. If I may be so bold as to make a recommendation: monitor your moods, feelings and such. It turns out that I had PTSD for a year which was affecting much of my daily life. I’m a 64yo male, so I wasn’t brought up with the “touchy-feely feelings concept” that is therapy. However, my GP saw something and recommended EMDR Therapy. I bit the bullet and did it. I’m now a convert. It helped me understand what was going on and gave me tools to deal with it.
I am now physically able to ride again, but have not ventured to the road…yet(?). I was doing 7-9k miles/ year, so being off the road has taken a piece of my soul. That said, I’ve come to the realization that I may never ride on the road again, or, at some time I may get back out there. And I’m good with either scenario. Zwift is a safe spot with lots of good people. Be good to yourself and take your time.
3 Likes
Thank you Hank for your very kind words and advice.
Much appreciated.
1 Like
This is tragic. Deepest sympathy to the family of the de eased and to you all.
I was hit by a car on a quiet country lane when he turned across me on a downhill.
He seriously thought I should have stopped n let him go in front of me.
After leaving a deep body impression on his bonnet and bending his bull bars made of steel inwards over 2 inches I opened my eyes to the sky and thought… F%+& That Hurt.
I was airlifted by chopper to hospital where they were amazed at the total lack of broken bones after 2 lots of rays. But I did screw up my ankle ligaments which still arnt 100%.
But since then I’ve cycled thousands of miles. I was back on the bike in the garage within weeks and on the road again in a few months.
Everyone is different and we don’t have the same ability to deal with situations the same. But I hope that somehow you can get back on the bike and cycle.
In the immortal words of my old Sgt Major… Don’t let the Barstewars grind you down…
Keep cycling any way you can.