Comments on: Ride for Heart

By: Val Dodge

Val Dodge — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 22:54:51 +0000

Casey, I can’t say for certain, but I think that nasty accident is the one described at Fixed Xor Broken.

I understand the appeal of racing and like watching it, but you can no more race during the Ride for Heart than you can on the Martin Goodman Trail on a summer weekend. They really should be separate events.

Barb, I was pretty sure that you weren’t responsible. I highly doubt that the culprit even realizes how close she came to an accident. She just seemed oblivious to what she was doing. I’m still quite certain that despite the fact that she turned and spoke to me while looking me in the eye, she had no idea I was there. You know the type: looking, but not seeing. Dangerous on a bike, deadly in a car.

By: Casey

Casey — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 22:37:24 +0000

In the five years that I’ve done the Ride, I’ve had a dozen close calls related to irresponsible passers, especially those pelotons - they often surprise the hell out of me by pulling by within an inch of me at a fantastic speed. This wouldn’t be as much of a surprise if I were hugging the left divider, but it most frequently happens when I’m by myself in the center lane with loads of space on either side. I have to admit, it often fills me with glee when I see one of them being bandaged up a few kilometers later. I was shocked to see the fallen rider in the center of the road this year, though, with paramedics frantically working around him or her and volunteers directing riders around the scene. I’m still wondering what the hell caused that accident - as you said, on a straight section of road - and if the person is ok.

By: Barb

Barb — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 21:46:53 +0000

Ha! thank goodness I thought for a minute you were talking about me!! I did do the pass on the right to a guy after being pushed off course by some one else then someone else in front put the brakes on so i yelled I was going for the gap on my left and I thought he shouted OK………..so I sprinted and went and and ………… I’ve worried about this all day :- !!

It was a great day though…..I was just seeing what time I could do it in and a few guys drafted me then returned the favour and two just offered a pull later in the ride…. must have seen me flagging near the end it was a great day and I felt that cyclists camaraderie big time…….wasn’t impressed with the lack of helmets though it should be mandatory in an event like that ……….

By: Val Dodge

Val Dodge — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:06:36 +0000

She was wearing a well-aged yellow cycling jacket and a matching helmet cover.

It was definitely a fun time. I’d order up some sunnier weather for next time, though. At least it didn’t rain.

By: barb

barb — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 03:11:36 +0000

Hey first blog I’ve found re todays ride…….was great fun wasn’t it!…. but…… this crazy “passing on the right now I’m passing on the left ” woman …………ermmmmmmm what was she wearing?? Can you remember ???