Whilst out running this morning...........

[porky]

...............I was trotting on the opposite side of the road (facing oncoming traffic) as us runners are "wont" to do, it was still quite early about 6.30am or so when ahead I saw a lone cyclist coming towards me, and bearing down on her was a massive truck, one of those double trailer types, it passed here with just a hairs breadth between her and the 36 wheels (although there was absolutely no oncoming traffic) and when it had passed she was in the dirt.

 

She was still upright, and hadnt fallen, but the forces of the truck just blew her right off the road, I trotted over to see if she was okay, and as I got there I could see she was in a terrible state, she had obviously got a tremendous fright and was hyperventilating badly and then she just burst into tears.

 

I didnt really know what to do I must say, so I just rested a hand on her  back and tried to calm her down, eventually I asked if I could call someone and she gave me the number of her boyfriend or husband, I dont know, who believe it or not, was off on a testosterone fuelled ride of his own somewhere way down the road.

 

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I called him up said he needs to come back (which took him I would guess at least 8-10 minutes) so thats how far away he was, in his defense he was very thankfull and I said my goodbyes and trotted off.

 

Luckily, nobody got hurt, but I learnt a few things, firstly I doubt the young lady will ever ride again, she got a terrible fright and you dont forget that kind of experience easily, secondly dont leave your wife / girlfriend alone while you go play the wannabee pro, it s not impressing her and it could easily be disasterous, thirdly, be aware of these big trucks, and forthly, I was the only person who stopped to help, WHY IS THAT?? - are we so uncaring of others now, that our own little world is all we live in - thats a terribly unpleasant thought.!  

 

[euraquila]

Thanks for stopping porky!!!

[FreakishlySlow]

Us runners are such friendly folk!

 

Well done for stopping, the BF\Husband does sound like a real @$$!!!!

 

[slowpoke]

porky, you are an utter and absolute star. thank you for stopping.

 

people like you deserve the best that life can give you

[ignious]

  

 

You are a star.

 

This has happened on many occassion to myself. One inch of movement in the wrong direction in that situation would spell sudden death, scary though. My whole body freezes when those huge trucks nudge past.

 

[porky]

Well,..... "thank you" guys.! 

 

 

[barrykm]

You Sir are a gentleman and a mensch!

[Ratty]

Those trucks are scary especially for females as we generally tend to be lighter and get blown around a little more.

 

Well done for being her knight in shining armour this morning. 

[L'Bie]

I got together witha taxi on Friday afternoon. I was in serious shock and two very helpfull ladies came to my recue. The impact with the taxi threw me into the traffic lane and the stopped next to me to divert the traffic. To make a long story short. It is amazing where help comes from! These girls are not cyclists, but they helped me to get home in their little panel van. Thank you to Julia and Marzanne and your very welcome catering van! The sad thing is I know very little else about them but "Hail" to them. It is appreaciated. 

[widget]

Yes, a nice gesture Porky.

These big trucks are really dangerous, many times I have seen my life flash before my eyes when I have been passed by them, and its even worse if you are not expecting it or didnt hear them coming up behind.

 

Helping your fellow human is something I am passionate about, we are here to help each other, unfortunately we get so busy and tied up we forget, but then one reads posts like this and it sort of re-invigorates me.

 

[Napalm]

The most important question hasn't been addressed yet.... Was she hot?

[Eezymiles]

Well done Porky! Glad to see there are still some caring individuals out there!

 

I often find that when I'm cycling on a busy road that motorists actually do not consider how close to the pavement one rides. 

 

Instead I allow myself enough space so as to move to the left when a large vehicle such as a truck passes me by. (Not so much as to tick the motorists/truck driver off, but just enough to prevent the truck's vacuum from sucking me in).

This is especially useful where roads are just wide enough for two vehicles to pass each other such as Kalk Bay areas etc.

 

Motorists often will not pass when they have to take into account how close they have to come to you when overtaking and hopefully/probably won't until they are sure that they won't pose a hazard to approaching vehicles or vehicles alongside them.