Well, I’m in Iowa City, in a coffee shop, without wheels. My bike is totaled. I got hit by a truck.
I was biking down a small country road, minding my business, when surprise! Big red pickup is upon me!
Apparently, he didn’t see me, tried to stop, but couldn’t in time. My back wheel is broken in two, my front is scraped up, and my rack is useless. But luckily, my frame seems like it’s OK, and I’m OK. I don’t even have a bruise.
Here’s Tootie:
And here’s the man who hit me, pointing at his skid marks:
He was very nice about it, though. He drove me to Iowa City, gave me $200 to tide me over, and said he’d give me more when I get my bike fixed. I took it to the shop, made a police report, and got an estimate: $350-$400. He, of course, was very sorry about the whole thing.
But he, like al lot of drivers, don’t know the rules of bicycles in the road. He kept saying that he had the right of way, and I shouldn’t be in the road. Not true! I have every right to the road, and if he can’t get around me, he’s required to wait until a good time to pass. The police were on my side in this. My bicycle is considered a vehicle and has as much rights to any road, except Interstates, as a car.
The policeman said he’d find the guy and get the rest of the money for me, which made me feel weird. The guy would probably give it to me on his own. But it’s probably best not to leave it up to chance.
So, my bike trip to see Nauvoo, Ill.‘s Mormon heritage is postponed. (Hopefully, it’s not cancelled.) I may have to take an Amtrak train across Nebraska, though. I got a schedule to keep!
