Imagine my consternation when out cycling on Saturday and about 2 miles from home......
I hadn't quite imagined the grim reaper knocking on my door in the shape of a lorry with some porta loos on the back, but that is exactly what happened. The driver of 'said' vehicle just couldn't wait for 20 seconds whilst a car was coming in the opposite direction - so he squeezed passed me and the side of the lorry actually touched my arm. With that and the whoosh of hot air, it was a miracle I stayed on? I don't think I've ever been so furious - I glanced down at my heart rate monitor to see my heart had jumped from 120bpm to 150bpm. (OK, I know, old habits die hard and it's a throw back from my time trialling days!) I immediately jumped on the pedals in the hope of catching him up and I was delighted to see him pull into the petrol station - my chance to tell him the errors of his ways!
When I got to the petrol station he was just coming out of the shop - he was built like the proverbial out house and there wasn't an inch of skin that wasn't either tattooed or pierced and I questioned my sanity about approaching him. But I was pleasantly surprised and he listened intently as I explained what had happened, apologised profusely and promised to pay more attention to cyclists riding on the roads in the future. He followed me out and kept his distance until I turned left for home - with that, he hooted his horn, waved and went on his way. I really hope he will take heed of what we discussed.
I was pretty shaken up, but the ride in this morning was perfect - albeit a little cold and as always, incidents like that need to be put to the back of the mind. But as ever...... there but the grace of god go I......!
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