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Like the title says, I almost ended up in the hospital last night.

I was riding in to work like I always do, and the last left hand turn that I need to make at lights is at the bottem of a hill.

So like always I work my way into the left lane, signal left, move into the turning lane after a quick shoulder check and then pulled up to the red light and stopped on the stop line. The light turned green and I pull forward into the intersection in preparation for making my left.

Behind me I hear an incredibly loud screeching noise, glancing back in my mirrors I notice that a blue truck is barrelling down the hill working his way into the turning lane with his brakes locked up pulling a trailer.

I cannot make my left because there is still oncoming traffic, and he's coming up fast behind me... so I do the only thing I can do and pull as far forward as possible, then off to the right (about where the line would be) as my glance revealed that the lane to my right would be clear. I pulled over and out of the way then looked back to see the truck shudder to a stop with his front bumper about 1 foot past where my front wheel was, and about 2 feet left of where I'd stopped after evading me.

He offered me an apologetic wave and a very red face. Traffic cleared for my left turn and I got the FVCK out of there.

So, make sure you know what's going on behind you, hearing is just as important as looking, keep the bike in gear at a stop just in case, and always leave yourself a way out.

If I hadn't done those three things I would have ended up underneath a very large looking truck.

Holy cow, glad to hear you're ok. Those close calls always leave ya for a few hours afterwards...

damn!

that is scary.

glad to hear we still have you Sev.

Glad you are still with us Sev

Wow dude.

That is some scary stuff. Glad to hear you made it.

I have a good buddy who rides without rear view mirrors on his bike, I keep on telling him that they can only help him. He seems to think that they look funny. But I use them all the time. You gotta know what's going on behind you because that is your most vulnerable spot. I hope he comes around.

gla to hear you got out of the way. That is one thing I am paranoid about, Whenever I am at a stop the mirror is where my eyes are half of the time

Sometimes the fates make it necessary for us to practice our more evasive maneuvers. So glad that you did a good job getting out of trouble. It's nice to be around to tell your story, eh?!

Cheers,
Loonette

Great job avoiding the accident. I always keep my eye on the vehicle behind me when coming to a stop (or at least I try to). Been rear ended in a car before by people who just cant pay attention...this is what they mean by defensive driving!

So, did you keep a change of underwear at work?

man that is some scary stuff. good decision making to get you out of a bad situation.

Holy crap! Glad you got the heck out of the way.... Like Loonette said people...gotta practice those evasive manuvers!!