Bike Commuting Day 4 - Very nearly the end

Warning: This is a foul mouthed rant, but I nearly got killed today, so I hope you'll forgive that I just need to get this out of my system. It was intense.

Today was almost the end of my bike commuting with M. Mostly because it was very nearly the end of me. Despite caution, and following the rules, some bastardSOBmo-fo tried to hit me. I say tried because there was no way he didn't see me. Except maybe he was a geriatric old white dude. Not that I have anything specifically against old white dudes, but well, they seem to be the cause of all of my vehicle related drama.

The intersection where it happened is on the list of three that were already the most nerve wracking of my trip. I already take extra precautions on that section of road, but apparently not enough. I will be full on walking the bike for a couple of blocks, just to be safe. Not that I think in this case that it would have stopped the obviously going to hell now (he seems like the type to believe) big black SUV driving small peckered scum.

My speed, his speed, the foot or two I ended up getting missed by, there just isn't way that he wasn't aiming for me in some way. A seems to think that perhaps his age could explain him just being so unaware of what was going on, but that just helps me make a case for yearly driving tests and euthanasia. (joking, at least about the euthanasia, I'm dead serious about the driving tests)

The good news is not a scratch on M or I. I first questioned his manhood and told him where I thought he should shove something. I think. Then I got on the sidewalk and then proceeded to freak the fuck out, which made M get freaked too. My basket bracket is broken, something I have no idea when or how happened. A woman stopped to make sure I was OK, while I called 911 to report the vehicle (I wasn't thinking clear enough to get a license plate). After that I tried to call A, because without the basket, I couldn't get home. He was on the road and not answering. Another cyclist then stopped to help, followed by my neighbor Sunny. She is an angel. We bungeed my basket to her rack, and she escorted us home. Where I attempted to hold it together until A got home. Yeah, that didn't work so well.

After A went home, we went out for dinner and ice cream. Now I think I'll have a beer.