A few months ago I got a new bike. My other bike was stolen so I had no choice but to find another. This bike I got isn't actually new, but it's like new. A Cannondale made in the 1990's, made in America, it's a nice bike. When it was new it sold for an outragous amount but I got it for a good price. The owner died years ago and his son just kept in the garage until I bought it. Basically, I got a bargain, like buying a Cadillac for the price of an old used one but with the mileage of a brand new one.
It's got special treads on the tires, front and rear shocks, very quick and light with cowhorn handles (when you put your hands on these your body can't help but to go ultra fast). The only problem is it's technically 2 inches too short for me- not a big deal but it dose affect things like taking a sharp corner, I have learned.
Yesterday I took a fast, tight turn and forgot to position the peddle on the side I was turning on to the "up" position. Because the tires allow me to lean the bike at uncanny angles, I do, but because it's a lil short for me the peddles will touch the pavement before the bike's turnability will fail. A fact I was reminded of while turning on to Rose from Kalamazoo ave.
When a bike accident is in the process of happening the rider has enuff time to realize it. The accident flag went off in my head- in this brief moment your mind says "Alright, remember this feeling of a pain free body, cause your ass is about to be hurting". I was ready, ready for the problem ahead of me. A painful, gravel burning problem just moments away. I knew what I was in for because I ride bikes often... What I didn't realize was that this old guy had also outfitted the bike with peddles that cost more than my rent. They are the kind that you can clip your special bike-racing shoes into, if you should decide. A lesser bike would not have made that turn period. A lesser peddle would have broken to bits which would have caused me to fall to my road rash doom.
This bike? I was slightly removed from my seat as if I had came to a hard stop... well, I guess I did come to a hard stop. I held my position with my eyes squinted. It took me a few moments to realize that nothing happened. I slowly looked down to the hit peddle to evaluate weather or not there was enuff peddle left to peddle to the bike store. Amazingly, the metal peddle was unscathed. There wasn't even a scratch on the painted-on company name "LOOK". Actually, the peddle somehow looked better- I think the damn bike appreciated in value after that lil accident.
My point is cars are gay. You get in a car accident- even a minor one- and that just ruins your day. You have insurance to think about and fixing whatever may have been broke. You get in a bike accident and you have a bruise and astory to tell... a cast at most! The worse part of this accident was that I perhaps looked foolish in front of the cars passing by, but I'm used to that anyway... besides car owners are gay.
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