In the 80s I liked to watch Hill Street Blues. This police show opened each episode with roll call where the precinct sergeant went through important news and information. At the end of each roll call, as the officers headed out to work, the sergeant would remind them to "Be careful out there."
Such words of caution are important to triathletes, a fact reinforced this past weekend. Two local cyclists had the limits of their luck tested when an inattentive driver struck them from behind. Driving at an estimated 50 mph, the driver hit the trailing cyclist. After slamming into the car's windshield, she was thrown forward into her husband, who was biking in front of her. They both wound up in the ditch on the side of the road.
Miraculously, both were able to walk away from the accident essentially unscathed. They took the wife to the hospital for x-rays, and she is, so far, fine other than some significant bruising. Obviously, her bike did not fare so well, and I imagine the driver's insurance will be taking a hit for a new one.
The driver, who was cited for inattentive driving, stated that he was unable to stop in time. An interesting statement considering he was coming from behind them, and stopping should not have been required. In the end, it was one more driver oblivious to at least some of the conditions around him. Luckily, the cyclist wasn't seriously injured or killed.
As triathletes, most of us are fairly confident in our cycling abilities. We are also aware that even a momentary loss of focus can turn a great race day into a painful trip to the hospital. Sadly, it is the inattention of others that proves most devestating to bikers on the road.
So... Be careful out there!
Related news update: A group of triathletes participating in a group swim at Solana Beach in San Diego, California are trying to deal with the tragedy of a fatal shark attack. We sometimes lose sight of the dangers associated with swimming, particularly swimming in ocean venues. Please keep the family and friends of this unnamed triathlete in your prayers.
Update 2: I just got an E-mail back from Kahuna. It was short, but removes any vestige of concern he was involved. A stop by Commodore's site to check up on him provided further information, as the victim was a "friend of a friend."
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