Interesting mtn bike accident on lookout yesterday

[jnschwie]

Got to the base where those pillars are, just past there a mines cop stopped traffic. Not a Golden po-po, or a Jefferson County Sheriff, but a School of Mines cop. Still, I'm unwilling to challenge that. :D

15 minute wait for an accident. :( OK, fine.
Wait, wait, wait.

Dude comes down on FS mtn bike. Mines cop asked if he was her victim, he was. He had his bike upside down on the side of the road (I assume near one of the trails) changing a tire, and this car comes around and bumps him in the ass knocking him over. He and bike are fine, they ride away. OK, so, WTF is the hold-up?

10 more minutes.
You said 10 minutes 20 minutes ago.
Finally a flatbed comes to tow the car away, and it is a little smashed when they finally get down. Wait, WTF? Car vs. mtn biker and CAR gets fawked up? :confused: Whatever, get off the mtn. While I heard the cop distinctly tell someone else that the assault wouldn't be a felony, they spent a LOT of time measuring skids and what not) :shrug:

30 minutes later, I get to ride up.

[Camp]

Do you think he was hit intentionally? Was he out in the road changing a tire or off on the shoulder?

[jnschwie]

No, I got the impression it was just reckless driving. Probably first or second real switchback on lariat loop. Maybe a little past where chimney gulch crosses? Not sure.

I think he was on the shoulder around a corner. Let that be a lesson (although it shouldn't have to be :rolleyes: if cars weren't reckless) to mtn bikers: Try to change tires off the road, and on the trail (or just off) if possible. I know we stay the trail, but some nice tall grass or a rockpile is probably ideal. :(

[Yota]

I hate riding with cars. Too many idiots out there texting while driving, talking on cell phones, or just plain stupid morons not paying attention. I'd rather take my chances with the rocks and tree roots. :D

[jnschwie]

I hate riding with cars. Too many idiots out there texting while driving, talking on cell phones, or just plain stupid morons not paying attention. I'd rather take my chances with the rocks and tree roots. :D

That kid from Mtn Vista texting was a BIG TIME wakeup call for me. :( BIG TIME.

I was riding that very spot daily when it happened. :(

It is so much safer in groups. :)
When I'm not with a group, I really try to stick to the side streets, or "quieter" places like Lookout or Red Rocks, etc. :(

[bsaunder]

Another reason why the majority of my road riding is either in groups, 6am during the week, or before 9am on Sunday - the number of cars are greatly reduced.

Some of the Mines cops have a serious head trip - though they can screw your day up as they are certified, qualified, or what ever it is as State patrol.

[jnschwie]

This is the first mines cop I've ever even talked to.

But, like you say, when i was in college, we were told under no uncertain terms that campus cops = very real cops. :D

[Whitey]

Today, my wife was driving her car down Deer Creek Canyon, a bike rider started tailgating her so she tried to speed up till she could pull over.

So, she pulls as far off the road as possible and the guy zips past her, less than thirty seconds later, he crashed. She stopped to help and a group of his friends rode up. Said they told the guy he was riding way too fast for that road and confirmed my wife did nothing wrong, thanked her for stopping and wondered if they should call 911. My wife said of course as he was unresponsive, so, a home owner nearby called for emergency help.

Well, rescue folks showed up and the unfortunate fellow was transported by ambulance. Hope he lives to ride again. :(

Be careful guys.

[jnschwie]

It is pretty bold to pass cars. :(