Dave and I purchased ourselves mountain bikes in January. I had been telling Dave how much I'd like to buy one after returning from America, as I would no longer have a gym membership and it seemed like a good way to get exercise. Dave's big Christmas present to me was a gift certificate for a bike!
We took a day trip up to Auckland to buy a brand new bike for me (on sale!) and pick up a good quality used bike from a Trademe (think ebay) seller for Dave. While we've only gotten into the mountains once with our bikes, we've greatly enjoyed the faster transport to our respective jobs (as we both previously walked unless foul weather required a car). I started biking 30 minutes every other day and then upped it to 40 minutes every other day with shorter rides every day. Within 6 weeks of owning a bike I fit my clothes better and felt stronger than I did after 3 months of nearly daily gym attendance! Of course, after nearly a month off of my strict workout schedule, I'm back to where I started - knackered after riding through town!
This week started off well, the ride to the SPCA I volunteer at every Monday is not strenuous, but it takes about 10 minutes one way. The ride to grandmas takes about 10-15 one way and I did that on Tuesday. Today (Wednesday) wasn't look like it would be too flash weather-wise, but I was going to get a decent ride in after running errands in town....I've since scrapped that plan.
It's not that my accident has severely damaged me or my bike and it's not that I've been put off biking all together, but finding yourself lying in the middle of the main street is a little off putting for riding further in the day.
I'm only vaguely aware of the incident really. I was biking down the main town road (Pollen street thankfully, not the actual highway a road over) when a lady opened her car door in front of me. I don't even remember the door opening. All I really remember is finding myself and my bike in the middle of the lane! I registered no cars were coming down the road (either direction) and got up. A lady was half out of her car slightly behind me. She was asking if I was okay if I was hurt. All I could think was to get out of the road, get out of people's view. I didn't really know what to do. I wanted to yell at the lady for opening her door, but there was a part of me that wondered if it was my fault. Was I not paying enough attention? I told the lady I was fine, walked to the sidewalk and started down the road to the next errand I had. I wanted to sit and cry, I was shaky, my hand hurt, I was SO glad I wear a helmet every time I cycle. I didn't want to talk to the lady responsible, I didn't want anyone to ask me if I was okay. I locked my bike up a few blocks down and went in search of saffron (in Thames...I didn't think it possible, but we do have some!). When I came out of the shop, a blond lady came up and said she was so sorry. Was I okay? Was the bike okay. It was all her fault and she wanted to take responsibility, she said. I told her I seemed to fine and the bike probably too. She gave me her name and phone numbers. I'm too call her if the bike needs fixed, she'll pay for it. She said she always tells her kids to watch out when getting out of the car. She said she'd seen the car coming/passing, but hadn't seen me. I felt bad for not talking to her sooner, for making her follow me down the street!
I said goodbye and thanked her for the details. I unlocked my bike and found that the chain had been dislodged, not surprising. I put it back in place and then biked to Dave's work. The bike seemed find, the handlebars somewhat askew. I just wanted to cry still, to get a huge hug, but Dave still had 10 minutes before lunch. I told him what happened, he asked if gave the person an "ear full". LOL I waited for his lunch break and then got the hugs I wanted. He straightened my handlebars out before going back to work. I told him I'd go home and take a bath, but then I decided I should keep to my plan and finish my errands. Instead of biking through the mall parking lot though, I locked my bike in the park and walked a bit further. I made my purchase and then treated myself (with tip money!) to a vanilla latte and the most delicious neenish tart! I relaxed on the coach and read a tramping (aka hiking) magazine and let my shock wear off.
Feeling refreshed, relaxed, and calmed I took my bike the back way - down the coastal walkway (for bikes too) and back to the house on the least busiest roads. My bike seems to fine now that the handlebars are aligned and I'm not bad either. My left arm is pretty sore and my left hand a bit bruised. I'll probably be wearing the long sleeved shirts at work in a few days to cover the nasty bruise I'm sure to have, but no back, neck, or even head pain to worry about.
While I sometimes wish I lived in one of the dynamic and cultured cities of Auckland or Wellington; today, I've never been more happy to live in the slow paced town of Thames. If I'd been in a busy city I probably would have been run over by the next car in the road!
