http://www.bicycling.com/training-nutrition/training-fitness/9-paceline-rules

It is February and for the first time all month we had a mild day on the weekend. Enough of the snow had melted so I was able to get out and ride.  The temperature was above 40; I think it was even in the 50s and I was dressed warm so I was very comfortable.  I had taken the car through my expected course just to be sure the roads that we covered in snow, ice, salt, sand and gravel just a few days ago would be safe for riding.  

All systems were go, the kids were all preoccupied and did not need me to pick them up or drop them anywhere.  I had a couple hours to myself.  I got on the bike and felt a little slow and rusty but that is expected at this time of year.  It was still very exciting to be back out and on the road again.  

I followed my regular course as I knew the roads were going to be full of debri and wanted to make sure I knew what would have to deal with.  Traffic was very light and almost every car that passed me gave me a wide berth.  I think they realized that the shoulders were a little dicey and gave me a little extra space to navigate within my small confine of space. 

I turned down one of the side road that cuts through a few farm fields and was taken by how different this landscape looks covered in snow then when I see it in the other seasons.  I kept thinking how nice it would be to be able to capture what I was seeing in a photo.  It was not as spectacular as the beauty of the springtime blooming but captivating in its starkness. In many places the snow was giving way to rush of icy cold water that flowing into the streams.  

I could feel the energy from the flow of the water and melting of the snow.  As I passed from sunshine into shade I felt the temperature change as I would ride through a micro-climate.  The cold preserved by the snow-pack and the lack of penetrating sunshine.  Nothing cold enough to press a chill through the warmth generated from the ride.  Just enough to notice and to realize that I am able to feel what is happening outside when so many other people still feel snowbound inside.

After riding out on the main road I turned left to start to head back to my home.  This part of the ride has a bit more traffic than any other part of the ride.  Once I am about a mile down this road it eases up.  After this left turn I started to ride straight along this roadway.  This is where my encounter with the two trucks loaded down with firewood occurred. 

It is not uncommon to be met with a vehicle turning right just as you enter an intersection, but the second truck is what made this an unusual situation.  Truck 1 had to cut into the left lane of the road he was turning into in order to avoid me.  I was already in the intersection when he started to turn.  I was able to avoid him but my counter measures were limited by the second truck. 

Even after the first truck hit his brakes, Truck 2 followed him into the turn.  This left me somewhat surrounded by the bodies of the trucks and no place to pull into to avoid steel, fully loaded truck beds. The space that was left for me was tiny but lucky for me (maybe because I was slow and rusty) just enough room to stop in place.  Additional luck was on my side because the road surface was clean enough not to cause me to slip and wipe out.  

As I said the actions of the first truck are not uncommon but for the life of me I cannot understand why the second truck thought it would be okay to follow through with the turn.  I know he saw me and he heard me yell to the first driver because he happily provided a cowardly gesture out his open window before driving down the rest of the road.

It does make me realize that anything can happen on the road.  Also that an obstacle can appear out of nowhere and that the same obstacle can disrupt your riding in an instant.  The roads are full of people that can unintentionally cause you harm and with some who might be looking to cause trouble.  You can never be too careful.   

DSS

I found this article in the New York Times written by DANIEL DUANE published on November 9, 2013:

Is it ok to kill cyclists?