I just finished teaching an indoor cycling class at Fitcorp in the Longwood Medical Area and was heading home on Brookline Ave. It was about 2:15 PM on Thursday afternoon and the traffic was heavy but not ridiculous.
I approach an 18-wheeler double-parked in front of Star Market. Stopped next to the 18-wheeler (and in my lane) was a large cement truck. Both drivers were chatting with each other through their windows. It appeared as if the guy driving the cement truck was asking for directions. Regardless, both trucks took up the entire road and traffic was stopped.
Since the cement truck was shorter (only a 10-wheeler), I rolled up next to the 18-wheeler and leaned on the back of the truck waiting for them to finish their conversation. When they finished talking, I assumed the cement truck would pull away and I would follow around the 18-wheeler.
Boy was I wrong!!!! The 18-wheeler started to drive away first! I’m holding on to the back of the truck and was quickly pulled between these 2 monster vehicles. To make matters worse, the front of the 18-wheeler was angled toward the cement truck, leaving me a very narrow pass that was closing in by the minute. I didn’t know what to do. If I let go of the truck, I may lose my balance and fall under the rear wheels. If I held on, I wasn’t sure I was going to fit between their front bumpers. As I approached the front of the cement truck, I thought I may be able to reach up and grab the side-view mirror. I could unclip and pull myself up, but unfortunately this would sacrifice my bike to the fast approaching rear wheels of the semi.
I kept looking at the mirror and the space between the front of the trucks trying to figure out which was my best option. Finally, I put my hands close together on the top of the handlebar near the stem and powered through the narrow opening.
Holy Crap! My heart was racing and I was nauseous. I was so nauseous that my legs were weak and I could barely pedal. Now, I commute into the city almost every day and have ridden through some crazy, scary stuff, but this really shook me up. I felt trapped and out of control. These 2 big trucks towered over me on both sides and I had no place to go.
I was very thankful to God that he got me out of that one. Lesson of the day: Assume NOTHING!
