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Cyclist and his accident

Well, I knew that someday I would have to part paths with my little white truck. Yesterday, on the way back from my parent’s house in LaGrange, it finally happened. As I was eastbound on Greensville Rd. just a half-mile east of I85, a septic service truck, for whatever reason, drifted into my lane. I tried to get out of his way and was, for the most part, successful since it wasn’t a head-on. However, we did make contact – sideswipe- with extensive damage to the back of my little white truck. If this was a head-on collision the outcome would probably been very dire.

The good news is that my son and I weren’t hurt. I did receive some minor flesh wounds from when my side view mirror literally exploded as it was slammed by the other truck. I went to the urgent care facility here in Fayetteville and they picked out a few glass shards and closed a little wound on my belly. (They did refuse my request to do liposuction.)

I bought my little white truck new in October 1984 from Manhattan Beach Ford in California. It was the first new vehicle that Mrs. Cy and I bought. The sticker price was $10,500 and the dealer offered to install air conditioning and cruise control at no extra cost to sew the deal. It had a manual transmission which I wanted but Mrs. Cy wasn’t exactly happy about that. But, she said I could teach her. Twenty three years latter she still hasn’t learned.

My little white truck served me well over the 23+ years that I had it. It hauled everything from building supplies that I need to refurbished our house in LA to those darn ^#%$@* Bradford trees that blew down here. I did oil and filter changes at every 3,000 miles and the only big maintenance was to replace the suspension idler arm and change the water pump. Things do last when they’re maintained. As for gas mileage, I got 28.5 MPG on the drive to my parent’s house. Not bad for a truck with 165,000 miles on it!!!!

My little white truck – a Ford Ranger with a 2.3L engine – now sits at my parent’s house. On Monday, I’ll contact the other party’s insurance carrier and have them assess the damage but most likely, because of the age, it will be BER – beyond economical repair. I’ll receive a little check for my expenses at the urgent care facility and for the truck. All total my guess it will be below $2,000. I will obviously not be able to replace “my” truck for $2,000.

Now many of you would wonder why Cy would post this story since it just another thing or event that happen in someone else’s life. Well there is a message folks. I know it probably sounds a little “corny” especially for us guys but, when you say “goodbye” to family members tell them that you “love them”. For you never know what‘s coming around that next turn of life.

Cyclist

Cyclist's blog | login to post comments

Bummer

Submitted by NUK_1 on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 10:12pm.

I know how much it sucks to have a vehicle that was very useful suddenly gone and a chump-check for whatever it was "worth" at the time. The $ replacement amount is never close to what the vehicle was worth to YOU.

That said, when I first started reading your post, I was thinking how would you have survived an accident with a truck on a bike, so....in the big scheme of things, it's all manageable:)

Submitted by hutch866 on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 4:28pm.

If you need it, I have that old 76 F-100 Ranger pick up you can use till you get some new wheels, if it'll make you feel better, you can even work on some.But seriously, you're welcome to it as long as you need it.

P.S> I'm glad you two are all right.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

Gee hutch,

Submitted by Cyclist on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 6:12pm.

That so gracious of you to let me work on it too. Smiling But seriously, I really do appreciate your offer. I'm borrowing my dad's truck for the time being. I got a little cash and some real funny airline stock to sell. Hopefully soon, I'll have another little white Ford Ranger. Maybe one which the A/C works.

BTW, is your sister back home?
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

Submitted by hutch866 on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 7:54pm.

I'm a most gracious kind of guy, if you feel like you just have to repair a truck I've always got a little something that needs to be done on it, all you have to do is ax.

My sister went home on Friday and slept most of the time and I haven't talked to her today for fear of waking her, but thanks for axing. You're a good man.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

hutch,

Submitted by Cyclist on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 7:59pm.

That was funny. That poor security guard never caught on.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

Cy - Say It Ain't So

Submitted by Git Real on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 2:52pm.

Thank God you guys are okay. As for ole Whitey I'd say that was a really crappy way to go. Why do you think that poopy driver tried to knock the shiooooeeey out of the little white truck?

Sorry about your loss and I'm thankful that ole Whitey held together to carry you safely through another daily episode in the family life of Cy & Company. Might I just say that it was an honor to have been one of the "loads" that Old Faithful hauled around. Dave Ramsey would be proud.

Heal my friend. Smiling

________

The Sissy And The Word Defined

Yep. It Stinks. Stinks Bad

Submitted by muddle on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 3:22pm.

I keep picturing that scene in the first BACK TO THE FUTURE movie where the bully crashes into the back of a manure truck with his convertible. Just as he sees the inevitable crash coming he yells, "SH----!" The passenger compartment is loaded with the stuff and he spits a substantial quantity from his mouth.

Cy, it really could have been worse.

Phooey Muddle - Pffhhhhttt

Submitted by Git Real on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 3:34pm.

The passenger compartment is loaded with the stuff and he spits a substantial quantity from his mouth.

And that scene is unique in what way? What I mean is.... aren't we all covered in 'it' and spitting 'it' out day to day as we muddle (no offense) through this presidential race? Puzzled

________

The Sissy And The Word Defined

"Crappy way to go"

Submitted by Cyclist on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 3:00pm.

I'm glad you're back!!!!
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

My Gosh Cy

Submitted by Git Real on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 3:30pm.

I went out West to enjoy some farm work and some 'spring time' according to the lying and misleading NOAA. Ahh.. what do you expect from another gumament run program? Puzzled LOL! Just kidding.... how can one really predict the weather on a 10 forecast.

So... Wednesday I completed cutting up with a torch all the old corrals on the place. Piece of advice... never use a cutting torch while wearing cotton gloves when the wind is blowing in Okie style. That molten metal, enhanced by the burning cotton really scars up one's hands. But I took it like a man and with a steady arm I cleaned up all those corrals that were welded up in the 30's and 40's. I've got the leprosy looking wounds to prove it. Shocked

Then as we (Dad and I) were trying to beat the the massive thunderstorms heading our way, I got 'piled driven' down to the ground via the front end loader bucket of my JD 2440. Again, I steadied my self and with my now aching back we pulled all the concrete out of the ground and and unloaded it into our old dumping gully we utilize which was left as courtesy of the Dust Bowl Era. We finished unloading the trailer and I drove the tractor back and got soaked in the now 'cold' rain courtesy of the front that had just blew through.

And then.... we endured a 14 hour continuous thunderstorm that dropped 4" of rain on us for the remainder of the day and all through the night. Washed the culvert out on the road to town. But that's okay cuz as Hack would testify there is another road that is hopefully usable at precisely every one mile of travel. But, you know! After a heavy thunderstorm, the next day is usually very nice.

Not this past Thursday it wasn't. They said we were to have 40 mph winds all day. Well, anyone knows that out that way 40 mph winds down blow over trees and remove shingles off of roof tops. So guess what I did between chores all day. Yup.... climbed up on the roof about a dozen times carrying bricks to lay on top of the shingles that were coming loose and starting to flop around. I hear those winds actually got to 50 - 60 mph that day. Yup.. I was the knucklehead carrying bricks on the roof in all that. Got it done though. On Friday in 35 mph winds I got up on the roof and glued those floppy shingles back down. Now everyone can laugh at my house with all the brick on West and South side and I can laugh at their houses with their missing shingles. LOL!

What a mess......

I sure am going to be glad to see my bone cracker on Monday. I suspect next week he'll be my new bestest friend.

But other than all that all was well. I put a phone in and got 1.5 meg so-called high speed wireless internet installed so I can work from my new corporate offices and keep in touch with you fine characters.

Again... I'm glad you and your Cy-High student young one are doing well.

________

The Sissy And The Word Defined

Git,

Submitted by eodnnaenaj1 on Tue, 04/15/2008 - 6:40am.

Hot dog!! You mean were moving the office to Oklahoma! Woohoo, I'm so fed up with Atlanta traffic it would be a welcome change!

Hey Git,

Submitted by Cyclist on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 6:26pm.

Please don't tell this was a vacation. But you know, anytime you can spend quality time with dad is the best quality time ever.

As for the wind blowing in OK; you know what they say, there's nothing to stop the wind blowing from the arctic except for that barbed wire fence just outside of the house.

Both my parents are from the Lubbock Tx. area and can remember the dust storms of the late 30's and 40's. Those depression era pictures of families running from the blowing sand and dust are very much real. Those were very hardy folk back then.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

hey cyclist...

Submitted by Main Stream on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 11:42am.

I'm happy that you and your son are alright! Those two-lane roads are so dangerous, if that is what you were driving on. Sorry about your little white truck, though. But.... it sounds like it had a very good life with you!

I drove 20,000 miles last year, for work, and had to say goodbye to my SUV after it 'blew a rod' (whatever that means...) from driving it so much (that's what I was told..). It was paid off also and now I have a new car plus those nasty car pmts. again. I hate that.

Main, Thanks!

Submitted by Cyclist on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 12:20pm.

Gee at 20,000 miles a year you really do work hard for your dollar. I hope you can recoup as much as possible.

"Throwing a rod" now-a-days is synonymous to an engine that has a lot miles on it.

Nasty car payments - You betcha, especially when I have one that will go to college this year. Car payments were not in the main plan!!!!
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

Cyclist drove a truck?

Submitted by Richard Hobbs on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 11:22am.

When I was a true cyclists, I rode my bike everywhere, never drove my car. It had nothing to do with the fact that I was too young to have a license.

So I find it ironic, that cyclist owns a truck.

Sorry for what I can tell you, is going to be a headache and a half for you. Depending a great deal on who the insurance companies are, if of course, the defendant remembered to pay his premiums.

Take lots of advil. ICE yourself down, no heat yet, top to bottom, and rest for a few days.

You often are more sore, 72 hours later than the first 24.

My police scanner must not have been working. Because my radar didn't even pick up this. I must be getting old because I can't chase every ambulance that goes driving by.

Ambulance Chasing

Submitted by Cyclist on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 12:30pm.

I thought you were always above that Richard. Smiling Sorry to let you down about the cycling thingy; but, yes I own two trucks, a mini van and a big SUV to pull my trailer to the beach. Come to think of it, the tags are due this Monday even the little white truck.

One day, I'll get back commuting by bike to the airport/work.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

Little White Truck

Submitted by muddle on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 10:48am.

Sorry to hear this, but, yes, indeed, things certainly could have gone far worse than they did.

Just to get this straight: Are you saying that you had a collision with a "honey wagon"? Thnings really could have been worse!

Too bad about the liposuction thing. Otherwise, though you likely will have to forfeit your little white truck, you might have been able to squeeze into that little black dress. Smiling

muddle,

Submitted by Cyclist on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 12:07pm.

Yep, it was a "honey wagon". Shocked

Actually, it's the little black spandex outfit. You know, the one that "Git" always talks about.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

Here Now!

Submitted by Git Real on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 2:32pm.

Shocked

________

The Sissy And The Word Defined

Cyclist

Submitted by BPR on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 10:12am.

Sorry about your little white truck. I am glad that you both are okay.
Well, almost- you will be soar for a while and your son could be also.
Get better fast, take it easy for a few days. Glad you both are okay.

______________________________
We Will Stand

BPR, Thanks!!!

Submitted by Cyclist on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 10:17am.

The pain will set in when I have to purchase another vehicle. I haven't made car payments for 4 years. The little white truck has been paid off for 20 years.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

Cyclist, what will you do

Submitted by Denise Conner on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 1:03pm.

with all of that free time now that you won't be repairing your old friend? Forget I asked. You won't have to deliver pizzas (sorry... I heard Dave Ramsey one day) to replace your LWT, will you? The price of LWT's is slightly more than they were 20 years ago. Does that mean that they last twice as long? Eye-wink All of us may take up cycling or staying at home more with the cost of gas. And then that article about insurance likely to cost more. How hard is it to re-learn riding a bike when you're older than 10? Laughing out loud Forget it. BIG cars & little bikes don't belong that close together. I don't have nerves of steel. Guess I'll walk.

Denise,

Submitted by Cyclist on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 1:59pm.

You learn to be a part of the traffic. That tends to reduce one's chances of being involved in an incident. For the 30+ years of riding as an adult, I had two accidents both the fault of the what we cyclists call "cagers" or cars. Of course, you are not 100% safe on the road regardless would kind vehicle you are in...well maybe a tank. Smiling

One thing, I hope it doesn't get down to the point that we all have to ride bicycles. That would mean that our economy would be.... well it wouldn't be good.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

Cyclist, glad you're OK

Submitted by Denise Conner on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 10:03am.

That was a scary experience. Sorry about your truck. Do you think that a new one will be as reliable? Ugh... the cost Sad

Denise, Thanks!!!

Submitted by Cyclist on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 10:10am.

Ugh..the cost! You got that right. I was going to drive it till the wheels fell off. Oh well.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

Cyclist, amazing

Submitted by Denise Conner on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 10:33am.

Not many people keep a vehicle nearly that long any more, do they? I know a few who lease and exchange cars frequently. That's no way to get ahead financially. Glad you and your son weren't seriously hurt, or worse. Having witnessed one of those "worse" scenarios has always made me be a little more cautious. Being in a wreck is nerve jangling and infuriating -- $$$$ for another vehicle, lost time, etc. It's frustrating that so many are careless drivers, endangering themselves and others.

Cyclist: Say it ain't so!!!!!!!

Submitted by AF A-10 on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 11:05am.

I met your truck. I knew your truck personally! I am sooo glad you and your boy are okay. For me, the flashbacks came a day or two later when you start realizing what could have been.

And you will also figure out that what you think your truck is worth and what THEY think your truck is worth are not one in the same. My company and I fought from Feb 9th till I finally received payment this month. And the payment would have bought me a car two years older!!!

My wife would be beside herself if anything had happened to you guys ( and I as well). Thank God you are still fit to blog. If we lose your contributions, we will truly have lost the centering force. Look forward to seeing you soon and hearing your war story in person!

Cheers,

Kevin "Hack" King

Hack,

Submitted by Cyclist on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 12:48pm.

As you can attest, no manner what happens you are never truly made whole. And in your case, you had to deal with your own insurance company - the one that pay every so often.

As for the blogging stuff I appreciate the kind words. I thought I had a good grasp on all things political and current events only to find out that I just know the "stuff" on the surface.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

Me too...

Submitted by Acey1 on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 12:36pm.

First of all, thank God you two are OK! I will miss seeing your big left mitt waving from that little white cab as you pass by (Cy is a very friendly driver)! It was a good little truck. Not too many of that vintage still rolling, so when I'd see it coming, I'd know "There's Cy".

Thanks Acey1!!!!

Submitted by Cyclist on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 1:02pm.

To top it all off the little green truck that the oldest drives is in the body shop to get fixed after a freind of a freind back into it.

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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

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