Ever Had One of Those Days?

Last day of the month and I couldn't ride Petunia to work because I had an appointment with the Postal Service for an important drop off.  Not to worry, tonight was Bike Night at Westgate.  It was scheduled to be a tribute to the five who were lost last year at the beginning of Arizona Bike Week and a ride in by Captain Ernie who was injured.  Unfortunately it was also going to be a tribute to Kimmy Chapman who was killed last Saturday when an idiot made a left turn into her and her boyfriend.

Being a milestone in Linda and my relationship, we returned to the scene of the crime to toast and have dinner.  After dinner we were headed to bike night.

Hitting the Loop 101 south, about 5:45 PM, on a perfect Fall evening we rolled to the high speed lane and accelerated to 70.  OK, it was a 55mph construction zone, but we were well within the flow of traffic and the evening work hadn't started yet.  That is when the plans went awry.

Riding with a smile and enjoying being in great weather all was well. Well, until that four or five nano-seconds when all bike riders have to make a decision that could be life altering.  From the left, in my peripheral vision, I saw the black blur. Two or three nano-seconds and I knew it was a bird.  Instantly I knew the choices. Duck, or get hit in the face and chance going down at 70 in afternoon traffic.  Ducking, I felt it grazing the top of my helmet.

Then I felt all Hell break loose, as Linda jumped to the right, Petunia veered to the left, and Linda started hitting me on the back.  Catching Petunia and throttling down, I turned my attention to Linda.  "Are you OK?" I yelled.

"No, Damn it! I hurt!"

Moving over to the right we got off the freeway and pulled to a stop.  Linda had taken the full impact of the bird in her face.  Nose bleeding, eyes watering, and not very happy, we headed to Banner Estrella Medical Center.   Bike night was on hold.

Sitting in the emergency room was not what I had planned.  Shift change, high number of emergencies, or whatever I thought we would never get in.  A three hour wait to be taken into the back was followed by two hours waiting for  x-rays and questions of what really happened. Did they really think I hit her with the helmets in our hands?  Bastards!!!

We missed Bike Night, but Linda will be OK in a couple of weeks.  Spring has sprung, but at least one bird won't be around to enjoy it.