Yesterday I met my buddy Mike out on Rte 28 just north of the Dulles Toll Road for our first ride together.  Mike just got his bike and gear so this was his first training ride but we still set an aggressive goal of 30 miles for the day with Mike having the option to turn around earlier if necessary.

The ride started out nice and easy as we headed west towards Ashburn.  Not sure if it was the bacon and eggs I had in the morning or if this section of the trail was particularly flat, but I had tons of energy at the start.  This also was a new section of the W&OD for me so I was excited to have some new scenery for the ride.  I let Mike start out in the lead so he could set a pace that he was comfortable with.  I didn’t want to hop in front and wear him out too quick.  This is actually easier for me since Mike takes the brunt of the wind and I get to draft like a NASCAR driver.  We decided to take turns leading and agreed on switching at 5 mile intervals.

As we neared the end of our first 5 mile interval, Mike and I approached a rare juntion on the trail where a small path coming from a nearby parking lot on our left met with the main trail.  As we neared the junction, 5 or 6 riders were coming onto the main trail and heading in the opposite direction causing Mike and I to slow down a bit.  On the path ahead of us at this point was a solo rider moving at a fairly leisurely pace.  As soon as the group of 5/6 passed, Mike and I moved out to the left to pass the rider ahead of us.  Mike passes without problem but before I can enter this guy’s peripheral vision, he makes a sharp left turn to head down the side trail and to the parking lot.  The horrible timing of his turn left me with no option but to plow into him.  I didn’t have time to hit my brakes, swerve left, fall over… anything.  I smashed right into him, our bikes tangled and we went down.

I know I’m still a bit of a rookie at this point but do know that first and foremost when geting into a crash, check to make sure everyone’s okay.  We checked each other out and thankfully the worst of it was a scrape on my knee and elbow.  No broken bones.  Plenty of broken pride.  The guy rightfully chastises both Mike and I for not announcing our pass with a standard “On the left” notice and rides away.

As I recovered from the shock and embarrassment of the crash, I checked out my bike to find a busted wheel and some damage done to the front fork.  Fast forward a couple hours to Revolution Cycles in Clarendon and I find out that both the wheel and fork will need to be replaced.  After tax and installation fees, I’m looking at repair costs that equal about 1/3 of the cost of the bike.  A very sad Saturday for me and my wallet.

As I’ve told this story to several friends already since the crash, I realize and acknowledge that I am primarily at fault.  Sure, Mike should have said “on the left” or even better “2 riders on the left” before passing and sure, the guy should have a) signaled a left turn and b) looked over his shoulder, but ultimately it is on me to also announce “on the left”.  I think the rules are the same as if I was snowboarding.  On the mountain it’s up to me to stay under control and afford the right of way to anyone ahead of me.  If I plow into them, it’s my fault regardless of what ridiculous turn they may have made.  I think it’s the same on the bike trail.

So for any new riders out there, learn from my very expensive lesson and always announce when you need to pass.

My bike is in the shop for a week so it looks like it’s into the gym to get acquainted with the stationary bike.