Close Call!
While riding on the roads there will be occasional “close calls”. One of our strategies to reduce that danger is to ride pretty consistently; the same time, same route, and in a predictable manner. Most of the vehicles on the road are being driven in a similar way, so we encounter many of the same drivers each day, and they learn that we won’t really hold them up for more than a few moments.
This morning was different. While traveling on B & A Blvd in Severna Park, on the most difficult section of the road (no usable shoulder, no passing zone, hills reducing visibility of oncoming traffic, and a rough road surface on the right half of the road lane) a truck from Metropolitan Bath & Tile nearly hit my head with his right side mirror, then nearly clipped Ravi who was about 20 yards ahead of me. The mirror missed my head by mere inches. Ravi was missed by less than a foot.
There was no way to accelerate and catch the driver. We vowed right then and there to report this infraction to the company. I emailed them when I got home. Clint called a regional manager. The regional manager promised to talk to the driver. My email went unanswered (over the past 8 hours). This was our first incident in a year and a half on this section of road. The last incident was with a school bus driver who later revealed that his actions were intentional.
I’m simply thankful for the many courteous drivers out there.
This Ride: 20.5 miles
Month: 125.5 miles
2013: 2070.8 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 21,843.7 miles
Rev Rider 
Earl, I am sorry to read this news yet thankful you are okay. I suppose the only thing you could do was to contact the company, although it sounds like they are not doing much to address the issue. I guess we just have to keep at it and hope that over time we can help raise awareness. Again, I’m thankful you all are unscathed.
Both Clint and I both contacted the company in different ways. They assured us that they would speak with the driver and remind the driver of their expectations.