RE: [Paddlewise] Bow Tie-Downs Revisited

Thanks, Doug. Glad your near-accident came out okay.

BTW, I also put a message about the accident on the Inland Sea Kayakers 
message board, and today had a reply from Linda's cousin in Scotland. 
Neither of us knew he read it or had any interest in sea kayaking. Maybe he 
was just checking up on his relatives. ;-)

Chuck Holst


-----Original Message-----
From:	Doug Lloyd [SMTP:dougl_at_islandnet.com]
Sent:	Tuesday, April 23, 2002 2:09 AM
To:	Chuck Holst; PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net
Subject:	[Paddlewise] Bow Tie-Downs Revisited

Chuck said:
<snip>
Shortly after merging onto I-35W, I saw a sudden slowdown of traffic
ahead of me, and stepped on the brakes. I had just removed my foot from
the brake pedal when our car was struck from behind by a Jeep Cherokee
driven by a young woman.
<snip>

Thanks for the report Chuck, and the reminder of the positive influence
PW has had on you. I had a close call the other day too -- but I was the
one trying to rear-end someone.  It was a straight road where the speed
limit is oft ignored. A car in front stopped to wait for the truck in
front of them to turn left across the traffic. I wasn't well and wasn't
paying attention on the straight-a-way. By the time I looked up, it was
too late. I hit the brakes instinctively and went into a four-wheel
drift. Within a second I had determined there was no way to avoid a
terrible collision with the brakes engaged. I also hadn't used the bow
and stern lines. I've only been driving _short distances_ because of my
health. All I could think about was the poor lady getting severe
whiplash, and my 100 lb Nordkapp flying through the air still attached
to the roof rack, which would still be attached to the factory rack --
which very possibly could have easily ripped out of the roof's
sheetmetal. I credit quick reaction time to years of rock-garden
paddling: I was able to see out of the corner of my eye enough room
between her right bumper and a street no-parking sign to my right, with
just enough room for my van minus the right rear-view mirror maybe. As
it turned out, I avoided the collision and even just missed the mirror
and slipped by within inches after releasing the brakes and restoring
steerage. I felt terrible and elated at the same time. I will _not_ be
_not_ using bow and stern lines again, even on short trips under highway
speeds.

Glad you are okay. Was blowing up to 50-knots _and_ sunny on Juan De
Fuca today, but could only look. Hopefully I will be better in a week or
two. Miss 'dem waves.

Doug

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