Pete Story #1001 - The Suicide Cat

I have been an avid cyclist since I competed in my first triathlon in 1984. I have logged a lot of miles on the road. I used to aim for 300 miles a week back in the day, with the goal of hitting 150 by Wednesday (week started on Monday), then I would have 4 more days to get in the next 150! So, I have seen a lot on the roads. I have come across a porcupine in Utah, a heard of cattle in the mountains of Switzerland, a mountain lion on Stage Road near Pescadero, a few wayward cows out in the fields in Mexico, many deer all over the Bay Area, the wayward squirrel whom I have hit before, along with a huge number of stupid drivers on the road and on occasion, a cat.

Cats have always been very "smart" on the road. They seem to sense trouble and go the other way. The squirrel, on the other hand, will jocky for position, think twice, then suddenly, without thought of any danger, hurtle himself into the line of traffic, just hoping he may miraculously come out alive on the other side! You expect this from a squirrel. They have very small brains and don't "think" about what danger may lie ahead in the road. Every cat I have ever come across on the road will start to "cross the road", but the first sign of trouble and they turn back and head for cover. They don't stop and then wait and then start again and wait. AND then say, I can make it and GO! They just don't do that, now do they? Well, last Wednesday, January 12, 2005, this one cat did what no other cat I have ever seen do. He "fully committed" to crossing the road in front of a group of 7 cyclists on a nice ride, on a beautiful day!

We weren't going that fast. Just spinning down after another Type A Noon ride, where the pace can get above Lactate Threshold at times. We had descended part of Page Mill Rd., still wet from the rains. Held very good pacelines through much of the ride. Then, on the spin for home, The Suicide Cat, made his move. He Darted out in front of the group, only to stop in his tracks, the group let out a collective wooh, then continued on when he seemed to retreat. Then for reasons only known to the CAT, he bolted for the other side of the street. He did not seem to care that a group of cyclists were baring down on him. It was a bold, yet rather careless move. He made it past the first two cyclists, then jockeyed some more, trying to maneuver between the rest. I was riding next to Nick D. just chatting about Hawaii, when I suddenly saw him directly to my left and coming very fast. What happened next is a bit of a blur. He managed to wedge his way into my front wheel, only to be lifted into my front fork. This sent me over my handle bars and heading face/head first for the ground. I am lucky. I actually remember tuking my head and going into a "flip" to not land on my head. I hit with my elbow, then shoulder and followed through with the flip, by squarly landing on my lower back. My first thought was I had broken my back. It was a pain I will never forget and one I would never wish on anyone.

Nick D. and Jorge B. and the others on the ride were horrified to then think I had been hurt pretty bad, as well as watch the now very injured cat struggle for his last breaths. I was feeling bad about the cat, but also about the fact that I thought my back was now broken. I have never hurt my back and now for the first time of my life, wanted to see my legs move, as I thought the worst of course. I was able to move and actually got up and walked a bit. Only to now know my back and finger and thumb were all pretty messed up. The cats owner came out and was very gracious. He said the cat had done that many times in his 16 years and that his 9 lives were up. He was not totally upset about it, which made me feel a little better. The cat was 16, so that made it a little easier as well. He moved pretty quick for a 16 year old cat though, just ask Nick, or the others present.

We made it back to our cars and Shari came and drove me to the emergency department at Keiser. I was finally out about 6 hours later, with a splint on my right hand for a broken pinkie finger and a splint on my left hand with a sprained thumb. My back was not fractured, thank God! But was sprained and badly bruised. I still have very bad muscle cramps in the lower spine. I'm OK standing, but sitting is pretty painful. I move very slowly now. I hope to be on the mend soon. I would like to say thanks to all of you for the well wishes and to all who helped me out that day. It could have been worse, I will get better soon! Beware the cats on the road, I will always give them the right of way from now on!

Coach Pete

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And now poetry by John Magee:

The Cat with the Broken Back

The Sun did not shine
It was too wet to play
But the noon ride went out
There that cold rainy day

They rode out with Pete
They rode out with Nick
The followed the loop
They went really quick

But then Nick said No! No!
Make that cat go away
Tell that Suicide cat
We don’t want to play
He should not be here
He should not be about
He should not be here
When the noon ride is out

Now! Now! Have no fear
Have no fear said the cat
I have done this before
I have got it down pat
Why we can have
Lots of good fun, if you like
With a game that I call
Lets dodge the bike

“Take your head from my spoke”
This is no fun at all!
“Take your head from my spoke”
“I DO NOT wish to fall”

And then
Something went Bump
How that Bump made us Jump

“Have no Squrrgyh yYeowwsswshg”
Said the cat
As his head hit the spoke
“Oh Shit” Pete said
as his back nearly broke

We looked!
And we saw him sail over his bike
We looked
And we saw him – it did not look right!

And the riders and I
Did not know what to do
But Pete jumped up and said
“I move! Give me gu!

I know it is wet
And the sun is not sunny
And the cat it is dead
And a little bit runny
But life goes on
And the ride will continue
And Pete will heal
In Mind and in his Sinew
And one day
Maybe soon
When we ride past that spot
The ghost of a cat may be seen
Maybe not.