I had a brush with death last Thursday and would like to thank the driver who saved my life. I was bicycling down Country Club Drive, near the top, getting used to the new adjustments on my bike. I got going too fast and my hand wasnand#8217;t positioned to be able to grip the brake forcefully enough to slow me down as I came to the first sharp turn. I lost control of my bicycle, rode/slid into the oncoming lane, with a car coming around the corner directly toward me. I saw my life pass before my eyes.

The man driving that car was paying attention, made a split-second decision, and swerved off the road, avoiding a head on collision. I owe that man my life, or at least my well-being. He continued up the road and I continued down the road, so I never got to thank him.

As I reflected on the many lessons from this experience (slow down, be more careful, etc.) the one I was most impressed with was that if that driver had been a distracted driver, I might not be here today. I wondered if I would have passed that test.

Johanna Koch

Incline Village