My Turkish cyclist friend Elif, who I met when she was in David, was hit by a bus. Thank goodness she is OK except for scrapes and bruises. I can’t believe she wasn’t killed. Her bike was run over and ruined though, and her camera and computer were broken and she is stuck in Venezuela.
This is one of her photos from Facebook
This is what she first posted on Facebook – today i passed pico de augilar, venezuela 4060 metres my first pass in andeas. i coasted down through lots of crazy hairpin turns and went to the other side of the mountain. guess what while i was cycling to my friends house a bus hit me and he drag me 200 metres and rolled over me and my bicycle and finally stopped. i wanted to hit the guy but people seperated us frown emoticon the driver will not get any punishment. he and the bus owner will continue their lives. me, i am fine i had minor wounds. firemen took me to the hospital.
There is more of the story on her website but it’s all in Turkish and the translation tool in my browser doesn’t work very well. But, from the bits and pieces I have picked up since the accident, the bicycle is a total loss. Perhaps the computer and camera can be repaired and screens replaced but at this point she doesn’t know for sure.
All the cyclists I have met have been very giving and generous people. I know if I was in a jam they would help me, so I am posting this in hopes that some of you can help my friend.
http://www.nuzerel.com/destek-donation/
This is Elif when she was in David with Mike from Mississippi and Alain from France.
I hope she can get back on the road again! I am also so thankful that she wasn’t seriously hurt.
The Panama Adventure 
So sorry to hear this. I hope she can get back on the road soon.
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I know, me too!
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How tragic! It’s a miracle she survived. I always worry about cyclists on the crazy roads in Latin America. Hoping that she will be back on the road soon.
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It certainly is a miracle she only has bumps and bruises. I’m hoping a little help from enough people will help get her going again.
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Thank God she is ok.
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yes for sure!
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Oh, my goodness, so glad she is OK! But the driver certainly should have some kind of fine or something. At least pay for the damages. She is so very lucky. You must be extremely cautious, Kris, on your biking adventures.
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I think she is trying to get something from the driver or bus company, but as far as I know nothing has come of it at this point.
I am careful to make myself as visible as possible, avoid dangerous high traffic areas, and be aware of what is going on around me. I’m glad that the drivers here seem very considerate of cyclists.
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Eli’s must have angels sitting on her shoulders who saved her from being killed in this accident! Bus vs bicycle usually has far more tragic endings. Hopefully her scrapes and bruises heal quickly, and her bicycle replaced in a timely manner…..🚲
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I know, she was extremely lucky! At least bikes can be replaced, even if she is a bit stuck at the moment.
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