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I figured I'd take a quick spin today just around the local streets. Saw a few bikes out, including a yellow dual sport which rode beside/behind me for a few miles along the shore in Swampscott and Lynn. Then I peeled off and headed out over the causeway to Nahant.
About 4/5ths of the way across the guy in front of me begins braking pretty hard. Looking around him, there was a Mercury Mountaineer pointing right towards us, facing the wrong way... this ain't right
As I slowed to a stop it and soaked in the scene it was apparent I was facing a catastrophic and serious accident that had just occured. In the distance about 50+ yards beyond the Mountaineer (which had apparently rolled?) was a car that appeared to have been run over by a tank and a huge field of debris between the two vehicles; glass, plastic, exhaust parts, front and rear bumpers, personal belongings, the works.
This had just happened probably about 10 seconds before I would have occupied the same space. Nahant Causeway is two lanes in each direction, with hard median separating directions of travel, and a wall on each side. Both vehicles appeared to contact at high speed and roll and ping pong along.
Vehicles behind me came to a stop and I observed (some) occupants of the vehicles ahead emerging and pretty well freaking the f*ck out. One woman was already on a cell phone. I knew I was of little utility to this situation, and I couldn't backtrack on this road, so I did a dick move and slowly navigated the minefield of debris, hoping there were no bodies along the way (there weren't) but there were very seriously injured people in both vehicles as I glanced at each along the way through.
I am sure I looked like a major douche pulling this stunt but I knew I would be trapped behind this for a very long time.
Anyway, when I got to the other side of the accident I pulled over and surveyed the scene and gathered my thoughts, and within a few minutes Nahant PD & EMS rolled on the scene. That's when I noticed my front and rear tires had collected chunks of glass like flypaper. I spent about 10 minutes brushing off and prying out chunks with my fingernails (ow). Larger pieces left chunk impressions and cuts in my tires and some much smaller pieces are embedded there and there is no way I will be able to get them out. The tires have 1100 miles on them. I rode carefully home without any apparent air loss or anything so I don't think I have any punctures but I'm wondering if it is safe to continue on these tires. The tires looked a little better when I came home, like most of the chunk-craters closed up, but there are still little pocks everywhere.
Your sage advice appreciated.
Besides my selfish interest in my tires, I hope everyone involved in this situation survived and recovers.