I got a nice email from the folks at Yield2Life earlier this month after sharing a tweet about a crash. I promised I would expand on the experience in a few “micro chapters.” The hope: lessons can be learned and used by other cyclists to avoid the same fate. Any readers of BikeCrave know I work to keep it real here, so be ready for a photo or description that you may want to only see or read between meals. These words are as I actually wrote them in late March 2008 after the crash. The italicized section below I added this morning with the luxury of more than a year of reflection and recovery.
“Had a serious crash Thursday night. First one in 25 years. Lights on at dusk, riding solo and feeling stronger than ever, I awoke clammy, shaking and confused. Paramedics told me to be still. They pulled Duct tape over my temple and legs to better hold me on a body board. They cut away my red, white and blue Brooklyn chewing gum jersey, my bibs and arm warmers. They inserted IVs and took vital signs. I didn’t move my head or open an eye. I was in shock. I’ve yet to see the full police report (set for Tuesday) or speak to anyone who dialed 911. I will be thanking them soon. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Dr. Jonathon Wilensky, a plastic surgeon who was on call for another trauma case when I was airlifted to Palomar Medical Center. Dr. Wilensky spent about 4 hours (12 a.m. to 4 a.m.) stitching my right ear back together, as well as my mouth and cheek. I can’t address dental issues until next week. Giro, the helmet maker, deserves a huge thanks as well. Without the Giro Atmos helmet, I would not be writing this. I start riding the trainer as early as Friday (with medical clearance). I’ve logged more than 35,000 miles (many of them solo efforts through mountain passes) the last 4+ years. This first serious cycling accident doesn’t change how I feel about the sport. We have to be as safe as we can — and trust that others will do the same.”
The crash happened at dusk (about 7:30 p.m.) on a two-lane section of country Highway 67. Slight curve to the right. Myself and traffic were heading directly into an orange setting sun. I was riding inside the painted line of a small shoulder and had a bright flashing six-LED tailight clipped to my rear jersey pocket under a vest with thin see-through mesh designed for spring. The roads were dry, skies mostly clear. Temps were in low 60s to high 50s. I was heading up a 1-2% incline about 15-18 mph in 39 chainring. Nothing amiss. Music playing in my right ear through an iPod. (That ear bud became a razor blade upon impact with the ground.) I had zero warning or memory. My wife struggled to look at me in the over-crowded ER while I awaited surgery after I was taken there by helicopter. Only later did I learn that the police crash investigation and “interviews” (just one — with me moments after gaining consciousness while being worked on by paramedics) was brief and useless. When they arrived on scene it was just me and a passing husband and wife who called 911. Chapter 2 on Wednesday. Photos below: immediately following surgery, and Giro helmet and cycling cap that both took a beating.
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Related posts:
- Back on the trainer and thankful Here’s Chapter 3 on my March 2008 crash. It’s the closing piece of material I wrote after the ordeal. I learned much. I’m sharing to help shed light on what happens. The italicized content that follows are my observations more than a year later. Food for thought. “Rode the trainer...
- Healing Here’s “Chapter 2″ in my March 2008 crash experience. I’m republishing material written shortly after the ordeal to provide a glimpse for others into the “process” if you’re run off the road and left for dead. The italicized content below main post are my observations today. “A week after almost losing...
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- Fear is a funny thing Are you afraid? Why? Start living. Pursue dreams. Don’t make excuses. If you fail, get up. Try again. Do better. Be smarter next time. Anything rewarding and real requires effort. No one said it would be easy or 100-percent safe. Riding a bike has its risks. You might crash. Or suffer...
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Thanks for sharing this. Did you ever figure the cause?
My husband was hit by a car in July. I love cycling, but it does come with risks. I hope we can do more to prep both drivers and cyclists about safety — since both are growing in numbers. Your story is part of that education process. Thanks for sharing.
It’s why we all need a Road ID (www.roadid.com) or something similar, it’ll speak for us when we can’t