Bike Crash

[MarkU]

Had my first big crash tonight. Was doing about 20 mph in the aerobars and caught the front wheel in deep grove in the pavement. Bike stopped and I didn't. Bounced/skidded about fifteen feet. Shredded the shoulder and back of my LiveStrong jersey. Skinned both knees & elbows and major road rash on my right hip, butt and shoulder. Something on the bike put a 4" cut on the inside of my left leg, not sure what.

Took one pretty good wack on the top of my helmet against the pavement - may need to trash it (the helmet, that is).

In spite of being on Coumadin, I somehow have managed not to bleed to death so far. ;) (Hmmm, I wonder if this falls in the category of "bleeding event" that was being discussed elsewhere?)

Good news is the bike seems to be okay. :)


A woman going the other way in her car saw me go down and came back to see if I was okay. Nice of her to do that.

Collected my wits then pedaled three miles back home very slowly.

Guess it was my turn in the barrel.

Numbness is starting wear off. Starting to feel sore and crappy. Think I need a glass of wine...

Mark

[Lynlw]

Mark I am very glad you are ok. I was wonderring if you thought about getting checked out, especially since you hit your head and thank God for helmets. I think i would rather be safe than sorry, lyn

[geebee]

Definitely trash that helmet. They are only meant to take one big hit and then the protection is shot.
I would be mostly concerned about the head bang since that is the one thing that would not be an apparent bleed.
I am starting to hurt just reading about your crash. ;) ;)
Please take care and I hope things are not too painful.

[hensylee]

must've been a pothole from all the rain. My son says there's been a huge amount. Tomorrow you may be a heap more sore than tonight. Hope you wake up feeling whole.

[Ross]

I swear grooves are magnets for bike tires. I got mine caught riding through a trailer park and got sent square into the side of a mobile home. I got banged up pretty good, but felt like a total fool when the owner came running out screaming that he thought I knocked his house off of the foundation. Never did go near that park again!

Another testimony that being on Coumadin, you can still sustain some pretty significant damage and still go on. Have another glass of wine for me will ya!

[MarkU]

Have another glass of wine for me will ya!

Done. :)

Mark

[Mary]

Mark,
Would you advise anyone still recovering from replacement surgery, say at about 6-8 weeks post-op, to take a chance on bike riding after you suffered this fall?

We had this issue raised a few weeks back, but I can't remember who asked the question.

And please have a glass of wine for me too. I asked Ross to drink one for me, but I see he's passed it on to you, so, if you don't mind . . . . ;) ;)

I hope you get over the residual soreness quickly.:)
Mary

[LLJ]

Crashes make good stories as long as you don't get too hurt! I bet you will have some very pretty technicolor bruises tomorrow! I will have a glass of wine for you since by now you're probably 3 sheets to the wind from all the glasses you've drunk for others!
"Scars are just tatoos with better stories!"
LLJ

[Karlynn]

My guess is that you are going to be REALLY sore tomorrow. If things seem out of the ordinary - don't hesitate to head to the ER. While it sounds like your helmet served you well, I think anyone in a crash like that, whether on Coumadin or not, should be a little more watchful for signs of injury.

[MarkU]

Mark,
Would you advise anyone still recovering from replacement surgery, say at about 6-8 weeks post-op, to take a chance on bike riding after you suffered this fall?

We had this issue raised a few weeks back, but I can't remember who asked the question.

And please have a glass of wine for me too. I asked Ross to drink one for me, but I see he's passed it on to you, so, if you don't mind . . . . ;) ;)

I hope you get over the residual soreness quickly.:)
Mary

Absolutely not. I'm 5-1/2 years post-op. Didn't start doing this triathlon stuff until about 2-1/2 years ago. It took me 9-12 months to fully recover from my AVR. Sure, I may have been "functional" and back at work in 4-6 weeks post-op, but it takes a long time to truly and fully recover from open heart surgery. I also sense that my experience may be the exception rather than the rule. I was in good physical condition prior to my surgery, and my AVR went very smoothly. I consider myself to be very lucky and blessed to be able to do the things I do.

Mark

PS - going back for the 3rd glass of merlot. Good thing I'm not getting my INR checked this week.

[aussigal]

Oh GOSH Mark!...

OUCH!...makes me hurt while reading that!

I'm glad a caring soul came over to check if you were OK...

I hope you dont end up looking like a truck ran you over and you just have a few small bruises...

Now remember to watch out for bumpy roads hey!...

[MarkU]

... by now you're probably 3 sheets to the wind from all the glasses you've drunk for others!
LLJ
;
I resemble that remark...;)

Expect the quality of future posts to deteriorate significantly...

[BillCobit]

Mark

So glad you are OK. I agree w/ Gina that your helmet is done, external appearance notwithstanding. In this case, it may well have saved your life. May there be no draft-legal races in your future ;)

Your unfortunate experience is a good reminder of why we should all:


wear a helmet
carry ID, medical condition and medical insurance info while riding


I don't know what your practice is on point #2, but consider if you had been rendered unconcho, leaving a paramedic or ER doc to contemplate/assume the origin of your chest scar, if you were on coumadin or other heart/CV drugs, if you had a pacemaker, ICD, etc.

Are your injuries going to require you to change your tri schedule this season? Hope not.

No mention of that sweet bike of yours - any damage?

[MarkU]

Mark

So glad you are OK. I agree w/ Gina that your helmet is done, external appearance notwithstanding. In this case, it may well have saved your life. May there be no draft-legal races in your future ;)

Your unfortunate experience is a good reminder of why we should all:


wear a helmet
carry ID, medical condition and medical insurance info while riding


I don't know what your practice is on point #2, but consider if you had been rendered unconcho, leaving a paramedic or ER doc to contemplate/assume the origin of your chest scar, if you were on coumadin or other heart/CV drugs, if you had a pacemaker, ICD, etc.

Are your injuries going to require you to change your tri schedule this season? Hope not.

No mention of that sweet bike of yours - any damage?

Hi Bill,

You make good points. Besides wearing my MedicAlert bracelet, I always take my wallet w/ID and cell phone with me when I ride. Also have a $20 bill tucked into my saddle pack with my spare tube and CO2 inflator, just in case.

Bike seems to be just fine. No obvious damage and the wheels are still true. I'll clean it up and check it closely for any frame damage before I ride again.

Just a minor setback as far as my training. A bit sore this morning, but most the damage seems to be superficial. May stay out of the pool for a couple of days due to the road rash, but plan to go for an easy run this afternoon.

And no, there aren't any draft-legal races in my future...:)

Mak

[tommy]

Mark, I just checked here only to find that you've had an eventful evening - all that wine and all. :) Seriously, glad that you are okay. Trash the helmet. Take a day off. Get back up on that horse ... er ..... bike.

[mntbiker]

Hi Mark,
Sorry to hear about the crash, glad to see you are up and posting.

Enough have mentioned the helmet so I will just say - keep the head, I don't think you need to trash that after a fall.;)

Happy healing and I hope you are up and riding again soon.

[Marguerite53]

yeee-ouch!!! Buy a new helmet and come to biker-friendly Oregon!! :D I don't ride, but so many of you do, I thought I'd share the recent news series about the cycling community here. See my thread... Bicycling in Oregon.

Glad you weren't too sore (or hurt badly!! :eek: ). Maybe you need some polaroid sunglasses......so you can see everything even in the glare and in the shadows.

Take care. Marguerite

[Adam T]

Mark,

Hope you're feeling better. You gotta hate going down like that. Every cyclist has to have a good crash story.

I did an endo right in front of an auto repair shop one time. A bunch of guys sitting out front had a good laugh. I landed in the grass in the ditch so no major damage other than to my pride.

[Sherry]

Yikes, Mark, that just makes me cringe to hear it. Glad you're o.k. and proof positive that coumadin users aren't going to bleed out anytime we have an accident. Still, I can't imagine the pain you're feeling right now. Better drink a few glasses... :D :D

Off the subject, are you attending any PU football games next year? With our son up there, we're going to hit a few, namely Wisconsin. Send me a PM if you are.

[Lynlw]

i was wonderring how you are doing today? Lyn

[MarkU]

i was wonderring how you are doing today? Lyn

Feeling a bit stiff and sore. Shoulder is bothering me - may go to get it checked out if it's not any better by the first of the week.
Thanks for asking. :)
Mark

[Ross]

You didn't whack you collar bone did ya?

[mtkayak]

Yep, definitetly trash the helmet esp. if it's cracked. It's served it's purpose. Glad to hear you're okay. Good testament for the Coumadin. I was working on my Jeep the other day and slipped with a wrench, I scraped and cut my hand open (not a big cut, maybe an 1") and no big deal. Wiped it off and just watched to see how long it would take to stop. Not long, about 30 seconds and my INR was even high this week at 4.8.

No I don't get in a habit of watching myself bleed, I was just curious this time. :)

[MarkU]

Ross - Don't think it's the collarbone, it's more on the backside of the shoulder; joint feels okay. If it's not better by Mon, then I probably go see my doc.

Mike - Bought a new helmet last night. When I hit my the top of my head I could actually feel the foam liner of the old helmet compress. Everything seemed like it was in slow motion when I was bouncing and sliding across the road - a very strange sensation.

My only real regret about the whole incident is that I tore up my yellow LiveStrong bike jersey that I bought from the Lance Armstrong Foundation after my dad died of cancer two years ago. Right side is all ripped and shredded, including some Coumadin-enhanced blood stains. Actually have been thinking about framing it and putting it in my office. Might make a nice conversation piece for my clients. :)

Mark

[Karlynn]

Actually have been thinking about framing it and putting it in my office. Might make a nice conversation piece for my clients. :)

Mark

LOL, was actually thinking, before I read the above quote, "He should frame it.":)

Great minds think alike.

[MarkU]

LOL, was actually thinking, before I read the above quote, "He should frame it.":)

Great minds think alike.

Just have to find some way to get Lance to autograph it for me...:D

Mark

[catwoman]

Mark:

I sent the link to this thread to a friend goes on organized rides every weekend. She & her husband got new bikes last week.

[Deuce]

Hey Mark,
I'm sorry to hear about the bike crash but glad to hear you are O.K. ...especially since you are on that evil warfarin.;) .I've been reluctant to engage in road riding because of the "fear" of the crash,especially because I have been hit by a car before,am also on warfarin and use clipless pedals. Funny thing ...I ride the mtb trails without much fear....I guess its the lack of cars...
I've had a few...ok ...a bunch ...of crashes due to not getting out of my pedal quick enough.
Question....Do you use clipless pedals and if so do you think the use of clipless pedals aggravated the results of the crash ???

Thanks for posting about the crash.
Tim

[tommy]

Everything seemed like it was in slow motion when I was bouncing and sliding across the road - a very strange sensation.
Just like in the movies and on instant replay. LOL.

Sorry to hear about the shoulder. Hope it gets better quick. Even if its "only" a bruise, it might take a few weeks to feel 100%. That was my experience with the rest of my forearm while the elbow was healing. It may not slow you down, just hurt.

Definitely frame the jersey with a photo of your dad. Rips and blood stains included. It's a testimony to the value of life and the honor of family. I'm sure that he's proud of you.

[catwoman]

Mark:

My biker friend read this thread and suggested you contact the helmet manufacturer for a free replacement.
Her husband was able to get a freebie after a crash, she said.

[stormrev]

Hey Mark

Just logged on and have been reading about your attempts to smooth out the bumps in the road with your head!!!

When I was riding more regularly, most of my riding buddies had crash stories, some of which sent shivers up your spine! Glad to hear that the damage was relatively superficial. My mate Ian came off last year when the seat post broke on his old bike (which I'd given to him...) and actually broke his collarbone, whcih wasn't too good for his swimming.

We're in the middle of winter down-under so biking is not so enjoyable, but winter running with my new adopted greyhound "Bob the Dog" is going well.

Regards

Grant

PS ran PR's of 16.2 sec for 120m and 9:14 for 2km at the track on Monday night - not bad for a cold winter night!

[Rush20]

Ross - Don't think it's the collarbone, it's more on the backside of the shoulder; joint feels okay. If it's not better by Mon, then I probably go see my doc.

Mike - Bought a new helmet last night. When I hit my the top of my head I could actually feel the foam liner of the old helmet compress. Everything seemed like it was in slow motion when I was bouncing and sliding across the road - a very strange sensation.

My only real regret about the whole incident is that I tore up my yellow LiveStrong bike jersey that I bought from the Lance Armstrong Foundation after my dad died of cancer two years ago. Right side is all ripped and shredded, including some Coumadin-enhanced blood stains. Actually have been thinking about framing it and putting it in my office. Might make a nice conversation piece for my clients. :)

Mark


Good idea about the jersey and glad to hear only minor injuries. As a longtime biker, there are two types of riders - (1) those who have crashed and (2) those who are going to crash. You were smart and were wearing a helmet. Glad to hear you bought a new one. They usually need to be replaced every 3 years regardless of a crash and yours has done it's job!

I had a crash prior to my AVR about 6 years ago while still living near Chicago. I was on a paved bike path, all by myself enjoying a nice fast pace when a possum ran in front of me. I hit it and went down hard. I couldn't get my right foot off the clip and really twisted my ankle bad. It was a long, slow and painful 20 mile ride back in.

[MarkU]

Good idea about the jersey and glad to hear only minor injuries. As a longtime biker, there are two types of riders - (1) those who have crashed and (2) those who are going to crash. You were smart and were wearing a helmet. Glad to hear you bought a new one. They usually need to be replaced every 3 years regardless of a crash and yours has done it's job!

I had a crash prior to my AVR about 6 years ago while still living near Chicago. I was on a paved bike path, all by myself enjoying a nice fast pace when a possum ran in front of me. I hit it and went down hard. I couldn't get my right foot off the clip and really twisted my ankle bad. It was a long, slow and painful 20 mile ride back in.

I didn't think about it at the time, but fortunately both of my feet popped right out of my clipless pedals, which helps to explain how I ended up 15 feet further down the road than my bike did.
Going to get back on the horse tonight and go for a short ride (with my new helmet!) to get my legs back under me and make certain the bike is really okay. My coach has me scheduled to do a "brick" workout (15 mile ride/2 mile run) on Sunday morning and an all-out 30 minute time trial on Tuesday morning, so I need to get back with the program. Next race is on 7/23 - sprint triathlon in Englewood, FL. (1/4 mi swim, 14 mile bike and 5k run).


Mark

[LLJ]

Oh,ok, now I'm starting to get psyched! Tri talk coming at ya! I need a brick! I haven't done a brick since last summer! Mark! Turn it on and have some fun. You won't crash twice in 1 month (it's a little know race rule) Can't wait to hear about your tri! My first Du is July 30th . And best of all the Tour is just around the corner;finally something to watch on TV besides Wimbledon (which I love too!)
LLJ