my crash!

[ehirsch83]

Some of you already know through Facebook, but I thought I would post the story!

Yesterday was my 2nd day back riding after being off the bike for almost 2 weeks due to a lower respiratory infection.
I have the state road race coming up in a few weeks, and being paranoid about losing fitness I decided to do a group ride to see where my fitness is.(the 1st day is age graded and there is no age group for me, so I was going to have to ride with the 19-29 year old guys for 54 miles)

Right after the mid point of the ride"(out and back route)the pace was just picking back up, probably around 24,25mph and i was just sitting in the middle, so not to work) and this guy in front and to the right of me had one hand on his bars and one on his water bottle. His tire then blew and he lost control. Turns out he was a newer rider(why i don't usually sit in the middle or back) and he over reacted. He started to slid out left and took out the guy next to him. I was right behind them and tried to go left and get around but I couldn't. I crashed into them and then 2 guys behind me piled on top.
EMTs came and they made me go with them to the ER. I thought i was fine! But now that people have told me stories, I was very out of it!! I also almost fainted multiple times.
On the way to the ER, they gave me insulin or something, b/c my blood levels were really low and then all of a sudden I started have excrutiating pain in my left elbow.

Turns out I broke my elbow, in a sling right now and monday I get to go get a cast.
Also, one of the guys who crashed into me went over me and his pedal rant into the back of my head, took a chunk out of my helmet and left a 2 inch gash in my head. I have 5 staples in my scalp!!(think it was a pedal, could of been a chain ring)

so that was my exciting saturday!!

[Crankin]

Oy, that sounds terrible. Rest.
Even though I don't do pace lines, I am less and less enamored of group rides because of the other riders.

[deeaimond]

Ouch... hope you recover well.

Yes I do not like doing group rides with riders i don't already know. Also try to keep at least two bike lengths behind. else i feel very insecure...

[kmehrzad]

Some of you already know through Facebook, but I thought I would post the story!

Yesterday was my 2nd day back riding after being off the bike for almost 2 weeks due to a lower respiratory infection.
I have the state road race coming up in a few weeks, and being paranoid about losing fitness I decided to do a group ride to see where my fitness is.(the 1st day is age graded and there is no age group for me, so I was going to have to ride with the 19-29 year old guys for 54 miles)

Right after the mid point of the ride"(out and back route)the pace was just picking back up, probably around 24,25mph and i was just sitting in the middle, so not to work) and this guy in front and to the right of me had one hand on his bars and one on his water bottle. His tire then blew and he lost control. Turns out he was a newer rider(why i don't usually sit in the middle or back) and he over reacted. He started to slid out left and took out the guy next to him. I was right behind them and tried to go left and get around but I couldn't. I crashed into them and then 2 guys behind me piled on top.
EMTs came and they made me go with them to the ER. I thought i was fine! But now that people have told me stories, I was very out of it!! I also almost fainted multiple times.
On the way to the ER, they gave me insulin or something, b/c my blood levels were really low and then all of a sudden I started have excrutiating pain in my left elbow.

Turns out I broke my elbow, in a sling right now and monday I get to go get a cast.
Also, one of the guys who crashed into me went over me and his pedal rant into the back of my head, took a chunk out of my helmet and left a 2 inch gash in my head. I have 5 staples in my scalp!!(think it was a pedal, could of been a chain ring)

so that was my exciting saturday!!

Oh, so sorry to hear about your crash. Sounds terrible. Fortunately you're up and around now. Suppose you'll be out of commission for a little while, eh? Hopefully you'll be able to continue pedaling on a stationary recumbent bicycle or a stable trainer so that you'll continue to keep your fitness level. Wishing you speedy healing.

[redrhodie]

Oh no! Sorry you're hurt! I'm sending quick healing vibes your way.

[ehirsch83]

here are pictures, i look pretrty good! a lot of pain, but no real road rash or anything.

[redrhodie]

Yaouch!!!! Your head! The rest of you looks to be taking it very well!

[ehirsch83]

i know!! and my helmet stayed on during it!! somehow that occured :(

[kmehrzad]

i know!! and my helmet stayed on during it!! somehow that occured :(

OUCH! Hang in there and keep pedaling ...

[kermit]

Damn girl, glad you're okay! You look like me after my last horse wreck. The worst thing about a broken elbow is straightening it when the cast comes off. You'll walk around for a while with a permanent bend. That head wound is a real mystery, I wonder if the chainring penetrated your helmet somehow? OUCH!
Bike okay?

[gnat23]

Holycow! Well, you *look* good, so glad you're ok, and thank you for being another helmet success story. :)

-- gnat! (ow! ow! ow!)

[Hub]

BUMMER-- thank goodness for the helmet-
speedy recovery!

[malkin]

Ack!
Your smile is still beautiful!

The staples are really worth bragging about!

[Selkie]

Sheesh, sounds like a scary wreck. Glad you're doing OK. You've got a great attitude (and smile!).

Make sure that you start moving that elbow as soon as you're out of the cast. I broke mine several years ago and fortunately, was able to get by with just a splint as needed. I made sure to move it as much as I could bear it, even though it hurt like a b*%^&. Consequently, I lost no mobility and did not need PT.

Best wishes on a speedy recovery!

[divingbiker]

Wow. You're much more chipper than I would be.

[ehirsch83]

Thanks everyone. Those pictures were from 8:30 this morning(and i had already taken some percoset!)we then went to the grocery and then I came home and slept for 3 hours!! I went downhill real fast with how I felt today. 2 hours out and about was way more then I could handle right now!hehe oops!!!

[Miranda]

Glad you are well enough to post about your crash to us! And so sorry it happened. I recently posted about a nasty one I was in myself. Crimony... these things just sux.

Your helmet and head cut... yea, I know what you mean! My helmet too did not come completely off, but it did indeed shift. Had a couple nice lumps and abrasive cut etc. Though, my helmet certainly did it's job and took the first blow. Sounds like yours did the same.

I called someone at Giro about mine. And I think a bit of it has to do with the nature of the crash. Like I know I landed head first w/my last speed in my Garmin at 23mph.

Yours might have had some shifting to get the gash in your head, then shifted back in place on something. Unless it was completely split where the gash is.

I just was trying to figure out if there was anything I could have done differently to protect my head better. From what I gather with my conversation with Giro, more than likely not.

Hope you have the best recovery possible!

[ehirsch83]

turns out it was a pedal/cleat that went into my head. The guys cleat had skin & hair in it!! soo gross!

[Grog]

ewwww :(

So sorry this happened Emily. I wish you a speedy recovery!

That's a weird head injury I've seen. Did you get your tetanus vaccination updated? I'd recommend it, if a pedal hit your head and some of the head was left on the pedal.

At least you get to keep your hair!

[emily_in_nc]

Yikes! Glad you're (relatively) ok. Heal well!

[WindingRoad]

Oh sweet Jesus! Glad you are all right. You got a purpose on this Earth girl!;)

[channlluv]

+1 to that, for Emily and Miranda, too!

Thank God for helmets, yes?

Roxy

[staceysue]

You sure look good for what you went through!

How long before you can ride your bike again?

[OakLeaf]

Yow Emily, so sorry that happened to you - and heal up quick!

[ZooZoo]

Wow! You're actually smiling in the pic! More than I could do, that's for sure. Sorry to hear about the crash but glad you're okay.

[Bike Goddess]

Emily,

Amazing how you look considering....

I broke my elbow 2 1/2 yr ago- bike accident (compound fracture)- and was in a cast, then PT. I can only say that it's a tough injury to recover from, but with lots of work on your part, you should be able to get most of your strength and flexibility back. I was off the bike from that injury for 8 months. I don't think yours sounds as complicated as mine was so hopefully you'll have a faster turnaround time.

I was able to start spin classes about 4 weeks out. That really helped me emotionally as well as physically. I hope you'll be able to follow that regime as well.

Get lots of rest and just let us know from time to time how you are doing.
I wish you a speedy recovery :):):)

[smilingcat]

OUCH!!!

Take it easy and heal fast. Ane when the cast comes off your arm, do what the Physical Torturer tells you. Their favorite phrase always seems to be "Let me help you!!" To which, one should reply with "NAWWWW!!!! STAY AWAY!!! I'LL DO IT MYSELF!!!" :D

I've never been stapled but oh man oh man... It could make Frankenstein envious.

I guess if you still have the staples during Haloween party, you could go as bride of Frankenstein.

I am glad to see you up and about and smiling. The crash sounded pretty bad. Being run over is no laughing thing. You came out as best as one can hope for from a paceline crash.

take care,
Smilingcat

[Wahine]

And when the cast comes off your arm, do what the Physical Torturer tells you. Their favorite phrase always seems to be "Let me help you!!" To which, one should reply with "NAWWWW!!!! STAY AWAY!!! I'LL DO IT MYSELF!!!" :D

Wait a second!! I resemble that remark.;):D

Emily, take care, heal fast and don't be in a big rush. It will get better but give yourself the time you need to heal well. And yes, do what your Physical Torturer says. As many people have already said, proper early management and motion are key to healing elbows fractures.

I'm listening if you have any PT type questions.

[aeiea]

Wow! Very glad to hear you are okay, and a brave one too.

Did not expect those pictures at all... but I'm glad you posted them -- crashed and smiling. Speedy recovery!

How are the other two people?

[redrhodie]

How are you feeling, Emily?

[Bike Chick]

How awful! Hope you are feeling some better today. Take it easy and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[buffybike]

Wow...considering the crash and the number of people involved...you look pretty good!! You sound like a resilient person--I'm sure you'll be back to racing better than ever by next season. Did you ever hear from the other people involved? The 'new guy' whose tire blew??

[arielmoon]

Yowch! Sorry to read about your wreck! I hope you have a good recovery and get back on the bike soon!

[Fredwina]

As far as elbows, I j=had the same thing when I got hit by a car, but mine sounded more like yours than Bikegoddess'.
Some times I wonder about the helmets with the "Massive" vents
Took me about a month to get the splint/cast off, and about 2 month of PT.
Heal up, and feel free to talk to me OL if you need "veteran" advice

[runningteach]

I am so sorry. I hope you recover quickly.

[ehirsch83]

Hey everyone!
Sorry I have been sleeping a ton these past few days!
Today is my first day off of pain killers:) yay!! And they decided that my elbow will heal without surgery, which is exciting.
The staples in my head are starting to bother me, but that is a small thing. I took a shower finally by myself today, felt amazing!
I am going to start going to the gym tomorrow. Going to start slow, elliptical and stationary bike. Once I figure out how much I can handle, I will start spin classes 1 handed.
My bike has a crack in the frame, so that needs to be sent back and get fixed. Once I get a bike back I will start riding the trainer daily.

I just can't believe how tired i get from doing little things, oh well I will build up stamina as time goes :)

[maillotpois]

Ow!!! That looks painful!! Rest and recover.

[spindizzy]

That was going to be my first question to the picture of you and your elbow: " Are you on drugs?"

I could only hope to look that good at any time. :) You are one resilient gal!!
Take care!