I hit a dog...

[abejita]

on my bike last night! Some dumbass let his dog run loose at the lake last night. I was watching his other dog that was on a retractable lead because it looked like he was about the pull the guy onto the path, then his other dog came darting across the path from the other side. I saw him, but didn't have time to stop. I probably hit him going 20mph. Thankfully, I didn't break anything. My elbow, which took the brunt of the impact, is very scraped up and swollen to about twice its normal size. I have a huge bruise on my hip and one on the inside of my knee from the top tube. My bike was a little banged up, but nothing major...I was glad to see that I hadn't fallen on the derailleur side. But the whole top of my saddle has abrasions on it, so I guess that my bike flipped (which I can't imagine because my foot was still attached)

They dog owner wasn't much help, but three other cyclist stopped. Of course, this happened on the opposite side of the lake and I had another 10 miles to get back to my house. One of the cyclist rode around the lake with me until I got to my turnoff. It happened on my second lap, so I still got in my 30 miles :-)

It just pisses me off that people are so dumb. I could have been really hurt because of his stupidity. There has been something on the news every night this week about bike/runner accidents at the lake. There were two accidents Tuesday night. A runner was actually killed last week because she abruptly turned in front of a cyclist.

I should have reported him, but did I get the guy's name??? Of course not...but he owes me new cool wings, shorts, saddle for my bike and a helmet!

[pll]

Oh, my. I am glad you are relatively OK. I would have that elbow checked. Apparently the tip of the elbow can break easily on impact, so an X-ray might not be a bad idea. Years ago I crashed and that's what worried the doctors more than my head :o

[nikkoblu2]

That just stinks! Sorry to hear about the accident...and moreso that it happened because of someone else being irresponsible...but, glad to hear you're basically ok. How did the dog do? I hope he's ok too. After all, it's not the dogs fault...it's his dumbass owner for letting him run offlead in an area that cyclists frequent.

Just wanted to say I'm glad you're ok.

[abejita]

LOL! That is the first thing I asked too...'how is the dog?' He seemed to be fine. He didn't yelp (but neither did I :-) and he was running around like he was ok. I hope that they bring him to the vet to get checked out.

I'll keep an eye on my elbow. I really don't think anything is broken, though. I pressed all over the bones on my elbow last night and nothing hurts and it doesn't hurt to move it or anything.

[abejita]

So I went to my chiropractor, who I love and see more than any other dr. He was concerned about my neck and elbow so he took some xrays and everything looks ok so far. He said if the swelling doesn't go down substantially by next week to go back in for another xray.

All and all, not nearly as bad as I thought my first crash would be. The cyclist who stopped said it was spectacular ;-)

[warneral]

gee whiz! that must have been scary!

[TsPoet]

That just stinks! Sorry to hear about the accident...and moreso that it happened because of someone else being irresponsible...
Just wanted to say I'm glad you're ok.

Was this on a MUT? The posted speed on many MUTs is 10 mph, some go as high as 15 mph. Riding faster than that, IMHO is irresponsible.
I'm glad all are OK. But, trails are public space we cyclists (and we dog walkers) all need to be responsible on them and live together.

[abejita]

Was this on a MUT? The posted speed on many MUTs is 10 mph, some go as high as 15 mph. Riding faster than that, IMHO is irresponsible.
I'm glad all are OK. But, trails are public space we cyclists (and we dog walkers) all need to be responsible on them and live together.


I totally, totally agree with you! The lake has a wide shared path on the north and south end and actual roadways on the east and the west sides. I was on the road and the guy was in the grassy area next to it.

I am always am careful when there are walkers on the path (it is a really nice 15ft wide path) I slow down and call out when I am passing. I hate when cyclist weave through walkers or pass to close and not calling out.

[Aggie_Ama]

Mary I am so glad you are mostly okay! I ride at a park with an open leash section (mountain bike) and it amazes me how clueless some dog owners are. The signs everywhere say off leash dogs MUST be under voice control but only about 50% are, the popular dogs sections I always ride slow but still have had some close calls. I am mindful but still worry about hurting myself and a dog. :( as a dog lover too I would be so upset for the dog that he might be hurt and has such an irresponsible owner.

[sundial]

Abejita, glad your spill wasn't worse! :eek: That dog owner should get a newspaper, roll it up, and swat himself on the head. What a dope! Not only did he put his dog's life in danger but yours as well. :mad:

[Loraura]

I know it is too late now, but for anyone else who is in a similar situation you ABSOLUTELY need to get their name, address, Driver's License number, and CALL THE POLICE.

They are responsible for their dogs causing an accident. That man owes you medical bills, medical supplies, clothing, time lost from work, and bike repair/replacement.

If it were me, I would seriously go back there at the same time of day to try to find him.

I would still report it. You have a description of the man and his dogs. if this happens to someone else, it may help that you filed a reoprt, showing a pattern of neglicence on the dog owner's part.

[abejita]

I know I really should have...I also shouldn't have ridden home, but I wasn't thinking super clearly. I ended up going to my pcp the day after because I was still dizzy and I realized that I didn't remember right before and immediately after the crash. I had a minor concussion in addition to everything else.

But I am on the mend now. My arm is still VERY sore and achy, but my hip is no longer swollen.

On a good note, hubs and I have been tossing around the idea of getting a trainer to ride this winter. I promised I wouldn't ride outside until my arm healed all the way, because I didn't want to hurt it more if I happened to fall. So today I ordered our new trainer and I should be riding away in our living room by wednesday!! We got a kinetic rock and roll trainer (http://www.kurtkinetic.com/rock-roll-p-112-l-en.html).

[marni]

It all goes to show that no one is thinking clearly after an accident and or fall. The first time I fell really hard and knocked myself out, my concern was my bike so I rode to the bike shop about a mile away and had the bike checked out. Then I rode home through traffic and went to bed. Woke up the next morning and passed out twice on the way to the bathroom. Called the doctor and passed out again while on the phone, but I was just planning to drive myself on over until the nurse asked if I would be taking a cab or would someone bring me since I was passing out.

Sometimes I shouldn't be let out in public but at least I have learned to not immediatly mount up and keep riding, although it would probably never have occurred to me to report the guy or even get his name if I had an incident similar to yours.

Just remember that no one thinks straight while on adeniline.

glad your feeling a bit better though.

marni

[abejita]

Maybe I should put a sticky note on my handlebars "If you just went head over handle bars...DON'T RIDE YOUR BIKE HOME!!"

[buffybike]

One of my riding partners hit a dog as she was going about 25mph down a hill. The dog was okay, but she was NOT (torn rotator cuff, lots of scrapes and cuts, etc.). We jotted down the address where the dog resided and called the sheriff and animal control. Owners have to take responsibilities for their pets. Now, whenever I encounter dog not on a leash or within a fence, I slow down and prepare to dismount. You just never know.