The story of my first crash

[Lenusik]

I’ve been riding for about a year and a half. I turned into a pretty decent riding who can hold good speed for a long time and also climb hills. I have a great balance: I got used to riding in large groups, avoid obstacles, I ride rollers at home, which is a kick butt balance exercise at home.

Since I started riding everybody was telling me that one day I will crash, and it would happen when you least expect. And it happened to me yesterday. All my “perfect” balancing skills are out the window.

My husband and I were doing a practice scout of the Tour de Phoenix (AZ) rout before the actual ride on April 1, 2006. We passed the most difficult part of the rout including a four-mile hill. We were approximately 4 miles away from the finish and going 22-23 mph with great excitement. And suddenly, there is groove on the road, the kind that I’ve seen million time before and would think nothing of it. But it was just deep and wide enough to catch my tire and kick the bike from underneath me right up on the air. I had no time to catch my balance, and off I went tumbling down the road. It was a nasty – nasty fall, as nasty as it gets before you start breaking bones. I badly scraped my left elbow and shoulder badly, rolled over my back, scraping it too, tumbled on my right knuckles and landed on my left knee. I also bumped my head but my helmet saved me from a nasty face plunge. So, PLEASE, PLEASE wear your helmets! Now I am full of bruises and red-purple raspberries.

It was really scary and I was crying my eyes out, not because of the pain but because I was just scared. I was crying because I realized how lucky I was that I did not break any bones, that my helmet took a hit and that cars were far enough to see and avoid me.

It seemed like I crashed at the friendliest corner in Phoenix. My husband did not want to leave me and ride back to the car to get me. But the people around brought some water and Neosporin to clean up my wounds, one young man share bandages from his medical kit, and his wife eventually drove me to our car.

God! That was something! I still think that I will ride a tour on April 1, I believe that I even have a chance of winning my 26 mile rout. I hope that this fall is the worst that I, or anybody for that matter, would ever experience. I know that it will not turn me away from riding. So, ladies, please be safe, wear your helmets, and try not to ride alone!

[DeniseGoldberg]

I'm glad to hear that you're ok - even though you're bruised and sore. And welcome to the "my helmet saved me" club.

You're absolutely right with your "always wear your helmet" advice, but I disagree with your "try not to ride alone" advice. While I do ride with others occasionally, most of my riding is alone. And that's not something I see changing. I wear id with a lot of information on it; if something does happen, my health info is readily available, as is my emergency contact info.

--- Denise

[Lenusik]

Whatever works for you, that's fine. I am just talking from my experience riding in Phoenix. Although our roads a pretty good but drivers are crazy, they don't pay attention to anything. Plus, we have so many truck and bi construction truck due to major development here, it is just safer to be with someone else. But having an emergency id is a good idea.

[Lise]

Whew. Glad to hear you're OK, although I'm sure the experience shook you deeply. Take care, give your body and spirit time to heal, and enjoy getting back on the bike. How is the bike, by the way? Lise

[SalsaMTB]

Glad to hear you're OK. Road crashes can be terrible and very frightening.

Just as an FYI: You said you hit your head so you may want to replace your helmet. If it was a serious crash, you should replace it even if it appears undamaged.

[Lenusik]

The bike is fine. I just lost a cap on the right side of the handle bar. My helmet seem to be not damaged, just a few scratched. But our mechanic is coming over today to tune up the bike. I will ask him about the helmet as well. Good advice! Thanks!

[DeniseGoldberg]

My helmet seem to be not damaged, just a few scratched.
SalsaMTB is right. If your helmet hit the ground, it needs to be replaced. Bike helmets are designed for a single crash only.

As a reference, here's a page from the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute on when to replace your helmet: http://www.bhsi.org/replace.htm.

--- Denise

[Jo-n-NY]

By the sounds of your post, you are so lucky that you did not break anything. Good for you!!!! If you feel up to riding on the 1st, go for it. Take it from me, it is worse not getting right back on the bike. I was physically out of commision for more than 6 weeks then winter set in, need I say more. I am back on the bike, but with much caution as I am sure you will be anyway.

I am with Denise on this one, if I waited for someone to ride with I almost would hardly ever ride. I am off on weekends my husband works. My girlfriend just got a part time job and works on Saturdays, then of course her own family commitments. I will start taking a couple of nice Thursdays (my husbands day off) so we can ride together, but that for sure is not enough riding for me. So I will use caution and will be ordering my ID this week.

~ JoAnn

[Lenusik]

Thanks for all this encouragement. I will definitely ride on the 1st. I know that I have a shot in winning this competition, so I will even go play tennis (my other sport of choice) just to see how my body is holding. I cannot sit still.

I am lucky that my husband and I work together, we have the same schedule and we do ride together most of the time. But I do ride alone as well, however I stick to my usual and a very familiar rout when I do that. I always have my cell phone with me and some cash case i need to be rescued.

[caligurl]

I'm glad to hear that you're ok - even though you're bruised and sore. And welcome to the "my helmet saved me" club.

You're absolutely right with your "always wear your helmet" advice, but I disagree with your "try not to ride alone" advice. While I do ride with others occasionally, most of my riding is alone. And that's not something I see changing. I wear id with a lot of information on it; if something does happen, my health info is readily available, as is my emergency contact info.

--- Denise

glad to hear you are ok..

ditto the disagree with "try not to ride alone"

if i didn't ride alone.. i would rarely ride! hubby is at a WAY different level than i am... and although he rides with me occasionally.... if i didn't get out there on my own... i'd never be riding!

[tprevost]

I am so sorry to hear about your crash but very thankful that you were not hurt too badly and that there were many good citizens out there helping you. I agree with what's been said about the helmet - replace it; its not worth taking a chance.

Take a break/rest but not too long. I'd say get on your bike and do an easy ride as soon as you can; it will help you loosen up and also be a non-pressure way to begin feeling brave again. I broke my arm going downhill on rollerblades in January and even on my bike, I am really scared of falling - especially on the downhills. I've been working through that but am telling you so you know that you just may feel a little nervous for a while.

I too ride alone most of the time but do have an ID/cell/etc that I carry.

Let us know how you are feeling - I'm hoping for a speedy recovery for you!

Tracy

[Lenusik]

Thanks! I am feeling fine but definitely sore. It will be shaky at first, but I will have to ride. Otherwise, I will continue to be scare. I fell before, but it was silly, just trip over my bike or did not unclip in time while standing. But this was a real crash. I know that I will get over that and I don't like to whine about it.

I am surprised that many of you "jumped" on me about "trying" to find a company to ride. Please see that I said "try". I know that it may not be possible, but it is still safer. My husband and i are lucky because we can ride together. I am now confident that I can ride alone, but it is still safer to have someone else around you. We turned several people into riding and do enjoy taking them along. So, if you do have a company, that's great. If you don't, that's fine, just stay safe!

[CorsairMac]

I see you live in Chandler - I used to live at Chandler Blvd and Kyrene - Love that whole area! You'll know the railroad tracks that "took" me down a few years back - right there at Kyrene and Elliot I think?? Anyway, it was an ugly crash and I Hated that track after that! It took me a long time to get over my fear of RR tracks too - I kept seeing my crash in my mind every time I reached a set of tracks! Good on you for wanting to try the Tour on Sat - good luck on the race and let us know how you do! And thanking your lucky stars that nothing was broken on you Or the bike!

[slinkedog]

So glad you are okay! I can't wait to hear how you do on the 1st. Hang in there!

[Lenusik]

I will certainly participate in the Tour. Now I feel like I have to. I will just have to avoid that little dip on the road when I crashed. I would be fighting to win it!

[Selkie]

Hi - Don't think anyone was jumping on you about your advice to ride w/others. Whatever works!! I'm a lone wolf rider myself, as I ride right after work on weekdays (3:30 or when I get home) and on weekends, at sunrise. No one has a compatible schedule and truth be told, I enjoy doing my own thing. Going when I want, where I want, at my own speed, etc. Don't have to make conversation or worry about someone clipping my tire, etc. Enough of that.
Thank goodness you're OK! Sounds like you took a bad fall so you are lucky you didn't break any bones. Hope your bruises/cuts mend quickly.

[Lenusik]

Thanks a lot! Yes, I am picturing now particpiating in the tour with all these wounds. That would be just funny to make up stories about how it all happened. :)