Crash #2 :(

[Melody]

I posted this in my blog but I'm reposting it here so people don't have to make another stop.

Mel who hasn't even had time to read forum postings in weeks due to work :(

--- 8< cut >8 ---
Neil and I were cycling today near his company's picnic down on a Multi Use Path down in south San Jose. Soon after we had started going down the path (which was fairly narrow) we came up to an area of the path that was partially blocked by cones. I started slowing way down since the path was going around a blind corner.

Unfortunately, a woman on a bike with aerobars (with her in the aero position instead of on the handlebars) came flying around that blind corner and went very wide, probably due to the cones that were blocking part of her path. In order to avoid hitting her, I pulled off of the path onto the gravel on my right. Unfortunately for me, that gravel path ended... Into a creek that was over four feet down.

So I went flying off of the gravel into the creek hitting it face first and I went down under the water (which was a little over waist high). Because of the force of my crash into the water and the rocks below, I had not the strength to push myself out of the water and if my husband was not there, I probably would have drowned... especially since the woman that I swerved to avoid never stopped to see if I was ok.

So, my husband ran and got into the creek and forced my head out of the water. He slowly helped me into an upright position sitting in the creek so I could recover after which he went and got Silver and my pump out of the creek. He then proceeded to help me out of the creek.

We walked back to the area where his company was having their picnic. While heading back, rider after rider past us with only one person even asking if I was ok, even though my face was bloody from hitting rocks. :(

We got back to the picnic area and headed over to the area's first aid station so I could at least get some rudimentary bandges on my chin. I'm very glad things were not worse since the station was not well manned and it seemed the gentlemen who was there didn't really have any idea what to do. I'm very glad that I have had training (it's even current).

After first-aid we had some lunch and then headed home where I took a shower and started patching myself up. I have a bruise/heavy scrape on my chin and my side the size of my fist/palm, several cuts on my legs and arms and bruises on my shoulder and back. I'm very lucky to not have sustained any breakage and I'm sure hitting water instead of stone first helped in keeping damage down.

Silver was also very lucky. She's fine except for her rear wheel which is totalled. Nothing survived there other than the tire (we think) not even the hub.

So now, I'm sitting here watching TV doped up on pain meds and trying not to move. The day started well... it just didn't end well. :(

[Duck on Wheels]

Oh Mel! I'm so glad you weren't out there alone! Virtual hugs from me ... carefully avoiding all the bruises.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Ouch! Healing thoughts and wishes are heading your way. Hope you can both heal quickly and get a replacement wheel so that you're happily rolling down the road again soon.

I knew there was a reason why my bikes insist I ride in the road and not on bike paths...

--- Denise

[DrBee]

Wow - that sounds awful! Good thing your husband was there!

I'm sending you healing vibes - from one crash victim to another :)

[hibiscus09]

especially since the woman that I swerved to avoid never stopped to see if I was ok.

:eek:

I'm so sorry that happened to you! I imagine that was pretty scary ending up under water. We have a lot of lagoons (with alligators) here at Kiawah along the bike paths and the thought of that freaks me out.

I'm glad you're okay -- I hope everything heals quickly!

[Brina]

I am sorry for your crash. Treat yourself gentley and heal quickly.

[Selkie]

That's terrifying. Thank goodness you are OK.

Shame on that woman. I see that type of wreckless behavior every day, unfortunately, and if INFURIATES me (wannabees going way too fast for a multi-use trail, not stopping at stop signs, and taking corners way too wide). I'm sure her behavior will catch up with her and she'll end up crashing. Hopefully, she won't take out anyone else.

[tprevost]

Oh my goodness, what is wrong with people!

Melanie,

I am SO sorry this happened and thankful at the same time that your husband was there with you when this happened. I hope you heal quickly and completely! Also, 'glad silver didn't suffer more damage as well.

Please let us know how your healing is going.

Tracy

[Running Mommy]

Arrghh!! That woman is what gives triathletes a bad name!! Aerobars are just not a good idea on a multi use path IMO. It's one of the reasons why I don't ride on ours, too many variables... Kids, runners, older folks walking, other riders, people on cruisers who have no real clue how to ride, people who DO know how to ride but choose to ride recklessly, people walking dogs.. oh I could go on and on...
Anyway, I'm SOO glad your ok! What a scary accident!!
Heal up well! I'll send you some warm fuzzy AZ healing vibes ~~~~HEAL UP QUICK MEL~~~~~~ - and they come from a dry climate, so it should kill any infection that tries to take hold.. hee hee :p
ciao bella!
denise

[bikerz]

Oh Mel - I'm so sorry to hear about your crash - wow - so good your DH was there to help you up - and how scary! I can't believe the other cyclist didn't even stop to see how you were.

Rest up and get well soon -

best wishes,
Ann

[Trek420]

Owwwww :eek: virtual hugs also carefully avoiding bruised bits.

aero bar gal if you're lurking WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? You had to have heard the crash/splash:mad:....virtual Gokyos to you (an Aikido pin that makes you wanna toss your cookies).

[DrBee]

aero bar gal if you're lurking WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? You had to have heard the crash/splash:mad:....virtual Gokyos to you (an Aikido pin that makes you wanna toss your cookies).

That sounds intense!

Hope you're feeling better Mel and you're taking it easy today.

[winddance]

Melody, I'm so sorry this happened! How scary!

Careful virtual hugs from me as well, and I hope you heal up quickly.

[Trekhawk]

OMG - that is so scary. Make sure you get plenty of rest. I hope you and Silver will be feeling better soon.

[Melody]

Thanks everyone. I do feel better at the moment than yesterday though I've only slept a little (got up at 2:30am because I couldn't sleep any more due to the pain).

I'm just waiting for the day to end so I can sleep and maintain a regular sleep schedule.

Mel

[slinkedog]

Mel! I just read this thread and I'm so glad you're okay! I can't believe that woman did not stop to see if you were okay. That's just appalling!

I hope you feel better very soon. I'm so sorry this happened to you. Let us know how you're doing, okay?

[BikeMomma]

OMG, Melody....what a blessing to have your hubby with you. I shudder to think about the outcome if he had not been there.

That woman needs to have her bike confiscated....aero bars and all. Someone that irresponsible does not deserve to call herself a cyclist. Gawd, what a royal bxtch (sorry, but people like that deserve to be called bad things). Uggh!

And what's up with the first aid guy????!! sheesh!!

Hope you heal up well....get back on that bike soon!
The best to ya...
~BikeMomma

[mtkitchn]

Wow Mel!
Hope you heal up soon and never have to go through that again!

[aka_kim]

How scary!

Take it easy and heal up. Hope you sleep better tonight.

[KSH]

WOW! Very scary!

Thank goodness you are OK.

[Shimpie]

YIKES!! I'm glad you made it out okay. I wonder if that woman had any idea what chaos she caused. Triathletes really don't belong a multi-use trail. They go way too fast on the aero bars to react to everything that happens on a trail. I think the triathletes in my neighborhood have that figured out; they train on the state route and city roads that have wide shoulders. This woman should being doing the same.

[mimitabby]

Mel
what an awful thing to happen. It's scary to think that you weren't able to
get out of the water. Did you try? or were you stunned?
What parts of you are still hurting?

[Jo-n-NY]

After a crazy busy weekend I am just catching up with the posts.

I am sorry to hear about your awful crash. The anger in me just built as I was reading your post. It is a good thing that you did not suffer any breakage, but a shame that you had to go through such an ordeal because of some irresponsible person on a bike.

I hope your injuries mend very quickly.

~ JoAnn

[residentgeek]

What a terrifying ride!

I'm glad nothing was broken or severely damaged. Rest up and hopefully you'll be back on your feet again soon. Or at least use it as an excuse to get your heroic husband to treat you to some ice cream :)

Like everyone else, I can't understand why someone would go flying down a path like that. Especially one that's used for more than just biking (I'm thinking dogs and kids here). And then not to stop and see if you were okay? That's just WRONG.

Hope you feel better soon. Take it easy.

[kaybee]

Wow! Just reading that makes me hurt all over. I'm glad that your hubby was with you, and that you're going to be okay. Hope you feel better very soon.

KB

[bcipam]

Wow - I'm praying for a speedy recovery and hope that all is OK.

Hopefully this is a lesson for us all - multi use trails are fun to ride but we must all ride them with caution. The woman riding her Tri bike was totally in
the wrong. At all times, one must be in control of their bike and that means being able to negotiate safely around cones and other obstrucles. If one needs to go fast, then they need to be riding on the street not trails. Imagine if that had been a child and not a cone???

Thank goodness your husband was there! Bless him - I'm sure it was quite a frightening experience for him as well. And don't judge other cyclists for not asking about you. On a whole I think most would be concerned but sometimes, and I know I'm guilty of this, we ride in a daze and just don't notice things like bloody faces.

Anyway take care, rest up and get out riding again soon.

[Melody]

Thanks everyone for thinking of me. :) I still hurt and it's going to probably be weeks before I'm back on a bike because of the pain across my back but I'm hobbling along.

The thing I probably honestly hate most right now is I'm carrying this stupid cane again... *sigh* I hate this thing *kicks the cane*. Oh well... I can get to thwap coworkers at least. :p :cool: :)

Mel

[Selkie]

The thing I probably honestly hate most right now is I'm carrying this stupid cane again... *sigh* I hate this thing *kicks the cane*. Oh well... I can get to thwap coworkers at least. :p :cool: :)

Mel

Can I have the cane when you're done w/it? I have a couple of coworkers whom I'd love the THWAP with it.

Get well!

[Bike Goddess]

Mel- So sorry to hear of your accident. I just can't believe how thoughtless other people can be. I'm glad to hear that you didn't break anything. Rest lots and take care of yourself.

Sorry to hear about the bike wheel- that's a total bummer. At least it's just a wheel and not the frame or the components!

Please do keep us informed of your progress.

Lots of love and healing thoughts!