First Wreck

Darn! I was hoping today would never happen.

I went out for a team ride with my new team today. On the way back to town I hit some train tracks the wrong way. The tracks were sharply angled, and I should have taken them much wider than I did. There was a car coming up behind me, so I think that's why I didn't swing it wider. My wheel got caught in the track and I went down hard on my right side. My hip and knee took the brunt of it. I have a cantaloupe-sized lump on my hip and some road rash on my knee. I must have tried to catch myself with my left hand since it's pretty bruised and swollen. I can move it around okay but not put pressure on it, so I'm still trying to decide if my it's broken.

The good news it that my bike is fine. Some minor scratches on the brake lever and rear derailleur. The wheels will probably need some truing. I'm sad to report that my tights, jacket, and shoe covers didn't fare as well. They're pretty ripped up.

Welcome to the club!

I know one day, tracks will do the same to me.

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Originally Posted by AuntieK

The good news it that my bike is fine.

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The good news is you are still alive and reasonably well. See the doc and get well soon.

I'm so sorry to hear that Auntie K. :( Get some rest and heal up quickly!

Hugs,
Brandy

Owie.

Glad it's not worse - but get that wrist X-rayed, and heal up quick.

-Oak, who still has a ping-pong ball sized lump and dimple remaining from the grapefruit-sized lump my hip took in September :rolleyes:

Your encounter with the RR tracks sounds quite painful. Please get your wrist x-rayed. I speak from personal experience and blew my bad fall off only to learn 6 weeks later that my wrist was fractured. Hope your wounds heal quickly.

I hope you heal quickly. Those cars are always showing up at the wrong time.

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Originally Posted by makbike

Please get your wrist x-rayed. I speak from personal experience and blew my bad fall off only to learn 6 weeks later that my wrist was fractured.

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Silver had the same thing happen...bad wreck, 10 days in the hospital...three weeks later, we figure out she has a broken wrist...

I like to think that your first wreck only makes you a better cyclist. Now that your body knows wrecking doesn't have to be a life or death situation you will be able to ride with more confidence.

Ooh... Sorry about that, but I'm glad you weren't more hurt. My first wreck (and only so far) was also going down hard on my right side. I felt me head slam into the pavement too, but the helmet, thank goodness, was on tight.

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Originally Posted by rij73

I felt me head slam into the pavement too, but the helmet, thank goodness, was on tight.

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You replaced your helmet, didn't you? /nanny mode off

I am always so leary of RR tracks.

Feel better.

Sorry to hear of your fall, AntieK and on one of the first 'nice' days we have had in a very long time. I hope your healing is quick, but get that wrist checked out. I hate some of the tracks we have around here....

Thanks everyone, for your kind words.

I'm feeling much better today, even though I keep finding new bruises and sore spots in places I didn't know I'd hit. I think the next few days are going to be an adventure in discovery. The hand is a little more bruised, but less swollen and tender. I think it's going to be fine.

DH thought it was weird that I had posted that this was my "first" wreck. I did give myself some good gravel rash at Little Red a couple of years ago. But I consider that incident more of a "low-speed tip over" than a wreck. Just thought I'd clarify.

Snork... I still have a scar from a "low speed tip-over" (what was that stick doing there?) Glad you're okay!!!

Feel better! Just 3 months and 28 days til the 2008 LRRH!

I'm glad you and your bike both made it without much damage.

Ouchie! Glad you seem to be on the road to recovery already. You were lucky not to end up with any broken bones! I went down hard on my right side a couple of years ago (dog accident), and ended up breaking my pelvis in three places and required surgery and a big ole plate and 4 pins to put it all back together. You were very lucky!

As others have said, if you hit your head, do invest in a new helmet. They are designed for one crash only.

Emily, who has been through three helmets in the past three years! :eek:

Here's to quick healing for you, Auntie. Don't worry about the clothes, that's just money(from the woman whom BEGGED the docs in the ER to not cut my sidis off). :D It is hard to buy new skin, and Nashbar.com NEVER has it on sale. Trust me, I've looked. Sounds like you were smart in the first place wearing good gear. Take care of you. D

I've found that ibuprofren will help ease the pain- I do about 400mg a shot, generally this will help the whole day. It's also an anti- inflammatory (as I'm sure you know) so it will help with the swelling.

I took a spill the other day (embarrassed to say I sideswiped a post on a bike trail), and luckily didn't do much except get some bruises as well as a bit of a shock. At the recommendation of my riding pal I immediately took Ibuprofren and was able (after resting and eating) to ride home- 30+ miles. That was last Tuesday and I'm finally to the point where I don't need any more of that stuff!

If I were you, I'd still get your wrist looked at especially if you can go in during office hours tomorrow. Better safe than sorry.

Tracks are a pain- we have lots around here and many people have suffered crossing them at a bad angle. :(:(:(

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

You replaced your helmet, didn't you? /nanny mode off

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YEP!

Like Emily....a couple of years ago my front wheel got caught in a ridge of broken up road and fractured my shoulder. (although a far cry from Emily's injuries).

You are lucky to not have broken anything, however, I hope all your bruises, aches and pains heal quickly.

~ JoAnn

That's my biggest fear, that first spill. Glad you're not seriously hurt and that the bike made it out ok, too. That would have been adding insult to injury. Rest up!