Best to Worst in a Day

[Cassandra_Cain]

It was a perfect day, cool and breezy, sparkling sun dotting the deep blue horizon. A day that had seen my best ride to date, by far, since returning to riding after a 6 year absence.

I did over 1500 feet of climbing on tough grades, 5-10 percent, even some a bit more steep than that. What was rare, was even me passing some riders in the flats, were I'm anything but fast. Ok, I'm slow!

A mere six blocks from home, airy pedal strokes hasting my descent, is when it suddenly changed. An all too common situation, going straight through an intersection, and then (right then), a car turned right in front of me from my own lane.

I remember the sudden appearance of the truck in my path. It was that instantaneous recognition in the mind that states, loudly and clearly - F#*k, I'm not going to make it.

Then as if in slow motion, the impact. Going over the bars of the bike, catapulted into the air, landing heavily on my right shoulder. The impact. The radiating pain. The hazy gaze through flowing tears. The bike, crushed under the tire of the truck. The paramedics. My head spinning. The ambulance.

A badly sprained shoulder, sharp abrasions and cuts on my shoulders, elbow, and knee, plus a cracked rib.

Now I'm home, alive, and doing ok, though with a badly aching shoulder, a rotator cuff in pieces, stinging road rash, ribs that hurt immensely at movement, don't even ask me about sneezing or coughing. That's absolute masochism for me at this juncture.

In my mind, I've replayed the entire sequence endlessly. Could I have somehow done anything different? What if I had been going faster or slower? The possibilities are never-ending, and there's little sense outsmarting yourself with 'what if's'

[kelownagirl]

Wow, how scary! I have come close to that several times - I don't know what you could have done differently. So glad you're not more seriously hurt though. Take care of yourself and hope you're back on your bike soon!

[mary9761]

I'm so sorry to hear about your accident but I'm glad it wasn't worse. I'm sure there's nothing you could have done to avoid the accident. We can ride as safely as we know how, but we cannot predict or control motor vehicular traffic nor the drivers in them. I hope you heal quickly, as bad as it sounds, better that it was the bike under the wheels of the truck than you. ((((HUGS))))
Mary

[Selkie]

Cass - Take care of yourself. You are OK and that's the most important thing. You'll heal quickly--think positive.

[Cassandra_Cain]

Thanks

Definitely, it could have been far, far worse. Bad as it may sound, my bike fared much worse than me. I admit, I get a little glassy-eyed looking at what is now a distorted heap of metal in my living room - she was soooo purrrrty, and new just 3 weeks ago.

I'm sure I'll be back to riding again soon enough.

[spokewench]

I'm so glad your injuries weren't worse! There are times when we just can't avoid the impact even though we do everything that we know to be safe! All it takes is a moment of indecision or inattention on the part of a driver to put us in harm's way. I know you will be sore for a while and that recuperation will take a little while. Hopefully not too long. I don't think that car driver's ever think about the person they hit afterwards to realize how long it takes to get over the bruises, contusions, and all the pt to rehabilitate! I know, I've been hit once too (I think I'm luck it has only been once). Anyway, if you need to bit_ _ while the healing takes place - you just come on this site and do so ! Maybe it will help.

[Bike Goddess]

Cassandra- You say " a rotator cuff in pieces". What does that mean- do you have to have surgery?

Please let us know- meanwhile many wishes to a speedy recovery (hmm- not sure how long that might be!). I too am sorry to hear the news, and, no don't let your mind make you think you could have done anything differently.

What happened, happened. Now you just need to heal and that means putting to rest the "what if" stuff! Whatever we can do to support you, please ask. This is a great group of women.

[mtkitchn]

OMG, Cassandra, that is just awful. Glad you are home and healing up and will be okay.
There is nothing you can do about the way people drive. Get yourself better!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I guess you just have to count your blessings that YOU weren't under that truck wheel instead of your bike. I hope you heal rapidly and well. What a terrible thing.

We should all read this about those right turns, it makes sense:
http://bicyclesafe.com/
I think it was Nanci who pointed it out a few days ago, and I was glad to read and think about it.

[Cassandra_Cain]

BG - the doctor said I'd a partial tear of the rotator cuff. I can feel it actually because that area hurts the most in my entire shoulder.

No kidding about practicing right turns - you can never take them fast or sharp enough when it comes to avoiding a car. Practice and more practice.

100% agree with all of you - better the bike, rather than me, under the tire. I shudder at the thought.

Still, I'm anxious to ride again. I figure I'll go to the gym once I'm feeling up for it - and just ride a little stationary exercise bike to keep myself from getting too stiff.

Thank you all for the encouragement and positive words.

[wavedancer]

Cassandra,
Sending you healing thoughts and prayers. What an awful thing to have happen to you. I am sure there was nothing you could have done to avoid it. So now keep your thoughts focused on your healing and let us know how your recovery goes.

Best wishes,
Linda

[KSH]

WOAH! Very scary stuff!

Thank goodness you are alive! What a very close call!

I hope you have quick healing.

[Nokomis]

Oh no! Mend quickly ~ sending you healing & pain free thoughts!

*virtual hug* - don't want to squeeze & hurt ya!

[chickwhorips]

i'm glad to hear your ok and that it wasn't worse. positive thoughts for a speedy recovery.

[Bad JuJu]

Oh, that's scary! Like everyone else, I'm glad to hear you didn't get hurt worse than you did. Also glad to hear that you're eager to get back on the bike...eventually. I know you can't help replaying the whole thing in your head, but don't try to second-guess yourself--there's only so much you can do to combat the inattentiveness of drivers.

Take care!!!