My cycling accident update

[KnuckleSandwich]

Emily....I'm so sorry to hear about your accident! (I don't check the board very often...so obviuosly, I'm a bit late!)

You helped me out while I was researching my Aegis Swift, and I appreciate how thoroughly you answered my numerous questions! Thanks again! I just got it on Monday....its a pink carbon Rocket!!

Good luck on your recovery! From experience, I know its a tough road...but, you seem like a tough cookie. Patience is the key, one mile at a time.....


Danielle

[Pedal Wench]

I'm amazed that you're recovering so well and so quickly! I hate to say this, but although it seems fast to us, I'm sure it's been interminable to you. Good luck, and be strong. Sending you pink-bike well wishes.

Leslie

edit: Emily, I hope you take this the right way. I read some parts of your blog, and I am overwhelmed by the love and support that you have. Barry sounds like a wonderful, wonderful man. Sometimes it takes bad things to show you how good things can be. Take comfort that you are surrounded by people, family and friends who are taking pleasure in helping you out. In a very strange way, you are a lucky woman.

[emily_in_nc]

edit: Emily, I hope you take this the right way. I read some parts of your blog, and I am overwhelmed by the love and support that you have. Barry sounds like a wonderful, wonderful man. Sometimes it takes bad things to show you how good things can be. Take comfort that you are surrounded by people, family and friends who are taking pleasure in helping you out. In a very strange way, you are a lucky woman.

Leslie ~ You are so right. I do know how very fortunate I am. I have amazing friends and family, and especially my dear husband of 20 years (this coming May 25!), Barry. I couldn't have done any of this without all the support I am receiving. I am also lucky to have support of so many people I don't even know personally out here in cyberspace, like this wonderful community. Thanks to all for your kindness and generosity of spirit! It really does me a world of good.

Emily

[emily_in_nc]

Emily....I'm so sorry to hear about your accident! (I don't check the board very often...so obviuosly, I'm a bit late!)

You helped me out while I was researching my Aegis Swift, and I appreciate how thoroughly you answered my numerous questions! Thanks again! I just got it on Monday....its a pink carbon Rocket!!

Good luck on your recovery! From experience, I know its a tough road...but, you seem like a tough cookie. Patience is the key, one mile at a time.....

Danielle

Danielle ~ Awesome about your Swift. You will love it! I was thrilled to see that my bike didn't seem to sustain any damage in the crash other than a scuffed up saddle. I will have it checked out by a LBS before I ride it again, of course, but it looks as pretty as ever! Thank goodness... Enjoy your bike! Post a photo of it if you can; I'd love to see it. I bet Crystal on girlbike.com would love to add it to her pink-bike gallery as well!

Emily

[CorsairMac]

I just wanted you to know Em - I went on a long ride with some friends recently and asked them ahead of time "what do we do in case of loose dogs?", the consensus was we would speed up and ride like Hades, calling out to each other to make sure we didn't lose anyone. So thank you for calling to my attention something I would've never thought about asking. I'm just sorry it was your accident that made me think of it.

[emily_in_nc]

I just wanted you to know Em - I went on a long ride with some friends recently and asked them ahead of time "what do we do in case of loose dogs?", the consensus was we would speed up and ride like Hades, calling out to each other to make sure we didn't lose anyone. So thank you for calling to my attention something I would've never thought about asking. I'm just sorry it was your accident that made me think of it.

Hey, that's great, CM!! I'm just glad to have raised a few folks' awareness of this. It is very smart to have a plan in place prior to the situation arising.

Emily

[MomOnBike]

"what do we do in case of loose dogs?", the consensus was we would speed up and ride like Hades, calling out to each other to make sure we didn't lose anyone.

I'm not convinced that acting as prey to a large preditor (which, after all, is what all dogs are) is a good idea.

What worked for me on my trip was to slow down, make myself big and bark NO! I used a deep chest voice and projected a lot of confidence. Of course, I'm a big woman and had dog spray in my hand when I did it.

The idea is to let them know that you are bigger, badder and meaner than they can ever hope to be. So far, with the dogs I've encountered, this method has worked better than running like a scared rabbit - which I had tried in the past. I'm not pretending I can bluff all dogs - that's why I carry dog spray. I don't intend to lose a confrontation with a dog.

One more thing. If you slow down, or even stop, the chances of a really bad wreck go down dramatically, and your chance of scoring a direct hit with the dog spray goes up.

One last, last thing. DH turned a bear once with this method when were hiking.

MomOnBike (AKA Alpha B-i-t-c-h and proud of it)

[SadieKate]

Oh gosh, I think you have to be quick with your thinking for each and every time. I think Corsair's discussion with her ride partners is the start. You've all got to agree to start talking to come up with a plan immediately. Hubby was climbing a steep hill when crazy lady purposefully let out her 2 crazy-trained Great Danes and sent them after him. On a hill that steep he was going so slow that he was automatically prey and the dogs were smart enough to get on both sides of the bike so he couldn't use the bike as a shield. If he had been able to go down hill he probably could have gotten away. I know I've out sprinted small dogs on the flats that would have come right under the cranks if I had stopped and gotten off the bike. I know that my best deep-throated growl imitation has stopped a few.

The good thing is lycra is an excellent pressure bandage. Hubby rode back to the car, drove to the Doc-in-a-Box where the triage nurse didn't believe him when he said he'd been bitten by a Great Dane. He rolled back the bandage and, voila, she decided that spurting blood was not a good thing to have in the waiting room.

[nuthatch]

Hubby was climbing a steep hill when crazy lady purposefully let out her 2 crazy-trained Great Danes and sent them after him.

So, did you sue her?