Road Rash newbie!!

[cusepack]

So I took my first fall yesterday . . . I've had my Trek 2100 for about 3 weeks now, have been doing great, and yesterday, well, my back tire went flat, I bent my head to take a peak, hit a stick and down I went. As I was explaining to a friend, it was almost surreal. I mean I knew it had happened, but I almost couldn't believe it. It felt as though everything was in slow motion. And darn it, I couldn't fall on the grass, I had to hit the pavement - but, I'm now officially a member of the road rash club. Anyway . . . I took a quick peak at my knee and elbow - lots of blood and bruising, but hey, I was standing up, so that was a good sign!!! Then, a total inspection of my bike - amazing how much we cherish our bikes and we'll pick off some tall pieces of grass that get stuck in the pedals before cleaning up our own scrapes. So, I had to get a ride home because I couldn't get the flat fixed and immediately took the bike to the LBS. I walked in - everyone knew - "hey, she had her first crash" - and they all had to inspect the damage - not to me, but my bike!!! I was finally initiated into the inner dwellings of the bike shop - I went behind the counter to the mechanics department and got a full re-fresher course on tire changing - amazing how you take in the info much better after you've had a fall than when you first get your bike and never dream of getting a flat, so you're like "yeah, yeah, I got it."

So, after taking advil for the past 24 hours, I seem to be doing okay. A little sore, but was even able to go out for my morning run at 5:30 today - felt good. Skin was a little tight from the bruising/abrasions, but you know what, I have to say, there's a little pride in those scrapes because now I feel when somebody else on a cycle sees my knee/elbow they'll think "yep, been there, done that" and there will be an immediate, unspoken bond.

Kathryn

[Grog]

Hey Kathryn! Welcome to the knee-elbow cuts and road rash club! Glad you're okay!!

I crashed in July and although the elbow was mostly road rash and has healed (it still is red but not so bad), the knee cuts turned out to be deeper than I thought and turned into a very dark red/mauve scar. Not very pretty, although I don't mind too much. I realize now that I should have had that stitched: being on the knee, it just kept opening itself up all the time and never healed correctly even if it was not that deep.

So make sure you get some expert opinion on this. If it can be stitched, maybe it should be.

Take it easy!

[Adventure Girl]

I seem to be doing okay. A little sore, but was even able to go out for my morning run at 5:30 today - felt good.

Glad to hear you're doing OK. Ouch Ouch Ouch!

Pay attention to those flat-fixing lectures. Practice at home. Crashes and flats are pretty much inevitable. You can't do that much to prepare for the crashes, but you CAN be ready for the flats!

Get better soon! Was there any damage to your bike?

[Nanci]

Kathryn,

I hope your bike's ok!! (My bike's twin) (And you, too)

http://tinyurl.com/7nuku There's a company, Brave Soldier, who makes a thing called a Crash Pak. I carry it with me when mountain biking, especially in remote areas. It's small enough to fit in a medium under the seat bag, or in a Camelbak. A friend of mine was at that huge bike expo thing, can't think of the name, in Las Vegas every year, and was trying out a MTB, and had a horrific crash in a boulder field. The Brave Soldier people fixed him right up and used him as a demo. Their products work _really_ well.

Nanci

The Brave Soldier Crash Pak™ kit contains everything
you need to effectively treat a common road rash injury immediately after crashing. Proper use of this kit helps
prevent abrasions from healing with dirt and debris
embedded in the wound.

Formula Notes:
Skin abrasions, cuts, and blisters. Brave Soldier Crash Paks is the all-inclusive kit for any outdoor active individual. Crash Paks contains the essentials needed to effectively treat small and large skin wounds, road rash injuries, and skin scrapes. Properly treat up to 4 wounds with this lightweight, resealable, and waterproof kit. Compact packaging stows away perfectly in
any jersey pocket or backpack.

Key Ingredients:
Antiseptic Ointment; 4x3 non-adhering wound dressing (2); 3x3 general use surgical sponges (2); 6” stretch net burn gauze (2); 4x2 bandages (2); 1X3 bandages (2); Butterfly cut closures (2); Betadine antiseptic pads (2); Antiseptic towelettes (2); Advil Pain Relief Tablets (2); Road Rash Treatment guide; and all are conveniently tucked away in our waterproof 6”x8” Mylar bag.

Vital Statistics:
Retail Price: $15.00, 1oz. kit

[bikerchick68]

yikes! glad to hear you're more or less OK as is the bike... and yeah, I know what you mean... the one time I fell (due to my own stupidity really) I was WAY more concerned about the bike than the fact that I was bleeding all over the sidewalk...

brave soldier is great stuff as suggested!

[cusepack]

Thanks for all the well wishes and of course the welcome into the road rash club. I'm honored There was no damage to my bike, and that's probably because the bike fell on top of me - had to protect my baby

I did have a flat kit with me - LBS had put it together for me, but for some reason, once I got the tire ready for the CO2 cartridge, it just wouldn't stay on the stem properly and CO2 shot out everywhere. When I took the bike to the shop, the fella inspected the tire as well as the tube and there were no holes, punctures, etc. Apparently, it was a defective tube because near the stem there was some pulling and he said it was just enough for the air to leak slowly. He replaced the tube at no cost and I purchased a few more CO2 cartridges. My seat did twist as I fell but thanks to my handy dandy tool, I was able to take care of that right off. What an experience. But I'm going to hop back on the bike later today because I know the longer I wait, the more fear I'll encounter, and I love my baby too much to just let her sit.

My skin feels very tight at the abrasions and like you said Grog, abrasions to the knee tend to open up with the bending and straightening of your leg - I'm keeping the wounds clean and putting neosporin on them.

Nanci, my bike sister twin, thanks for the heads-up on that kit - I actually think I'm going to order one because of all the goodies I have in my pack, that's something I don't have, and really need. I wasn't able to clean the wounds for a bout 45 mins., so it had dried and trying to scrub it out was painful. Now, the question becomes, how on earth do I shave around that?!?!?!

BTW Nanci, how are you doing with your bike? I love mine, absolutely love it. I can't believe how smooth the ride is and each day, I'm getting more and more comfortable. Have you seen the WSD Treks for 2006? The 2200 is pink - it looks like pepto-bismol. I was able to see one up close and personal yesterday at the LBS, and honestly, I like the 2100 better, including the components.

Again, thanks for your responses. You're Sweethearts.

Kathryn

[Nanci]

Hey Kathryn,

I love my bike, too. I just took her to the Three Gap 50 ride in Dahlonega, GA. It was both of ours first ride (on road) in the mountains. I never had to walk!!! One of the climbs was eight miles!!!!! And my average speed was twice what I was expecting. AND my picture from the event photographer is really nice!!!

If you order the crash pack, you should order some Brave Soldier Antiseptic Healing Ointment, too. I use it on everything, even my bird when he had laser surgery, and on my other bird who I rescued who had been "scalped" by adult pigeons.

It's pretty common to twist the seat when you fall- good thing you had your tools with you! Usually when that happens, you have a nice bruise on whatever part of your thigh caused the seat to twist...

Nanci

[RoadRaven]

Hi there all...

Always awful to hear of crashes and injuries, part of the package with cycling, but always hope it never happens...

When I took a super tumble earlier in the year I didn't need stiches but I did have some significant patches of skin missing.
The doctor cleaned the places, swabbed them in iodine and then stuck this stretchy "stuff" on it... now I don't know the name of it but I swear by it now and use it for any cuts and grazes the kids get that will take a few days to heal.

So I'll do my best to describe it and maybe someone knows what it is called (its prolly called something different overseas anyways)

Its white and it is a fabric finish on one side, and sticky on the other. There is no guaze or fabric finsih. You clean and dry the wound and stick this stuff straight onto the surface. It is water-resisitent and will stay on for several weeks (thats how long I left is on my legs and elbows...) with complete disregard for rain, showers or baths. In the meantime, your graze is completely protected underneath and forms the scab which is essential to healing well... it is not disturbed by constant cleaning and redressing and when you are ready you simply coat it in babyoil and ease it off... the new skin underneath needs protection from the sun for a week or so, and then vitually or completely scarless... I am completely impressed.

The other cool thing is that it stretches with you as your skin moves and flexes and that tightening sensation as you heal is minimised or just not there

Good luck and good healing

Arohanui
Raven

[cusepack]

Hey Nanci -

Thanks for the advice on the ointment - geez, if you use it on your pigeons, I wonder if I can use it on my kitties? I have some outdoor cats that from time to time, will get a scratch or scrape, and I usually clean it out with soap and water, then put some betadyne on it. Great to hear about your mountain ride - you must be very proud of your accomplishment.

Raven - I'm wondering if what you're describing is something like a second skin? I remember when I burned my fingertips on my right hand (went to move the lawn mower and touched the hot engine by mistake - ouch!!), my doctor had me purchase this second skin stuff, but it was more of a gel consistency, yet it protected the wounds and I was able to get it wet, etc. I'm going to have to stop by the drugstore and see if we have what you're describing - sounds great!

Oh, and I went for a ride this afternoon - not long, but to get back on the bike . . . skin was tight around the wounds, but other than that, I felt good. With each passing day, I'm sure I'll feel better - just as long as I don't take another tumble

Kathryn

[RoadRaven]

Hi again... def not a gel (though I do have a paint on second skin thing here as well

This is more like a plaster that you stick on - but without the padding that is usually embedded in the plaster.

You buy it from the roll (I usually buy half a metre at a time) and then cut the shape/size you need according to your injury

Hope you find it, its fabulous...

[Nanci]

Kathryn, I'm sure Brave Soldier ointment is safe for cats.

I forgot to tell you- I'm taking new bike (Lava) to our first Century ride tomorrow! Santa Fe Century in Gainesville, Florida.

Nanci

[newfsmith]

then stuck this stretchy "stuff" on it... now I don't know the name of it but I swear by it now and use it for any cuts and grazes the kids get that will take a few days to heal.

So I'll do my best to describe it and maybe someone knows what it is called (its prolly called something different overseas anyways)

Its white and it is a fabric finish on one side, and sticky on the other. There is no guaze or fabric finsih. You clean and dry the wound and stick this stuff straight onto the surface. It is water-resisitent and will stay on for several weeks (thats how long I left is on my legs and elbows...) with complete disregard for rain, showers or baths. In the meantime, your graze is completely protected underneath and forms the scab which is essential to healing well... it is not disturbed by constant cleaning and redressing and when you are ready you simply coat it in babyoil and ease it off... the new skin underneath needs protection from the sun for a week or so, and then vitually or completely scarless... I am completely impressed.

The other cool thing is that it stretches with you as your skin moves and flexes and that tightening sensation as you heal is minimised or just not there

Raven

That sounds a lot like a British product I've used,Spyroflex

[cusepack]

I stopped by the pharmacy earlier today and didn't come across it - I'm going to zip over to another (larger) pharmacy tomorrow - I hope I can find it because it sounds great. I have one abrasion that will just not close up because of the constant bending to my knee. If I'm unable to locate it, I'm going to order that spyroflex - that looks great too.

Thanks RR & newfsmith

[cusepack]

Nanci -

You're probably nestled in bed dreaming of your century tomorrow - I wanted to wish you the best. Have a super time and let me know how you and Lava do.

Kathryn

[RoadRaven]

Hey there newfsmith... when I did a close up of the package (with the pic of a woman by her bike covering her knee) ... yes, that looks very much like the same thing.

When I am next in at the chemist(I live 1/2 hours drive from town) I will check out the name on the packet of the stuff i buy by the metre...