June rides, summer begins

[north woods gal]

Just got to looking at the new helmet I bought last week because I was concerned my old 15 year old helmet wouldn't protect me. This explains why the left side of my face took such a beating, but the helmet is actually cracked, not just gouged. It even cracked the foam lining, inside. It saved my life. If the impact was enough to crack some bones in my neck, I shudder to think what would have happened without the helmet. Now it's got me crying, again. I am so very, very fortunate.

[ny biker]

Holy cow! I'm glad you weren't hurt worse, NWG.

Hang in there, and just take it one day at a time. First allow yourself to process the shock of what happened and get through the initial pain. I'm sure it will be beautiful to take walks around your property as you start feeling better. Treat yourself to some nice new walking shoes.

I was sidelined for a couple of months last year, and was able to find other activities to keep me occupied. One was work related, learning new programming languages, but another was learning to crochet. Maybe there is something new and interesting that you can explore while you recover.

And of course we're here for you to vent as needed. But for now just try to rest and start to heal.

[north woods gal]

Thank you, NY. I did just that, this morning: went for a walk m the trails. I revisited the spot where I had the fall, trying to piece together what happened for peace of mind. Try as I might, however, I can't remember anything about the impact. Maybe that's a good thing. Went on my way and walked a full mile, but that was all I had in me, today. I will walk every day, now that I have that option. Star senses that I am hurt, so she stayed very close on our walk and was careful not to jump on me, the way she often does.

Not sure how I will handle this down time, but you're so right about filling my time and staying busy. Have always wanted to learn to crochet or knit, anyway. I think the first thing I crochet is a helmet. (Just one to hang on the wall, of course.)

[north woods gal]

No, no concussion. While in the hospital for about 20 hours with the trauma team, they checked every single hour for signs, did X rays and C scans, the works. That's how they caught the cracked collar on the vertebrae. I think they were surprised that the damage was all confined to my neck and face. Every check included an exam of my spine and vision, too. What is equally amazing is that I didn't break a nose or damage an eye, especially given that I have a cut at the bridge of my nose where the bridge on my glasses bit me and cuts just below the left eye and another near its edge. That eye was swollen partially shut, but is opening back up, now, as the swelling goes down. One inch, one way or the other, might have been a disaster. Really have to give credit to that new helmet. It fit, properly, good and secure. My old helmet was always sliding around on my head.

As soon as my husband saw what had happened to the new helmet and how it really didi its job, he drove to the bike shop and got one for himself to replace his poorly fitting cheapie. He's no biker, so he never understood how important a good helmet can be or why anyone would spend that much money for one (a Giant for only $90, nothing fancy), but he does now. By the way, these new helmets are set up to take a blinkie light in the back, so if you put on your helmet, you have a light. Great idea. Soon as I can bike, again, I'll get another helmet for the one I destroyed. Had my husband donate the wrecked helmet to the bike shop to use as a demo when someone balks at buying a helmet. Who knows, it might save someone else's life.