Mt Diablo bike accident Sun May 15th

[Bike Goddess]

One of the members of my bike club was in a serious accident yesterday while descending Diablo (I think the north side). He is in the ICU at John Muir hospital. According to his wife, if he hadn't had his helmet on he wouldn't have made it. According to the CATScan there may be some bruising in his brain which is, I understand, the main concern. He seems to be eating and talking which, I believe, is a good sign.

Anyway, I thought you all should know about this as a few of us do Diablo from time to time and these things happen. It's just hard when it's someone you know and ride with regularly.

I'll let you know how he is doing as I know more.

[SadieKate]

Oh, gosh. Sorry to hear this. Do you know how it happened?

[slinkedog]

How awful! I sure hope he's okay.

[DeniseGoldberg]

...According to his wife, if he hadn't had his helmet on he wouldn't have made it. According to the CATScan there may be some bruising in his brain which is, I understand, the main concern.

I'm sending good thoughts his way, along with thanks that he was wearing his helmet. (And I am living proof that it is more than possible to return to cycling after an accident like his! It makes me shudder just to think about his accident...)

Please keep us posted on his progress.

--- Denise

[Trek420]

was it wet on the road? That was my first thought because I was watching the coverage of the Bay to Breakers on TV (from the trainer) that morning and the streets looked wet.

[aka_kim]

That's really awful, and scary, but good that's he's doing OK. Do you know where/how it happened?

[Bike Goddess]

I don't yet know all the details- just what his wife wrote to us in an email describing his condition. When I went past Diablo on the freeway yesterday morning around 10:45 it had clouds at the top so I wonder also if it was wet. Just keep him in your thoughts, prayers, etc. I'm just so sorry. He had gotten a new bike in May (a TREK carbon) and I'm sure was riding that bike when it happened.

I'll let you know as I find out.

[CorsairMac]

Keeping he and his family in my thoughts! Please keep us posted.

[Bike Goddess]

I spoke to Bob today- he's home. Had a concussion, road rash, and a swollen knee. Evidently he was on a straight stretch coming from the top before the 1st ranger station and as he remembers, hit something in the road (maybe a rock?). He doesn't remember anything much after that except knowing he was going off the bike.

The doctor said that the best thing to do would be to get out and walk. So, he's now on a walking regime. He wants to get riding on his wife's comfort bike soon. We'll see.

The doc also told him that he should recover fairly quickly as he is in excellent physical condition. (Yes, we know the benefits of cycling and that's one of the payoffs! )

I'm just glad to report that he's on the mend! It could have been much worse (as many of you know)! Thank you for all of your support! That's what keeps me coming back to this forum!

[slinkedog]

Great news, Nancy Thanks so much for giving us the update!

[CorsairMac]

Thanks for the update Nancy - I'll keep in my thoughts during his recovery!

[Trek420]

Great news, thanks for the update. I'm sending thoughts of a speedy recovery. Yes, it could have been so much worse.

When I harranged that poor happless first-time bike commuter on BART yesterday, he was oggleing (sp?) my bike
"ooh, I need a road bike, ooh, I need a computer like that one, ooh I need..."
"where's your helmet? you need a helmet. this is why..." I used your friend as an example, wearing one is the difference between living to enjoy another day of riding and learning the alphabet all over again at best. I'm glad for him and his family that he's going to be ok.

[Bike Goddess]

I saw Bob today on his other bike- he rode with us to Martinez. He looks good save his road rash which he still has bandaged up. He rode with the group on Saturday as well. I was so surprised he had ridden so soon- he said he just couldn't stand being home anymore and had to get out for some exercise! Just another endo addict! I'm so glad he's okay. (Of course his wife thinks he's crazy but she's used to it after 30 yrs!)

He sent our club some headlines he dreamed up when he was recovering in the hospital- for those of us who know Diablo, I thought you'd get a few good laughs (there's one about the 5 stopsigns-that's in reference to a policeman in Walnut Creek who gave the group a lecture about stop signs a couple of weeks ago when they blew one in a quiet neighborhood).

So here goes:

The following headlines are from Phatbar Bob, recently released and resting at home. He ask me to forward them on to you. I think they gave Bob some good medicine for his pain.

George (our webmaster)

The Devil's in The Details

But Here are The Headlines

From the May 15th BBC ride up Mount Diablo and Back

______________________________________________________________________



BBC BIKER DOWN-DIABLO CLUB CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY

"Let's Get Ready to Rumble" Shouts Tall Joe

______________________________________________________________________



RIDER CHRISTENS NEW LOOP IN STATE PARK/DIABLO TOUR

John Muir Starbucks>Diablo Summit>John Muir ICU

(not recommended without good health care coverage)

______________________________________________________________________



WHILE ON SUNDAY RIDE PHATBAR BOB SETS NEW BBC CLUB RECORD

LEGALLY STOPPING AT 6 STOP SIGNS AND 8 STOP LIGHTS

(all occurred on ambulance leg)

Awarded "MOST IMPROVED" Trophy by Officer Friendly of Walnut Creek PD

______________________________________________________________________



IT'S OFFICIAL

TWO DAY OLD ROAD RASH AT MID ARM JOINT LABELED DEVILED ELBOW

May become monogram of Mt Diablo Cycle Club

______________________________________________________________________



IT'S A MIRACLE-LOSE 6 LBS IN 7 SECONDS ON SUMMIT ROAD

Performance Hint: Lose even more with higher speed and/or less clothing!

______________________________________________________________________



"On The Mountain" Smash Hit

Balding, married, average white male senior, steals the show

with dramatic early exit

______________________________________________________________________



WALNUT CREEK POLICE DEPLOY TIRE STRIPS TO HALT

RUNAWAY CYCLIST

Operator likely to survive but faces intense grilling by membership and

likely lecture from Bike Marshal George

______________________________________________________________________



DISTRAUGHT SPOUSE RUSHES TO GARAGE AFTER CALL

FROM MT. DIABLO PARK RANGER

Relieved to find new Specialized Roubaix still hanging there

Then goes to hospital after finishing nails

______________________________________________________________________



CRITICAL EVIDENCE IN CRASH INVESTIGATION LOCATED

Missing Hybrid Bike turns up in home of Dan "Ambulance Chaser" Gold

______________________________________________________________________



LATEST CRAZE IN HIGH PERFORMANCE ROAD BIKE SOX

John Muir hospital knobbies shaving minutes off record times

Staff claims the time saved in ER on pre-bootied victims bound to save lives

______________________________________________________________________



WINDBREAKER FAILS TO DEPLOY DURING SCREAMING DESCENT

Jammed Zipper May be at fault

RIDER FORCED TO USE BODY PARTS TO SCRUB OFF SPEED

______________________________________________________________________



dateline Walnut Creek, CA 05/16/2005

Flat Knee, Shoulder, Elbow, Cheek, Tire and Bar Bob

(not necessarily drug free)

Who said cyclists didn't have a sense of humor !