First major crash

[DrBee]

Yep. I've had my first crash. I was heading home after doing a 31 mile ride (my longest yet) and as I was coming out of the park, I see a truck heading towards me on my side of the road. I mean - like - leaving me maybe 1ft of road on my side. I had nowhere to go! So - I tried to go as far over as I could and slipped off the edge (which was an 8-10inch drop). Somehow (I'm not real clear on this part), I ended up with major road rash on my left knee and down my leg and scrapes and cuts on my left leg. I ended up on my back (not sure if my head hit or not) and the bike on top of me. GDS drivers!

Damage:
-saddle was twisted sideways
-chain came off
-left side of handlebar is bent in
-handlebar tape is torn through and the metal on the handlebar is scraped.
-numerous scrapes on bike
-brakes look bent up and have sharp parts

That's just from a cursory look. I'm heading to the LBS on Monday. The woman jumped out of her truck, apologized after I vented a bit and then helped me put the chain back on and offered to pay for any damages. At least there's that.

Geez the biggest patch on my knee is about 2" across or so. It hurt sooooo bad when I put peroxide on it! Now I'm heading to the shower. That ought to be fun. I'm guessing I'll be feeling more of this as the day goes on.

[Selkie]

Holy Smokes. Thank goodness you are OK and didn't end up under her truck.

[DrBee]

Yeah - I went the only place I could go - off the road. Thankfully I was wearing the helmet. I'm still shaking a bit. All I see is that truck (big truck) coming towards me.

My daugter (4) said I should have had my kneepads on.

[Selkie]

You got your first crash out of the way, so chances of it happening again any time soon are slim. Treat yourself extra good today, ok?

[Duck on Wheels]

Ohmygosh, fishdr! Get well quick!
Oh, and when you're over the worst, remember to congratulate yourself on having taken that dive rather than freezing up in front of the truck. Sounds like it was the right way to go at that moment.

[Brina]

gosh, how scary, hope you heal quickly. sorry about the damage to the bike, but glad to hear the trucker is taking responsiblity for it.

[slinkedog]

Fish! Thank goodness you're not more severely injured! I'm so sorry this happened to you. Let us know how you're doing.

[DrBee]

Thank you all for the well wishes. I really appreciate it!

Hopefully this DOESN't happen again for a long long time. I'm going to take it easy today.

I have an awesome looking bruise/scrape (but no blood) on the inside of my right thigh just above the knee that is about 4 x 3 inches that I didn't see before. That's going to be really ugly as it develops. I have a whopper of a headache, too. Somehow my arms and hands fared well. Good think I was wearing gloves.

I'm still a bit shaky and stiffening by the minute. I'm going to go eat something. I had my chocolate milk recovery drink. I need to find some comfort food around here.

I had to laugh when I was in the shower when I thought of this- when the woman asked if I was okay, all ll I could say was "I'm not worried about me - I'm worried about the bike!". It really is all about the bike, isn't it?

[DrBee]

Just called the bike shop - they said they will do their best to fix it the same day since I have to drive 2 hrs to get there. This is a really great shop! I'm heading there on Monday.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I'm glad to hear that you're (mostly) OK. Hopefully the bruises will heal quickly, and your shop will be able to restore your bike for you.

If you're not sure if you hit your head - but your head hurts - I would assume that you did hit your head. While you're at the bike shop next week, I'd recommend getting a new helmet.

Healing wishes are soaring towards you.
--- Denise

[mtkitchn]

Wow, fishdr. I sure hate reading that another person has had another accident due to some irresponsible person behind the wheel. Makes me see red. It happens so often that my face is permanently red.
Glad you are mostly okay and hope you get the bike fixed good as new!

[RoadRaven]

Wow Fish... glad you are ok, the potential for more damage to both you and your steed was considerable...

Pleased also that you had a sympathetic and responsible driver - not someone who didn't bother to stop let alone pay for damages.

Like Denise says, check that helmet really well... I'd suggest replacing it regardless... get the driver to pay for the new one.

Take care and wishing you quick healing.

[maillotpois]

Oh Lainie what a huge bummer!!

On the positive side now that your first crash is out of the way, and you are basically (I hope) fine, it shouldn't see like such a big deal to crash.

Take it easy - do some ibuprofen or something. You will most likely have some sore muscles, probably tomnorrow. Pay attention to that and if anything seems to hurt more than you think it should, get yourself checked out. Pay particular attention to back pain or any pain radiating into arms/legs.

Ditto what others have said on the helmet - it should be replaced and she should pay for it. It may be damaged in an area where the outer shell doesn't allow you to see the compression of the inner foam stuff.

Road rash stinks. I advise leaving things open (not bandaided) to let it air out better. I have gone both ways and as long as it is not super deep, you are better off letting in breathe and dry out.

Take care of yourself. Comfort food and a quiet afternoon of R&R are in order.

[DrBee]

Thanks for the well wishes. I'm wiped out today. I've taken Aleve which seems to be helping a bit. Still have the headache lurking and I am definitely achy. Knees hurt and I'm still a little shaky.

Sarah - I'm keeping a close eye on how I feel. I'm the type of person that can tell if anything is even slightly out of whack with my body - so I'm paying extra close attention today and tomorrow. Good advice. And I have left the road rash open to dry. Wow it stings!

I took a nap - I NEVER do that! Mr. Fish bought me a frozen mocha thing from BaskinRobbins and I asked for a Mrs.Smith's French Silk Pie and he actually bought one! I never buy prepped desserts - but I wanted it!

I am definitely going to replace the helmet and have her pay for it. I had a little ding in the outer shell (from dropping it on the floor) that is now over an inch long (wasn't that way when I left this morning). Scary.

I still can't remember exactly how I fell - that's driving me crazy! All I can see is the bumper and tires, the ledge on the side of the road and then the bike coming down on top of me. I can't figure out how the inside of my legs got so torn up. Wierd.

Heading outside to wrangle the kids.

Thanks so much - Your well wishes make me feel so much better!

[Duck on Wheels]

Forgetfullness is a very useful trick our minds have to help us get over traumas. My guess is you remember the bike falling down on you because by then your mind had already realized that you'd survived the fall yourself; the most traumatic bit was over.

As for the headache and the need to nap, the thought has probably already struck you that you may have a concussion. You do have that big ding in the helmet that you don't remember getting, so you must have hit your noggin at some point. Recalling the advice my mom told me she got when I tipped my high chair backwards and hit my hed against a cabinet, sleep may be all you need to heal it. As Mom tells is, I slept 36 hours straight back then, until my mom phoned the doctor again and he said "wake her up!". So if Mr. Fish thinks you've slept too long and you still have that headache, or if you get nauseous, or just in general if you're not feeling better by tomorrow, you should maybe go to the ER and get checked out. In fact, you might want to do that anyway just to document the injuries for insurance purposes.