WIPE OUT!

The weather in the Madison (WI) area has been beautiful the last several days - temps in the 70s and even low 80s.  Perfect for riding one's bicycle!  And I have been.  With the exception of Saturday, 3/17, I have ridden every day since March 4th.  Mostly these rides have been my bikecommute to work.  There have been a few rides with Olivia as well.  And a solo 25-mi ride.

So, on Sunday the 18th, I took off for a ride in the afternoon.  I was planning on being gone between 2-1/2 to 3 hours.  It was a great ride.  I ride through Madison all the way to Fitchburg before turning west to County M.  From there I head north to go home, via the bike path along Hwy 12 and then east on Hwy 19.

After 42 miles, I was back and about to turn right back into my neighborhood.  Almost home.  Ready to enjoy a cold beer as my reward.

An innocent looking intersection

And as I turned in, at about 15 mph (I'm guessing), I ran over some dirt, gravel, sand.  As I was leaning to the right.  Then I fel my bike wobble underneath me.  "OH SHIT! I'M GOING DOWN!" is all I thought.  I came back upright and then immediately went over on my left side.  Crashing into the pavement.  Landing on my shoulder and hip.  And I slid.  Not sure how far. 

Hidden in the open - dirt, sand, gravel in my path.

I came to a stop on my back.  I was yelling.  Ok, maybe screaming.  I remember that I was yelling but hadn't taken inventory of how I felt.  The first thing I noticed (besides the pain) was that my right foot was still clipped in. And I couldn't get it free of the pedal.

I heard some voices asking what hurt, how they could help, could they call anyone, where did I live, etc.  My eyes were closed.  I asked them to take my right shoe off.  They then moved the bike.  I had some road rash, I knew that.  My shoulder hurt the most.  My legs were ok.  My head fine.

Slowly I get my wits about me.  Two of the women who stopped to help then walked with me back to the house.  (The third was driving and went on her way.)  I wish I remembered their names!  THANK YOU!

I got home (it was about 5:30) and told Carol what had happened.  Then went up to shower.  (And yes, I did grab that cold beer.  But it wasn't as enjoyable as I was hoping it would be.)  Taking off the jersey hurt like hell.  But I was able to shower. 

Road rash visible.  Other injuries not so.

My daughter was at volleyball camp until 6:30.  We decided that we'd go to the ER after we picked up Olivia.  My range of motion was limited.  After x-rays, I was given a pain killer and a sling.  No breaks.  Just a sprained shoulder.  *WHEW!*  And we went home, getting there at about 9:00.

At about midnight, the hospital called.  It was the radiologist.  They had re-examined my pics and identified two cracked ribs.  That explains the pain whenever I took a deep breath.

So today, I am at home.  Resting.  Recovering.  Not sure when I can get back in the saddle.  Next week, hopefully.  At least for bikecommuting.  Next long road ride?  We'll have to see.

Either way, I'll need a new helmet.  I didn't think I hit my head, but the helmet has multiple cracks in it.  I must've banged my head after I landed on my shoulder.  Looking at the damage, I wonder how the cranium would've withstood the impact.

Cracked

Lesson confirmed: WEAR YOUR HELMET!

The bike itself - my good road bike - came through it relatively unscathed.  I have to adjsut the brake lever.  Since I landed on the left side, the deraileurs were saved.  There were but a few new scratches. So that's a win.  (How's that for finding a silver lining for that grey cloud?)