[road]

Hi… I used to post several years ago about riding in London, under a long forgotten user name. I’m back now with a tale about my recent crash. I’m hoping that some of you will find this useful, and if I help one of you avoid a crash, it will have been worth it. I’m hoping the responses won’t turn into a referendum on the state of the NHS, from whom I received good care. 

I crashed on 9th December 2021, at lunchtime, on a left hand downhill bend less than a mile from home. I was already thinking about my my hot tea and a sandwich. Mistake number one. When riding, think about riding, not what you’re going to do next. The weather was dry and bright, though there were some damp patches on the roads. I was riding my “e” gravel bike on new 38mm gravel tyres. I was clipped in to MTB pedals, which I’ve been using for years. I approached the bend, and braked on the straight, releasing the brakes to enter the bend, with the inside pedal up, and ready to drive my weight through the outside leg. Now… I was either still “hot” speed wise, and/or there was leaf litter and/or a damp patch right on the bend. In any event, the result was that as soon as I drove my weight through my outside leg, things went badly wrong. Both wheels began sliding towards the outside of the bend, assisted by the down hill slope. I instantly knew I was in massive unfixable trouble. The bike crashed down onto it’s left side with me underneath it. I smashed into the roadway with a heavy impact along my whole left side. My helmet hit the ground, either in the first impact, or when I bounced and slid along the road. Either way, there’s a nasty dent in it, and it clearly saved me from a serious head wound, or something far worse. So, NEVER ride without a helmet. 

Anyway… The force of the impact had unclipped me, and I was aware I was lying in the middle of the road. I tried to move, but realised several things weren’t working properly. Fortunately a couple of cars had stopped, though we were all in a dangerous spot. Some kind person called an ambulance, which I initally tried to say I didn’t need. Another mistake. If you are lying on the ground post crash, and your arms or legs aren’t working properly, you need an ambulance. The police arrrived, and various other people with blankets and hot water bottles, very welcome. The police did their best to hurry the ambulance up, and also warn and slow the passing traffic. There was still a long wait for the ambulance, which I would say is unavoidable in these currrent times. Another reason to avoid crashing in the first place of course. When the crew arrived, they were excellent. I was moved into the ambulance with every care and consideration, by which time I realised I’d done a fairly comprehenisive job of damaging myself.

Cut to A&E some time and a CT scan later, plus a fairly hefty dose of morphine. I was told I had cracked 5 ribs and my pelvis, and a small bone called the sacrum at the base of my spine. Plus some major bruising and gravel rash, despite wearing 2 layers of winter clothing. I was hospitalised for a week, before being sent home with strong painkillers and a walking frame, with instructions not to bear weight on the bad side of the pelvis until I’d been seen again in outpatients. 

I am very fortunate in that I took early retirement in 2017 and receive an occupational pension, so my income won’t be affected. I’m also very fortunate that a vehicle wasn’t coming the other way when I crashed, as I could easily have slid into it’s path and been killed. I’m hobbling about at home now, counting my blessings, as well as my bruises. PLEASE concentrate on your ride, be aware of all road conditions and potential hazards, WEAR A HELMET ALWAYS, tell someone where you’re riding, and roughtly when you expect to be back. If the worst happens, accept help if it is offered, and get a proper medical checkup. If I had tried to get up, I could have done worse damage to my pelvis or spine. Don’t play the macho man (or lady!) And most of all, don’t crash!  Regards and safe riding…   

Topic

[TheBillder]

wtjs wrote:

wtjs wrote:

tell someone where you’re riding, and roughly when you expect to be back

Oh dear! Not this again (usually, it’s in connection with mountaineering or even walking). An alternative view is: don’t ever do that, as I have never done.

I completely fail to see why not doing this is of any benefit at all. If you think you might be safer, or if someone you care about wants to know, then tell them. Costs nothing and might at least add domestic harmony. It’s unlikely to save your life but probably has a positive cost benefit case.

You remind me of the “helmets make you less safe” argument. I don’t agree with it but do see what the idea is, in contrast to your point here.

[FatAndFurious]

I’ll see your “Black Ice” and

I’ll see your “Black Ice” and raise you “Worn smooth manhole cover on apex of corner after the roads have been gritted”.

Superfluid helium is stickier than that.

 

[captain_slog]

Ouch! Glad to hear you’re on

Ouch! Glad to hear you’re on the mend and best wishes for a quick and full recovery.

[chrisonabike]

Alternatively – you shouldn’t

Alternatively – you shouldn’t have to do this any more than you probably don’t if you walk to the shops, or drive to the tip. (On average most of my time on a bike is probably spend in mundane / transportational activities). Or indeed wear a helmet for said activities.

But maybe it’s more helpful to examine the reasons people feel that they need to, or that others should. And be open about / tolerant of such decision-making not being driven by “facts” or an examination of risk probabilities. I believe this is rarely the case in human affairs, we go with our heuristics which include a strong social component (e.g. what others are doing / how we want to appear to others).

[wtjs]

tell someone where you’re

tell someone where you’re riding, and roughly when you expect to be back

Oh dear! Not this again (usually, it’s in connection with mountaineering or even walking). An alternative view is: don’t ever do that, as I have never done.

[Captain Badger]

Get well soon dude, hope you

Get well soon dude, hope you’re back on your bike before long

[Kapelmuur]

I’d like to add ‘beware black

I’d like to add ‘beware black ice’ to the warning.

Shortly before the pandemic I set off on a cold morning, temperatures had been around zero during the night but my garden thermometer showed 5C when I left the house.

The first corner I came to looked wet, but it was black ice and I came down heavily on my left hip.   The pain was bad enough to make me feel sick and I couldn’t put any weight on my left leg.

When the paramedics came they manipulated the leg which was excruciating and cheerfully advised that if the hip was broken I would have passed out with the pain.

Xrays proved them right, it was ligament damage and severe bruising.   Nevertheless I was on crutches for 5 weeks.

Now I ride my turbo when temperatures are below 8C.

[hawkinspeter]

Best wishes on a full and

Best wishes on a full and speedy recovery

[Grahamd]

Thanks for sharing, wish you

Thanks for sharing, wish you all the best in making a full and speedy recovery.

 

[chrisonabike]

Thanks for putting up your

Thanks for putting up your story. Pleased to hear you’re on the mend and I hope that this doesn’t stop you cycling. (Depending on medical advice – but there are a range of options which pretty much allow everyone to get on some wheels now).

That does seem to be a pretty comprehensive set of injuries for a slide!  However I’m aware that awkward falls can do a surprising amount of damage.

I’m hoping the responses won’t turn into a referendum on the state of the NHS

More likely is that people will be discussing helmets!

[Author]

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