Is as bad as it sounds. Last Wednesday, whilst cycling at 30mph down hill, I “fell” off my bike (I actually never left my bike, so we both fell). It happened as I was pulling out from the road shoulder (which is covered in pot holes, manhole covers etc.) onto the road. My wheel got stuck in the canyon between road and shoulder, I tipped over and slide maybe 30 ft down the hill on my side, bike still clipped to my shoes. Fortunately there were no cars coming.
Bike is mostly fine, scuffed the handle bars and hoods. Bent the fender a little. Nothing that cannot be fixed.
Me, I suffered from Road Rash. Road Rash is caused by road scrubbing away your skin (having first scrubbed away your protective clothing) as you slide along it. What is surreal, is when you are sliding down the road, you feel like everything is not only slowed down, but life got switched into BluRay 1080p mode, I can probably tell you how many leaves were on the trees – everything was crystal clear.
After un-clicking my feet and picking myself up i carried my bike to the side of the road. By this time a few drivers had appeared and asked if I was ok and did I need a ride anywhere. Thanks to all those that stopped. And sorry I didn’t need a ride, but my bike doesn’t fit in your Yaris. Super Duper Thanks to Tina from the ProClub, who had a nice truck to pop my bike in and carry me home. I do hope I didn’t leave too much of me inside.
Called Kate with the dreaded “I’m fine, but I’ve just fell off my bike”. She came home, and dragged me to the ER, where they removed the road and clothing from my road rash using the good ole saline scrub. Let me tell you, that hurts like nothing else.
When you crash anything and you are a MAN, you go into denial. No, it’s not that bad, yes I’m fine. Only after a few days do you realize how not fine you were, and that yes falling off your bike and getting road rash is a big f’in deal. Funny, they never show the bit on die hard where John puts his head in his hands and thinks “Wow”.
I’ve ordered again all the clothing that was ruined. Along with a new helmet. My wounds are healing nicely, and my aim is to go for a short ride at the weekend and all being well, start commuting again next week.
Here are some pictures of me and clothing with holes in.
