Humanity? I crashed my mtn bike

[vash]

Sorry, I’m in too much pain to find the other related thread.

Yesterday, I had two choices. Take nap before a bbq party OR take fast mtn bike route, quick showers and then BBQ party. ( I went as far to put a real pillow on the couch)
I chose poorly.

So I’m riding up a trail. I wasp flies into my face and I swat it with my left hand. Front tire hits a rock and I slam earth. This rock was on a short 100’ downhill so I was going fast. I wanted to get to the top,to meet a new friend. The instant pain was insane; I immediately do the hard breathing + moaning for a few minutes. Then I just curl up and try to breath. I’m bleeding and covered with dirt and twigs.

I chit you not; two or three bikers ride past me without a word. I was too weak and tired to utter anything useful. I laid there until someone helpful came along. He did. He made sure I could move and checked out my bike. Earlier right after the crash I had tried to text my friend at the top.

My text looked like: hep m dwn crush pan. . Pretty funny actually.

The guy helps me on my bike and points me downhill. He offered to escort me down but I declined. Not sure he would have enjoyed my constant lecturing on why he should be wearing a helmet. MINE SAVED MY LIFE probably. Save the quality of my life for sure.

I pedal slow down the hill. Bleeding from the knees. Face like hamburger. Nobody even noticed from the groups coming up. One guy even insisted on his right of way. Haha.

It took an immeasurable amount of time yo get to my truck. I watch my left knee ballon up. Pain at every pedal stroke. The stories of guys clawing miles out of the forest injured; that won’t be me.

I get to the truck and a guy pedals back and looks at me. He does a loop and comes back. He helped me put my bike on the rack and helped me in the truck.

I drove home so slow. Cars honking at me as they passed. My middle finger luckily was unhurt. I pull up and my wife took one look and drive to me the ER.

I got X-ray
I got a head CT
I got wound care. no stitches.its Strawberry season on my body.

And I got painkillers and a muscle relaxer. I’ve been in big car accidents and the pain is similar. Whiplash etc.

I’m okay. From now on. ALL THE GEAR ALL THE TIME! That means a new helmet and I will wear my elbow pads and knee pads 100%.

The doctor looked at my body impact points and told me wearing that helmet was the best decision. I haven’t looked at it yet. It’s way over there in my truck.

I’m shocked people didn’t stop. Totally shocked. They had to pick a route between me and my bike. . Oh well.

[Jandrews]

Dang, sorry to hear that! I like reading about your mountain bike rides.

That sounds like a hard hit! A stark reminder of how quickly things can go south. Simply removing one hand from the bars at the wrong time and an unrecoverable incident strikes! That laying on the ground gasping for breath and moaning is unfortunately familiar and not fun.

I am 53 and ride fairly hard and fast for my age. Things happen. I came around a semi-blind corner fast and there was a tall root in the middle of the trail. I glanced off it veering my bike to the left, which caused my left bar to hit a big tree. The rest is blurry except for going down a rocky hillside on my back. Helmet took a hard it, and my back was saved from big, sharp rocks by my Camelback which was full of water! That was about 6 months ago, and my knee still isn't right.

Just last weekend, I was about 4 miles into some good singletrack, way down at the bottom, of course, 95 degrees out, and my seat post clamp bolt broke! That was a long standing ride/walk back to the 4Runner.

Don't get discouraged. Keep riding. People suck more than anybody. I ride alone and prefer it that way, but situations like this are a good and timely reminder. Heal fast, and get back out there.

JA

[Jandrews]

By the way, I wear helmet, knee pads, elbow pads and good thin Klim gloves 100% of the time. And that's great, but I am actually contemplating MORE gear, like a freaking motocross chest/spine (roost) guard, full shin guards, and a full face helmet!! Where does it end??

JA

[pwd72s]

Perish the thought, but just perhaps you've reached the age where one should look into recreation that carries less risk of injury?

Naw, can't be that...

[onewhippedpuppy]

Dude, that sucks! Heavy on the drugs and get better soon.

[look 171]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, Vash but how the bike?

Hey man, I am glad is only skin and a few sores, nothing broke or badly injured. At our age, it only get worst with every fall. Some of my old injuries from whitewater rafting and bicycle accidents are slowly coming to haunt me.

You go and get well soon, bud. Happy 4th

[Jandrews]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Perish the thought, but just perhaps you've reached the age where one should look into recreation that carries less risk of injury?

Naw, can't be that...

I hear you, and I think you are MOSTLY right, but where is that line between smart/safe and loss of adventure? I also ride a KTM 525 off road fairly aggressively, and had a nasty crash about 3 years ago that broke my tailbone (still numb in about a 5 inch radius). That was a wake-up call for me. I was 50 years old, and am not as flexible and nimble as I used to be. I also heal slower, and have much more to lose (kids, work, great life, etc...).

So, I have dialed the crazy back significantly, but I do perish the thought of giving up physical adventure. I think the key is knowing the right limits, which is harder for some than it sounds.

JA

[A930Rocket]

It’s amazing what people will do. Good to hear you’re more or less in one piece.

Reminds me of when I was riding by myself late in the day, going full out on my Yamaha 250 in the national forest over some whoop-de-dos (sp?). Went off trail and hit a tee. After bouncing off the tree, I hit the ground hard. It felt like my helmet was on sideways and I was seeing stars. I lay there for several minutes while getting my shyt together.

Luckily, I was wearing all the right gear, but my neck and back were in bad shape. I had to pick my bike up and ride it in 1st gear for miles to get back to the staging area. Loaded everything up, went home and then the ER.

I’m still hurting 18 years later.

Be careful out there!

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by Jandrews

I hear you, and I think you are MOSTLY right, but where is that line between smart/safe and loss of adventure? I also ride a KTM 525 off road fairly aggressively, and had a nasty crash about 3 years ago that broke my tailbone (still numb in about a 5 inch radius). That was a wake-up call for me. I was 50 years old, and am not as flexible and nimble as I used to be. I also heal slower, and have much more to lose (kids, work, great life, etc...).

So, I have dialed the crazy back significantly, but I do perish the thought of giving up physical adventure. I think the key is knowing the right limits, which is harder for some than it sounds.

JA

Aye, that's the rub...when is when? I will confess to missing many of those things I used to do. But once one passes three score and ten...

[vash]

No way. They even invented E-bikes just so I n-can ride into my golden years.

I’m buying more body padding. Today. Just looked at my helmet. I almost stared crying. That thing really saved me.

I’m not dying from some illness that resulted from a sedentary life.

[Evans, Marv]

It's great you came through without anything major & hope you don't suffer anything long term. Also glad you're determined to continue instead of sprouting from becoming a couch potato. I couldn't ever pass someone up in that kind of situation, but I'm not surprised so many passed you by. It seems that's the way people are now. Hang in there & keep on kickin.

[fanaudical]

There used to be a "code" among bicyclists: You see a fellow cyclist down or in need of repair and you at least slow down to offer help. I still do. I'm sorry to hear so many others don't.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Aye, that's the rub...when is when? I will confess to missing many of those things I used to do. But once one passes three score and ten...

Ok Minnesota...Now you just hang out in a smoke filled Pool Hall with a bottle of beer in one hand and a cigarette hanging from your lips...

[Jandrews]

What kind of helmet were you wearing, Cliff?

JA

[rwest]

Heal quickly Vash- I bet the trail looked worse than you after you got through with it.

[Don Plumley]

Glad to hear you've survived. Replace the helmet, they are single-crash devices. Ouch.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by tabs

Ok Minnesota...Now you just hang out in a smoke filled Pool Hall with a bottle of beer in one hand and a cigarette hanging from your lips...

LOL! Ahhhh. the good old days. Alas, The Cue ball is a no smoking, no booze place. Now you have me curious...I wonder how far one walks during a four hour pool playing session? Also quite a bit of stretching and bending.

[vash]

Originally Posted by Jandrews

What kind of helmet were you wearing, Cliff?

JA

It’s Kali. I’m buying the exact same one again.

[sammyg2]

LOL i used to ride a mountain bike when I was quite a bit younger.
Quite a bit younger being the key phrase

Things didn't break as easily and healed faster back then.
Hope you do to.

[vash]

I’ll heal quick. I’m almost like Wolverine.