Mountain - Plains - Out of commision for a while

On my ride commute home I was riding in the bike lane on Franklin heading north approaching Wash Park next to the school. A motorist pulled up next to me and took a right with me occupying the bike lane.
Suffice to say I went flying.

The end result was an ambulance ride to Denver Health and I met a few nice paramedics, nurses, and doctors. I was impressed with Denver Health.

Anyhow, my damage is as follows:
1) Left knee was opened to the fluid sacs the entire width of said knee. I have quite a few stitches.
Strangely enough, that does not hurt. If it does not hurt I am going to be worried.
2) Small road road rash on my right knee
3) Both palms are bruised badly. Thank goodness for gloves.
4) The small bone in my right arm is broken at the elbow. That is the one that hurts like a crazy.

It could have been much worse. At least my melon was unhurt.

Obviously, my century ride is canceled. :p

As for my fixed gear:
The car was parked on top of my front wheel. It is toast. My fork and the rest of the bike will need to be expected. That and my leg warmers are done for.
Once again, thank goodness it was not worse.

This incident threw my family for a loop. I have to seriously consider if I will restart commuting after I heal.
Knowing how stubborn I am, I expect eventually I will start riding to work again.

OMG DATA!!! NO! NO! NO!

Please let us know if you need anything, ANYTHING at all! I'm very sorry. I am very happy that your okay though. Your a tough cookie.

SO NEW BIKE RIGHT?? Start shopping :)

That just sucks. Sorry to hear that. Hope you heal quickly.

OUCH! :(

Heal fast, and I'll see you out on the road in a while. :)

Not sure about the bike. At the very least it needs some repairs. I would prefer to keep it.

I think I am just about bruised everywhere but it could have been worse.

Too bad this weather is so nice out.

Thanks for the well wishes!

Oh DataJunkie, that sucks! Glad you are ok-ish -- no head injury is a very good thing. Take care of yourself and don't make any decisions about your commute now. I was pretty freaked after I got hit, it took a while to feel normal in traffic again (well, near-normal) - so just take it slow and prepare to have some feelings about getting back on the bike.

Thanks valygrl. What happened with your hit? Did it take a long time to get comfortable again?

I think when I return I am going to pick up a mirror for commutes.

Oh and I forgot to mention that I was hit hard enough that my shoes unclipped and flew off my feet. That fact amuses me greatly. lol

Did the driver get a ticket?

Sorry to hear Junkie, right by my house too. Give your self some time, but keep riding. It took me 10 years to come back to biking after i was hit.

Thanks valygrl. What happened with your hit? Did it take a long time to get comfortable again?

I think when I return I am going to pick up a mirror for commutes.

Oh and I forgot to mention that I was hit hard enough that my shoes unclipped and flew off my feet. That fact amuses me greatly. lol

Ugh. One of my shoes (Shimano SPD Sandal) stayed attached to the pedal, but the upper sheared halfway off the sole. I pretty much only had a head injury - everything else was very minor. The concussion was pretty bad, though, I was out for a while, and got helicoptered to the ER.

The mirror is a good thing. http://www.rei.com/product/736839 this one has great visibility, doesn't interfere with any hand position (although you do want gloves), and takes about 1 second to install/remove, with no permanent hardware.

It took me a while to be comfortable with any sort of traffic. I just felt scared for a few months. For a while, I just rode by myself, so that any weirdness I was feeling wasn't imposed on other people, and so I could have total control of my riding position on the street - with others sometimes I had to do things to keep with the group that i didn't want to do, like roll thru yellow lights. I still look behind me a lot more, and take evasive action very proactively. I use big arm waves to make sure people about to pull out of driveways/side streets see me. I try really hard not to ride next to cars when there are driveways - I'll sacrifice my momentum to keep out of the right-hook zone. I don't do the thing I was doing when I got hit, which was making a left turn across a big road, I stood in the middle two-way turn lane (the suicide lane, haha) waiting for the 2nd side of the road to clear). Also, when I got hit, I was wearing all black. I was riding a touring bike with panniers, so I would have thought I was visible - almost as big as a motorcycle! - but apparently not. SO I don't wear all black anymore.

I have always been a pretty cautious rider, now even more so. But I'm mostly settled down. I think it took about a year, for me.

Busy streets with lots of parking lots are the worst - sounds like you got caught by the classic 'right-hook' which is obviously one of the big hazards of that type of street. Maybe you could find a longer/safer way to work?

Anyway, take care of your injuries, you'll be back in the saddle soon. My reaction probably doesn't have anything to do with what you feel - just let yourself work through it and be patient with yourself and your family, who are traumatized too.

take care...

Sorry for your injuries. Seems like this week is a bad week for riders (see http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=399345 ).

Take your time healing, physically as well as emotionally- when the time is right, you'll be back on the bike. My cousin suffered a life-changing concussion (no more contact sports) a few months back, and it is taking her a while to figure out her emotional well being when it comes to sports, even non-contact sports like kickball. But she's getting there, and isn't pushing herself- in the end, far healthier.

Ugh. One of my shoes (Shimano SPD Sandal) stayed attached to the pedal, but the upper sheared halfway off the sole. I pretty much only had a head injury - everything else was very minor. The concussion was pretty bad, though, I was out for a while, and got helicoptered to the ER.

The mirror is a good thing. http://www.rei.com/product/736839 this one has great visibility, doesn't interfere with any hand position (although you do want gloves), and takes about 1 second to install/remove, with no permanent hardware.

It took me a while to be comfortable with any sort of traffic. I just felt scared for a few months. For a while, I just rode by myself, so that any weirdness I was feeling wasn't imposed on other people, and so I could have total control of my riding position on the street - with others sometimes I had to do things to keep with the group that i didn't want to do, like roll thru yellow lights. I still look behind me a lot more, and take evasive action very proactively. I use big arm waves to make sure people about to pull out of driveways/side streets see me. I try really hard not to ride next to cars when there are driveways - I'll sacrifice my momentum to keep out of the right-hook zone. I don't do the thing I was doing when I got hit, which was making a left turn across a big road, I stood in the middle two-way turn lane (the suicide lane, haha) waiting for the 2nd side of the road to clear). Also, when I got hit, I was wearing all black. I was riding a touring bike with panniers, so I would have thought I was visible - almost as big as a motorcycle! - but apparently not. SO I don't wear all black anymore.

I have always been a pretty cautious rider, now even more so. But I'm mostly settled down. I think it took about a year, for me.

Busy streets with lots of parking lots are the worst - sounds like you got caught by the classic 'right-hook' which is obviously one of the big hazards of that type of street. Maybe you could find a longer/safer way to work?

Anyway, take care of your injuries, you'll be back in the saddle soon. My reaction probably doesn't have anything to do with what you feel - just let yourself work through it and be patient with yourself and your family, who are traumatized too.

take care...



Unfortunately, that route is low traffic and at 28 miles each way it is already long. However, I may have an alternative to the east that does not pass a school.

Concussion? Yikes.

I am glad my head did not take a hit. However, the whole thing is still a blur.
I am waiting for the police report to shed some light with the witness statement. There was another rider behind me.
Thank you for the advice. :)

Hate to hear this.

Heal quickly.

Thank goodness we detatch from our bikes without really thinking about it.

Oh, no! But like you mentioned, glad it wasn't your head. Hope you feel better as soon as possible. Your health is the most important thing here, but I have to admit that I'm curious about the police report.

Take care.

That is so *&%$@#& LAME! I hope you're feeling better soon. I almost got pegged the same way last sunday.

Get well soon. Great advice here about getting back into things slowly and thinking of your family's reaction as well. You might never be as comfortable on a bike as before but if so, that will only make you more careful, cautious and therefore safer.

Be careful out there everyone.

DJ = Pwned! :D

Just Kidding. I'm sorry that happened to you man! Let me know if you need anything. You know I'm here for you and I am just a stones throw away.

Thanks kevin.

I'm actually doing well considering. However, I do not have any feeling in my left knee. :(
My arm is so so.

Hope you recover fully, I am sorry to hear this. Get well!

If you can't feel it...whats the problem?

I was thinking nerve damage. Plus, the doctor at denver health said it would hurt like crazy after the meds they injected it with wore off. I don't really need feeling in my knee do I? :p

said it would hurt like crazy after the meds they injected it with wore off

Dude, the key to overcoming this is to never let the meds wear off:D

Sorry to hear about the accident, but thank god it was nothing worse, heal fast.

Good news. It now hurts like a mother fer. Or is that bad news?

Good news. It now hurts like a mother fer. Or is that bad news?

Good, in that it means your nerves might be coming back
Bad, in that it hurts like a mother fer
Good, in that you get to legally take drugs

2 out of 3 ain't bad.

w00t!

Anyhow, the motorist that hit me is now being reported in the denver court database as having a charge of reckless driving for 4 points pending.
Now if I can ever get the police report.

I'm glad you're still here. Man, it's such a fine line between what happened and what could've happened.

The good parts are that it's really nice to have a family to help with the healing and knowing that your body and mind are strong. You will certainly rise to your former self.

Have you thought of changing "Road Kill" to something else? It seems dangerously prophetic when considering this thread.

This incident threw my family for a loop. I have to seriously consider if I will restart commuting after I heal.
Knowing how stubborn I am, I expect eventually I will start riding to work again.

Sorry to hear about getting creamed but don't give up. Getting clobbered happens. It will probably happen only once so you are over that hump;)

You will probably have problems with situations that are similar (I still do and that was 27 years ago) but learn the lesson you were so painfully taught. You'll know what you have to do to control the situation in the future. You weren't to blame...the other guy was being stupid or irresponsible...but try to think of things you could have done so that it wouldn't happen.

My accident...a left turn across my path...left me much more aware of making eye contact and not assuming that I was seen. I now ride attuned to everything around me. Left turn? I look the person in the eye before I enter the intersection to make sure that they see me. Approaching cars from behind? I listen for the engine noise to change, either revving to get around me quicker or the sounds of slowing down to make the turn. A helmet mirror...if you don't already use one...is dorky but it does help;)

The knee will heal fairly quickly (glad to see that you have feeling back in it, mine has never come back). You head will take a little longer but just show it who's the boss!

I'm glad you're still here. Man, it's such a fine line between what happened and what could've happened.

The good parts are that it's really nice to have a family to help with the healing and knowing that your body and mind are strong. You will certainly rise to your former self.

Have you thought of changing "Road Kill" to something else? It seems dangerously prophetic when considering this thread.

Actually, I changed my title after the incident. Tis my strange sense of humor. :)

Thank you as well. :)

Sorry to hear about getting creamed but don't give up. Getting clobbered happens. It will probably happen only once so you are over that hump;)

You will probably have problems with situations that are similar (I still do and that was 27 years ago) but learn the lesson you were so painfully taught. You'll know what you have to do to control the situation in the future. You weren't to blame...the other guy was being stupid or irresponsible...but try to think of things you could have done so that it wouldn't happen.

My accident...a left turn across my path...left me much more aware of making eye contact and not assuming that I was seen. I now ride attuned to everything around me. Left turn? I look the person in the eye before I enter the intersection to make sure that they see me. Approaching cars from behind? I listen for the engine noise to change, either revving to get around me quicker or the sounds of slowing down to make the turn. A helmet mirror...if you don't already use one...is dorky but it does help;)

The knee will heal fairly quickly (glad to see that you have feeling back in it, mine has never come back). You head will take a little longer but just show it who's the boss!


From what I remember of a post you made of your incident, I am far more lucky. You took a heck of a hit. Plus, I only spent a few hours in the hospital.

I've learned a few things from this incident and will be adding a mirror. Due to how the right hook happened it may have helped but it may not have. However, my memory is a bit unclear as to what happened. Thank goodness for the witness.

From what I remember of a post you made of your incident, I am far more lucky. You took a heck of a hit. Plus, I only spent a few hours in the hospital.

I've learned a few things from this incident and will be adding a mirror. Due to how the right hook happened it may have helped but it may not have. However, my memory is a bit unclear as to what happened. Thank goodness for the witness.

A mirror, combined with your ears (no Ipods:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:) will give you a little warning.

Consider yourself somewhat lucky:rolleyes: that you can't remember much. Every accident I've been in is like a video tape in my head. I can...and, right now, am...run the damn thing in slow motion, stop action, reverse it, look at it from different angles, etc. and see all the gory (you should have seen my knee...http://www.depts.ttu.edu/communications/news/stories/images/raw-burger.jpgEwww!) detail. Even the drug induced fever dreams are still there.

Get better. Ride. Try to be good enough for the Pikes Peak Century.

Snowy called it. My fixed gear is toast.
I go through bikes faster than shoes.
My lord.

The mirror is a good thing. http://www.rei.com/product/736839 this one has great visibility, doesn't interfere with any hand position (although you do want gloves), and takes about 1 second to install/remove, with no permanent hardware.

I've got that same mirror with no complaints.

Ow! Good thing it wasn't worse than it was. Also good that the driver got charged with reckless driving.

You picked a good place to get hit, though. Denver Paramedics are awesome.

Sorry to hear about your accident. If the arm bone that was broken at the elbow was the "radial head", I know what that is like. I broke mine commuting a year ago. It took several months for the fractures to knit together ... but injuries do heal. I passed on PT and instead used yoga to get full range of motion back. The knee injury sounds troubling. Just be glad it didn't happen in NM. Motorists seem to get in more trouble for hitting a parked car or mail box than hitting a cyclist.

I was just thinking that the only way for the roads to become safer is if there are more cyclists mingling with motorists - as opposed to trying to keep us separated with bike lanes and paths. Motorists may change their behavior or at least become more aware of us. It's tough to be a martyr for the cause however.

Good luck.

(How do you like your Anthem? I just bought an 07 Anthem 1)

Ow! Good thing it wasn't worse than it was. Also good that the driver got charged with reckless driving.

You picked a good place to get hit, though. Denver Paramedics are awesome.

Heck yes. That and last year they had a RAAM team. When pwnt and I were riding erock we came up on a few riding in a group.

Sorry to hear about your accident. If the arm bone that was broken at the elbow was the "radial head", I know what that is like. I broke mine commuting a year ago. It took several months for the fractures to knit together ... but injuries do heal. I passed on PT and instead used yoga to get full range of motion back. The knee injury sounds troubling. Just be glad it didn't happen in NM. Motorists seem to get in more trouble for hitting a parked car or mail box than hitting a cyclist.

I was just thinking that the only way for the roads to become safer is if there are more cyclists mingling with motorists - as opposed to trying to keep us separated with bike lanes and paths. Motorists may change their behavior or at least become more aware of us. It's tough to be a martyr for the cause however.

Good luck.

(How do you like your Anthem? I just bought an 07 Anthem 1)


Thanks!
Yes, the doctor called it a radial head fracture. He told me it would be about 4-6 weeks for mine to heal. It is improving each day. The knee injury is so so but I am going to have one heck of a scar.
Anyhow, one week and I can start riding indoors on a trainer. Depending on the weather I may set it up outside on the lawn. Better view. :p

I don't have an anthem. Down to two bikes. 1 hardrock and 1 tarmac.

Of course, the amusing part of dealing with the insurance has begun. Need to decide on a lawyer or not. Personally, I would like to see how her insurance deals with things. I must chat with my family.

I wish you well and echo the sentiments of the previous posters.