my first crash

[SHOwned]

yesterday, i was on a short ride to sprint a bit and stretch my legs. i went down on a hill doing about 38mph on the road where some loose gravel was piled up. i broke the fall w/ my forearm and rolled as well to avoid getting too torn up, but i have massive amounts of road rash on my left arm, left hip and leg. i also shattered my collar bone. I weigh 235 so there was a lot of force involved in this crash. i was wearing my helmet. i will not swear that it saved my life and was a miracle, but it did help me avoid facial abrasions and a split skull. my riding clothes were trashed. I need a new rear wheel, rear derailuer hanger, new bar tape, and to re-position my shifters. i will examine my fork further and my front wheel. i cannot ride for 6 weeks. i am considering getting a trainer so i can ride up-right w/o resting weight on my arm. yesterday was a terrible day. i spent 6 hours in the emergency room by myself. i was worried about my bike. it was picked up by the police when the emt's arrived. i will heal, it just takes time.:(

[ohmyggg]

Wow, sorry to hear that. I wish you the best in your recovery.

[SHOwned]

Wow, sorry to hear that. I wish you the best in your recovery.

thanks. they gave me some percocet and vicodin...so i'll just make due as best i can. I guess its better to get a crash out of the way now when i'm younger(21) and i heal faster then if i was 40. I think i'll take it easier for now and from this point on. i'd really hate to get really hurt.

[markhr]

Damn, that sucks dude. Good luck with the healing and get back on your bike asap.

[keithm0]

What he ^^^^ said. Good luck, and heal well.

[Wogsterca]

yesterday, i was on a short ride to sprint a bit and stretch my legs. i went down on a hill doing about 38mph on the road where some loose gravel was piled up. i broke the fall w/ my forearm and rolled as well to avoid getting too torn up, but i have massive amounts of road rash on my left arm, left hip and leg. i also shattered my collar bone. I weigh 235 so there was a lot of force involved in this crash. i was wearing my helmet. i will not swear that it saved my life and was a miracle, but it did help me avoid facial abrasions and a split skull. my riding clothes were trashed. I need a new rear wheel, rear derailuer hanger, new bar tape, and to re-position my shifters. i will examine my fork further and my front wheel. i cannot ride for 6 weeks. i am considering getting a trainer so i can ride up-right w/o resting weight on my arm. yesterday was a terrible day. i spent 6 hours in the emergency room by myself. i was worried about my bike. it was picked up by the police when the emt's arrived. i will heal, it just takes time.:(

Ouch, man you gotta hate when this crap happens, especially as riding season is just getting started, you want to start physiotherapy as soon as your doc says you can, to get everything moving again, because they don't cast collarbones, they often put you in a sling instead, make sure you keep your hand and elbow mobile, as they can get stiff if not used. Even f you do most of your own bike repair, I would have it looked at by a good mechanic, it's easy to do damage you don't see until later on, that a good mechanic will see right away,

[landshark1]

I too had a spill this week, though it seems I faired a little better off due me being older and slower :-). I hit some mud that seemed as slick as ice. I have the road rash, a black eye, stitches, but no broken bones. My bike was not damaged, but I tore a jersey/gloves/tights and cracked my sunglasses and helmet.

I wish you a speedy recovery!

[CastIron]

Road rash is awful. Take care of it like a burn. But, you and your bike will recover.
Second time I went down hard, I landed in the ER (again). I've been in most of 'em around here getting patched up for various reasons, but this time I got the truly hawt nurse. She then went about debriding my wounds including picking pea gravel out of kneecap. The local anesthetic didn't work and I no longer cared what she looked like. Damn that hurts.

[Tom Stormcrowe]

All I can say is OUCH! Sorry to read about the crash :(

Get better soon and take care of yourself. Be happy you didn't crash at some of the DH speeds I've dropped a hill at....55+MPH!

[v1k1ng1001]

Wow, that sucks. I've only ever crashed on the road bike twice, and both times I was moving fairly slowly. I've taken a lot of hard falls on the mtb, but that is not the same either. :(

A trainer is one way of coping with the problem but another might be to cross train. Spend the next month or so running, swimming or lifting?

[SHOwned]

i have a small scrape in my carbon seat stay....but i doubt this would cause a catastrophic crash if it ever failed. its like barely in the top coat. my fork is fine. my rear chainstay is tweaked just slightly where the rear der. hanger attaches, but the wheel still slips right in and spins straight.

and about cross training... i already lift and i'm bummed cause i can't lift upper body at all, and i hate running. what really upsets me is that this was my first real bike...and i wrecked it. i could barely afford it when i bought it along w/ all the other cycling stuff i had to buy...and i was just getting up to riding like 15miles a day and i really liked it. for the first time in like the past 3 years,i was actually enjoying what i was doing...going to the gym everyday, riding my bike. I mean, i'm still single after 3 years, but at least i was happier with where things were going. Things go well for like 2 months and then all of a sudden, this happens. It just makes me really sad since i was enjoying it so much...and i dont know if i can afford to fix it right now and get a trainer so i can still spin and keep what i've gained. :(

[BrooklynRider]

A shattered collar bone is nasty. Hope you heal quickly. Don't be so eager to get riding this early. Very Gladiator, but you can make up for lost time better if you allow time to heal things like shattered collar bones! The collarbone is the most common cycling break, FWIW.

Take your time healing and you can really train hard by June! Resist the urge to train now... Your bones need the Calcium more than your fast twitch. Don't push it.

Best of healing.

http://stlbiking.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php?t4435.html
Note the first guys comments who was on a trainer in 12 days. His bone never healed... Nor did his bonehead.... Take your time, go for some walks and let the thing heal.

[SHOwned]

thanks. i really hope my bike is ok. I know i will heal, but i'm still worried about the bike. I don't have much money and i already put a lot of extra money into the sport. i mean, i wouldn't be able to get the bike fixed for the next few weeks anways... but having a trainer anyway would let me ride when the weather is crappy. I really liked it too. I'm just sad that it has to end. I just got the bike this year too.

edit: thanks so much for the link. that gives me hope for a good recovery...and the doctor said it looked decent too...pretty normal. thankfully.

[Tom Stormcrowe]

Have it checked. Also check on your warranty. There may well be a frame replacement policy for crashes, since there is CF involved in the construction....even for crash damage. You just got the bike this year, right? I know Trek has a policy like that with their CF stock,or at least did.

i have a small scrape in my carbon seat stay....but i doubt this would cause a catastrophic crash if it ever failed. its like barely in the top coat. my fork is fine. my rear chainstay is tweaked just slightly where the rear der. hanger attaches, but the wheel still slips right in and spins straight.

and about cross training... i already lift and i'm bummed cause i can't lift upper body at all, and i hate running. what really upsets me is that this was my first real bike...and i wrecked it. i could barely afford it when i bought it along w/ all the other cycling stuff i had to buy...and i was just getting up to riding like 15miles a day and i really liked it. for the first time in like the past 3 years,i was actually enjoying what i was doing...going to the gym everyday, riding my bike. I mean, i'm still single after 3 years, but at least i was happier with where things were going. Things go well for like 2 months and then all of a sudden, this happens. It just makes me really sad since i was enjoying it so much...and i dont know if i can afford to fix it right now and get a trainer so i can still spin and keep what i've gained. :(

[SHOwned]

i bought it used...It had maybe 3 miles on it...or may have just been a shop bike that never sold. its a 2006 model, and i know i cant get it replaced. I dont have a warranty. :( I found the bike after a lot of searching, it was perfect, fit great, had no marks on it, and no dirt in the chain... I really liked it, and if its un-rideable because of this crash, i'm going to have to quit cycling. I cant afford another bike or another frame.

[Wogsterca]

i have a small scrape in my carbon seat stay....but i doubt this would cause a catastrophic crash if it ever failed. its like barely in the top coat. my fork is fine. my rear chainstay is tweaked just slightly where the rear der. hanger attaches, but the wheel still slips right in and spins straight.

and about cross training... i already lift and i'm bummed cause i can't lift upper body at all, and i hate running. what really upsets me is that this was my first real bike...and i wrecked it. i could barely afford it when i bought it along w/ all the other cycling stuff i had to buy...and i was just getting up to riding like 15miles a day and i really liked it. for the first time in like the past 3 years,i was actually enjoying what i was doing...going to the gym everyday, riding my bike. I mean, i'm still single after 3 years, but at least i was happier with where things were going. Things go well for like 2 months and then all of a sudden, this happens. It just makes me really sad since i was enjoying it so much...and i dont know if i can afford to fix it right now and get a trainer so i can still spin and keep what i've gained. :(

You need to get the frame and fork checked, the real issue with CF is it likes to hide damage that can severely weaken the material, until it decides to fail, the last thing you want to do is crash before everything is completely healed, because a CF component failed. Yeah you lose some training, but you can get that back fairly quickly, once everything has healed up nicely. Make sure the docs and physiotherapist know your into cycling, and lifting, they may change the program slightly so that you can get back into it.

[SHOwned]

i will def get it checked. id really prefer not to go over the bars b/c my fork goes kaput.

[unixpro]

That was your first crash? Man, you don't fool around, do you?

Seriously, though, take it easy and don't push the rehab too hard. It will only make the recovery period longer and more painful. Trust me.

[SHOwned]

^^lol, i guess not. I never tipped the bike either getting in or out of the pedals after stopping. First time down was hard. I plan on giving my body the time it needs and listening to it. I made the mistake of ignoring an ankle sprain a few years ago. still no good.

[Halthane]

What kind of bike was it? As Tom said most Manufacturers have very good crash replacement plans, will cost some, but less than a skull fracture...

[Barabus]

I know a woman who slipped while riding across some, water. Broke her jaw in three places and had her face wired shut. Husband of 28 years left her before her jaw was fixed due to his own issues. Dauther moved across country and then this woman was laid off. All in three months! In her words,"I just take it day by day."

I rode with her yesterday and we had a great ride.

[troutbreath]

Wow. That stinks. Best of luck in your recovery!

[SHOwned]

What kind of bike was it? As Tom said most Manufacturers have very good crash replacement plans, will cost some, but less than a skull fracture...

its a 2006 jamis ventura elite... i got it for half off msrp 2 months ago and it literally had never been ridden. i'll check w/ the local dealer up here to see what they might help me with. and try contacting jamis.

also to the jaw post: that is so sad :(. i'd have given up 10 times before the whole thing was over. it really puts my situation in perspective.

[Air]

Ugh, good luck with the healing!!

Trivia - only takes 14 pounds of direct pressure to break your collarbone.

[wayne pattee]

get well soon and don't do that no more.

[SHOwned]

i wont be doing that again. i contacted jamis, and they do offer crash replacement through a dealer for the frame...so as soon as i can get it out to a dealer in my area (closest one is like 2 miles, or i could just take it to my home shop, 50 miles away) i will have it inspected and see what needs to be done.

[Hartness53]

Sorry to hear about your incident. I haven't crashed since I was a kid, but I have always road mtn bikes till now.

My brother was just poking fun at me the other day for buying a helmet with my new bike (Trek Pilot 1.0)

aaahhhh, ignorance is bliss.

I did however total my motorcycle a couple years ago, not my fault though. 18 year old girl on her cell phone, pulled out in front of me. I was going 40 mph. That hurt!

[Gita]

I totally shattered my leg after only 3 rides on my new bike, so I really sympathize. It heals. Make sure to rest a lot and eat good food. Everything you put in your body is going to heal that bone. Best wishes! Gita

[umatillarider]

Wow! seems like broken collar bones are the rage re: cycle crashes. broke a rib last year, just keep your spirits up as much as possible, maybe by thinking about all the good riding ahead of you. oh, and your first crash is behind you now. they get, er, well anyway, glad you didn't get hurt worse.

[playne]

That poor bike.. Make sure you take good care of it now, and nurse it back to health A.S.A.P. :p

[SHOwned]

i plan on having it checked...from some of the crash damage threads i've seen on this site, my carbon parts seem to be in awesome condition to some of the stuff people will consider riding after a crash. maybe if i get it checked and they say its ok, i can just cover the top layer scrapes in epoxy to smooth it up a bit. the fork looks good, but i gotta check it anyway. i think my shifters are good and my bars and most of the frame are fine. i just gotta grab a set of pliers and bend one of the lips on my drop out where the deraileur attaches by like 1.5mm. no biggie. i think its still good. if it were wrecked 100% unrideable i'd probably just take all my pain meds and down half a bottle of whiskey. it would have been a $1000 investment ruined in under 2 months.

what sucks is that i cant go to the gym for at least 2 weeks like i was doing every day before. I've pretty much temporarily lost every single thing i was doing for fun and as a hobby. I'm down to school, forums, and thats it. it always seems like when things start to go well and take my mind off of things, everything bad happens in a hurry. I even lost 15lbs from going to the gym and riding my bike. i was so happy, and now i'm going to gain a lot of it back. its going to be really hard to get the motivation to work out again once i heal because of how weak my muscles will be. its frustrating and disappointing. There was finally something to take my mind off of how lonely i've been and how long its been since i've dated. while i was busy riding or working out, i barely thought about it. now i really cant do anything for a few weeks. this sucks. at least i didnt cut my face up and i didnt die...

[funrover]

OUCH!!! Sorry to hear man!

[Pinyon]

Owy. I hope that you feel better fast. Collar bone recovery is tricky to work around, if you are into lifting weights. Take your time there.

I can tell that you are really hooked on biking too. The fact that you are so worried about the bike, shows that. Worst case scenario? You get an old steel frame from an attic sale/curbside and put your components on it. Even if this frame is hosed, you will be able to ride as soon as the collar bone heals, and you can pick up better frame in a year or so. It sounds like your frame is probably okay, or covered under warranty, though. The only Jamis dealer around here has an excellent reputation for honoring frame warranties, even from people that did not buy the bike from them. Good luck.

In the mean time, take it easy and heal up. Maybe now would be a good time to work on lots of core exercises. If only I could follow that advice during the off-season....:o

[JohnKScott]

Wow. That sounds like a nasty. I'm glad you are ok (relatively). Get better soon!

[SHOwned]

i do consider myself lucky, physically. it could have been tons worse. a few nasty cuts and a collar bone are less problematic then brain damage.

i can do some core work once it stops hurting..all my ab stuff pulls down on my upper chest and causes pulling on the collar bone. i'll have to ask my doctors about that. i can do legs once it stops hurting too. just no shoulder or upper chest until its healed. oh well

[SHOwned]

update: I bought a trainer off ebay for cheap so i can ride inside and at least do something to keep my interest up. Only problem is, I don't have my bike back yet from the shop. I took it in on thursday the 27th, and have yet to hear anything about it. I assume the dude at the shop is busy, that's fine. but i want it back soon.

I have actually lost all desire to ride recently. I'm still kinda sore and i've been heavily medicated since easter when i hurt myself, since i just don't feel like dealing with the real issues. I want to ride, i just dont think i'll do as much once i get the trainer and the bike back...I'm pretty upset since i lost a lot of motivation to get in shape and stay in shape. I was making progress too, now i have to fight for it again once i heal...this sucks. and i still have to buy new wheels for the road once i heal as well. The old ones are trashed on the braking surface to the point i can only use it on the trainer and not brake. sucks, so bad.

[Mazama]

I can't even imagine. I have never experienced 38MPH on a bike, not even 25. If I crashed going 38 MPH I'd still be rolling. Best wishes to you.