Northern California - Not exactly the way you want to end your Sunday ride

I'm too sore and depressed for a long writeup, so here's the short version: 8pm, 3+ hours on the bike and a mile from home, got hit head-on (at an angle, really) and went flying. The car wasn't going that fast, maybe 15mph, and I was doing about the same. Neighbors a full block away came out because the HEARD the impact. Ahh, the lovely sound of carbon going "pop."

Unbelievably, I only have some road rash and a very sore lower back/tailbone. The frame seems good except the fork and front wheel are history. Even the components seem OK. Trust me, this is all a minor miracle, because the rider and bike went way airborne. It could have been A LOT worse.

Already ordered a new fork:lol:.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3326/3671540677_b4ca16038c_b.jpg

Did you file a police report? It helps when dealing with insurance.

UD

Did you file a police report? It helps when dealing with insurance.

UD


Oh yeah, the police were there, along with a fire truck, ambulance, and plenty of gawking of neighbors....it was quite a scene.

Holy crap, Adam! I'm glad to hear that you came out relatively unscathed. Forget about the bike it can always be replaced.

Wow. Get well soon. Did the driver not see you? Underestimate speed?

Crazy, glad you're able to write anything up!
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I don't know, you might need a new frame and full DA or Record group. Better safe than sorry - don't want to find out later that something is damaged :D

Whoa...glad you're ok. Head on? Wtf were they doing?

Whoa...glad you're ok. Head on? Wtf were they doing?

Probably making a left turn. That is how my cannondale got destroyed few years back. :(

UD

WOW. That is bad but I am glad you came out relatively injury free. It is amazing to me how many people are getting hit. I am reading stories quite a bit on here where other members are either having close calls or getting hit. It worries me.

Sorry to hear, but really glad it wasn't worse. Hope you heal up quickly.

Glad you sound relatively OK. Still would have the bike and yourself checked out thoroughly. At the very least there's components I wouldn't trust anymore: stem and bars especially.

Glad to hear you're OK, Adam. What a close call, and that sounds like a hellacious crash. Heal up, and get busy shopping. I see a full set of SRAM Red in your future!

Drivers that are oblivious scare the crap out of me. I need three more sets of eyes to look 360. Glad you are walking and talking

:eek::eek:

Glad you're (relatively) okay.

ITA with those who recommend getting you bike checked out thoroughly.

Heal fast!

That's a Lynskey Ti frame guys, it's fine :)

Heal up soon Adam!

Thanks for the kind words everyone. To answer a few questions:

I have already dropped the bike off the the shop for inspection. My initial impression is that the bike is in remarkably good shape. As I said, the fork and front wheel are toast, but the frame looks good, as do all of the components. I did ask the shop to unbolt and look at everything. Gotta love Ti:).

As for how it happened, I was turning right onto a supposedly two-way street, heading downhill with momentum, and this car was taking up basically the entire street. To the driver's defense, this is an insanely narrow street and for some reason cars are allowed to park one side, pushing traffic into the middle of the road and leaving no room for opposite traffic. There was no place for me to go and I had very little time to react. Before I knew it I was up in the air, then down on the pavement.

I hit my head and the helmet worked as advertised. My tailbone is killing me sitting here, but I can't really complain considering the circumstances.

As for getting a new bike, here's a funny thing: I bought a carbon frame for a second bike on Craigslist a week ago, and SRAM Rival parts are on the way. Total coincidence.

I'm really hoping the Lynskey is OK......I'll cry if it's not. I do love that bike.

Wow, seeing the fork like that is really scary. But I agree with ahpook ... it's Ti, and it will survive just about anything. I've been in two accidents (not crashes though), and my Ti frame is still rock solid.

My tailbone is killing me sitting here, but I can't really complain considering the circumstances.


If you have insurance, get it checked out. I don't know what they can do for a broken tailbone but there's got to be something. I've broken mine three times, the last time it hurt for 15 years. If I'd had insurance then I'd have gone to the doctor and maybe would have had less pain to deal with.


Wow, seeing the fork like that is really scary. But I agree with ahpook ... it's Ti, and it will survive just about anything. I've been in two accidents (not crashes though), and my Ti frame is still rock solid.

My last Ti frame cracked as I was riding it. My carbon Cervelo R3 survived a 30 mph pack crash without a scratch. Frame material is no guarantee of survival... it is mostly a matter of luck.

Wow - glad you're OK Adam. Fingers crossed for reassuring news on the frame.

Heal up soon - I need to go riding with you in the East Bay Hills soon.

Wow - glad you're OK Adam. Fingers crossed for reassuring news on the frame.

Heal up soon - I need to go riding with you in the East Bay Hills soon.

Thanks Richard. Yup, let's ride sometime in July.

I hurt for you reading this. I do hope you visit a doctor, just for good luck. You may have used up a lot of it on your flight.

Take care.