Great Lakes - First Cat 4 race and first big Crash

Wood Dale: I upgraded to Cat 4 and had my first cat 4 race and big crash. I was feeling great during the race and was in the last lap. I started moving up on the outside as the group surged. I was going over 30mph and within the front 10 when someone on the inside of turn 2 lost it. Not sure what started it but the chain reaction caused 8 riders to go down. I was on the outside and thought I had made it past when one last rider clipped my back wheel knocking the tire off the rim. It also sent the back end of my bike sideways. I tried to correct and, not sure how it happened, but the front tire rolled off the rim and lodged in my brakes (that's they way I found the bike). I went over the handle bars and landed on my head and then onto my back. I remember someone asking me if I was ok and if they should call an ambulance. I said I did not need an ambulance. What I did not know was that I was out for about a minute. Later the person that helped me told me so and suggested I get checked out.

I just got back from the hospital.....nothing broke and CAT scan negative. I have abrasions from my upper-back down to the middle of my ass, left arm, leg and hip. My lower back is all brusied BUT, no broken bones. My helmet is cracked down the middle and I'll need a new kit. My bike...I was told...flew about 15 feet and landed in the grass taking a soft landing. It looks good and was given a preliminary check for damage. I need to get a carbon frame check to be sure.

THANK GOODNESS I'M FINALLY GOT OUT OF THE DANGEROUS CAT 5s!!!!

PSI...Sorry I did stop and talk, my Dad (85) was there and was a bit shook-up. I was letting him know I was ok and answering all his questions.

Dude ... you gotta move up to the 3's where it's safe. :D

Glad you survived.

(don't worry, I'm keeping a list of folks who need to carry my bike-cam)

No problem man. That wreck took out EVERYONE! Yourself, our man Scott, Lenski (Spin Docs), Sean P (Verdigris), etc. All guys with good shots at the win (Scottwon the 5's that morning and upgraded - gotta love ABR, and Sean P won the 5's at Monsters outsprinting Joel - and took 2nd at Wheels On Willy the next day - J-dub has a pic of us 'eating' at the restrauant later that day).

I had a feeling you were in bad shape.

J-Dub is keeping a list for his camera - I am keeping a list of whose wheel to no longer follow.... ;)

FWIW - Scott shredded his shorts, torqued up his bike pretty bad. It's in my shop right now for me to fix it and his wheel.

I think the guy asking if you were ok was Cory from our team.

That wreck happened right behind me and sounded absolutely horrid. And it just kept going and going and going. I could hear bikes hitting stuff off to the left in spots where there was no reason for bikes to be. I know that one of the other riders hit his head on one of the gigantic decorative rocks.

Too bad you didn't make it through. Only about 13 of us missed it or didn't get caught behind it. Taking out 15 percent of the field creates quite a gap.

Glad to hear your ok. Not all Cat 4 races are like that!

Oh...and Lenski cracked his helmet. I suggested he get checked out and relayed my story about not getting checked out and then regretting it later. He agreed so hopefully he's got a clean bill of health too.

Damn RJBTrek, in the thread about being annoyed I said I want to race, I might have to take that back now :) Glad to hear you are ok and that you don't have any more brain damage than you had previous to the race :p I was watching you in the vette, on numerous occasions I could tell you just wanted to floor it, and I saw you get on it coming out of the corner during the 50+ race :)

FWIW - Jason shredded his shorts, torqued up his bike pretty bad. It's in my shop right now for me to fix it and his wheel.

Scott.

Scott.

You are correct! I am an idiot. Changed.

RJBTrek,sorry to hear about your crash.Glad to hear that you're ok:thumb:.On a side note my wife and I were thinking if you had a black cowboy hat on when you were driving the vette,people would think Tim Mcgraw was piloting the pace car:).

Dude ... you gotta move up to the 3's where it's safe. :D

Glad you survived.

(don't worry, I'm keeping a list of folks who need to carry my bike-cam)

He is, of course, kidding. The crashes are just as frequent...but a lot faster.

RJBTrek,sorry to hear about your crash.Glad to hear that you're ok:thumb:.On a side note my wife and I were thinking if you had a black cowboy hat on when you were driving the vette,people would think Tim Mcgraw was piloting the pace car:).

I do have a hat and it's a big black Stettson too. I acquired it in Dallas, TX. after a bunch of beers. It seemed like a good purchase at the time.:o

It's funny, I was there and luckily...ahem...I forgot my shoes and couldn't find a pair before that race.

glad you are ok, RJBTrek. Sorry your dad had to go through all that! my teammate went down too. Someone lost it on the inside and pushed him off the course and he hit one of those rocks that were on the outside of turn 2. He was fine though and jumped in the 3s race right after just so he could finish a race that day.

PSI, I was looking but didn't see you! One of your guys (youngish, late 20s/early 30s???) was really nice and after seeing me throw stuff and go on a vocal tirade offered to help me find a pair of shoes--I stupidly never asked his name. He had a beard, was in the 4s, pass along my gratitude.

It's funny, I was there and luckily...ahem...I forgot my shoes and couldn't find a pair before that race.

glad you are ok, RJBTrek. Sorry your dad had to go through all that! my teammate went down too. Someone lost it on the inside and pushed him off the course and he hit one of those rocks that were on the outside of turn 2. He was fine though and jumped in the 3s race right after just so he could finish a race that day.

PSI, I was looking but didn't see you! One of your guys (youngish, late 20s/early 30s???) was really nice and after seeing me throw stuff and go on a vocal tirade offered to help me find a pair of shoes--I stupidly never asked his name. He had a beard, was in the 4s, pass along my gratitude.

Do you wear a 10.5? That was Cory (he's 22). He was asking all over for extra shoes and what kind of cleats/pedals people had. Makes a little more sense now!

that wreck ended my season and broke my colnago

that wreck ended my season and broke my colnago

Damn!!! Sorry to hear that. Are you ok?

that wreck ended my season and broke my colnago


Whoa! Season ended because of the broken bike, or did you break some of "you" as well. Does this mean no supergirl come cross season?

I kept hearing the sound of that wreck in my sleep. I don't ever need to hear that again.

Doh...didn't know you were in it Mayo.

Hope you're ok.

Let me know if there is anything I can do to help out with replacement parts and such.

broken wrist cast for 6-8 weeks. off the bike for longer. probably no supergirl.
frame is broken. don't know what to do.

heartbroken on many levels

SUCK!!!!

I predict you'll be riding again within a month.

What size frame you ride?

no way i'll be riding in a month. i hope to make some cross races but i don't know (54 cm is my size)

my best guess is something happened on the inside of the turn and spread outward. i was gunning it to get in about 5th position (my idea was the race was going to be won on turn 3 just before the hill and i wanted to be way up front)
i think it was a tall guy in orange that took me down (not his fault). i think someone hit me from behind but i don't remember. i do know i was sliding forever. I heard them call for an ambulance for someone.

hurt on many levels

:(

Sorry to hear it. Crashes suck. I broke a frame last year also. Heal up.

Broken wrist..that stinks. I was also moving up on the outside and just started to really work hard when things started to happen. I figured the same as you....the race would be won on the third turn and hill. I was feeling good and was planning a hard push down the back straight. My HR monitor showed an average of 137 up to the point of the crash. I thought I was far enough up front and outside to be past the mayhem when a rider clipped my back wheel.

Get well quick!

Heal well, man. Sorry to hear that.

There's a positive in there somewhere, you'll find it.

I broke my hand one Superweek. Couldn't ride - but couldn't work - so I hit the road with my team for the Tour of Michigan. Was their manager for a week's racing (and still collected my usual pay!) :rolleyes:

no way i'll be riding in a month. i hope to make some cross races but i don't know (54 cm is my size)

my best guess is something happened on the inside of the turn and spread outward. i was gunning it to get in about 5th position (my idea was the race was going to be won on turn 3 just before the hill and i wanted to be way up front)
i think it was a tall guy in orange that took me down (not his fault). i think someone hit me from behind but i don't remember. i do know i was sliding forever. I heard them call for an ambulance for someone.

hurt on many levels

Scott was on the front when you guys came around for the last lap. I found his report on our team forum:


I was off of the front with 1 to go. Bad move on my part! Coming into turn 1, I let off the gas, hoping to grab a wheel, take a few deep breaths and hammer the hill. While going into turn 2, another cyclist (we'll call him d-bag) made a move on my inside. He didn't control his bike and crossed my line. We hit shoulders hard, I bounced into the guy next to me. I was sandwiched with no out. Next thing I know, I am sliding on my left check--and fast. I did a few tumbles/rolls or something. I was literally concerned about my bike at first...that was quickly replaced with the thought of getting struck by another cyclist at 20+mph. I had a long walk of shame with a large tear in my shorts that left NOTHING to the imagination. <psimet> graciously shepherded my bike away for mending.

Found Bryan's explanation for the wreck he had in the 5's too:


I dive the corner on the inside, big lean front tire grabs funny, back wheel pops off the pavement, and I find myself sliding across the pavement on my pedal. still in control if try to stand the bike back up, but find I have come un clipped and I am sitting on my top tube, cleats skidding across pavement, thinking, this is not going to end up good. High side flips on to my left ass cheek. Not good with the whole field 20 meters behind us. I swear I was going to get run over. Everyone did a good job avoiding me curled up in pain on the road. Thanks fella’s.

All I can think about is not wanting to stop the race as the corner judge runs up He says "damn, you hit hard, are you all right?" I said, "Get me out of the ****ing road, I don’t want the race to stop." he helps me to the grass as the rider’s race around for another lap.. At this point not enough laps left to get back in, no sprint for me. No pain cave for me, no endorphin release, I feel robbed.

I talked to him today and he's still unclear whether or not it was a pedal strike. He's almost positive he had his pedal up. When he was describing it to me on the phone it sounded like someone hit him from behind....or his tire slid out - which I doubt - he was on a new ProRace3 he says....or it was a pedal strike.

Scott was on the front when you guys came around for the last lap. I found his report on our team forum:

Originally Posted by SK...While going into turn 2, another cyclist (we'll call him d-bag) made a move on my inside. He didn't control his bike and crossed my line. We hit shoulders hard, I bounced into the guy next to me. ....

How about calling him Fn-d-bag.

How about calling him Fn-d-bag.

Nah...he's an uber nice guy - like all of us - but can get nasty when competing....like the rest of us. :innocent:

I actually laughed when I read that. I gave up calling people names or getting POd at people in the pack a long time ago. Just not worth it. Everyone makes mistakes from time to time and everyone knows what CAN happen to them any time they toe the line.

I've taken some pretty hard bounces from guys chopping me. I've held on for the most part. They usually give me the "OMG I'm sorry dude" face, usually followed by my "meh, now I'm awake!" or "no problem man - don't worry about it."

I've said it before but the yelling and screaming over holding lines or who should have done what in a cat 4/5 race is kind of pathetic when viewed from the outside. We're a bunch of men in tights riding around in circles with no one watching but the paramedics and at least 1 official.

I'm just surprised at how many big names this thing took out:

Mayo
Scott
Sean P
Lenski
RJBTrek
....others I know I missed. I am just happy and surprised that MJH2 didn't get caught up in it.

Mayo - i should be riding 54 but right now everything I have outside of my cross bike is a 52ish. I am looking to get a Salsa Podio in a 54 pretty soon and that would leave me with the bike I have been racing now as an open rig. I'd be willing to hook you up if you were even remotely interested.

I also put the word out on the team forum to see if anyone has a rig in 54 they might be able to set you up with.

he's an uber nice guy.

So, did the uber-nice guy go down as well?

Dude, check out bikeisland.com, ebay, or the Neo Exile Group Buy for a cheap carbon or aluminum frame if Colnago doesn't have a crash replacement warranty (?). Hope you heal quick and try to get back on the bike as soon as possible.

So, did the uber-nice guy go down as well?

Yeah. Read his description I quoted - past th D-bag part. I have his torn up rig in my shop right now. $150 down for parts.

Do you wear a 10.5? That was Cory (he's 22). He was asking all over for extra shoes and what kind of cleats/pedals people had. Makes a little more sense now!

Yeah, that was me!:rolleyes:

Cory, ok. Cool guy...he just offered to help out. I'll remember his name next time I see him (Elgin?)

that wreck ended my season and broke my colnago

Damn, Mayo! I'm really sorry to hear that. Heal up quick, stay positive and check in about that Colnago crash replacement policy--I'll keep a pair of fingers crossed for you.

thanks for the offer but i won't be doing any road racing until next year.

hurts real bad

back from the shop: no crash replacement

all i've got is a fiberglass cast

I gave up calling people names or getting POd at people in the pack a long time ago. Just not worth it. Everyone makes mistakes from time to time and everyone knows what CAN happen to them any time they toe the line.



Yep. Though, as an "exploder" I totally believe that its important to let your frustration out. Once that's done, let it be done. Focus on racing. We'll all live longer, and in one piece.

thanks for the offer but i won't be doing any road racing until next year.

hurts real bad

back from the shop: no crash replacement

all i've got is a fiberglass cast

damn. :(

I didn't even get 'em crossed yet...my bad.

Yeah. Read his description I quoted - past th D-bag part. I have his torn up rig in my shop right now. $150 down for parts.

PSI...SK not = d-bag.

From your post on SK: "While going into turn 2, another cyclist (we'll call him d-bag) made a move on my inside. He didn't control his bike and crossed my line. We hit shoulders hard, I bounced into the guy next to me."

So, d-bag is the guy that crossed SK's line. I read that SK went down, but did d-bag?

thanks for the offer but i won't be doing any road racing until next year.

hurts real bad

back from the shop: no crash replacement

all i've got is a fiberglass cast

Sorry to hear that. I just dropped my bike at the shop and will hear back tomorrow. The d-rail in the back looks a bit twisted. Crossing my fingers it's not serious.

PSI...SK not = d-bag.

From your post on SK: "While going into turn 2, another cyclist (we'll call him d-bag) made a move on my inside. He didn't control his bike and crossed my line. We hit shoulders hard, I bounced into the guy next to me."

So, d-bag is the guy that crossed SK's line. I read that SK went down, but did d-bag?

No idea who the other guy was. I have a feeling though....:innocent:

I have a feeling though....:innocent:

Yes?

Mayo - i should be riding 54 but right now everything I have outside of my cross bike is a 52ish. I am looking to get a Salsa Podio in a 54 pretty soon and that would leave me with the bike I have been racing now as an open rig. I'd be willing to hook you up if you were even remotely interested.

I also put the word out on the team forum to see if anyone has a rig in 54 they might be able to set you up with.

Dude, you gotta let me ride that Podio when you get it, that thing sounds sick.

Dude, you gotta let me ride that Podio when you get it, that thing sounds sick.

It won't be stiff enough for you, Mr. Sprinter.

big guy in the race, think he was Bicycle Heaven, he was riding strong, was going to key on him for my ride into the finish. another guy on a red cervelo, he was riding strong too. hope they didn't go down.

my intention was to return the saddle bag left at tuesday night, had it in my bag...
it's safe, not going anywhere, just don't know when i'll be at a race again.

in a bad place with this season ending injury but i don't blame anyone or seek revenge of any kind. it's bike racing and it's all part of the thrill. every time i cross the finish line i say a little prayer, thankful i didn't crash. every time we line up we take a chance.
was going to the 3s after superweek mostly because the guys race safer (not always).
wonder if i can get my chicago crit money back?

It won't be stiff enough for you, Mr. Climber.

Fixed...always wanted to do that. Btw, its made of scandium, MJH2. Not flexy Easton aluminum like they use in those form-over-function Swiss bikes.

big guy in the race, think he was Bicycle Heaven, he was riding strong, was going to key on him for my ride into the finish. another guy on a red cervelo, he was riding strong too. hope they didn't go down.

my intention was to return the saddle bag left at tuesday night, had it in my bag...
it's safe, not going anywhere, just don't know when i'll be at a race again.

in a bad place with this season ending injury but i don't blame anyone or seek revenge of any kind. it's bike racing and it's all part of the thrill. every time i cross the finish line i say a little prayer, thankful i didn't crash. every time we line up we take a chance.
was going to the 3s after superweek mostly because the guys race safer (not always).
wonder if i can get my chicago crit money back?

Mayo,

my wife, dog and I are huge supergirl fans. Really makes our CX trips fun. Very disappointed to find out that there may be no supergirl this CX year.

Heal up good.

big guy in the race, think he was Bicycle Heaven, he was riding strong, was going to key on him for my ride into the finish. another guy on a red cervelo, he was riding strong too. hope they didn't go down.

That was Scott - he went down. Bike is in my shop. The cervelo was Sean P. He went down as well.

Well, ya have to try to see positive in any situation.

I get my d-rail cleaned like never before..

I get to do a comparison of cures for road rash. I started with photos of the wounds so that I can compare as they heal. Given the number I have, I'm going to try different remedys on different wounds and will report back the results.

Dos:
1) I used Band-aid wound wash. It has anesthetic. Soak a gauze pad and apply to the wound for 5min before cleaning the wound.
2) Don't trust the ER to clean the wound. Yesterday I used a mirror to inspect the scraps and found that I still had asphalt embedded in the one on my hip.
3) Neosporene - use it liberally.
4) Acetaminophen - Good for pain but not anti-inflammatory.
5) Ibprofen - Thins the blood and increases bruising but is good for anti-inflammatory

Once the oozing has stopped/slowed, I'm going to try Hydrocolloid bandages (like Tegaderm) on some wounds and the liquid New Skin on others. I'll see which works best and report my experience. You can get Tegaderm from Walgreens. Off the shelf is for small wounds. You can order larger sizes from the pharmacy...4x4, 6x8, etc. They are not cheap...$40 for a box of 6x8. I could use the 6x8 but went cheap and ordered the 4x4. For the big areas I will use New Skin spray.

Don't -
1) Lanacane - You think you're hurting, just spray a road rash with this implement of tourture .
2) Use plain gauze without ointment. It will stick.
3) Talk about how fun racing is as your significant other is cleaning, appling ointment, or has any other contact with your road rash.

I'M NOT A DOCTOR...I'm just reporting my experience.

EDIT - Changed text on Ibprofen

3) Talk about how fun racing is as your significant other is cleaning, appling ointment, or has any other contact with your road rash.

My favorite.

+1 on tagaderm. It is the shiz.

Back in the old days they used to recommend using a nylon bristle brush to clean out the rash. That and I remember sitting on the floor of the bathroom for hours dumping hydrogen peroxide over rash. After a while it would feel like you had inserted a needle about 6 inches into your hip.

Soapy wash rag.
Scrub vigorously.
Take notice that it's not the crash itself that hurts the most.