Northern California - Back on the bike after the accident

I didn't post this on BF but I was hit by a car in late April while riding home from work. I got rear-ended at close to 40mph (according to the witness). I fractured: neck, lower back, right leg, both ankles. I also tore some tendons in my right hip. I'm still going to physical therapy now but I'm very happy that I can start to ride my bike again. My lower back is still tight so I have to keep the handlebars really high until I get back my normal range of motion.

For those of you commuting to work, stay safe and choose your routes carefully.

I picked up a Specialized SL2 frameset on sale from Livermore Cyclery to replace my totalled bike. It sounded like Specialized is clearing inventory for the new SL3.

Quick pic:

http://www.pbase.com/kster/image/116343827.jpg

Wow, that must have been quite a crash. Glad you are okay now ... don't rush it. The road will still be there. Heal up, and glad to hear you are back on the bike.

Holy cow! That's a lot for you to have gone through. I hope you heal up just fine. Take your time getting going again.

So sorry to hear about the accident and your injuries. Welcome back, but take it easy!

Cheers,
Geary

Good to see you back! Take care and happy riding on that nice new bike.

Wow, sorry to hear about the accident, but happy to hear that the healing proccess is going well. Hope you are back to 100% soon.

By the way, nice bike. :thumb:

Thanks everyone for the kind words - I'm just glad that I'm now able to do "normal" things again.

Wow, glad you are able to get back on a bike after a crash like that. :eek:

Good luck with the PT and enjoy that beautiful new bike. :thumb:

To rephrase...I'm just glad that you are able to do "everything" again. I keep hoping I am immortal and will never get hit. Unfortunately the idiots that are behind the wheel may preclude those hopes. Be well and safe.

Yikes! At least you've got the Zertz now to help cushion everything. This wasn't on Vallecitos was it?

I'm looking into riding up that way next week and trying to find a route from the Sunol side over to 84.

That sounds like a horrible experience and although I don't know you, I'm glad to hear you're on the mend.

I wouldn't normally ask this... but if you don't mind. What was their sale price on the frame? I bought my second mountain bike from Livermore Cyclery and was pleased with a good deal and their service department has been really helpful. I'm in the market for a road bike and would like to buy it there, but I also want to find the best deal.

Yikes. Very nice new ride, hope you can enjoy it to the full soon.

Yikes! At least you've got the Zertz now to help cushion everything. This wasn't on Vallecitos was it?

I'm looking into riding up that way next week and trying to find a route from the Sunol side over to 84.

No, the accident occured in SJ as I was riding from Sunnyvale to Fremont.

loopybunny, the frameset was $2100.

Looking at the big picture, I was very lucky in this accident. I didn't have any brain injuries (helmet cracked though) and my spinal cord was not damaged. I am looking forward to a full recovery once I get through the painful PT sessions. :)

Wishing you the best :beer:

That's a pretty bike. I hope you heal completely and soon. Sorry to hear about your wreck; that sucks.

Welcome back Khurram. I hope the full recovery is super speedy.

This is good to hear. Glad you're able to get back out there.

I'm glad to hear that you're on the road to recovery and that you are still able to even ride a bike! PT is tough, but hang in there! You'll be back up to speed (no pun intended) in no time.

The potential for getting hit from behind is scary enough for anyone. No matter how frequently and far ahead you scan the road, you just can't have eyes in the back of your head.

Welcome back, kster! Nice bike, too. What size?

Welcome back, kster! Nice bike, too. What size?

Thanks, it's a 52.

All the best to you on your recovery. It matters that you're still here, even with the injuries.

I called my physical therapist "The Princess of Pain." Some of the manipulations she did on my wrist to help get range of motion back nearly brought tears to my eyes. It was worth the pain now that I'm done with PT and have ROM back. I hope your PT brings you back to full health, and I hope you don't suffer too much in the thick of it.

Wow! Like me, it wasn't your time to go; just an ordeal with hopefully some insights. All the best for a complete recovery.

I'm not looking forward to the pain I know is coming with rehab, but can't wait to get started.

Randochap

Bump - I got around to taking a few pics of my wrecked bike:
http://www.pbase.com/kster/look555

Enjoy. :)

Enjoy. :)

Not quite how I'd describe my reaction! Glad you're still here to post - that looks real nasty.

That looks pretty nasty, indeed. How are you feeling these days?

Good luck with your PT... what sort of lens did you shoot that first picture with? btw nice ride!

Did the "Ding" who hit you get caught? Are they paying to replace the stuff that was damaged? Hope so!
I crashed my motorcycle, racing, in 1980, and broke my back, and it's come back to haunt me now. Don't know how old you are, so if you're younger you should heal pretty good. My back is pretty much shot, so bad I had to give up motorcycles, but I can ride my road bike fine. Lot's of fine tuning to get the right position, but had the "Fit" done to my riding style and I'm good to go, so if you can't ride in the position you used to, then just keep playing with it and it will come.

Glad you're back to riding. Just watch your back for the wacko's!
:**

Glad your back kster.

Thanks guys. Considering how far I've come, I'm doing pretty well. Some of the lingering problems:
- right lower leg still has a bit of swelling/fluid
- right calf is still tight with a few "knots" (getting lots of deep tissue work for this)
- can't fully bend the right knee (to 180 degrees)
- don't have full range of motion in the ankles

I'm still going to physical therapy and I've also started seeing a physical trainer who specializes in injury recovery (has been a huge help in getting my lower back and glutes stronger). My goal is to get near 100% later this year.

hipchip: I'm 36. His auto insurance company has paid me both property and medical payouts.

electrik: I used a Canon 35mm f1.4

Glad to see you're back in action and getting better.

When I broke my wrist last March they told me it might take a year to get back to "normal." It's just a new normal.

You're young enough that you should have more recovery as time goes on. Sounds to me like you're doing really well.