Fifty Plus (50+) - Oooops - wham...

I started what was to be a long ride yesterday morning with eight other people. We planned to ride 120 miles, with some major climbing and a long fast descent in the middle of the route. We got through the climb and descent, stopped for a nice lunch, and then were heading for local bike shop in Aptos (near Santa Cruz) where one of the riders was going to have a broken spoke replaced. On that short five mile leg, I hit a cable stretched out just inside of the white line on the shoulder (at 20 mph) and was on the ground before I knew it. I landed hard on my left side - my head hit first, then my left arm and hip. I never lost consciousness, but I knew I was hurt. I was transported by ambulance to the ER at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz where I was assessed, given eight stitches in my left eyebrow, had lots of gravel picked out of my left arm, and had the many other contusions I'd acquired tended to. I have to "rest" for a few days, can't swim for six days (when the stitches come out), so basically my training has come to a - ummm - crashing halt. Today, I'm pretty stiff and sore, especially my left arm, shoulder and hip, and I have a major shiner around my left eye, which I can't see out of very well right now. I look like holy hell! But, I'm not daunted, s**t happens, and I'll be back in the saddle as soon as I can.

They talk about "road furniture" a lot in the TdF commentary. Well I now know just what that is!

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h470/sarals/Bang.jpg

I started what was to be a long ride yesterday morning with eight other people. We planned to ride 120 miles, with some major climbing and a long fast descent in the middle of the route. We got through the climb and descent, stopped for a nice lunch, and then were heading for local bike shop in Aptos (near Santa Cruz) where one of the riders was going to have a broken spoke replaced. On that short five mile leg, I hit a cable stretched out just inside of the white line on the shoulder (at 20 mph) and was on the ground before I knew it. I landed hard on my left side - my head hit first, then my left arm and hip. I never lost consciousness, but I knew I was hurt. I was transported by ambulance to the ER at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz where I was assessed, given eight stitches in my left eyebrow, had lots of gravel picked out of my left arm, and had the many other contusions I'd acquired tended to. I have to "rest" for a few days, can't swim for six days (when the stitches come out), so basically my training has come to a - ummm - crashing halt. Today, I'm pretty stiff and sore, especially my left arm, shoulder and hip, and I have a major shiner around my left eye, which I can't see out of very well right now. I look like holy hell! But, I'm not daunted, s**t happens, and I'll be back in the saddle as soon as I can.

They talk about "road furniture" a lot in the TdF commentary. Well I now know just what that is!

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h470/sarals/Bang.jpg

:injured: OW! That hurt just READING about it! Glad you're keeping a good attitude. Hang in there!

SP
Bend, OR

Bummer! and OUCH!

I hope you feel better soon. Why was there a cable in the road?

The road furniture I hear about in the race coverage is usually concrete islands and curbs and such. Permanent structures, not things left in the road to create a hazard.

Iam sorry that happened sarals.I bet you dont lose any conditioning the way you train.Just take it easy and you will be back stronger than ever.

Now I know why I prefered falls offroad to Asphalt.


Good job it was the left arm that hit--You can still use the right one to down a few cold ones to help with recuperation.

Take care on the recovery and the cold ones might be needed toget sleep in tonight.

Heal quickly Sara. You are a very strong person, to be able take a hit like you describe, to come away with a few stitches and road rash!

Were you in pace line and didn't see the cable?

Ouch. Hope you heal up soon!

Yikes! I'm glad you don't have any broken bones. Feel better soon.

It's amazing how quickly this s**t happens when it does happen. The six days will pass before you know it. Mind if I use the photo the next time I hear negative talk about older athletes? You are one tough woman. Heal quickly.

One word: Teraderm!

Well, a few more words. Truly sorry it happened, and congratulations on your positive attitude about it.

Yeowwww! You are truly one tough human being. Remind not to go riding in Aptos any time soon

Prayers up for a speedy recovery! Saral you are a trooper; would you like sirloin or ribeye with that eye? Can you elaborate on the cable? What was it doing there?

It's amazing how quickly this s**t happens when it does happen. The six days will pass before you know it. Mind if I use the photo the next time I hear negative talk about older athletes? You are one tough woman. Heal quickly.

Sure, you can use the photo! Help yourself. And thank you!

One word: Teraderm!

Well, a few more words. Truly sorry it happened, and congratulations on your positive attitude about it.

Thank you, my friend!

Heal quickly Sara. You are a very strong person, to be able take a hit like you describe, to come away with a few stitches and road rash!

Were you in pace line and didn't see the cable?

Thank you, AJ!

Yes, I was in a pace line. I was ninth wheel. We were rolling along at 20MPH, not terribly fast. The cable was an electrical cable, as it turns out, with sockets (that looked like hockey pucks) for lights to be used to light the entrance to a temporary camp ground. The cable was laid out parallel to the shoulder, right next to the white line, it wasn't secured, and the traffic cone marking it was at the end, not the beginning, of it (this is all second hand, I never saw the damn thing).

Road furniture - okay, the permanent stuff! This didn't qualify.

Tough? Me? No. Just determined.

Thanks to everyone for the kind words and wishes.

So sorry to hear about your tragic fall! Sometimes group rides can prevent one from seeing obstacles: distractions--talking with others (similar to being on one's cell), watching the person's cadence ahead of you! One time I hit the light rail tracks on Market Street SF and yeah, "Whoom splat!," I went down quick. So I kinda can relate to the shock factor. Too bad I couldn't gather up the track and put it in my pannier like one of your friends did with your cable as a memento.

Heal quickly my fellow cyclomaniac!

Put some neosporin on that cheek right quick!

Here's the road hazard I hit...

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h470/sarals/effingcable.jpg

So sorry to hear about your tragic fall! Sometimes group rides can prevent one from seeing obstacles: distractions--talking with others (similar to being on one's cell), watching the person's cadence ahead of you! One time I hit the light rail tracks on Market Street SF and yeah, "Whoom splat!," I went down quick. So I kinda can relate to the shock factor. Too bad I couldn't gather up the track and put it in my pannier like one of your friends did with your cable as a memento.

Heal quickly my fellow cyclomaniac!

Put some neosporin on that cheek right quick!

Thank you!!! I've been liberal with the neosporin! My left arm is far worse, but - it works!

Yikes! So sorry to read about your fall, glad there were others there to help you. Heal quickly, you'll be back in the saddle in no time.

Sara,
Your attitude has been inspirational to me - still is. I hope that you heal fully and get back out there better than ever!
Phil G.

Have you contacted an attorney. See if you can get some compensation. Who's liable for this crime?

Uninvited road furniture! Bahhh!

Ouchey!

My very best wishes for fast healing and recovery. Your picture of the offending cable looks like a real hazard.

And there was I, feeling that Bahrain has some issues which are becoming tiresome and that I should settle back in Santa Cruz....

Heal up fast!

One word: Teraderm!

...

Actually, I think you want Tegaderm, but you can get lower cost alternatives from Longs, etc, and they work great. Just slap 'em on and leave it for a week+ to let the skin heal up. Maybe you can wander over to Bike Station and play with all the bike bits while you recover. Heal up fast!

Holy mackerel, here I had been thinking Le Tour was exciting. All I have to do for a charge is read the 50+ forum. You have proved what I've suspected for some time - women are tougher than men. I know you will be back in no time and as strong as ever but don't do that again. I can only stand so much excitement.

Ouch. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

FYI, whoever laid that cable may have been in violation of state regulations per the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD - the CalTrans document that covers temporary work done on state roadways) by failing to properly cone off the work area. Might be worth looking into so that someone else doesn't crash.

Good Grief, sarals! That looks painful! I am so sorry to read (and see) this! Seems like many of the ladies of the BF50 have been suffering their lumps and bumps lately! I hope your recovery is fast and full. In the meantime, perhaps you might like one of these:


http://www.masksz.com/images/masquerade-mask/masquerade-mask-5.jpg
:)Take care of yourself and get well soon!

I'd pursue the situation to protect someone else. I'm not that big on suing 'just because'. It was off the white line and it could turn out you damaged the line and become liable yourself. I like to try to protect the next person and not 'make someone pay'. We have too much of that already.

Also you have this: We are vehicles on roadways. There are laws that state you must allow distance between the vehicle in front of you and we are all guilty of breaking that law. Might bring you a ticket to fight it.

Man sarals, that hurts just looking at you. Heal fast and I hope you get back riding soon. Did the bike have much damage? I hope not.

If it were me, I think I would have a talk to someone to get that cable off the road. It's not suppose to be there in the first place. For the time and trouble they used to put a cone out, why didn't they just throw the damn thing in the weeds or something. It had no place on the road, where it was placed. What would of happened if you were riding outside the line and had to pull over for a flat or something. The more I think about it, the madder I get.

Anyhow take care and good luck.

Miss Kenton, thank you!!! I love it! I went downtown today and I think I scared a lot of people!!!! Actually, that was kind of fun!!!

Oh - we women ARE tougher than men :~D And don't you forget it!!!!!

I have the business card from the people who placed that cable there. I was aware of what was going on around me while I was being treated at the scene, and one of the gals who I was riding with was giving the people who were responsible for putting that cord there the what for. She really lit into them. I plan to call the "party" tomorrow and see what they've done about the cord. Also, for the "time and trouble they used to put a cone out", why didn't they put ANOTHER one out where the cord started? I would have seen that, and avoided it.

My bike is okay. The rear skewer was pretty scuffed, as was the corner of the saddle and the left hood and shift lever. The back tire was flat, too, and I found a cut in it just a little while ago. Other than those little niggles, it was unscathed.

Thank you all so much for the wishes - they're helping me get better by the minute! I am going to look scarier than I usually do for a time, but even that will pass, and I'll be back to Wicked Witch of the West looks in no time! And back on my "broom"!

Glad you didn't get seriously injured. I sure would be looking to get those damaged items replaced by the party that put that stuff in the road. Good luck.

Wow! So glad to hear there were no broken bones but the other injuries look painful. Heal quickly:love:

:injured:

Wow! So glad to hear there were no broken bones but the other injuries look painful. Heal quickly:love:

:injured:

Thank you, Bev! Really, I feel okay - I didn't even get the prescription the ER doc wrote me - the Advil is working just fine! ;-)

Oh, my!

That brings back memories of my crash over 2 years ago. Glad you're just scary, not scarred. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

#17 Makes me think it was like a getting your wheel caught in the rail tracks ..
the Cable steered the wheel straight, when you wanted to turn it to balance ,
it was too low an angle to roll across the obstruction.

The lawyer in me says get the details and at least talk to an attorney -- you never know how these injuries play out, and you want to make it less likely to happen to someone else. Was your bike ok?

OOH RAH!

Way to tough it out.

Have you had a chance to use that old line yet? You know, "You should see the other guy."

Here's to a speedy healing & being back in the saddle before your jersey's dry.

That cable would have dumped me too, a stick of about the same size put me down a couple of months ago, hard enough but not nearly as hard as you.

I wish the best for you---

If you run out of Advil, here's a couple more generic ibuprofen.
http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z284/JanMM/vitI-1.jpg

I imagine by now you have a bit more swelling than what we see in the photo. It's not permanent.
You're allowed to take it easy as long as is necessary.

So very sorry for you. It looks terribly painful. Every time I go out I wonder a little if this is the time it will happen to me. At my age I somewhat doubt my ability to bounce back very well. That was terribly irresponsible of the parties involved not to have clearly marked that hazard. Plus the mottled shadows would add to obscuring a hazard if that was the case when you were riding. It would be just like trying to cross a rail track.

What everyone else said. Find out who is liable and contact their insurance company. They should make sure your bike is made 100% good again, at the very least. Then give their name to your insurance company.

The lawyer in me says get the details and at least talk to an attorney -- you never know how these injuries play out, and you want to make it less likely to happen to someone else. Was your bike ok?

This is something to seriously consider. I bit over a year ago, I hit a dog broadside while on an MUP. The owner did not have him on a lead. At the time of the accident, I thought it was no big deal and told the owner (a young man who was very upset) not to worry about it. $1,600 later in medical bills with a few more to come, and I'm not so sure I made the correct decision.

I know this has become a cliche but, 'it could have been worse'. Was anyone on your wheel? I'm guessing no, since you didn't mention anyone else going down.

Heal fast.

Here's to one tough lady.:beer:

If you run out of Advil, here's a couple more generic ibuprofen.
http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z284/JanMM/vitI-1.jpg

I imagine by now you have a bit more swelling than what we see in the photo. It's not permanent.
You're allowed to take it easy as long as is necessary.

Also known as Grunt Candy.

Semper Fi!

More thanks to everyone!

Some answers:

No one was on my wheel, I was ninth wheel of nine (at the time). The ride leader did hit the same "hazard" and almost fell. I left out the "almost" part.
I am MUCH more swollen than I was even this morning. I'm not as stiff, though. Generic is good!
I called my auto insurance provider, and I'm not covered by them. My health insurance does cover me, but the co-pays...oh, my.
I called the campground and asked them if they had removed the cable. They had. I haven't talked to a lawyer, I'm reluctant to do that. But - I hear what you are all saying. Tomorrow is another day.
I am going to get on the bike tomorrow - I promised myself that.

Thank you ALL for your kind words, wisdom, and wishes!!!

I started what was to be a long ride yesterday morning with eight other people. We planned to ride 120 miles, with some major climbing and a long fast descent in the middle of the route. We got through the climb and descent, stopped for a nice lunch, and then were heading for local bike shop in Aptos (near Santa Cruz) where one of the riders was going to have a broken spoke replaced. On that short five mile leg, I hit a cable stretched out just inside of the white line on the shoulder (at 20 mph) and was on the ground before I knew it. I landed hard on my left side - my head hit first, then my left arm and hip. I never lost consciousness, but I knew I was hurt. I was transported by ambulance to the ER at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz where I was assessed, given eight stitches in my left eyebrow, had lots of gravel picked out of my left arm, and had the many other contusions I'd acquired tended to. I have to "rest" for a few days, can't swim for six days (when the stitches come out), so basically my training has come to a - ummm - crashing halt. Today, I'm pretty stiff and sore, especially my left arm, shoulder and hip, and I have a major shiner around my left eye, which I can't see out of very well right now. I look like holy hell! But, I'm not daunted, s**t happens, and I'll be back in the saddle as soon as I can.

They talk about "road furniture" a lot in the TdF commentary. Well I now know just what that is!

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h470/sarals/Bang.jpg
You look great!

Youre still breathing, not crippled and can joke about it. You don't need more.
I wish I could ride with you.

Save the reciepts from the co-pay and hand them to them or their insurance company. No way you should be out of pocket for their wrong doing. And also the bill for the Advil and the repairs and through going over to your steed.

Holy mackerel, here I had been thinking Le Tour was exciting. All I have to do for a charge is read the 50+ forum. You have proved what I've suspected for some time - women are tougher than men. I know you will be back in no time and as strong as ever but don't do that again. I can only stand so much excitement.
Of course. If men had to birth children, the species would have died out before it had even begun. And Sarals is a prime example of the toughness XX bestows.

More thanks to everyone!

Some answers:

I called the campground and asked them if they had removed the cable. They had. I haven't talked to a lawyer, I'm reluctant to do that. But - I hear what you are all saying. Tomorrow is another day.


I know lawyers can be no fun, but an initial consult ought to free, and you may forfeit some rights if you don't act. Leaving a cable out like that is pretty reckless, and that's why companies carry liability insurance. At least you can be sure. Maybe make it a bike trip; just watch out for sharks.

Sarals,

Sorry to hear about your fall. I hope you get better soon so you can get back on the bike and resume your training. I think most of us have felt your pain. I had a fall on my hybrid last October, the same day I bought my road bike. Turned to see if a dog was getting out of a fence and drifted into the back wheel of my wife's bike. With the head still turned to the side, I came down face first. Road rash on the face, legs and hips, chipped a tooth and split my lip wide open. Took a week off from riding but back in the saddle the following week. No damage to the bike except scrapped grip ends and some small tears in the saddle.

…, I hit a cable stretched out just inside of the white line on the shoulder (at 20 mph) and was on the ground before I knew it. I landed hard on my left side - my head hit first, then my left arm and hip. I never lost consciousness, but I knew I was hurt… given eight stitches in my left eyebrow, had lots of gravel picked out of my left arm, and had the many other contusions I'd acquired tended to….But, I'm not daunted, s**t happens, and I'll be back in the saddle as soon as I can.


Good Grief, sarals! That looks painful! I am so sorry to read (and see) this! Seems like many of the ladies of the BF50 have been suffering their lumps and bumps lately! I hope your recovery is fast and full. In the meantime, perhaps you might like one of these [Mardi Gras Masquerade Mask]…
May I also offer my sympathies and get-well wishes, as one of the men of BF50 who was recently taken down by a hot sticky “tar seam” on the Third Annual BF50 Plus Ride in Michigan at mile 94 of a Century. My injuries included a concussion, facial and extremity abrasions, a facial laceration requiring about 20 stitches, and a destroyed front wheel.

That night I had a high school reunion and wore a big 3 in x 4 in Band-Aid over my right cheek and temple, looking like the Phantom of the Opera. Miss Kenton’s masquerade mask would have been a little too conspicuous for me. I was back on my regularly scheduled cycling a few days later when I got back to Boston, though I do tend to keep my hands more securely on the handlebars than before, i.e. no waving.

But I’m not writing to compare injuries. I posted a warning about those tar seams to my fellow cyclists on the Road and Commuter forums. For your amusement and that of other BF50 subscribers, I made this particular observation on the Road Forum about the replies I received:


…BTW, I posted the identical OP on this thread to the Commuter Forum since I also cycle commute. I mention this not as a criticism, but FYA: On the Commuter thread I got 11 replies and 8 expressed sympathies for my crash. On the Road Cycling thread I got 12 replies and the closest expression of sympathy was:


I've hit those by accident but apparently I haven't been as unlucky as you...

After reading about Joseba Beloki [a TdF cyclist felled by tar], don’t cry for me, Argentina.

Yeah, all you get from the roadies is HTFU :lol: