3 Sec. Bicycle Verses Feral Hogs - Near Miss UNIVEGA ChroMo
09-19-13, 10:39 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bastrop Texas
Posts: 4,479
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 966 Post(s)
Liked 1,629 Times
in
1,045 Posts
3 Sec. Bicycle Verses Feral Hogs - Near Miss UNIVEGA ChroMo
Its been three weeks now and I am just and inch and a half shorter, I am no longer flat on my back at less than 30 degrees. I can walk but still need help standing up or wiping my bum. Talking, eating, moving around, a miracle of no jest. My pain meds are at a minimum. Every breath I take one of thankfulness.
On 2013-08-27...
00:01 - I was taking my gentile but fast ride down hill from the local state park “Look Out Point”. The conditions were dry and hot, with no traffic, the road in perfect shape having been repaved after the forest fire a few years ago. Along the sides of the road were many dead trees and piles of brush with sharp branches. My speed was about 30 Mph and slowing to the bottom of the hills in preparation for a blind turn. Out of the corner of my right eye I saw charging at top speed three feral hogs, one large and two small. They were plowing through the grass and brush and angled to intersect the road just in front of me without diversion.
00:02 - I slammed my brakes slowing my ChroMo UNIVEGA and my 238#s but it seemed that slowing was just going to precipitate a more final convergence of bike, rider and hogs. My choices were to try to slide through and stay on the road or try to make a small diversion into a road way parking annex just to my right. The largest hog no more than tree feet high appeared to be mostly composed of an extremely large head and snout with two teeth the size of my thumbs sticking out from its lower jaw. The smaller ones were mere shadows. I had slowed to about 18-19 Mph. Maybe I could jog right and recover.
00:03 - My final thought was what if I hit or startled the hogs they would turn on me. Of hogs I have heard many stories that in spite of Texas like exaggeration were mostly true and gruesome. You just don’t mess with feral hogs unless fully prepared. The hogs passed in front of me as I jogged right. They may not have even seen me they were running so fast. My front wheel bit then sunk into soft gravel on the roadway shoulder as it skipped into a fallen tree. I was in the air coming down chest first my sternum slamming into a burnt stump about 18“ high. As my body folded my head banged directly down into the sticks and dirt at the stump base as I flipped. I could hear the crunching of helmet and bone. I then was in the air again bouncing off the stump and buried back first into a pile of debris, branches, brush, and fallen trees wrapped in thistle. My only thought was “Do not loose consciousness.”.
And I did not. No air I forced myself to breath raggedly then checked my self for feeling of head neck toes, it was so hard to breath and my upper body was loose and disconnected. Blood flooded my eyes. Thankful that I was not fending off hogs it took several minutes to struggled to the road. I knew that if I stayed were I was there was no visible sign of my presence from the road. At the road I got my feet under me and staggered, it was so hard to breath, do not loose consciousness. Some how I got to my not so high an IQ smart phone. My fastest ride out not 911 but my wife a nurse just two miles from home and a transport to the ER less than 3 miles away. At the ER I stepped out of the truck and stood blood pouring from my head an asked for a back board and collar. The medics totally surprised as they had never had a patient ask for them.
From our local ER to Austin trauma center and a long row of studies and tests and I live. The current verdict is Broken sternum with hematoma, two displaced ribs, compression fractures T7 to T12, Compression Fracture L2, Displaced L5, contusions Right knee, arms, back, chest, head, Head lacerations, and a very painful neck.
I am alive. This could have so easily been death or paraplegia. My family and friends and community are all praying for me and its working. I am getting better everyday. I think back on previous spills that I have had even at much higher speeds and more rugged terrain but at 60 years I guess things just can’t take the same beating they used to. Now my biggest problem is trying not to be such a burden around the house. I have less leeway than a porch dog at this time but I know it will get better. I am in an LS spine brace, a type of clam shell that mobilizes the spine (mutant ninja turtle type brace). If I’m lucky I will be able to remove it after Thanks Giving.
My boys brought the UNIVEGA in and let me look at it. WOW, it looks great! I’m not sure but I don’t even think the fork is bent and the wheels are almost true. Of course thats all I got to look at before it was chased out of the house.
I don’t know when I’ll ride again but I’ve got three bikes to build up and that should be fun when I’m allowed in the garage again. My thoughts on Helmets is now changed. I have always thought them a burden and viewed them as flimsy attempts at offering more peace of mind than protection. Over the years I have worn them more for fear of road rash than contusion. My cheap little WallMart Bell helmet really did its job. When my head impacted the ground it caved in spreading out the blow. Small sticks poked through the holes in the helmet sticking my skull and causing lacerations. I believe it saved me from a cranial fracture.
I have talked to people around town here in Bastrop and most everyone has a story about their encounters with feral hogs. One person over in Smithville was nearly disemboweled by one when stepped off of his tractor. I am still not a fan of mandatory bicycle helmets but I will admit their use is well vested. Thats the long story. We’ll see more as I go along and thank you all for your kind thoughts and prayers. Next trip to Vegas I don’t think I’ll be gambling. Most likely I’ve used up more than all my luck. Thank God...
On 2013-08-27...
00:01 - I was taking my gentile but fast ride down hill from the local state park “Look Out Point”. The conditions were dry and hot, with no traffic, the road in perfect shape having been repaved after the forest fire a few years ago. Along the sides of the road were many dead trees and piles of brush with sharp branches. My speed was about 30 Mph and slowing to the bottom of the hills in preparation for a blind turn. Out of the corner of my right eye I saw charging at top speed three feral hogs, one large and two small. They were plowing through the grass and brush and angled to intersect the road just in front of me without diversion.
00:02 - I slammed my brakes slowing my ChroMo UNIVEGA and my 238#s but it seemed that slowing was just going to precipitate a more final convergence of bike, rider and hogs. My choices were to try to slide through and stay on the road or try to make a small diversion into a road way parking annex just to my right. The largest hog no more than tree feet high appeared to be mostly composed of an extremely large head and snout with two teeth the size of my thumbs sticking out from its lower jaw. The smaller ones were mere shadows. I had slowed to about 18-19 Mph. Maybe I could jog right and recover.
00:03 - My final thought was what if I hit or startled the hogs they would turn on me. Of hogs I have heard many stories that in spite of Texas like exaggeration were mostly true and gruesome. You just don’t mess with feral hogs unless fully prepared. The hogs passed in front of me as I jogged right. They may not have even seen me they were running so fast. My front wheel bit then sunk into soft gravel on the roadway shoulder as it skipped into a fallen tree. I was in the air coming down chest first my sternum slamming into a burnt stump about 18“ high. As my body folded my head banged directly down into the sticks and dirt at the stump base as I flipped. I could hear the crunching of helmet and bone. I then was in the air again bouncing off the stump and buried back first into a pile of debris, branches, brush, and fallen trees wrapped in thistle. My only thought was “Do not loose consciousness.”.
And I did not. No air I forced myself to breath raggedly then checked my self for feeling of head neck toes, it was so hard to breath and my upper body was loose and disconnected. Blood flooded my eyes. Thankful that I was not fending off hogs it took several minutes to struggled to the road. I knew that if I stayed were I was there was no visible sign of my presence from the road. At the road I got my feet under me and staggered, it was so hard to breath, do not loose consciousness. Some how I got to my not so high an IQ smart phone. My fastest ride out not 911 but my wife a nurse just two miles from home and a transport to the ER less than 3 miles away. At the ER I stepped out of the truck and stood blood pouring from my head an asked for a back board and collar. The medics totally surprised as they had never had a patient ask for them.
From our local ER to Austin trauma center and a long row of studies and tests and I live. The current verdict is Broken sternum with hematoma, two displaced ribs, compression fractures T7 to T12, Compression Fracture L2, Displaced L5, contusions Right knee, arms, back, chest, head, Head lacerations, and a very painful neck.
I am alive. This could have so easily been death or paraplegia. My family and friends and community are all praying for me and its working. I am getting better everyday. I think back on previous spills that I have had even at much higher speeds and more rugged terrain but at 60 years I guess things just can’t take the same beating they used to. Now my biggest problem is trying not to be such a burden around the house. I have less leeway than a porch dog at this time but I know it will get better. I am in an LS spine brace, a type of clam shell that mobilizes the spine (mutant ninja turtle type brace). If I’m lucky I will be able to remove it after Thanks Giving.
My boys brought the UNIVEGA in and let me look at it. WOW, it looks great! I’m not sure but I don’t even think the fork is bent and the wheels are almost true. Of course thats all I got to look at before it was chased out of the house.
I don’t know when I’ll ride again but I’ve got three bikes to build up and that should be fun when I’m allowed in the garage again. My thoughts on Helmets is now changed. I have always thought them a burden and viewed them as flimsy attempts at offering more peace of mind than protection. Over the years I have worn them more for fear of road rash than contusion. My cheap little WallMart Bell helmet really did its job. When my head impacted the ground it caved in spreading out the blow. Small sticks poked through the holes in the helmet sticking my skull and causing lacerations. I believe it saved me from a cranial fracture.
I have talked to people around town here in Bastrop and most everyone has a story about their encounters with feral hogs. One person over in Smithville was nearly disemboweled by one when stepped off of his tractor. I am still not a fan of mandatory bicycle helmets but I will admit their use is well vested. Thats the long story. We’ll see more as I go along and thank you all for your kind thoughts and prayers. Next trip to Vegas I don’t think I’ll be gambling. Most likely I’ve used up more than all my luck. Thank God...
__________________
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
Last edited by zandoval; 09-20-13 at 09:22 AM.
09-20-13, 03:29 AM
#2
Senior Member
Wow. Thank God is right. And thank helmets too.
09-20-13, 04:36 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Hurricane Alley , Florida
Posts: 3,903
Bikes: Treks (USA), Schwinn Paramount, Schwinn letour,Raleigh Team Professional, Gazelle GoldLine Racing, 2 Super Mondias, Carlton Professional.
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 78 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times
in
22 Posts
Hoping you recover, and stay safe. You're a very lucky man.
09-20-13, 04:41 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tampa Bay, Florida
Posts: 1,698
Bikes: 87 Bridgestone 550 (Shocking Electric Metallic Pink)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
YIKES!!! Glad you are healing up...but a ways to go. I have not had a bad spill in many, many years....and always just a little afraid of one. I ALWAYS wear a helmet...just because. A local friend here took a bad spill a decade ago, broke his neck...he bounced back and is now the Senior State Champ in Florida (and just won in Georgia 5k and 10 k at 73 years old. But recovery IS slow...don't push TOO hard...but DO PUSH.
09-20-13, 05:42 AM
#5
Senior Member
Hearing of many spills and injuries recently. Most involve cars or moving vehicles. Wild Hogs!?!? Hope you recover fully.
09-20-13, 06:03 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Minnesota- the frozen tundra
Posts: 1,946
Bikes: 1977 Raleigh Super Grand Prix, 1976 Gitane Tour de France
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Wow, Glad to hear you'll recover. Awesome that the helmet did it's job too! I had a similar nasty crash as a teen and lesser crash almost two years ago that really jacked up my shoulder.
You certainly don't absorb impacts as well as you get older do you?
You certainly don't absorb impacts as well as you get older do you?
09-20-13, 06:13 AM
#8
Rustbelt Rider
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Canton, OH
Posts: 9,104
Bikes: 1990 Trek 1420 - 1978 Raleigh Professional - 1973 Schwinn Collegiate - 1974 Schwinn Suburban
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 261 Post(s)
Liked 372 Times
in
177 Posts
I'm really sorry to hear about your crash. On the other had, it's wonderful that you lived to share the tale. Best of luck with your recovery. Time to go dust off my helmet!
__________________
|^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| ||
|......GO.BROWNS........| ||'|";, ___.
|_..._..._______===|=||_|__|..., ] -
"(@)'(@)"""''"**|(@)(@)*****''(@)
|^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| ||
|......GO.BROWNS........| ||'|";, ___.
|_..._..._______===|=||_|__|..., ] -
"(@)'(@)"""''"**|(@)(@)*****''(@)
09-20-13, 07:08 AM
#9
New Orleans
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,794
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 157 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Jesus Mary and Joseph !!
Some wreck-all those crunched vertebra??
It take a tremendous amount of force to crush/break all-7 ?? those vertebra-and displace another. They are large tough bones with tough elastic spacers
Wow !! Yes I will say a prayer for you-can't hurt!
The lessons I took from your HORRIBLE WRECK- (as close to being fatal as possible-the sort of wreck that can partially separate your heart from the large arteries-chest rammed into stump)
Don't ride 30 mph downhill(easy to do)-
ignore animals ( really hard to do)
Wow you nearly died!!
Some wreck-all those crunched vertebra??
It take a tremendous amount of force to crush/break all-7 ?? those vertebra-and displace another. They are large tough bones with tough elastic spacers
Wow !! Yes I will say a prayer for you-can't hurt!
The lessons I took from your HORRIBLE WRECK- (as close to being fatal as possible-the sort of wreck that can partially separate your heart from the large arteries-chest rammed into stump)
Don't ride 30 mph downhill(easy to do)-
ignore animals ( really hard to do)
Wow you nearly died!!
09-20-13, 07:41 AM
#10
Unique Vintage Steel
High-siding off a two-wheeled mode of transportation is rarely going to result in a pleasant recovery. Sounds like you landed (quite literally) on the rougher side of the bell curve though! Good to hear you are on the road to recovery though, hope you make as full of a recovery as possible.
09-20-13, 08:18 AM
#11
Senior Member
Glad that you survived this! Hope you heal up well and as quickly as possible, and thanks for letting us know!
09-20-13, 10:00 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Bloomington/Normal IL
Posts: 1,062
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Liked 237 Times
in
139 Posts
Amen to all of the above.
Glad you are safe and now to get sound.
My prayers for a full and speedy recovery.
Glad you are safe and now to get sound.
My prayers for a full and speedy recovery.
09-20-13, 10:24 AM
#13
Junior Member
Effing feral hogs, what pests...released as an "easy" food source back in the pioneer days, those little buggers are smart, vicious, and hard to kill. Plus they breed like rabbits.
Glad you survived, that's a pretty amazing story. Best of luck in recovery!
Glad you survived, that's a pretty amazing story. Best of luck in recovery!
09-20-13, 01:06 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Dallas / Ft Worth
Posts: 1,162
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 213 Post(s)
Liked 1,508 Times
in
409 Posts
My prayers added for your recovery.
A brother has some rural acreage that the feral hogs get into often and tear stuff up.
When descending fast I have often thought what if's?
Such as what if I hit a pot hole I don't see, or rock, or something runs into my path, etc?
I would never have thought of feral hogs running into the roads but also living in Texas I guess I should be aware.
Take care of yourself.
A brother has some rural acreage that the feral hogs get into often and tear stuff up.
When descending fast I have often thought what if's?
Such as what if I hit a pot hole I don't see, or rock, or something runs into my path, etc?
I would never have thought of feral hogs running into the roads but also living in Texas I guess I should be aware.
Take care of yourself.
09-20-13, 05:29 PM
#16
Freewheel Medic
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: An Island on the Coast of GA!
Posts: 12,885
Bikes: Snazzy* Schwinns, Classy Cannondales & a Super Pro Aero Lotus (* Ed.)
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1453 Post(s)
Liked 2,195 Times
in
962 Posts
My prayers as well. What a story! Wildlife encounters at close range never go well. I've started slowing down on my descents this year. I'm guessing now I'm going to go even slower.
__________________
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
09-20-13, 06:35 PM
#17
K2ProFlex baby!
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: My response would have been something along the lines of: "Does your bike have computer controlled suspension? Then shut your piehole, this baby is from the future!"
Posts: 6,133
Bikes: to many to list
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Liked 56 Times
in
31 Posts
Oh damn! Hope you feel better soon! Damn!
__________________
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
09-20-13, 08:10 PM
#18
Spin Forest! Spin!
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Arrid Zone-a
Posts: 5,956
Bikes: I used to have many. And I Will again.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
10 Posts
It's a relief to know you are recovering from a terrible ordeal. Heal up and ride once more.
I also did a 180 on helmet use. Not because of an accident, but because of too many incidents out where I am. It's a small price to pay in order to avoid paying the ultimate price.
I also did a 180 on helmet use. Not because of an accident, but because of too many incidents out where I am. It's a small price to pay in order to avoid paying the ultimate price.
09-20-13, 08:17 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Rhode Island (an obscure suburb of Connecticut)
Posts: 5,630
Bikes: one of each
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
12 Posts
Biker vs. Wildebeest;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzcZfcts42I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzcZfcts42I
09-20-13, 08:21 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tampa Bay, Florida
Posts: 1,698
Bikes: 87 Bridgestone 550 (Shocking Electric Metallic Pink)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
Around here, it is mostly watching for silly squirrels, I do NOT radically deviate from my path to avoid Crabs or Lizards (small ones anyways)...Gopher Tortoises I DO avoid as well as Alligators (have YET to have to dodge one of those on my bike...but HAVE in my car...about a 6 footer). Read an article about a cyclist up north of us that got run over by a BEAR! The bear kept going, the cyclist was somewhat messed up! CRITTERS!!!!
09-20-13, 08:56 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1,085
Bikes: Frejus/Bertin/Cannondale
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Somehow, I just now saw this. I must be getting old too. 
I'll add another prayer for a speedy & full recovery. And I'll think more, about making myself wear one. 
I'll add another prayer for a speedy & full recovery. And I'll think more, about making myself wear one.
09-20-13, 09:18 PM
#22
I got 99 projects
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Hills of Central NH
Posts: 1,581
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
We are all glad you are still with us. Here's wishing you a speedy recovery and seat time in the near future.
09-20-13, 09:52 PM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: EagleRiver AK
Posts: 1,306
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 28 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 60 Times
in
33 Posts
Zand-
I seem to remember that you survived a near miss last year with the massive Bastrop wildfire, now it is wild pig attacks! What is next, plagues of locus and snakes?
I seem to remember that you survived a near miss last year with the massive Bastrop wildfire, now it is wild pig attacks! What is next, plagues of locus and snakes?
09-21-13, 12:59 AM
#24
Banned.
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: PAZ
Posts: 12,294
Mentioned: 255 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2588 Post(s)
Liked 4,824 Times
in
1,709 Posts
Sounds like you went through the wringer for sure - but, damn, is there a better commercial for wearing a helmet? I think not! Those pics of your helmet post-accident sent a chill through me...
I hope your recovery goes well. I ***** and complain about costant, nagging low-grade lower back pain and then I read this. I'm blessed; you've got quite the row to hoe! Take your time and heal up slowly; you've got a nurse in the house who'll most likely ensure you won't be pushing yourself too far too soon, so that's a good thing
Glad you're still around to tell the tale; got a cool story for the grandkids, huh?
DD
I hope your recovery goes well. I ***** and complain about costant, nagging low-grade lower back pain and then I read this. I'm blessed; you've got quite the row to hoe! Take your time and heal up slowly; you've got a nurse in the house who'll most likely ensure you won't be pushing yourself too far too soon, so that's a good thing
Glad you're still around to tell the tale; got a cool story for the grandkids, huh?
DD
09-21-13, 04:03 AM
#25
Trek 500 Kid
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 2,562
Bikes: '83 Trek 970 road --- '86 Trek 500 road
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2904 Post(s)
Liked 382 Times
in
307 Posts
Wow
Good luck with your recovery. Former National Champ and Coors Classic winner Dale Stetina wasn't quite as lucky a couple of weeks ago and his recovery will be in Craig neuro-rehabilitation hospital in Denver for awhile.....So count yourself relatively fortunate.
Man those East Texas hogs must be baaad. Guess I should wear the crash hat more often.
Good luck with your recovery. Former National Champ and Coors Classic winner Dale Stetina wasn't quite as lucky a couple of weeks ago and his recovery will be in Craig neuro-rehabilitation hospital in Denver for awhile.....So count yourself relatively fortunate.
Man those East Texas hogs must be baaad. Guess I should wear the crash hat more often.