dannwilliams

We were supposed to finally get seasonal weather Friday, so I went out for a short ride Thursday to take advantage of the last nice warm day. I had things to get done when I got home so was planning 20-25 miles. My short ride became much longer than I planned and I still have not made it back home! Coming back into town I hit some debris, causing me to go over the handle bars. I landed hard on my left side, with my helmeted head bouncing a couple times on the pavement. The Bell helmet did it's job, too bad it couldn't protect the rest of me. I broke my left clavicle, and left hip. Friday morning I had a total hip replacement. Looks like I'll be off the bike for a while. Therapy starts in full Saturday, so I'll need to do that with the same amount of dedication as I do riding the bike. Hopefully my bike didn't suffer as bad as I did, I'll find out when I get home Sunday or Monday. I must say everyone who assisted me have been wonderful, from the two ladies at the scene, the ems/first responders, doctors and nurses, and the police who took my bike to the station, and those my wife interacted with picking the bike up.

Now on to recovery and getting ready for next season!

Lucillle

I'm so sorry you had an accident. Hoping you have a quick uneventful recovery.

10 Wheels

Barbara broke a hip when a dog caused her to crash her DF bike.

Now with a New Hip she rides a trike.

doctor j

Ouch!

Sorry to hear about the crash but glad you are now on the road to recovery. Heal fast.

berner

Sorry to hear about your crash. I worry about things like that as a 78 y.o. man. I know I don't heal as well as when I was a mere 50 y.o. so I try to be hyper vigilant about what is in front of me. You may not have reached the stage of doing a "debriefing", but when you can get around to it I'd be interested in your take on the whole episode.

Moe Zhoost

Bummer. I wish you a speedy recovery. It sounds like you are motivated and that's a bit factor in the eventual outcome. Don't push it at first, but as you get a feel for how your body is responding, set your own pace. Therapists tend to be a bit over-conservative with older folk.

Ilbiker

Ouch! That sucks. Best wishes on a speedy recovery. I try to be as careful as possible when it ride and run. But, unfortunately, $#@% happens and usually in the blink of an eye.

deacon mark

Wish you a speedy recovery it can happen. Almost a year ago on December 7th I hit a patch of ice fell on my right hip. Lucky not displaced 3 stainless steel screws out of hospital 2 days could walk unaided but not great. Got back on indoor trainer in 4 days. Managed to return to running in 11 weeks on treadmill. I am a runner first but love the bike. I did my own physical therapy everyday and the Deacon thanks the lord I am running 30-40 mile weeks.

The bike is good for the hips and if you hang in you can be as good as before. How old are you that makes a difference I am 55. Stay as active as possible as for me never ride near ice not good.

bikejrff

Wishing you a quick recovery. I see we each have a 2014 Salsa Colossal. It's my favorite bike.

B. Carfree

Well, that's one way to change up one's training routine. Best wishes on a full recovery.

MinnMan

I'm sorry to hear about this and I hope you have a speedy and full recovery.

We live in the same area and I can well understand your urge to get out and ride on Thursday. The front that swept in overnight thursday/friday has finally brought the long-delayed winter to the northern plains. I was out riding this afternoon avoiding patches of ice and wishing I had worn my warmer gloves - it was 30°F or so. Quite a change from last weekend, when I was riding (quite near to you, in Afton, MN) in just a long-sleeved jersey, with no other outerwear.

campngolf

Get better soon. On the bright side, at least the weather should be better when you're ready to ride again.

dannwilliams

Yeah, the comfort of this bike makes long rides so enjoyable! I don't consider it a fast bike, or a great climber, but it sure is comfortable! I put on some new custom wheels last spring, and looks like I may have trashed the rear, front looks to just need to be trued. Once I'm able, I'll be taking it to the shop for a going over.

bikejrff

I was astonished the first time I rode mine on a century ride. More comfortable than my Litespeed and Lynskey. What wheels did you put on your Salsa and kind of a improvements did you notice?

dannwilliams

Had a set custom made, the mgr at the local shop used to be a sales ambassador for Salsa and has connections at QBP. He had their master wheel builder build these: Hope Pro 4 hubs, 24 spoke, red anodized with matching red anodized disc spiders. DT Swiss r460 hoops, Clement tyres, ultegra 11-28 cassette. Just being a casual recreational rider, I can't really say I notice any performance difference, but I really like the looks it brings to the bike. I know, I'm so vain, lol! I do know I love the way this bike rides for the riding I do.

dannwilliams

Here is a picture from earlier this year: https://flic.kr/p/JQVp1L

CrankyFranky

Heck Dann sorry to hear of your accident. I hope the hip hardware and you become one. What did they do with your clavicle repair?

I had a similar crash last year, but no broken bones, just a concussion and a bent fork. At 67, I am acutely aware that coming off the bike will not be good for me - and though I used to think that I had good vision for scanning hazards before they make me fall, that was proven wrong. Makes me less enthusiastic when trying to talk my wife into coming out for a ride, since we both recognize her visual attention and acuity are not good.

Heal well and quickly!

dannwilliams

I was just talking with my wife how I was given no instruction for the clavicle. Just a sling. All the meds and instructions are for the hip. I just need to be smart in how I use it I guess.

VNA

dannwilliams: wish you a prompt recovery but be patient and stay positive. Broke my hip and "fixed" with a Zickel nail but no replacement--Using a home trainer to promote blood flow and of course healing will help and therapy.
https://medapparatus.com/Ortho/Images...ZickleNail.jpg

OldsCOOL

Dang man, that's terrible. I pray your recovery to be strong and swift and you wont miss a beat by next spring/summer.

John_V 

Sorry to hear about your crash and having to have the hip replacement done. Hope that everything goes well during your recovery.

My wife is 69 and has bilateral hip replacements. Last June, we had just returned from a bike ride and she tripped on one of her tennis shoes on the way to the shower. The fall fractured the femur around the titanium shaft in her right leg. The break was loud enough that I heard it crack as she fell. We were due to leave, in 6 weeks, for a three week river cruise in Europe. The surgeon told her it would take about two to three months before she would be able to walk normally on that leg. She told the surgeon that she was going on that trip. The river cruise was amazing. The therapist at the rehab facility she was at couldn't believe that a 68 year old woman had the stamina to do what she did and attributed to her cycling. If my wife can do it, I think you'll do just fine.

1989Pre 

The way I look at crashes is: If I have one, I am happy to get it out of the way, because I know it will be a long time till my next one. Your next ten years will probably be crash-free!

dannwilliams

I don't know, I was run off the road just a couple years back, other than a sore ribcage that seemed to take forever to heal, I came out alright. I am going to knock on wood and accept your claim and move on. Here's hoping I will be crash free for the long run!

JanMM

Ouch! But sounds as if you are doing well. Let us know if you if you turn out to be faster with a bionic hip.....

dannwilliams

"We can rebuild him, better, stronger faster.."