Originally Posted by cuda2k
So I get home this afternoon and it is soo nice outside so I decide to take my second ride of the day (I had taken a short ride this morning on my ATB).
I gear up, check the tires and head off. As I am going down the street to get out of my neighborhood, I see some kid run across the road. They finish crossing and get to another yard, so I continue to accelerate. As I get about 6 ft from where they cross one suddenly turns around and runs back out. I had about enough time to say "wacth out!!". I pulled on the brakes and tried to swerve but he stopped right where I swerved. BAM!!! I went flying over the handlebars and landed on my right side: arm hip and head. I immediately felt okay and sat up to check on the kid, but he was already up and running into his house crying. He was about 4'6" and 65 lb (8 or 9 years old)and here I am 6'2" 226# on a 22# bike, so you can imagine how he must have felt.
I walked up to his house to check on him and he had a small hole in his scalp and there was some bleeding, but other than that he seemed okay. His parents were pretty cool about it, and I stuck around until they were comfortable that he was okay.
As far as the helmet, it was cracked pretty badly in 3 places, and so of course I need a new one. I am debating whether or not to go to Target and get one tongith as I want to commute tomorrow.
As far as the bike, the tire was flatted by the impact and the stem and bars were knocked out of kilter a bit. The hole in the kids head ended up being from his head hitting my brake caliper as we found his hair and blood there. I'll have to drop it by the LBS to let me buddy the mechanic give it a look to make sure everything is okay. It is a steeel roadie, and all I really am concerned about is if my front wheel is still true.
All in all I am disappointed I did not get to ride, but I am glad the kid and I am okay.
I'll post pics of the helmet as soon as I can.
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I saw that before, but don't you think it's a little late for that once the kid is right in front of you? If you didn't see the group of kids beforehand, that would be one thing, but you DID point out that you saw them ahead of time. All I'm saying is to let them know you're coming. Maybe the whole thing could have been avoided. I guess if it had been me, I would have waited to accelerate until I was clear of them, just as if I were driving a car.
edit: And you are right, a cracked helmet IS an indication that you would have had some sort of head injury (I guess some people define 'injury' differently). I've wrecked several, and could not imagine having to go through those accidents w/o one.