Thomm 124
Have ridden in many a peloton/paceline/group rides since the early 1970s . . .
When things get a bit thight, ride with elbows out . . .
At age 78 still get in 100 miles a week. But not as fast, not as far . . .

I echo the amazement at a supposed crash rate of once every 4000 miles. If that is really the case, someone is going to have to make up for the over 100 crashes I have skipped. Hopefully, I won't start making up for lost time now; I'm too old to sit around healing up, there's riding to do and pies to eat.

I am also glad the op had come out of this encounter with a high gravity zone in good health.

Been there, done that............My first real crash cost me 1hr45min awake time and 2 years for the head to clear. When it happens, it happens fast. Hang a rear wheel, touch a wheel in a paceline, etc. Good thing your noggin was protected. Send Giro a thank you letter and get another one.

As to the shoulder. I had two full thickness tears of the rotator cuff, doctor told me that surgery was necessary and it would never heal. They scheduled me for surgery, were going to cut me end to end grind bone, etc. After 18 months of recovery and therapy, I would have 70-80% of the function back. I got with a personal trainer who adjusted the exercises for me and we rehabbed it in 6 months. Now I play competitive racquetball again.

That's great! I hope I can do that when I'm your age.......

Tom