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!

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?

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

Thank you, my friend!

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...

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!

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.