SClaraPokeman

Friday evening, August 3rd I was descending Page Mill and turned off onto Altamont to head towards Foothill College and then home. I got past the guardrail (past the bicycle caution signs) and at the beginning of the screamer descent a small deer ran in front of me and took me down.

I was probably going about 28-30 mph at the time and I'm grateful the deer didn't decide to do this 75 yards downstream where my speed would had been 10 mph faster.

Anyway, the first thing I do in the immediate aftermath of an accident is fish my tongue around and check for broken teeth. Fortunately I had none. I felt my face and detected no cuts or abrasions. So far so good. Noticed a lot of road rash, but it didn't look too bad. But my right shoulder wasn't good though--the knobby part seemed really raised up.

I was using a new Mavic high end helmet (I'm too sore to get up and read the model name) and I recall it hitting the tarmac and bouncing along at least twice. I had a tight adjustment on it and the right ear strap cut into my ear and bloodied it. The helmet was cracked in several sections and clearly compressed on the top. I have a Walmart helmet that I use for commuting to the gym and its strap and buckle system seems much less robust--I feel now that a $200 helmet is worth it for high energy situations.

I was able to remount and ride slowly to a friend's home in Los Altos and got a ride home. My son cut off my riding clothes and I has able to get a quick shower and head to El Camino ER (driving one handed).

ER wasn't too busy and I got the shoulder x-ray done quickly, the x-rays are read by a doctor and radiologist and they didn't see any fractures. I then had the shoulder wound dressed and my arm was put in a sling.

I'm very sore right now and I'm like an old man moving around. My main worry is what the tissue damage in my very unstable shoulder may be. I've done a lot of cable and dumbbell work on my shoulder in the past as training for gym bouldering and I like to think that protected me from broken bones. I plan on seeing an Ortho doctor at PAMF in the coming week for further assessment.

All in all, it could have been worse. Thank god for the helmet.

ericm979

Glad to hear that nothing's broken.

It's always the season to watch for deer.
When one crosses the road there's usually another one behind it.

reidplum

Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Hope your recovery goes well.

Suddenly a $200 helmet seems cheap.

Best to you,

Reid

SteveE

Glad to hear you weren't more seriously injured.

That hill is treacherous enough without having to watch out for deer! I nearly crashed there myself about 12 years ago on my first ride on my Serotta! Then, after regaining control, I passed an ambulance tending to a fallen cyclist just below where I'd nearly lost it.

There was also one time that a guy, on his first ride with the club, missed the turn near the top, went over the bushes, and landed on the driveway below. Ended up with a broken collarbone. I don't take club rides down that way and descend from Altamont via Taaffe instead.

- SteveE

Kirby34

Indeed!

cccorlew

CRAP!
As much as you must be hurting, it could have been so much worse. Still, OUCH, and CRAP again.
And, in the best BF tradition: How is the bike?

bigbossman 

I've had close encounters with deer on both Hamilton and Mines Rd. Both times, they appeared out of nowhere and we came close to occupying the same space at the same time.

There are a lot around - last year and especially the year before were big breeding years.... so be careful.

Midland

Sorry for your crash. Hope you heal well & quickly.

msincredible

Ouch! Hope you heal up quickly. We are approaching mating season so keep those eyes out. Yay for your helmet!!!

spingineer

I never go down that hill on Altamont ... for different reasons. I went down on the turn too, but not because of deer, but because of going too fast on slick road. Heal up, and continue to ride another day.

msincredible

I will never forget that moment Ron...so glad you had on such a good helmet.