Hit the pavement hard today (not cautious enough)
 

Loose pea gravel + fast pace = blood, and pain.

:mad: :cry: :( :o

I should have gone to the E.R. to get a few stitches in my arm, but I have an RN for a wife. She hooked me up with some real good comfort and care. She had a ton of supplies and did wonders on me.

I landed on my right side. My ankle, shin, hip, shoulder and elbow look really bad. My elbow caught a few pieces of gravel and tore open deep and wide. I had to bike 5 miles to hitch a ride bleeding like a stuck pig.

I'm sore and loopy feeling from the home remedy pain killers (beer and naproxen). So forgive me if my words are slurred.

My bike needs new tape (just wrapped Stella Azzurra 5 days ago) and new brakes. Fortunately one of my bottles came loose and the bike landed partly on it as it slid across the pavement. My new Fizik seat and Ritchey Carbon post came out just fine. My rear der looks a bit scratched but everything else is OK.

I was going to ride a full 86 mile commute Monday. I hope I'm feeling OK to do so by then. So I may get out tomorrow morning to loosen up.

pix plz

Sorry no photos.

Well, since you are all concerned.
I went out Sunday morning to see how bad I was. I was mostly worried about my hip.

Not too bad.
My bike faired OK as well.

My wife thinks I should have gotten a few stitches in my arm, but I didn't want to go to the ER and wait for 6 hours for a Dr to thread me up. Our waiting room is infamous for people just falling dead waiting for help.

Thanks for all the responses ;)

I'm glad to hear that you will probably be OK. Watch out for infection.

I rode. Around 24 miles with a few efforts to see if there would be an pain in my hip. None.

Glad to hear your ok. I cant belive someone would pick up a strange guy in spandex bleeding all over the place and give you a ride. Maybe there are a couple nice people left.

Good deal. It sounds as if you dodged a bullet for sure. Gravel can really put you down fast.

I'm glad to hear that you're not only okay, but back in the saddle! :beer:

... Brad

Glad you're ok.

What happened? How'd you go down?

We were making a right turn. Behind me, I heard, "Gravel!" I slowed. Someone actually went through and ahead of me. I felt my wheels slowly come out from under me. I hit the ground and slid through the gravel.

Well, I made it in ok this morning - 1st leg of my 86 mile commute.
It's weird; I don't hurt on the bike. My scars and hip feel just fine. When I get to a set of stair, different story.

The bad part of the day today will be telling the tale of my fall at least a dozen times. I think I'll change it up several times just to make it interesting.

1. Failed suicide attempt (jumped off flight of stairs instead of building due to my fear of heights)
2. Hit by a moose while jogging on a treadmill.
3. Run over by Grave Digger at the moster truck rally. (This one might be too beliveable).
4. Got drunk and tried shaving with 40 grit sandpaper.

Next time you need stitches, do what I did: Find a practice named something like "Surgical Associates". My wait time in a much nicer waiting room than an ER was less than 2 hours. Got a tetanus shot & my stitches for a $25 co-pay. Going to the emergency room will usually cost you more like a $150 co-pay. Even a doc-in-the-box is a better alternative than the ER.