You may, or may not, have noticed a bit of a pause in my riveting responses here at BF. I've finally got my head around recounting my story.

What happened: On Sunday July 19, I was just out for a short (10k) toodle to get some fresh air and check some road work on part of a 600 km route I'd planned for the next weekend (July 25).

On the way home, I made a left hand turn through a T intersection. I'd completed the turn when ... WHAM! A pickup truck -- who'd run the red light -- plowed into me from behind.

I remember thinking: Must stay up. Then I'm seeing the undercarriage of the truck and a milisecond later the back wheels hit me in the right hip. I'm facing the wheels which are pushing me along the road, thinking A. Keep your frikkin' foot on the brake! and B. Those are bald tyres!

Next, after getting dragged for 30 ft, I'm sitting next to the truck and some people run over. I can hear the young driver of the truck, behind me, saying "Oh my god, o my god!

I'm pretty calm. I sit up and then see my foot. Not pretty (I'll spare the details, but to say it is barely attached). I say to my self: "You're in deep trouble."

A woman arrives on the scene. I'm saying loudly to the kid: "That was a *%&*ing red light you ran!" The woman says, "Yes, I was right behind him. He didn't even slow." I think it was she who knelt behind me to support me as I didn't want to lay down, but rather hold my leg so the foot wouldn't fold.

Soon, a guy with ERT training ran over with a bag. He had a kit from which he produced a compression bandage and tied up the foot. I screamed.

My Specialized Comp shoe lays a few metres behind; my bike, a tangled wreck, further back.

Then the fire truck arrived, followed by police and finally the ambulance and paramedics.

They put on a neck brace, loaded me on a board and after checking for usual signs of internal injuries, loaded me into the ambulance. Interesting that the constant questioning -- name, address, birth date, etc. -- gave me something to focus on. Still, I was now shaking uncontrollably. Sirens blaring, we bump and sway to the general. Agony.

Memories of hospital corridors rushing by, razors shaving (no need for legs), monitoring electrodes stuck on, oxygen masks, IVs going in. Then the long, painful sessions of scans, X-rays, probing and waiting.

That evening, I underwent a 5 hour surgery, during which a (stainless) plate attached with 8 screws was used to put the shattered tibia back together. The fibula was left to its own devices -- a surprise I got viewing last week's post-op X-ray. The tibia sheared off just above the joint. The surgeon admitted it was one of the worst of its kind he'd seen as, in his words, I'd "left a lot of bone back on the road."

A week later, I underwent a skin graft operation. Donor site was my right thigh (above short line ) It has taken well. But that (donor site) is a painful wound that is healing slowly. I'll spare you the full-colour images.

As mentioned, I'm now finally home, with a hospital bed in our small living room. I can get to nearby bathroom with walker and have started sitting briefly in my armchair with leg elevated and make short trips by wheelchair, with help from my wife () or home care nurse () up to the park and/or cafe. If the foot is down too long though, it turns purple. The wheelchair has an extension that supports the right leg.

As well, I have a wrenched back, severely bruised hip, compressed shoulder, whiplash, sprained wrist, knee, bruises everywhere and, of course, lots of road rash (mostly healed).

Things are moving forward slowly. The main irritant at this moment is the skin on the foot which has become thin from edema, looks like parchment and burns.

I have a long road of rehab ahead. Hopefully, the bone will heal as well as the external wounds.

It helps immensely to get the support of family and friends. I got a wonderful card on Wednesday signed by Woden's Wheelers and one of them just dropped by offering to take me on a wheelchair ride next week! Also seen my clubmates who just got back, having survived LEL. Boy, did they have stories!

Of course, the very hardest thing is being out of "the peleton." Just trying to stay focussed and hoping I'll end up with enough movement in joint to get back in the saddle. Those of you who know me are aware I've made it through other challenges the last few years and I'm just going to apply the same bloody-mindedness to this setback.

If you want to follow my progress in 140 characters or less, check my Twitter page.

Ride safe.
Cheers,
Randochap

What a nightmare! You can either
a) yell at your guardian angel for being asleep at the wheel, or
b) give him/her a big hug for keeping you out of the pearly gates.

Glad you are still with us.

what a horrendous incident. i really hope you have a full recovery and i really admire your spirit.

Thanks. Yes, it is by some kind of twisted "providence" that I'm here writing this, not confined to a wheelchair for life, etc.

Man, at least you're doing okay. What about the bike? Getting a new one via his insurance I hope?

They do the questioning exactly for that purpose- to keep you out of shock; any of the information takes a back seat to that.

And glad to hear you're okay, that could have turned out a lot worse!

Wow. That's a scary accident. I'm amazed that you have such vivid memories of the accident.

Jeez though. That's a helluva a crash you had. Stupid cagers. I hope you make a full and speedy recovery, and get everything paid for (and then some).

Randochap, thankfully it wasn't your day to go. Keep the positive attitude, listen to the Doc, and do what you're told.

Be sure and stay on the insurance company about your bike. You will be needing it eventually.

sounds awful...glad to hear it wasn't even worse. heal well.

Yes, sir! Ha, ha! your avatar is appropriate. Crutches are in the corner, waiting for me to graduate from walker. Have to wait for back and shoulder to improve and blood flow in foot to return to some kind of "normalcy."

Keep the spirits high and here is to hoping that you can and want to get back on the bike soon!!

Wow Randochap, thats an awful story. Keep your head up and get well soon. Someone was looking out for you, as bad as it was, it could have been much worse.

Very sorry to hear about your accident. I got hit from the rear in late April and I'm still recovering as well.

Your positive attitude will go a long way towards making a full recovery.

Cheers! Are you OK?

Ouch!

Keep positive and get well.

Lol, 10 years military sort of left a lasting impression.

Yea, crutches indeed. It seems July sucked much more than I imagined. If you want I'm sure I can find a similar themed one for ya until you're back on your feet..

Wishing you a speedy recovery Randochap. After something like that your lucky to be alive. Good luck man, I hope your back riding sooner than you think.

Here's to a speedy and full recovery.

Ouch! glad to hear that you are still with us after that. Hopefully your recovery is quick. Hopefully his insurance pays for a new bike and for all your medical bills including rehabiltiation.

Yikes. Just a few feet one way or the other, and you wouldn't be here posting this story. Lucky for you and your family, it just wasn't your time to go. Wish you a speedy recovery. Stay focused on getting back on the saddle. Hope your therapy goes well, you get back to 100% and this becomes a distant memory a few years from now.

ouch... good luck in your recovery!!

This calls for a glass half full outlook, I think. Glad you survived to tell the tale, and best of luck on the road to recovery.

A quick summary:
https://www.bikeforums.net/northern-california/576797-back-bike-after-accident.html

I am doing a lot better now, my fractures have healed and I returned to work last week. Now it's going to be a few months of PT to get back the normal range of movement in the joints.

Feel free to PM if you want to talk offline.

Man.

I'm glad you're okay.

Your positive outlook rocks. Keep that.

Also, hug the shiet outta your wife.

Edit: By okay, i mean that you'll be okay and I'm glad that you're alive...

Hoping that you have a speedy recovery. Take care.

- john