ryan_c

Well, I knew it was bound to happen sooner or later.

Location: 93rd and Cicero
I would rather not get into too many details, as I don't want this to be another who-was-at-fault thread - I think we both were. To make a long story short, a guy turned right into a parking lot in front of me while I was spacing out, and I hit him / he hit me. Knocked me out of the pedals, hit my head on the ground (not wearing a helmet b/c I'm an arsehole) but that wasn't too bad, head pain was gone after a minute. Hit my knee somewhere in the process (pretty ugly at first, not so bad after I cleaned and dressed it), and the minivan ran over my right hand (two swollen fingers, no real bad pain, no pain w/ movement). I'm familiar with health care and first aid from school and boy scouts (don't laugh ).
Assessment of the situation: He turned right w/o checking his mirror, I should have been paying much better attention but was distracted. I did not have a front reflector or light on my bike, and it was getting dark out. I had no helmet or brakes (try explaining that to the police... I don't think so). I have a slightly tacoed 27" front wheel that I paid $15 for and am building a new wheelset anyway, relatively minor physical injuries, and I messed up his minivan pretty bad. Real bad, actually. Big dent and gash - at least two panels that he's going to have to repair. We traded contact info and he gave me a ride home, we called it a draw.

I wish it hadn't happened, but once I throw a new wheel on and the swelling is gone I think I'll be fine, and hopefully a bit more aware. I have a newfound appreciation for helmets, for sure.

Looks like I'll spend a few days off the bike, maybe even a week or two.

dolface

ouch.
gald you're -- mostly -- all right.
keep an eye on yourself for a concussion, just because you feel ok doesn't mean you ARE ok.

ETQC

Seconded, get your head checked out. A friend of mine was in a nasty spill last winter, ended up with a nasty concussion that was discovered a few days later when we pushed him to get scanned.

pitboss

ryan
take 'er easy. Our ride on Sunday will be in your honor...if anyone shows up. If no one shows up then, my classwork will be done in your honor.

BlastRadius

Glad you're OK. Take care of yourself and get your head checked. Let's hope noone else gets the Chicago curse.

Fugazi Dave

On new year's I'll pour out a little liquor in remembrance of your wheel....though granted I'll be pouring it directly into my mouth.

Glad you're OK. And they say Boston was cursed...

Moonshot

That's a shame. Glad to hear it was settled with mutual satisfaction. You are both to be commended for that.

myxbyx

glad you're ok.....time to change the signature to something from 'curse of Lono'?

Yuppie

glad you're ok. definitely take it easy.

aekeroo

speaking of concusions...ive hit my head numerous times in the past really hard while skating. i never went to get scanned. i feel ok now, my memory isnt really great, but i dont know if it was before i hit my head. are there any long term damages i might have done?

pitboss

free medical advice on a bikeforum.
good place to gain suggestions, but the value of the advice matches the cost. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND going to a doc for this and not even bothering with any other answer. If anything feels foggy in my brain housing gruppo I would be out the door to the doc.
Not a chastisment, just letting you know

ryan_c

[165] - Advice appreciated. I'm not feeling foggy now, the central nervous gruppo seems OK. I'll keep ya updated though. Hmm, you are just getting up and I am about to go to bed, how interesting.

Thanks to all for the well-wishes. Much appreciated.

pitboss

Hunter S would be proud of you!

bostontrevor

Glad to hear you're ok. In addition to watching for a foggy sensation, take note if you find yourself sleeping more than usual or any other out of the ordinary behavior.

I'll say what everyone else says. If you have health insurance, schedule an appointment with your PCP to get your head checked out / get a referral as necessary.

progre-ss

If it's a new bottle, pour out a shot and toss it to the ground to keep the demons happ. Then and only then can you take your first shot. Learned this when I was drinking with my dad and some of our friends, passing a bottle (or 2 or 3) of Bacardi around, taking shots and eating some type of meat.

progre-ss

Glad to hear you're ok. As with everyone else's suggestions, get your head checked. Hope your bike's up and running soon!

rusholme

i will add to the chicago fixie curse - i finally got hit the other day. i say finally because i figure an accident is bound to happen when you are on a bike that much.
it was the lady's fault, she came up behind me in the bike lane and gave me a lovetap. i flew, and she was very sorry as she helped me up and offered me her car to warm up in. luckily, i was wearing a helmet (which i rarely do), and my bag saved my lower back. i was wearing so many clothes (it was super cold out - in the teens) and testing out my new tights so i had to go home to check damage. not much more than bruises and cuts, and the bike was okay. didnt really care to look at her car.

this was on clark, near north, around 8am. apparently, lots of people dont expect cyclists in this weather. maybe i should try blinkies in the mornings too. this experience has definitely made me more likely to chicken out in bad weather (like today, when it is supposed to rain), and my sister gave me a gym membership for her peace of mind. i hope to mentally & emotionally recuperate soon. i have also decided that my next bad-weather fixie will include a brake.

thanks for letting me share this with you guys.

pitboss

yeah - get lights. better to be seen on the street than in a casket.

bostontrevor

rusholme, give some thought about where that bikelane places you relative to the rest of traffic (especially including right turning and parking traffic) and blind spots. I think generally you'll find that it's not a good place. Glad to hear you're ok.

auroch

I hate North Ave:

North Ave: 2
Me: 0

glad you didn't get too banged up ryan.
I'd hate to see what happens to pharmacy kids
when they start self-medicating.

rushlome: same as above. mostly.
I always wear a blinkie, but rarely a helmet
which is both stupid & smart at the same time.

Yay duality!

stay safe ss'ers
jeff

harlot

Be safe boys and girls! Wear a helmet, use blinkies, whatever it takes to have you around for a long long time.

absntr

Ryan - glad to hear you came out a-ok. As one of the "chosen" I can certainly relate. Hopefully the Fuji came out okay - wheels are easy to replace. Make sure you check the rake on that fork and for bends at the steerer tube. That's how Gretchen got replaced by the new shiny _________(insert name here - still no name yet).

Rusholme - cars don't see you in wnter period. I take the lane when I need to be seen, got one large blinkie under the seat, another on my bag and am thinking about putting my other rear blinkie on the rear too. I run a front light, a small LED blinkie but am considering yet another. I take it much slower in the winter and always, always believe that no car sees me at all. Only way to stay as safe as can be.

cogdriven 

I hate wearing a helmet. So much rather wear cool Bianchi race cap or warm hat, but I flipped my bike last year showing off and came down on me head. The damage I did to the helmet convinced me that I don't ever want to have my skull take that kind of a pounding. I keep that old helmet to remind me why I put up with the noise and discomfort.

ryan_c

Yeah, I really need to stick with the helmet more. I kind of got out of the habit in the cold weather - been wearing warm hats instead. Guess I ought to reconsider that.

skitbraviking

Man, sorry to hear that. I almost got nailed last week and it' wouldn't have been my fault. The driver then proceded to threaten me when I threw my hands up in the air. (I swear I didn't flick him off!) Nevertheless, it seems people are extra crazy this time of year, until they slink into the malaise of mid-winter.

If it makes me feel any better, you've inspired me to watch myself a whole lot more.

Peace.