Glad you are basically OK, although 100 stitches doesn't sound like much fun.

As someone who has broken 2 helmets and 0 skulls, I definitely advocate wearing a helmet.

100 stitches? That is a pretty serious crash. Ouch.

24cm of sutures. The surgeon took 2 hours. Glad he was a cyclist too. The trauma room staff were impressed with his work and he was happy, which is always a good sign...:)

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"Most of my heroes don't appear on no stamps"
Blog = http://extrememomentum.com|Photos = http://wheelgoodphotos.com

100 STITCHES!?! I almost want to see a picture of your face.

Seriously though, I'm glad you're "okay" (not in a coma) and glad the helmet did its job. I moan and groan far too often about how expensive they are, but I owe them my life probably more than once-over.

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https://www.strava.com/athletes/10327392

I wish there were practical (i.e. non-BMX style) helmets that protected more of the face & neck areas. Road/tri helmets seem to only be concerned with protecting against concussions & skull fractures.

Wow, glad your ok. 100 stitches doesn't sound fun at all. I know when I got hit I was knocked out briefly. I don't remember getting into the ditch and when they asked if I hit my head I said I don't know. We looked at my helmet and it was clear, yep I did and hard. Another reminder to always wear your helmets no matter how far you are going. I agree that it would be nice to see some solutions for protecting the face and neck. I would wear that during training for sure.

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"Before you make it to the finish, You have to make it to the start."

... and the wind

Thanks for the reality check and reminder. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

 
is that a MIPS helmet?

That helmet is barely scuffed. Without it you would have had what? 101 stitches?

Damn thing didn't do it's job. It sat on the sidelines while your face got blown up.

I'm calling your mom. You can't get back on your bike until you wear one of these:

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I'm beginning to think that we are much more fucked than I thought.

Standard Octal...not the MIPS version. I don't think it would have mattered in my situation...:)

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"Most of my heroes don't appear on no stamps"
Blog = http://extrememomentum.com|Photos = http://wheelgoodphotos.com

BTW, I just noticed my helmet was cracked all of the way through in several spots. Dang, I didn't see this until today. Being mostly Swedish, I can't complain about Swedish engineering...:)

-Pete

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"Most of my heroes don't appear on no stamps"
Blog = http://extrememomentum.com|Photos = http://wheelgoodphotos.com

Agree completely. And check your helmet for cracks and damage every month or so.

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'It never gets easier, you just get crazier.'

And you guys wanted a photo of me...:) I took this after my shower today. My face is still very swollen, but it looks better than it did on Sunday. I've been keeping my wound clean and using lots of bacitracin. I remember the crash Jensie had in the 2009 TdF. Now, I know how it feels. I think I have more stitches than him, but he broke his cheek bone and has a concussion.

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"Most of my heroes don't appear on no stamps"
Blog = http://extrememomentum.com|Photos = http://wheelgoodphotos.com

Allen - thanks for sharing your story.

I live in Los Angeles and probably like you saw a break in the weather. The sun came out and it was very nice out. It rained once more then i decided not to bike to griffith park but ride on my Vortex.

Those initial rains bring out the worst in roads.

Im glad your okay.

I've come to learn the rain here isn't like it is in the Midwest. It's best to stick to bike trails. If it hasn't rained for a few days, the oil in the road rises up and makes things very slick. The CHP officer was telling me about this at the hospital. I don't think tires would have made a difference. Sometimes this crap just happens.

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"Most of my heroes don't appear on no stamps"
Blog = http://extrememomentum.com|Photos = http://wheelgoodphotos.com

know I'm preaching to the choir here

Not exclusively. Not by a long shot.

Zokes! I think your face took most of it. That must hurt like hell! Hope you recover well.

I know. I see plenty of guys on $10K bikes just wearing a retro cycling cap. People going 5 MPH on a beach cruiser on the bike path...I can sort of understand. Another good example is to NOT wear an aero racing helmet when training (unless it's race prep). Also, I don't understand the people who train without a shirt, but ride a disc and use an aero helmet. Tri guys and roadies are just as bad. Don't get me started on the DH MTBers that I see all of the time with body armor and no helmet!

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"Most of my heroes don't appear on no stamps"
Blog = http://extrememomentum.com|Photos = http://wheelgoodphotos.com

3 helmets, 2 concussions and 1 skull. (no facial stitches yet, well, not from cycling at least)

Wear a helmet people (I don't think I'd be here today except for the helmets)

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TriDork

"Happiness is a myth. All you can hope for is to get laid once in a while, drunk once in a while and to eat chocolate every day"

It did exactly what it was supposed to do, absorbed the impact to the head area. If it hadn't cracked through, it would have been more force transmitted to your skull. Good Swedish engineering!

Wear a helmet people (I don't think I'd be here today except for the helmets)

Back before helmets were "invented", the average life expectancy of bike riders was 3.34 years.

There goes your modelling career!

Hope you heal fast and well. If not, chicks dig guys with scars

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TriDork

"Happiness is a myth. All you can hope for is to get laid once in a while, drunk once in a while and to eat chocolate every day"

I know! I had just signed a modeling contract...:) Seriously, I might be able to pick up some extra cash at haunted houses this month. Feel bad for the kids coming to do the door this Halloween. I had a few weird looks shopping yesterday. I'm sure people were wondering if I had gotten beat up.

The thing that's weirding me out right now is random swelling. My left eyelid was swollen yesterday morning, but is now much better. My right cheek is more swollen underneath my mandible. It doesn't really hurt. I'm wondering if I strained my platysma. I'm keeping an eye on it in case it gets worse. They have my IV antibiotics at the hospital, but not a prescription for orals. I'm keep my wounds clean. I see the plastic surgeon on Friday to have my stitches removed.

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"Most of my heroes don't appear on no stamps"
Blog = http://extrememomentum.com|Photos = http://wheelgoodphotos.com