Ok, I’ve been lucky, I haven’t had anything worse then a “failure to unclip” topple on the bike. Last night that changed. I’m coming home from work later than usual because of the ice/snow festival in town. With the almost 50 degree temps a lot of melting happened, it’s probably 11pm, a lot of that melting has started to refreeze, I transition from road to sidewalk in preperation for turning into my parking lot when both wheels slid out from under me. I hit my right shoulder hard! No biggie, I sit for minute,take stock, and decide I’m okay. This morning my shoulder is in immense pain, I can’t lift it without grimacing, unable to work today. I am used to sprains, strains and the like from being in the martial arts studio 5 hours a day 5 days a week, I don’t think I did any serious damage but it hurts like hell. This morning when I awoke and realized I was hurt a conversation I had a year ago with Mike Aderhold, Tom D’s head wrench, ran threough my mind, I stated that I was careful riding and had never had an accident, Mikes only comment was “yet”.
2nd degree AC separation, at the worst. RICE, buddy (rest, ice, compression, elevation…don’t lie flat on your back). NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories), 800mg every 12 hours, or tylenol for the pain.
There are two types of cyclists: Those who have fallen, and those who haven’t fallen yet.
Damn dude, glad to hear that you made it out ok. Ice sucks when you aren’t expecting it!
You might want to consider retiring that lid of yours, too - even if you can’t see any physical damage, the strength could very well have been compromised.
Helmet is being retired as of right now. I was overdue for a new one anyway. I’m pretty sure my shoulder took all the shock. Sure feels like it. Only bummer is now I have the day off from work it’s high 40s out there and I can’t ride or run. That sucks!
I have a friend–top AG track rider-- got T-boned in an intersection about three weeks ago. Broken wrist, massive hematoma on his right elbow/arm that took three weeks before resolving down, but the worst is his teeth-knocked out three, and aparently killed a bunch of others–just the little unimportant ones in the front. They are gradually turning black.
Occupational hazard, I reckon. I took a low speed tumble the other day heading down a wet, steep footpath to check out a beach I had never been to. Tyres locked, and I went sprawling. No major damage but a couple of deep black bruises on my leg.
My resolution for the rest of 2005: no more crashes!
Little update, shoulder is still stiff and extremely painful, but was able to get full range of motion without screaming today. This was important to me as I wanted to make sure I had not done any joint damage to the shoulder. As far as I can tell my right lat took all the damage. So I shouldn’t be down too long. Also helmet has a crack I didn’t see until I started really looking. I didn’t even think I hit my head, but there is a scrape and a hairline crack. So I get to get a new helmet, any suggestion for the athlete on a bugdet?
Jim, sorry about the accident. You may have an AC joint injury from trying to catch your fall. You will need to see an Othopedic doctor ASAP. Last year I had a similar fall but broke my elbow instead. Keep ice on it for the next three days.
Zero health insurance, but will go to the doc if it doesn’t heal right up. I am pretty sure it is just muscle damage. I have a really good first aid background and lots of expierience with strains sprains and pulls due to my profession. I see no symptoms of a breaak, I don’t even have any bruising.