i just got back from a freaky car/flying pole accident while riding my bike. It was my first bicycle accident, and the strange thing was while i got hit and i was falling down, landing hard on my head (thank god i wore a helmet, because now the helmet broke in 2 instead of my skull), the only things i was thinking of were: i hope my bike will be OK and why didn’t i ride my trainings bike like i was planning to (and why didn’t i shave my legs today instead of tomorrow). Is this normal or does this mean my bike is more important to me than my health ???
ps:the bike(p3) was slightly bruised, although the frame looked ok , so they can probably repair it
not unusual at all…I even did that when my wife and I were out riding and shee hit the deck at speed…partly because we still had a fair ways left to ride and bike that was wrecked wasn’t going to make things better and partly because it was a really good bike. There have been a couple of occasions where I crashed or got hit and my first thought was about my bike. It must mean we’re missing a microchip upstairs or something I’m sure.
i just got back from a freaky car/flying pole accident while riding my bike. It was my first bicycle accident, and the strange thing was while i got hit and i was falling down, landing hard on my head (thank god i wore a helmet, because now the helmet broke in 2 instead of my skull), the only things i was thinking of were: i hope my bike will be OK and why didn’t i ride my trainings bike like i was planning to (and why didn’t i shave my legs today instead of tomorrow). Is this normal or does this mean my bike is more important to me than my health ???
ps:the bike(p3) was slightly bruised, although the frame looked ok , so they can probably repair it
Yes, I think this is normal. I broke my collar bone a couple of years ago coming out of T1 trying to put my left foot into my shoe. Thank God it was a slow speed crash but all I can remember on the way down was thinking “MY BIKE and MY WHEELS!”. Some spectators came running over to see how I was and again all I said to them as I was laying on the ground was “what’s my bike and wheels look like!”.
So basically I did a Heisman Trophy into the ground to protect my equipment. With a P3 and 404’s it was worth it! Broke my collar bone but finished the race because my bike was OK.
Over thirty years ago I lived in southern New Jersey and raced cross country motorcycles. For our local club rides I was able to ride to the start/finish line right from my house. One day I had a bad crash; over the bars landing right on my forehead (with a helmet). I got up, finished the race and started to ride home, but I couldn't remember where I lived and I stopped at the local gas station! They called an ambulence to take me to the hospital. While I was in the hospital, one of the ambulance drivers came to see me. She said when they came to get me I was so funny, I was trying to tell them that I was fine but they had to put the motorcycle (Bultaco Sherpa S) in the ambulance and take it home for me. I just didn't know where that was!
My thoughts are always tuck the chin to the chest and roll. then if I hear cars roll, scramble, run what ever works to reach the shoulder then do a body systems check then think about the bike…no cars, then I do a body systems check, grab bike, get out of roadway…self preservation first…4000 dollar bike second
of course there are those few times when I have woken up in a green room with people in surgical gear staring down at me saying it’s ok you were in a crash we can repair the damage…then I wake up the next day with stitches and bandages everywhere in total pain…
My thought, going over the bars, was “No helmet!”. I jumped up to standing immediately. Then lay back down and passed out. I only cracked some ribs and bled out in my arm for a hugh long-lasting bruise. I have worn a helmet ever since.
That just shows good common sense and proper prioritization.
When I wrecked my motorcycle(no, not the minor accidents, The Wreck) as I flew over the top of three cars(the bike went under) My first thought was “Well, I need a new motorcycle. Perhaps a slightly slower one next time.” My second thought was, “Good landing Jeff. Now get on the median because a Chevy Friggin Blazer is about to blow the red light and crush your sorry ass.” BTW, that accident was not my fault…sorta. But I still question the wisdom of building bikes that go 1-100 in under ten seconds and are only purchased by young idiots and old knuckleheads.
When I got into my last major car wreck, as they took me out of the car on a spine board(it turns out that I have no spine, so I was okay) I was upset for two reasons. First, I wanted to see how bad the damage to my 10 month old VW Golf was, and second, I didn’t want to leave my guitar in the back seat. That accident was totally not my fault. It just goes to show you that if you see someone broken down on the road, either keep going or hit them. If you don’t, the next guy coming along will crush you between the broken down car and the concrete barrier.
Which brings me to my mantra: any crash you walk away from is a good one.
and my backup mantra: I’ve never driven/ridden anything I couldn’t crash.
While I layed in a ditch after an accident, dislocated ACL, some bad rash and dizzy as hell, I was using a bystanders cell phone to call my wife and the first thing she asked after I told her I had a bad crash was…“how’s the bike?”. This is a true story - we laugh about it to this day!!
First race of the season, I get forced into the barriers, about 5 of us go down. I get up, system check, everything’s alright, I look at the carnage, see a guy behind laying on the ground, I check that he is okay, and tell him not to move and I would get some help, then I turn to my side and I hear a kid crying," My Zipp Wheels!!!" and he was sobbing. His Zipps were toasted. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
I get on my bike, straighten the bars and continue to race. Pays to ride titanium.
