Concussed
#26
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All of this would have been my face if I wasn’t wearing a helmet. I scraped my chin and my teeth in pavement but the visor of my helmet protected my face from most of the impact and probably my head from a concussion. It’s scary to considering how much damage can be done to your brain even when wearing a helmet. People told me to stop riding after this, but as I was recovering the dental tech cleaning my teeth told me about how she tripped and hit her head on the sidewalk and ended up with a concussion so I guess nothing is ever really safe. I hope you have a speedy recovery.
#27
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I wish I'd had a helmet when I was about 9 or 10 years old and wrecked my bike while riding down a hill during a bike-a-thon event. All I remember is going down the hill, all of a sudden my handlebars started shaking and my bike went out from under me. Hit the pavement with my face and had to have stitches on my upper lip and on my chin. Also scraped up my knees. Still have the scars to this day. But if I'd had a helmet with a visor it may have protected my face somewhat. Luckily no concussion or head trauma. When I got my bike the rear tire was flat, so I'm pretty sure that was the cause of the crash since I don't see how it would have gone flat from a crash.
#28
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I had a *very* minor crash where some ******* pushed me off the road right after a stoplight, so I wasn't going very fast. Hit the curb and went down, *very lightly* tagging the side of my helmet on the pavement. I didn't really even see birdies. Barely a scuff on the helmet, but it was a solid hit. Without that helmet, it would have been a trip to the ER. Likely a bad concussion, contusions, scalp stitches, maybe even a skull fracture. I had always been pretty religious about wearing my helmet, but at that point I became a fanatic. Helmets aren't just about saving lives, they're about saving pain, injury and incredible inconvenience. (ie: I was able to go home and throw a BBQ for 10 guests, instead of ending up in the ER/hospital for god knows how long.)
Also, since that accident, I make sure to wear brightly colored Biking clothes, and flashers front and rear. (The guy claimed he "didn't see me", of course.)
Also, since that accident, I make sure to wear brightly colored Biking clothes, and flashers front and rear. (The guy claimed he "didn't see me", of course.)
#29
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I remember one afternoon a couple of years ago when a neighbor saw my wife and I about to take off for a ride and asked in all seriousness 'why are you guys wearing helmets, are you afraid you're gonna crash'? So I guess in the same way you should only put on your seatbelt in your car if you think you might crash?
On motorcycles, the phrase is "dress for the crash, not the ride". Same thing on bicycles, but not to the same degree.
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Dale, NL4T
Dale, NL4T
#30
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My wife and I ride both bicycles and motorcycles. I rode my Goldwing up to northern Indiana from western Kentucky last Friday, temps were in the mid 90s for most of the ~400 mile ride. Was really tempted to remove the jacket, gloves, and helmet - but just couldn't do it.
On motorcycles, the phrase is "dress for the crash, not the ride". Same thing on bicycles, but not to the same degree.
On motorcycles, the phrase is "dress for the crash, not the ride". Same thing on bicycles, but not to the same degree.
#31
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It’s just not worth the risk of not wearing one. Obviously you can still have a head injury with a helmet, as he OP did, but it protects your face too. Before my wreck I wouldn’t always wear mine on the trail, but I always wear it now. It would have knocked my front two teeth out and broken my nose if I hadn’t been wearing one when I had my crash. Honestly I wasn’t even that mad about the broken hand, I still had my teeth and my health insurance has better coverage than my dental insurance.
#32
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I took a spill last night and conked my head really good. My helmet cracked and I received 6 stitches on the left side of my head. I don't remember anything about the ride, not even starting it. The accident happened about 4 miles into the ride. I remember putting some chicken in the oven, and then nothing until being in the neuro unit at the hospital. My wife said that I was asking questions repeatedly and was very disoriented, and I don't remember any of that. ...
Got back on the bike as soon as the ribs would let me. Got clipless pedals for the first time ever shortly after, I switched to platforms last year but that's a whole 'nuther story. A year later I rode my first century. A year after that some buddies convinced me to try the last three days of RAGBRAI and I've been hooked ever since. Life got back to normal for me pretty quickly, I hope it does for you as well.