qcpmsame 

Made it 2 days into January and stopped completely, hit the deck hard after a dog cut across in front of me suddenly. Hit him, washed out my front wheel as I was slowing and cutting right to avoid him moving across from right to left. Save the "Pics or it didn't happen", I'm not taking pictures of a scrapped up bicycle or bloody appendages for anyone.

First off and most importantly, the bike has a shredded read derailleur cable, barked up RD, scrapes on both brake/shifter levers and hoods. Nothing else I can notice right now. rear derailleur gets checked out, cable replaced, Shifter/brakes get checked out and overhauled, thoroughly, and the bar tape gets replaced, its torn beyond using. I'll do a through check out tomorrow, when I feel worse and hurt more.

Me: hit on my right side, first, then my head (in a helmet, which is toast now, cracked) and the left hand (in gloves.) Head is alright, now, But I was woozy after the crash. Right forearm and elbow are barked up, quite well. Left hand's knuckles are beat up, but nothing feels broken, or hurts much. Right knee is barked up somewhat, not as good as the arm or left hand.

I was coherent enough to move out of the road quickly and could walk as well as someone with PD can. Jersey and tights are torn up on their right side, toast, too. Helmet is cracked and scraped up, toast, too. I was standing on the shoulder of the road and a gentle that lives along the road, and his son, came up and stopped to check on me. These nice folks see me every day when I am riding and were worried since I was just standing there, looking ragged and bleeding. The son took my phone as I told them my name and address, as well as telephone number, in case I went out from the head banging. I told them that I had crashed and thought I may have a concussion, would they take me, and the CAAD 10, to my house. The son loaded my bicycle in the bed of their pick-up and helped me get in. I started sucking on the water bottle to keep from getting dried out, a major issue for my kidney disease when I am hurt like this (don't ask, please.) He took me to my house, unloaded my bicycle and got the front door unlocked for me, bicycle was wheeled inside. After he was certain I was alright and that Monica was on the way home, he bid me adieu. He called the house later to check on me, really nice fellow, that family gets a treat this weekend.

After Monica got home, I had called her and let her know I had licked the asphalt, but was okay, she checked me over and looked sick at my scrapes, and my stupidity. I hurt on the right shoulder pretty bad right now, took some aspirin, and the helmet, tights and jersey are right offs. I won't be seeing the owner of the little dog for compensation, I know them from my riding, he didn't do anything that dogs don't do, I should have stopped and let her sniff the leave, but she always runs along side me, never cut close to me before. Save me the liability speech for the dog owner, ain't going to happen. I am going to take a few days off, first time in along time to be down from riding. Get the bicycle in order, and make sure I am not more screwed up, than usual. If I ain't here, don't think I have abandoned ship, I will be back riding shortly. Sorry to be so long fingered.

Bill (Ol' Twitchy, and bloody)

freedomrider1

Sorry to hear about your crash, thanks for posting this as i would have done exactly what you did by having the friendly dog run with you.Now hearing this it puts that into the list of things not to do. Get Well soon.

K100Fran 

Sorry about your accident. I can sympathize, had one similar in Sept. Only I took pictures while I was in the ER. Thankfully my body took most of the damage and next to nothing on the bike.
What brand helmet? Giro offers 30% off for crash replacement.

Heal quickly and all the best in 2015.

curbtender

Heal well brother. Almost back from a spill in August. Just waiting for a post for my front tooth. And those dang animals...Had a squirrel run in front of me and a second that hit the rider behind me on Saturday.

FBinNY 

Sorry to hear about your crash. Glad you're OK. Sleep well tonight, and don't be surprised if you wake up feeling 100% worse.

On the bright side, it's so refreshing to hear someone say, "Sh-t happened, it was as much my fault a anybody else's", then man up and put himself back together without looking for someone else to pay.

BTW- what planet did you come from?

Unsolicited advice that you can feel free to ignore. Stop taking aspirin, which has been linked to increased bleeding complications in head injuries. Also don't be alone for 24 hours. There are often delayed complications from seemingly minor head trauma. Stay with someone who can keep an eye on you and get help if it's needed.

JanMM

Sorry to hear you temporarily qualify for the nickname of Bloody Bill.
Since you hit your helmeted head with force, be alert for any symptoms that need checking out. That applies to all of you, of course, not just your head.
The people who gave you a ride sound like very nice folks.
If you didn't live in Florida, I'd mention that Winter is the best time to be banged up.

CbadRider

I'm glad you're not seriously hurt. Keep vigilant for signs of a concussion, though.

Kudos to that nice man and his son for helping you get home.

hochflynn

Way too familiar, and too recent. New Year's Day ride, in central FLORIDA (first time wintering there, for an extended cycling vacation, thru end of January), dog runs towards me, circles around and takes out my wife. Owner is nearby, as helpful and apologetic as can be (gave us a ride to our rental, a 20 mile trip). My wife was pretty dazed and hurting, but just as concerned for the dog as herself. Dog was fine, she, not so fine. We're in the ER into late afternoon: no concussion, but a broken elbow. Saw the orthopedic doctor today - surgery for a plate and screws scheduled for Tuesday. As the original poster commented, dog was doing what dog's do, so we're not even taking its owner up on offer to pay for new helmet (cracked - please, please, please, always wear a helmet) and any bike repairs. Bike seems okay, but will take it to a local shop for inspection and new bar tape. Sh*t sometimes happens, but frustrating as hell for her.

Mark Stone

Ouch!! Sounds like you'll be OK, but like Cbad says watch for concussion signs. We're thankful for the kind man that helped you! Heal up good and get back on that horse!

Zinger

Jeez Bill, sorry to hear of bad crashes anytime.

Yeah keep vigilant for any signs of concussion, get the bike back up and running and stay at it I hope.

Dan Burkhart 

Bill, glad this is a report we were able to get directly from you. The helmet died doing what it was supposed to do.
Like others have said, although it's not nice to read about your misfortune, it's refreshing to hear it from someone not looking to place blame or seek restitution. But we all know you are a man of extraordinary character anyway, so we expect nothing less.
Heal quickly, fix the bike, and ride on.

Jseis 

Ouch. Dogs and young kids..yikes. Those slow/low speed wrecks seem to have an unusual punch. I strongly suggest a doc's exam if the morning finds you not so well. Heal up.

Doohickie

Sorry about the crash. I hope the hurt only lasts a few days and you'll soon be on the mend and back on the bike.

Rowan

This, Big time.

But knowing Bill, and having followed his challenges, it's something that isn't surprising. At all.

Heal fast, Bill. Take real good care of that kidney situation, too; it strikes me as being as important to keep and eye on that as on the outer wounds.

And kind regards to Monica and the kids from me and Machka.

North Coast Joe

Bill, I'm so sorry to hear this! The wife and I were just discussing non-auto related bike accidents last evening.

Our best wishes, (but no advice offered) for a speedy, low pain recovery!

Jim from Boston

January 2, 2015 ride. Not what the other thread is about, either.

Bill,

Dittoes to all the above. It is distressing to read of such mishaps, and I winced with your vivid description but thanks for posting and keeping us vigilant.

I must admit, I did open this thread thinking, "Well what's so special about January 2?," having posted to the "January 1 bike ride" thread.

Jim

avmech

Good to hear you are OK! Pay attention to any signs your body sends you that may crop up in the next few days and take care of it.

good on you regarding the s*** happens attitude, hopefully the dog is OK too. Helmets, clothing, bike parts are easily replaceable, people and pets not so easily replaced.

take it easy and heal well!

FarHorizon

Condolences - and thank goodness for the helmet!

10 Wheels

Hey Bill...Take care an start Thinking about three wheels.

Gerryattrick

Best wishes for a speedy recovery from across the pond.
I had a slow speed crash this year that snapped my helmet, knocked me out and hospitalised me with concussion. It takes a longer time to recover on the 50+ forum, so make sure you're fully OK before getting back on the bike.

BluesDawg

So sorry to hear about your crash, Bill. Glad that the injuries seem to be minor (though painful), but do watch for complications. You have had to deal with this setback/recovery process way more than your fair share, so I am confident that once you and your bike are sufficiently healed, you'll be back out there pressing on.

Keep on pedaling!

Kai Winters

It happens and can/does happen often on a route we take all the time and know every rock and animal on...dogs are unpredictable.
Glad you didn't get hurt too badly...or your bike.

climberguy

Sorry to hear of your accident, Bill, but it sounds like you're taking it as well as you can. Good luck with recovery. Please post and let us know how you're doing. All the best.

qcpmsame 

Thanks to everyone, nice to have this thread not turn into a flame fest, or a sue the bastards diatribe. I am sore, but actually not too bad for the way I went over the bars and hit the pavement. Helmet took the brunt of the damage, as is is supposed to, cracked on the right front, through the foam and shell, gets replaced this afternoon from our LBS. Jersey is a write off, too, right shoulder and neck are shredded beyond repairs, ordered a replacement last night, along with a pair of tights.

Read Derailleur cable and bar tape will come with the helmet, also. No other damage other than cosmetic scrapes on both brake/shifter sets and their hoods (ordering new SRAM hoods, I like the feel of these over the Hudz) Frame, wheels, bars and all, are fine, and have been checked over thoroughly.

I am watching for any concussion signs, carefully, with all my problems I don't need that, by any means. Monica has been watching me, and helping me with tasks, where the right shoulder is a bit limited, shirts and reaching up high. Probably the most pain is the left thumb, looks like a separation at the knuckle that popped back when I took off the gloves. Left hand got scraped up, but the glove was not damaged, remarkable. Probably saved me from much worse injury there, as did the tights and helmet.

Thanks, again, for the well wishes and thoughts from everyone, makes me feel even better. I never think in terms of civil actions, I trained in civil law for my second degree, I detest law suits, so I never used the degree, returned to civil engineering. The dog was just being a dog, I thing she is alright, no sign of her. The guy that took me home, and his son, are first rate people, as are many of the folks where I live and ride. Calling to check on me later was nice of him to do, Monica was touched by this, too. Good folks. I'll be alright, not going to take chances, so I'll stay off the CAAD for a few days to be sure I don't have a concussion, or other effects that aren't showing up, Parkinson's demands this from me.

FBinNY, no one can figure out what planet I am from, many theories, but nothing to narrow it down, few of my species roam the earth, the strange and weird kind.

Bill (Ol'Twitchy)

Dudelsack 

Praying for you, Ol' Twitchy!