I have been debating on whether or not to post this, but I decided that it is important to share. Our mission is to promote cycling in every way possible in Nashville, and I think this is a good opportunity. If you are a non-cyclist, you might be alarmed to hear about an accident like this. But chances are good that at some point in your life, you have been involved in some sort of transportation related accident (car, cycling, running, walking, etc). It happens. All forms of transportation have risks, and cycling is no different. Fortunately, it has been proven that cycling safely can reduce your chance of injury substantially. That’s why I am sharing. Because this is an example of how safe cycling (with a helmet) saved me.
Anyway, I took a spill. It happened really fast, but from what I can tell, this is what happened:
I was riding down 21st and decided to take a cut-through with a small incline. I adjusted my weight for the pavement, but my frame couldn’t take it. It bent in two places causing my front wheel to fly off and sending me over the handlebars. It felt like someone had thrown a stick in my spokes.
My head hit before anything else because my body was moving too fast to react. My helmet cracked all the way through and the pavement shaved off a few inches worth of foam before my face followed suit. Good thing – otherwise I would be seriously messed up.
As I was sliding across the pavement, several things went through my head: 1) my face feels really warm for some reason; 2) I should count my teeth after I get up; 3) what in the world just happened?!?
So I got up, grabbed my bike, walked across the parking lot and threw my stuff on the sidewalk beside a sandwich shop. I looked up and saw my reflection in the window. Blood was dripping down the side of my face. So that’s why my face is warm … it’s busted. Inconvenient.
I stuck my index finger in my mouth and ran it along my teeth. All there.
Then I looked at my bike. I put the wheel back on the front fork and hopped on. I tried to turn the wheel and it locked up. I looked down and realized that the frame was totaled. Bent 30 degrees in two places. Unbelievable. As far as I can tell, it wasn’t even my fault. It just decided to quit …
After a failed attempt to clean up in a nearby bathroom, I called my buddy Paul. (Paul and I pick each other up every time one of us has a malfunction, wreck, flat etc. I picked him up a few months ago, so it was his turn anyway).
We went to see Dr. Yarborough at the Urgent Care Clinic in Green Hills. He put 6 stitches in my lower lip and 5 in the side of my face. Told me I would be fine. So here I am …
David is taking most of the deliveries while I “pretty up”. I got out my old road bike today, and I’m going to use it until I get another beater set up for work. The Trek is officially retired, but I am not. Thanks to my helmet.
I’ll be riding again tomorrow.
STOP TWEETING and get on your bike!
