My Crash

e17blade

I had a big smash with a car a couple of weeks ago and have just got round to writing up my memories of what happened.

The injuries are starting to recover - my back still hurts a fair bit, but at least I had the stitches out of my knee today. My bike didn't do so well though, and will most likely be a write-off.

Anyway, here is what happened....


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Seven months of injury, pain and frustration. Seven months of missing out. Over at last. I’m not fit or strong yet, but it’s coming back.

CC London club run today. I have been a bit shy since I came back. Worried I’m not going to do myself justice. Not that anyone else cares. It’s all in my head.

We set off down the hill. I pick a wheel and drop into line. We leave Enfield, go down to Chingford and then up Mott Street into Epping Forest. These are my home roads. Up to Epping Green and on to ……. new roads. New places. New hills.

A couple of hours later we are flying back through the forest again. I have really enjoyed it. A good ride in good company. I am almost home so I wave goodbye to the bunch. See you soon!

Just a few miles to go. I know these roads like the back of my hand. I always ride them the same way. Get up to speed and then hold it. Up hill or down. Feel the burn.

I spot the small red car driving up a side road. I check my speed and keep going. I see the small red car stop at the junction. I keep going. The small red car waits. I reach the junction. The small red car pulls out.

It happens in an instant. Impact. I’m in the air. I hit the road. Pain. Then voices. Are you OK?

Yet it seemed like it took longer. Slow motion. For days afterwards it runs through my head over and over again. There is so much detail.

The small red car pulls out. I see it. I have a split second to know I am going to hit it. Hit it hard. Enough time to be scared. Terrified.

Reflexes kick in. Grab the brakes. Steer hard right. Start to shout ‘no’! It makes no difference. The instinct is still there though.

I hit the side of the small red car hard. It makes a terrible noise. A bang. A crunch. Loud.

Flying over the bonnet of the car. Next stop tarmac. Braced. Then impact. Tumbling down the road. Chaos. Then quiet.

I’m lying in the road. Curled up in a ball on my side. I’m struggling to breathe and in a lot of pain. But I am breathing. I am relieved. I am just glad to be alive.

I hear a voice. Someone is talking to me. I don’t know how long they have been there. Are you OK? Are you in pain? It is a kind voice.

The woman is kneeling on the road. Holding my head in her hands and assessing me. She explains that she is a nurse and that an ambulance is on its way. I can already hear the siren.

My senses start to return a bit. Everything hurts. My knee and back feel the worst. I am freezing cold. I start to shake like mad. My eyes focus on her. She asks again if I am OK and I realise I need to know something…

Is my bike OK?

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It is also on my (much neglected) blog...

https://e17blade.wordpress.com/



Dave

Silly Old Hector

The middle piece about the car pulling out whilst you pass it is my fear and a couple of cars taunted me this way next weekend.

Last line is fundamental ;-)

Bobbinogs

Sorry to hear about your off Dave, hope you get well soon. I've had a few bad offs, without exception...fck the bike. Health and happiness mean more.

e17blade

Bobbinogs wrote:

Sorry to hear about your off Dave, hope you get well soon. I've had a few bad offs, without exception...fck the bike. Health and happiness mean more.

Which is pretty much exactly what my wife said!

BrandonA

What physical or mental damage did you actually do? Hopefully there is nothing too serious and you'll be back to full health very soon.

I ask as you seem to remember everything very well. A lot of people blank out the actual crash.

When I had my serious injury (broken neck was only the 3rd most serious injury I incurred - I don't speak about the other two) I remember riding down a hill. I don't remember the crash or even how it occurred. I don't remember waiting 40+ minutes for an ambulance and I don't really remember a lot from the ambulance ride. I remember very little about the first ambulance ride (had to go to two hospitals as the first couldn't deal with my injuries).

e17blade

BrandonA wrote:

What physical or mental damage did you actually do? Hopefully there is nothing too serious and you'll be back to full health very soon.

I ask as you seem to remember everything very well. A lot of people blank out the actual crash.

When I had my serious injury (broken neck was only the 3rd most serious injury I incurred - I don't speak about the other two) I remember riding down a hill. I don't remember the crash or even how it occurred. I don't remember waiting 40+ minutes for an ambulance and I don't really remember a lot from the ambulance ride. I remember very little about the first ambulance ride (had to go to two hospitals as the first couldn't deal with my injuries).

Nothing horrendously bad to be honest - it's a miracle it wasn't worse as my Garmin says I was going about 24mph just before the accident. Injuries....

Head: Big bruise on the back of my head and mild concussion (helmet is cracked and scraped but did it's job)
Back: Still very sore - especially when making twisting movements
Left knee: Three deep cuts that required stitches
Everything else: Bruised and sore (but OK now)

Your accident makes mine sound like nothing!!

Pituophis

Glad you are not too seriously hurt, thankfully!
The bit about the car stopping and waiting, before pulling out on you was the most telling part. So far I have been very lucky, but the number of times someone seems to do everything right, and then just pulls out on you, is so common it's untrue!
I even had a police van do it on me a couple of weeks ago. The copper looked right at me, waited five seconds or so, and then pulled out! He was just chatting away with his mate and "forgot". It seems to be some kind of mental block with some, as if you are not car shaped, they just go into auto pilot. :shock:

After your last big break, it may dent your confidence a little this time when you get back on again, but I hope not. Good luck.

triban

Glad to hear you're on the mend, Dave. i hope you're back on the bike soon.

i think many drivers just don't realise how fast a road cyclist can be approaching. it's like they see a bike, assume you're doing 4mph because thats about as fast as they can go, and then totally misjudge how quickly that gap is closing.

keef66

+1. Had a van do the stop / look / wait / go to move off thing yesterday afternoon. Fortunately they must've realised how fast* I was approaching and thought better of it, otherwise I'd have been choosing between hitting the van or heading in to the oncoming traffic.

*not very; flat road so 15mph or so.

e17blade

triban wrote:

Glad to hear you're on the mend, Dave. i hope you're back on the bike soon.

i think many drivers just don't realise how fast a road cyclist can be approaching. it's like they see a bike, assume you're doing 4mph because thats about as fast as they can go, and then totally misjudge how quickly that gap is closing.

That may be it. He said "I just didn't see you" but it might be that he did "see" me but his brain didn't think I was relevant to him pulling out (because he would assume I was going slower). In much the same way he might have pulled out if a car was miles off but not appreciate/expect it to be going really fast. I don't know..... maybe he really just wasn't looking properly!

rnath

Pituophis wrote:

The bit about the car stopping and waiting, before pulling out on you was the most telling part. So far I have been very lucky, but the number of times someone seems to do everything right, and then just pulls out on you, is so common it's untrue!

Sounds like the classic motorcycle/bike SMIDSY junction crash? There's not much you can do in situations like this - everybody seems to be doing the right thing... until the last second, and then it's too late. I'm not sure it helps to analyze too much... I had a similar crash a few years ago and looking back there's nothing I would have done differently. Like the OP, the bike was a write-off but I was just glad to be able to limp away from A&E in one piece. Just put it down to bad luck and get back on your bike, you'll soon be back up to speed and able to put it behind you. Although even after all this time I still have a tendency to swing out into the road if I see a car approaching from a junction - I guess/hope there's just a bit more chance the car will clock me that way? GWS!

CStar

Yes, GWS and hopefully back on the bike in time.

Really enjoyed the writing in your blog.
Highly Recommended

e17blade

Got my bike back from the shop and its a write off - crack in the downtube (as well as lots of smaller things).

As much as getting a new bike sounds great I'm actually quite sad - she has been a great bike and I loved her!

:-(

slowmart

rnath wrote:

Sounds like the classic motorcycle/bike SMIDSY junction crash? There's not much you can do in situations like this - [/quote]


Coming from a motorcycling background you can help mitigate the risk. Whats the drivers head doing? Do they look aware? Which way are the vehicles wheels pointing? Is there on coming traffic on the opposite side of the road or travelling in line with yourself? Can you get some eye to eye going with the driver? Is there road furniture that could block the drivers view? Be aware if the sun is behind you, especially winter sun which sits much lower in the sky making you near impossible to see in some circumstances.

Then look at possible scenario's, what if's. What if the car pulls out? Is there an escape route onto the opposite side of the road? If safe to do so you can move to the near side or towards the white lines to increase your options? High vis vest?

Increased awareness of your surroundings help and while its sounds like processing a lot of variables it soon becomes second nature. If your unsure you can always slow down.

If your knocking on, most drivers will not register your speed nor appreciate how quickly your making progress, especially on bicycle. Being aware is also about others perceptions of you on two wheels.


To the OP, Heal well and soon.

slowmart

E17Blade wrote:

Got my bike back from the shop and its a write off - crack in the downtube (as well as lots of smaller things).

As much as getting a new bike sounds great I'm actually quite sad - she has been a great bike and I loved her!

:-(

you'll soon forget her when you get a new ride

Think about all the test rides....

e17blade

Slowmart wrote:

E17Blade wrote:

Got my bike back from the shop and its a write off - crack in the downtube (as well as lots of smaller things).

As much as getting a new bike sounds great I'm actually quite sad - she has been a great bike and I loved her!

:-(

you'll soon forget her when you get a new ride

Think about all the test rides....

I seem to be spending all my free time looking at bike porn now :-)

Ultegra Di2 or Dura Ace mechanical is my current decision of the day.

e17blade

Quick insurance resolution update....

I agreed a payout yesterday that covers replacing my bike, all damaged kit, out of pocket expenses and a reasonable amount of compensation. The driver's insurers were Admiral and they were excellent to deal with.

I spent a VERY enjoyable evening last night ordering my new bike and a job lot of clothing and kit


Dave

mlgt

Happy to hear that and look forward to updates on your new purchase. Getting back on the bike and slowly building up your confidence will take some time, but hopefully not too long!

I remember it took me a few weeks and I was unclipping at every opportunity.

slowmart

Great news Dave.

So was it Di2 or Dura Ace?


And you know the rules , pictures of the new bike upon arrival.

e17blade

Slowmart wrote:

Great news Dave.

So was it Di2 or Dura Ace?


And you know the rules , pictures of the new bike upon arrival.

Ultegra Di2 - on a Canyon Aeroad. Very excited. Pictures to follow in about 3 weeks (hopefully!)

slowmart

I'm into my third year with Di2 and for me its worked faultlessly.....enjoy!

veronese68

Glad you got it sorted quickly and easily. Enjoy the new bike.
Regarding the looking but not seeing aspect. I read an interesting piece about this in a motorcycle rag a while ago. Basically it said that something with a narrow frontal area coming straight at you is missed by the brain even though you are looking in that direction. Most of the looking is still done by peripheral vision, your brain doesn't focus on something that isn't obviously moving, in these cases a cyclist coming straight at you. You are only visible at the last minute because suddenly you are much closer and "appear out of nowhere". The way to try and minimise this is to try to create visible movement. Weaving side to side will help, I now use a front light on pulse in daylight. Hopefully this will help, I seem to get fewer people pulling out on me so fingers crossed.

DeVlaeminck

I always move well out in the lane when I see a car waiting - partly it gives me more chance of swerving round it if it does pull out but also puts me at an angle where the door/windscreen pillar isn't blocking me from their sight. I know this is basic stuff but I do find lots of riders don't seem to bother - or maybe I'm just paranoid after years on motorised 2 wheelers - you can minimise the risk but never eliminate it though.

veronese68

Sorry, just want to add I'm not in any way blaming the OP for his accident. It's completely the drivers fault for pulling out. I'm just trying to help all of us minimise the chances of this happening, as the vulnerable ones it seems sensible to try and look after ourselves because nobody else will.

e17blade

Veronese68 wrote:

Sorry, just want to add I'm not in any way blaming the OP for his accident. It's completely the drivers fault for pulling out. I'm just trying to help all of us minimise the chances of this happening, as the vulnerable ones it seems sensible to try and look after ourselves because nobody else will.

No worries. It's interesting to hear people's thoughts on it to be honest - after all I have to get back on my bike soon and don't want it to happen again!

whitestar1

Well that was an experience! I had mine in July 2014. Similar thing with car - taxi, crossing from a minor road while I am coming off a hill on the main road. Still wrangling it out with the lawyers recommended by BC. I can empathise with you mate as the first thing I can remember is asking for my bike!

whitestar1

E17Blade wrote:

Got my bike back from the shop and its a write off - crack in the downtube (as well as lots of smaller things).

As much as getting a new bike sounds great I'm actually quite sad - she has been a great bike and I loved her!

:-(

I know the feeling too - My Whitney also suffered. Yet you will have just as much fun with the new one and hopefully develop a long lasting relationship that even the other half will disapprove off! Just get well so you can enjoy it.