Hit a Car @ 27mph...and survived
Yes that is right and I'm still shocked about it myself. I think this was the most scared I've been in my life (and yes I've been through the cancer thing) as I really thought this was it or at least would end my season. In short I have no broken bones, just really bruised up on the back, neck, and back of thigh and knee. (helmet saved the noggin for sure).
I've calmed down a lot since it happened but couldn't beleive it the way I got hit, or I should say I hit the car. I was in one of my FTP interval parts of the ride (hence the 27mph and a little tail wind) so I was concentrating on the effort and pretty much in a zone. All I can remember was the last few moments as I approached a cross road and a car was stopped for traffic, and I swear the lady looked right at me and then proceeded to pull right out. No time what so ever but to just squeeze the brakes as hard as I could, and I started to skid sideways, and my last thought was, unclip and turn to my back side to take the impact. I hit the back bumper with the back of my thigh and knee (which hurt the worst) and then over the car i went, which with my back and neck sore I'm sure I hit that back truck. I was so pissed, I jumped up and started yelling about the lady looking right at me. I think those who saw it thought I was in shock and kept telling me to sit down, but I kept saying this is a $10,000 bike oh crap. But when I saw the lady and how upset she was I cooled down and let her know I will be all right and the bike or parts can be replaced. I'm sure there are many details I'm missing but I think the bike will be OK (frame for sure) just toasted wheels and some other parts. You might know, 3 weeks before heading of to ToC and this crap happens. Hopefully they all don't mind I ride the race wheels (808's) on the road bike as I don't know if purchasing new will happen by then. I guess now I have an excuse to have the Halligan and Rich drag me around, and up and over the mountains in Cali.
If any know who to ask, since i never visit the medical forum, what is the best way to recover from being banged up all over back, and most scary to me is how the back of the thigh, in the hamstring area, and back side of knee feel even walking around there is pain.
Another reason all to keep the eyes wide open out there when riding, even when it doesn't seem like an area or time someone will pull out in front of you or the like.
Comments
I was thinking the same thing. Might not hurt to have yourself checked out. Glad you're OK though! Could have been so much worse.
X3 on visiting ER. Were you evaluated by anyone? The way you hit car with back and c/o of back/neck pain- Not something to mess with. Car vs bike at 27 mph- mechanism for injury. When did it happen? today? Other reason for ER visit id is for insurance reimbursement from driver. Usually feel worse 2nd or 3rd day after. Other concern is for possible hematoma/clots from any possible bleeding into your hamstring/ or ligament injury to knee
Glad you are safe!
X4 - go get checked....you might also need some pain meds for how sore you may be tomorrow.....just sayin
By the way, what shape is the helmet in? Crunches as well as some nicks or scratches (depending on severity) may warrant a new nugget protector....
As for the logistics of your bike damages, was a police officer called and an accident report made? If so and that lady was found to be at fault, then her car insurance will cover any damaged property (your bike, wheels, components) and any injury. If not, then depending on your area's jurisdiction, you'll have a time limit to get an accident report (it's 7 days from the day of the accident for Rochester, NY).
+a million make sure nothing is banged up internally. Probably very important for the insurance as well that you've been looked over and every thing is documented.
All... thanks for the concern and my wife was feeling the same as you all. Just back from doc office and although some damage to the soft tissue stuff that will cause some down time, nothing else major. Dodged a huge bullit today.
As for the accident report... oh yes I reported and the lady will be buying all new bike parts as needed. But as with all insurance deals I'm sure it will not happen over night.
Thanks again and I'll be back at it before long. I have to... I can't let Rich be the first to the top of every mountain top at ToC.
Glad you're ok and all, but most importantly, were you able to download the data to see if you were hitting your numbers during the interval?
Dave
Oh, Trent! I'm glad you got checked out, are okay, and seem to be in fine spirits. Say the word and I'll send you my spare obnoxious reflecty vest.
Trent,
Glad to hear you are okay. Rest up. I'm sure you will be fine with the 808's at TOC but they might make you pull more as you have an aero advantage.
Gordon
Remember, bikes (and wheels) come and go, but there's only one of you. Glad you're ok!
- cary
Trent, glad to hear you're okay. That's some scary stuff.
Yep, land on your back, legs and arms up is the only way to fall - sometimes you have no choice, but I'm so glad you had time and the intuitive presence of mind to minimize the crash effect. And, yes, it is extremely scary - you sound less shook up than I feel just reading about it.
Oh my heavens, Trent, I feel sick. I can't believe what I just read. Glad you're OK. Major healing supportive vibes coming your want from all of us. Keep us posted on how you're doing.
Trent, glad you are ok!! One of my fears is getting hit by a vehicle while riding! But, I have not aniticpated that I would be the one hitting the car, just goes to show you anything can happen out on the road! Thanks for sharing this, makes me more mindful while riding these days!
Wow.....Trent....so glad you are relatively ok. I can't believe you made eye contact and she pulled out. I think sometimes people are on remote and don't "see" the bike. Very scary stuff. Take care of yourself.
Trent- FWIW, I went down last Sunday crossing RR tracks. Minor compared to your encounter. But, I felt like hell until Wed. Every muscle felt torqued and places hurt that I didn't even injure. Take it easy this week and don't be surprised by how you feel!
The soreness is going to come hard and fast in the next few days. Please let yourself heal. You may need help with that so maybe your doc can get you a PT referral now for later next week.
Prayers for healing.
CC
What a story! I'm so glad things didn't turn out far worse. Have you considered using/applying Arnica? Perfect for just these sort of traumas. I'm glad you're okay.
PS- I'm looking very much forward to seeing you at TOC, even if it will only be for short periods of time at the beginning of each ride!!
Wow I don't feel like I hit a car, I feel like a big mac truck hit me today. I may be F'ed for awhile if I feel like this. Hopefully this is just the day after worse feeling I'll have day. Don't think I'll even swim as the back and shoulder are feeling it a little.
Thanks for all the support and don't worry I'll be at it with all the good vibe's coming.
Hard Rest Day! Maybe two.
12 weeks for IMLP starts 5/3. Perfect time to Stand Down.
Hope you feel better soon.
Glad you're OK. s tand down my boy. You will recover and you will not lose too much fitness.
Good luck.
Glad that you in one piece there drill bit. Also glad to hear that you got checked out. Pretty cool that nothing went snap crackle or pop on you. With all the crazy stuff that has happened to you lately I am not sure if you are blessed or cursed, didnt you recently get hit by a car while running? The drill bit thing goes without saying. Guess it will give you an excuse to go out and finally buy yourself a decent bike
The pulling out right in front of people thing seems to happen all the time. I think it results from not people not seeing you but rather having no concept of how fast you are actually going and think they have way more time to pull out. Not justifying what happens but something I have been thinking about while riding lately.
Oh and while riding at FTP with a tall wind I would think you would be going faster than 27...
I would second that. Last year, riding home from work at 25 mph (downhill) in a 25 zone, four lane road with bike lane, uncrowded suburban shopping area, a guy does the same thing to me that Trent experienced. I had to break sharply, and went after him to discuss it. After we both calmed down, it turned out that he indeed assumed I was going slower than the cars next to me. I was actually going *faster* than those cars, and he was judging his turn off their speed, not mine.
I only do my FTP intervals on a stretch of road with NO cross roads for 7 miles - either on the military base (if I'm with someone who has military ID), or along the edge of it.