Yesterday, in a weird twist of fate, I almost got run over by a car and ended up with stitches after impaling myself on a part of my bike (the fenders?) . I was just sitting at a fresh red light when a car came careening straight towards me through the red light. To avoid a collision, I threw myself (with my bike) to the left. Sheer adrenaline kicked in and after the narrow miss I realized I had impaled my leg on my bike down to the bone, yech. I'm doing fine, and only needed five stitches, but so far I think August should be National Bicycle Crash Awareness month.
Don't want to be a downer, so I promise no more graphic injury photos after this ; ) I have lots more Bike Fancy photos waiting in the wings.
*** Northwestern Urgent care center is the BEST. In and out in about an hour, and all the doctors are dreamboats.
*** Northwestern Urgent care center is the BEST. In and out in about an hour, and all the doctors are dreamboats.
Yuck. Did you have your fenders sharpened for a Ben Hur style chariot race? I hope you've got some good antibiotics. I can only imagine what foul beasts are looming on my bike.
ReplyDeletehahahah, no chariot races planned! I'm going now to inspect my bike and see what the hell is so sharp. Do they make all rubber bicycles? Also, the DR. cleaned the wound out very well; no need for antibiotics yet.
ReplyDeleteyikes! my leg twinges in sympathy at reading your description!
ReplyDeleteI got hit last month ... riding straight along and a car in the opposite lane turned left into me. Driver wasn't looking. Physically, I got off easy with a light ankle sprain, but the bike's frame has been bent, so it's sitting with the builder, waiting for repair.
I had a bike crash two months ago while going offroad. That needed stitches (cut above my left eye, split lip). My ER doc was a combat medic, coming off a couple of tours in Afghanistan and he was totally chill and excellent.
A few years ago, a friend in a car had more or less the same accident as you. He rolled up to a red and a driver in the opposite direction had an epileptic fit, and lost control of his vehicle then slammed into him head on. I was living a few blocks away, so after the accident scene was cleared, my friend walked over, knocked on my door and said, "I need a drink."
I think I was in the middle of making an apple pie or something, but I invited him in, set a glass down and a bottle of whiskey, and he said, "you know, you're one of the few people I know where I can show up at your doorstep all of a sudden, say that 'I need a drink' and you can be counted on to just give me the drink before asking, 'what's wrong?'"
Be careful out there.
oh, and Chariot Races! I dream of the grown-up version of bike polo being young parents hooking up their baby trailers and doing velodrome laps while their toddlers lash them with twizzlers.
ReplyDeletebut that's because I don't have children and so the thought is still amusing.
Ohmigosh! Such scary news for you and Regina! I'm glad you're okay - I hope Regina is recovering quickly! xo
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely and after it heals, maybe you should get it tattooed on. Way to dodge that car!
ReplyDeleteYikes! I'm about to add some fenders to my bike and now you have me all worried! Must check for sharp bits!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for your recovery!
Thanks Cecilia! Just make sure all of the metal bits are covered with rubber ends and you should be fine.
ReplyDeleteI've only been riding in chicago for a few months. I am not looking forward to my first injury. I hope that hurts less than it looks like it does.
ReplyDeleteMartha I'm glad your ok. I'm glad you shared your experience with us because it's important to remind ourselves that bad stuff can happen and to always be ever so vigilant. Way to dodge that car!
ReplyDeleteRIP...
ReplyDeleteOuch. I am glad you were able to avoid more serious injury (although those stitches look . . . ow).
ReplyDeleteMartha I hope you are feeling better soon!
ReplyDeleteIt happened to me tonight! BOO AUGUST.
ReplyDeleteHope you are OK Jason. What happened!?
ReplyDeleteGot doored in 1600 block of Milwaukee. Bruised up and sore but I'll survive.
ReplyDeleteOuch, how did I miss this!?!? Hope you are all healed up with a beautiful scar to show off when you tell this story! Love you and love ALL of your stories here!
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