Kevin and I went out for a 25 mile bike ride this past Sunday, 1/14/07. Kevin had laid out the route. I was hopeful that we could do it in 2 hours. It was cold out, high 30's/low 40's so we were well bundled up. We were about at the 17 mile mark on our way back. I was looking at my bike computer:distance, average speed, and current speed (which was around 15 mph) when all of a sudden I'm lying on my back with Kevin standing over me, two folks from cars that stopped and one other bicyclist. I hadn't seen it, but there was a 2x4 lying in the middle of the bike path, I hit it, and then fell off the bike. I fell to the left side, so I'm quite bruised, scrapped, and battered from below my left knee to my left shoulder. I tweeked my left knee, my left butt and tail bone are quite sore (I can not bend down or lift my leg to put on my socks), and my left shoulder is very sore. My bike's seat was twisted and the right gear levers were twisted. Kevin tried to straighten them and tomorrow we will take the bike in to the shop to be looked over and fixed appropriately.
The folks that stopped helped me to gain my composure and then slowly get up. I did ride the bike home, however it was quite painful. I probably should have taken the folks offer to have them drive me home. The good news is that taking the 15-20 minutes I was on the ground out, I did make the 25 miles in 2 hours.
I was suppose to go on another bike ride today, but I'm too sore to move, so I'm sitting at my computer writing this note.
The lesson learned: DON'T take your eyes off the road, even for a second!!!!!!!!!
I hope that I heal quickly. I have got to get back to training :)
Lynn
Yikes, Lynn!! Hope you feel better soon!
Posted by: Shripriya | January 17, 2007 at 12:08 AM
I think there's a market opportunity here: airbags for bike shorts. At the first sign of trouble -- maybe defined as a tilt of more than x-degrees port or starboard -- the bag deploys in a head-to-toe coccoon to protect the accident prone from road rash or worse. You could even have a premium option where for some extra money, the bag inflates with a highly viscous jelly to cushion the rider even more than the basic mode (air). I like this idea. Also, I saw Lynn just the other day and she seems to be doing well. Her butt is tougher than it looks from all that time spent with Maynard. Wait, that doesn't sound too good. I mean ... well ... nevermind.
Posted by: MD | January 19, 2007 at 01:12 PM
Lynn -- you're my hero. I love that you achieved your goal, bike spill aside! I also like the fact that Shri is turning this into a business opportunity :). How about something that reads off your metrics to you so you don't have to look down? We could bundle these all under the company name of "Lynn's Peripherals."
Posted by: Anne | January 29, 2007 at 09:43 AM
Oops, sorry, read too quickly, it's MD that's turning this into a business opportunity! Maybe he can have his students create a prototype as a project :).
Posted by: Anne | January 29, 2007 at 09:46 AM
From Becky and not endorsed by my Mireille :-) -- When it comes to your body, this is a time to practice what is preached about balance -- you need to take care of your body and not just push it! )
Posted by: Mireille | January 29, 2007 at 11:44 AM