Lesson learned: don’t ride when fatigued…

[brendan]

Slept poorly Wednesday night, but hadn’t been on a long ride since the previous Sunday, so I hit the trail Thursday morning. Literally. Bad move.

I was yawning quite a bit during the ride, had decided I needed more rest, so my plan was to get to mile 22-ish, put on sunscreen and take a nap at the picnic table around towpath mile 22. Mind wandered, and while I was looking at the pretty potomac on my left I biked right over a washout on the right side of the towpath, lost control of my bike and crashed really hard.

I cursed quite a bit, tried to get up and then realized my left arm wasn’t happy with that, so I placed my left hand to my sternum, used my right arm to get up and then to called 911. With the advice of an eastbound cyclist who saw me waiting and bleeding, I pushed my bike another couple hundred yards westward to Swains Lock and waited for the paramedics. they agreed with my non-official diagnosis, fractured left clavicle, and transported me to Suburban Hospital.

My crash last Halloween was partly my fault and partly circumstances/bad luck. I think this one was 100% my fault.

So, off the bike for a month or two, again. And perhaps a bit more humble.

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Brendan

Topic

[txgoonie]

Another example of why we should always have a phone and/or exit strategy.

Heal up soon, sir!

[Dickie]

Thanks for the warning Brendan and so sorry to hear about the accident. Things can happen so quickly on the bike, it is a good warning to all of us. Glad you’re recovering and hopefully you will be riding again soon. I am assuming the other arm can still raise a pint to your lips? Perfect way to enjoy the TDF if you ask me!

Best wishes, Richard

[Author]

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