wipeout on mvt/4mr today

[bikesnick]

thank you to all who stopped to help me today.

around 2pm, i was going under the gw parkway on the 4 mile run trail after leaving the mt vernon trail. i was not traveling fast because that curve requires attention. either because of a flat tire, loose dirt on the road, or both, the bike lost traction and i ended up in the rocks on the side of the trail. apparently i was ‘out’ for about 5 minutes.
when i awoke, there were several cyclists comforting me and telling me that emergency help was on the way. thank you.
wow – an emt truck and an air boat arrived! the emts were very kind and thorough in checking and tending to my injuries. other than being sore, especially my right side where i landed on the rocks, and some road rash, i felt fine and declined a visit to the hospital. (i know tomorrow i will feel more sore.)

thank you to Sean and Greg on the airboat, and to Capt. Eric and Jeff.
thanks to Wayne and Donna.
thanks to Dirt for your posting on how to deal with road rash.
and a special thank you to the cyclists who said they were praying for me. God is good.

/glenn

Topic

[DaveK]

First and foremost, glad you’re okay. I do think you made a mistake by declining a hospital visit after being knocked unconscious for several minutes so please be very aware of your condition over the next 24 hours and if you feel in any way off, go get checked out.

As a snarky aside, I’m sure NPS appreciates your situation as continuing justification for owning an airboat.

[Mark Blacknell]

Glad to hear you’re (relatively) okay. If you were “out”, I’d suggest a visit to the doc.

Once things get a little settled, would be interested in hearing about the condition of your tire. I’ve never really experienced much trail debris on the curve, and if that’s changed, it would be good to know.

[Mark Blacknell]

Right, adding to what DaveK said – I *totally* would have opted for the airboat ride.

[MCL1981]

The air boat reminds me of the Orbitz commercial.

[SteveTheTech]

Wow I cannot imagine being in your clips, sir. Glad to hear there was a great showing and help was on the way where you rejoined the party.

Cheers to a speedy recovery. I hear cava is great for road rash….but it’s not so good on head injuries.

Were you by chance wearing a helmet?

Lastly, Tegaderm is indeed a miracle of modern science.

[vvill]

Feel better soon! I had my first crash earlier this year too. Road rash is painful but now I’ve had I feel more prepared on how to deal with it in future. And hopefully more aware of road conditions around me.

I initially declined everything other than the aid of a very nice mechanic who happened to be behind me (he fixed my flat and checked over my bike), and finished the last 3 miles of my commute. Then while at work I decided my arm wasn’t feeling so hot, and it turned out to be broken So yeah I would also recommend getting checked out if you feel anything amiss at all.

[bikesnick]

thanks for all the comments. this was my first crash after many years of riding. i am feeling fine, but sore. my forearm is the most sore. i can turn it radially the same as my other arm, but can not pick up anything very heavy, nor put any weight on it. i have been putting an ice pack on it. (i think i landed on my arm and it was underneath me. there is no damage to my gloves. i think the bike slipped out underneath me.)

Mark,

Once things get a little settled, would be interested in hearing about the condition of your tire. I’ve never really experienced much trail debris on the curve, and if that’s changed, it would be good to know.

yes, me too. i did a quick look and did not see any damage. there was/is some loose dirt on the turn. maybe i hit that.

I *totally* would have opted for the airboat ride.

ha. i doubt the airboat would have gone to the hospital, but i should have asked.

Steve,

Were you by chance wearing a helmet?

absolutely! that and God’s care protected me.
and yes, i will be buying a new helmet.

/glenn

[eminva]

Hello Glenn —

Thank goodness you seem to be recovering well. I find the response of other cyclists reassuring. It is good to know that our fellow riders come to our aid in our moment of need.

I would also encourage you to seek medical care tomorrow — to check on both the head injury and your arm. Many years ago I had an accident unrelated to cycling and it was only the next day when I thought, something is seriously wrong here. I went to the ER and it was a broken collar bone. Even if all is well, it is good to get things checked out.

Take care.

Liz

[StopMeansStop]

Concussion where you were out? Def get yourself checked out ASAP

[JimF22003]

Glad you’re OK, but please get checked out. At least see your family doctor if not the emergency room.

The year before last I had a “mystery crash” on Wilson Blvd, where I was out for some time, and woke up in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. It’s not clear from the police report what happened. Apparently I wasn’t hit by a car.

For a couple of weeks after that I had frequent dizzy spells that came on very quickly. You don’t want that to happen while you’re driving or riding your bike, believe me.

[MCL1981]

Remember (everyone), all you know is you crashed and were found on the ground unconscious. The unconsciousness is always assumed to be a result of the crash. But if WHY you crashed is a mystery, it is entirely possible the crash was a result of unconsciousness rather than the other way around. If you pass out while riding for whatever medical reason, you will obviously crash and remain unconscious on the ground. So you might have something going on that caused you to pass out, rather than an injury from the crash. Or both. More reason to get checked out.

[CCrew]

@MCL1981 10737 wrote:

Remember (everyone), all you know is you crashed and were found on the ground unconscious. The unconsciousness is always assumed to be a result of the crash. But if WHY you crashed is a mystery, it is entirely possible the crash was a result of unconsciousness rather than the other way around. If you pass out while riding for whatever medical reason, you will obviously crash and remain unconscious on the ground. So you might have something going on that caused you to pass out, rather than an injury from the crash. Or both. More reason to get checked out.

Very good point. I’m diabetic, and while I haven’t passed out as a result of it it’s indeed a very real concern. Hence why it’s on my RoadID securely on my ankle

[acc]

I’d like to add to the chorus of, “get checked out before you check out.” Having a record of this injury on file with your doctor may be handy one day.

Thank goodness you’re doing well.
ann

[KLizotte]

@CCrew 10738 wrote:

Very good point. I’m diabetic, and while I haven’t passed out as a result of it it’s indeed a very real concern. Hence why it’s on my RoadID securely on my ankle

Thanks for the reminder that I need to order my RoadID; will do today. Everyone should get one even if they don’t have underlying medical conditions.

[KLizotte]

I went down that same curve last night about 7:00 pm and didn’t notice anything unusual in terms of debris or what not. Then again, I was travelling at night and going slower than I would during the day.

Like everyone else, I really think you should visit an ER (or a day clinic with x-ray facilities) today in order to get your head and arm checked out. See your GP about getting an MRI – it can look for after effects of the accident and look for an underlying cause if the crash was not caused by biking per se.

At minimum, you may have a concussion and nothing worse but it is better to get the “all clear” then wonder all your life every time you get a headache.

Am glad to hear that you are up and about though but please do seek medical attention.

[Author]

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