[rola643]

I put this in General because as helmet saved my noodle this morning on a ride and I didn't think it fit real well anywhere else.

Complacency or S.A.(situational awareness) as Andy likes to call it got me. Doing the same ride we have done many times before. It was a bit more windy today and I was kinda in my "zone" just pedaling along behind Andy not paying a whole lot of attention and then it happened ! I would like to blame it on the road conditions or Andy slowing just a skosh, but what it comes down to was me! I was just not paying full attention. I looked up and had no where to go except to Andy's right which was off the road and just could not maintain control through the drop off and loose gravel. I crashed to my left back towards the road rolling into the center of the lane. Water bottles rolling all over, shades in the middle of the road and my shoulder killing me. I stood there stuned for a second and realized I was in the middle of the lane and THANK god 1. for the helmet I was wearing since i t was now busted all to crap and 2. the driver of the vehicle behind us was paying attention and stopped to make sure I was all right ! I truly believe the helmet saved me from either a cracked noodle or at the very least a nasty bloody mess ! I finished the ride with a new perspective on riding, safety and the fact that not all motorist are bad !!

Have a GREAT day, I am !

[TxCyclist]

I've taken some hard falls on the trail that I'm glad as hell I had a helmet on. Some people can take a bat to the head and walk away, some get the slightest hit just right and die. Don't want to fall into the later.

[goldentouch]

Last January one of my sergeants was riding his road bike going about 15 mph behind a mail truck when he looked down to check his chain. When he looked up the truck had stopped and he didn't get a chance to put on a brake. He busted the helmet up in pieces and ended up paralized in the hospital. After several months of hard work he was able to walk and move around. He is back riding again but is till having problems out of his arms and hands. The helmet saved him and his putting forth the effort to recover. He put out everyday 110% in rehab. I will not get on a motorcycle without a helmet and now will not get on a bike even if just riding around the drive.

[Xela]

Glad to here you are okay! Though we had a thread here that kind of got out of control about the benefits of helmets, I'm definitely a firm believer in them!

BTW, what program are those plots coming from?

[rola643]

Originally Posted by Xela

Glad to here you are okay! Though we had a thread here that kind of got out of control about the benefits of helmets, I'm definitely a firm believer in them!

BTW, what program are those plots coming from?

Yea I cam imagine how a thread like that could explode ! The software is nothing fancy. It's the Garmin Connect website. Garmin Connect - Social Training Log for Running, Cycling and Outdoor Activities I use that and Sport tracks for the most part

[whyeyebike]

Good to hear that you survived with limited damage. Appreciate you sharing your story as I think a lot of us have had similar situations. Also good to hear you learned something from the experience.

[CTD50]

Sounds a bit like what happened to me in late '08.

October 22 is burned into my memory; I was commuting to work on a brisk, cloudy morning, sporting my brand-new gloves, cold-weather gear, and trusty helmet. I was feeling good, energetic, loving the crispness of the air, and the roll of the bike as I gathered a bit of speed on the slope.

I slowed just a bit at the corner, ready to keep rolling -- when I saw, out of the corner of my eye, oncoming traffic.

Don't trust your feel for the brakes with new gloves on.

I flipped over the bar, dead-sailoring into the asphalt, landing on my head and right shoulder. Cracked the helmet in two places, and my collarbone in five. Off the bike for seven weeks. Now, I won't even leave the driveway on my bike without a helmet.

The local courthouse's metal detector didn't alert to my metal plate; maybe the airport can get some bells ringing....

[fleeter]

Glad to hear you're ok.

[funetical]

Been there... Glad your ok.

[rola643]

It's been a bit more than 24 hours and a few more aches and pains showed up today but I kinda expected that. Went to the LBS to replace the helmet and got some good news. I am using a Giro helmet and got 30% off the cost of replacement. I think they told me that was from Giro for purchasing another from them....I can't remember for the life of me exactly if that was the reason or not