Crashed out of Great Vic
Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2012 7:26 pm
For 20 years I've dreamed of doing the Great Victorian Bike Ride. Twelve months ago, all of the stars finally aligned (children, my health, work etc) and my husband and I decided that 2012 would be my year, with him alongside me all the way. Even when we learned that the ride was going through our home territory, Gippsland, we weren't deterred and signed up. We trained hard, packed carefully and finally we were on our way from Lakes Entrance.
The first two days were exactly as I hoped and expected. Great riding, great cameraderie.
But then on day three, disaster struck, just moments after our morning tea stop at Maffra. The road had been very busy with trucks, cars and, of course, bicycles. I looked up and back, only a few bikes ahead, no cars or trucks back, and decided it was safe to have a drink of water. Unfortunately a rider two ahead called that his bag was falling off, my husband (in between us), called slowing, as did I, and then I squeezed my brakes - front brakes only because of that drink of water, and just too damn hard for the circumstances.
Next thing I know I am over the handlebars and crashing to the road. With blood streaming from my right eye and right thigh, and in immediate agony I somehow got off the bitumen and onto the shoulder. A bruise immediately appeared on my left knee but it was my right thigh that was really bad. I was convinced that I had broken my leg.
Fortunately another rider immediately behind me was a doctor who stopped and provided first aid for the next hour until I was loaded into an ambulance.
Other riders cleared my gear off the road, provided gear from their first aid kits, called for an ambulance and Great Vic Bike Ride event assistance, helped with traffic control and generally provided comfort and support to both my husband and myself.
After some six hours or so in emergency at the Sale hospital, I was finally cleared of any breaks, my wounds cleaned up and event assistance was driving my husband and I back to rejoin the camp, by now at Rosedale.
Again, we were shown just how fantastic the cycling community can be with strangers helping my husband set up our tent, offering to fetch meals for me etc etc.
Unfortunately my thigh injury, a puncture wound and massive haematoma due to a very hard and sudden impact with the end of a handlebar, meant that I wasn't able to get back on the road for the rest of the road but, because other great cycling (and dancing) friends, were able to collect my bicycle and take it home, I was allowed to travel from camp to camp via the sag wagon and support my husband as he pushed through to the finish line.
I've had more than a few tears at the disappointment of not realising my dream but, in the end, I am grateful that I was not more seriously injured, that I can learn from my experience, and that the cycling community is so kind and caring. And when my husband reached that final finish line this morning, the first thing he did was sign us both up for next year's Great Vic Bike Ride - so that I can finally realise my dream!
PS - The WARBYs (We Are Right Behind You volunteers) said that my bike (Giant hybrid) was fine but I am going to have my LBS check it over this week to be sure.
The first two days were exactly as I hoped and expected. Great riding, great cameraderie.
But then on day three, disaster struck, just moments after our morning tea stop at Maffra. The road had been very busy with trucks, cars and, of course, bicycles. I looked up and back, only a few bikes ahead, no cars or trucks back, and decided it was safe to have a drink of water. Unfortunately a rider two ahead called that his bag was falling off, my husband (in between us), called slowing, as did I, and then I squeezed my brakes - front brakes only because of that drink of water, and just too damn hard for the circumstances.
Next thing I know I am over the handlebars and crashing to the road. With blood streaming from my right eye and right thigh, and in immediate agony I somehow got off the bitumen and onto the shoulder. A bruise immediately appeared on my left knee but it was my right thigh that was really bad. I was convinced that I had broken my leg.
Fortunately another rider immediately behind me was a doctor who stopped and provided first aid for the next hour until I was loaded into an ambulance.
Other riders cleared my gear off the road, provided gear from their first aid kits, called for an ambulance and Great Vic Bike Ride event assistance, helped with traffic control and generally provided comfort and support to both my husband and myself.
After some six hours or so in emergency at the Sale hospital, I was finally cleared of any breaks, my wounds cleaned up and event assistance was driving my husband and I back to rejoin the camp, by now at Rosedale.
Again, we were shown just how fantastic the cycling community can be with strangers helping my husband set up our tent, offering to fetch meals for me etc etc.
Unfortunately my thigh injury, a puncture wound and massive haematoma due to a very hard and sudden impact with the end of a handlebar, meant that I wasn't able to get back on the road for the rest of the road but, because other great cycling (and dancing) friends, were able to collect my bicycle and take it home, I was allowed to travel from camp to camp via the sag wagon and support my husband as he pushed through to the finish line.
I've had more than a few tears at the disappointment of not realising my dream but, in the end, I am grateful that I was not more seriously injured, that I can learn from my experience, and that the cycling community is so kind and caring. And when my husband reached that final finish line this morning, the first thing he did was sign us both up for next year's Great Vic Bike Ride - so that I can finally realise my dream!
PS - The WARBYs (We Are Right Behind You volunteers) said that my bike (Giant hybrid) was fine but I am going to have my LBS check it over this week to be sure.