Dear Editor,
On April 4, I was on a training ride for an upcoming bicycle
cross country trip this summer when I had a serious crash on Rucker
Avenue about 5:30pm.
Dear Editor,
On April 4, I was on a training ride for an upcoming bicycle cross country trip this summer when I had a serious crash on Rucker Avenue about 5:30pm. On the final push home at between 17 and 20 mph, one of my aerobars (one of those funny looking extension bars that let you rest on your elbows and become more aerodynamic) lost a bolt and dropped straight down. It dangled momentarily before it found a spoke in my front tire, and then the front fork of the bike. BAM, I was instantly in a somersault over the handlebars and made a one point landing on my helmet and face.
My feet were still in the toe cages on my pedals and I didn’t even have time to let go of my handlebars. The good news is it happened so fast I didn’t even have time to think “Man this is going to hurt.”
Before I could even get clear of my bike, three wonderful good Samaritans came to my aid. I am very thankful. It sure makes you feel good about the community we live in. They wanted to call 911 and get the pros out to check me out, but I decided I had taken harder hits and just asked for a ride home, even though I was dripping blood from many places and my helmet was smashed with a big chunk out of the front.
One lady gave me a towel to help with the blood. Thank you, whoever you are. One gentleman had his pickup truck and ,since I bent the front forks of my bike, it couldn’t be ridden. He gave me a ride the rest of the way home. I believe he said his name was Rolando. Thank you again.
One look in the mirror at home and I knew I needed a stitch or two in my lower lip. So off to the emergency room. The injuries were mostly scraps and bruises. Skinned knee, knuckles, face contusions and scrapes. My mouth took a pretty good hit chipping a tooth and splitting my lower lip. No spicy or salty food for a while. The helmet did it’s job and saved me from a cracked skull, concussion, possible brain damage or worse – YIKES.
Dr. Loh at Kaiser Emergency sewed me up and, aside from quite a bit of muscle soreness, a neck brace and some pain pills, I’m OK. Thank you, God, for letting me ride again.
Since the accident I have seen at least seven people riding their bikes without helmets, mostly adults. Helmets do save lives. It certainly saved mine or at least my brain. Things happen very quickly in an accident. PLEASE WEAR YOUR HELMET EVERY TIME YOU RIDE.
Michael Mathiasen, Gilroy
