Cloned
Tiger Trainer
While coming down down a twisty mountain road, I hit a small patch of gravel in a tight left hand turn going about 35. My rear tire slid out and I grabbed the front brake (which only made things worse). Low sided and slid. My bike got wedged under a guard rail, so did I, about 15 feet away. I hit a wooden guard post with my left side.
As soon as I stood up I took my helmet off and threw it in total anger. I went over to the bike to assess the damage and broke into tears. I'm not sure what DIDN'T get damaged. Luckily, a bunch of people were getting off work from a ski lodge on top of the mountain and stopped to help. I used one of their phones to call 911 (the adrenaline was wearing off and I was starting to hurt), my phone didn't get any reception. While I was making phone calls they used my camera to take some pictures. They also took a picture of the spot that I hit, you can see the dent in the ground where I was.
I rode to the hospital in the ambulance, and spent 5 hours in the ER. Nothing's broken, but I'm badly bruised and have a large piece of road rash where my jacket came up a bit, even though it was hooked into my belt. I can hardly walk, due to severe bruising or something on my left hip and flank. I haven't seen my gear yet, but my boots are really the only thing that made it out.
I seriously hope the bike is totalled. I don't have full coverage (couldn't afford if I made twice as much money as I do now) But if it is totalled then my GAP insurance should take care of the payments.
All in all, I made a mistake which made a bad situation worse. There were plenty of variables that caused me to lowside, but if I stayed off the front brake I might have been able to save it. All I can remember clearly is looking back while I was sliding, and seeing the bike about a foot away from my face, and thinking "This can't be happening to me." I had a nervous breakdown at the scene, and still feel all sorts of emotions welling up inside me. I just want this to be over.
As soon as I stood up I took my helmet off and threw it in total anger. I went over to the bike to assess the damage and broke into tears. I'm not sure what DIDN'T get damaged. Luckily, a bunch of people were getting off work from a ski lodge on top of the mountain and stopped to help. I used one of their phones to call 911 (the adrenaline was wearing off and I was starting to hurt), my phone didn't get any reception. While I was making phone calls they used my camera to take some pictures. They also took a picture of the spot that I hit, you can see the dent in the ground where I was.
I rode to the hospital in the ambulance, and spent 5 hours in the ER. Nothing's broken, but I'm badly bruised and have a large piece of road rash where my jacket came up a bit, even though it was hooked into my belt. I can hardly walk, due to severe bruising or something on my left hip and flank. I haven't seen my gear yet, but my boots are really the only thing that made it out.
I seriously hope the bike is totalled. I don't have full coverage (couldn't afford if I made twice as much money as I do now) But if it is totalled then my GAP insurance should take care of the payments.
All in all, I made a mistake which made a bad situation worse. There were plenty of variables that caused me to lowside, but if I stayed off the front brake I might have been able to save it. All I can remember clearly is looking back while I was sliding, and seeing the bike about a foot away from my face, and thinking "This can't be happening to me." I had a nervous breakdown at the scene, and still feel all sorts of emotions welling up inside me. I just want this to be over.
But I'm glad you are ok. We're thinkin about you while you are on the mend.
