Sunday, August 28, 2016

Hardscrabble Road Bike Crash

Wednesday, August 24, 2016.

I was riding to meet Linda on the way to see Saul's family in Andover, VT.
From Thursday's note:
I am writing from the ICU at UVMMC. I'm recovering from a crash on my way to Bristol.

There was a power line down on the Bristol Roan so traffic  was rerouted to Hardscrabble Road.
The road turned dirt and that's the last I remember until I was in the Ambulance.
Dan Cogswell sat with me me in the road. I had a concussion even with the helmet.
Broken scapula, clavicle an ribs. I can type one finger.

I hope to be discharged today.

=== Here is an update. Sunday at home after a visit by Hazel, Saul and Laura.

I talked to Dan Cogswell, who had brought my bike to my house.
Bristol Rescue was on the scene in about 20 minutes and took me to UVMMC.

Dan told me that a young man was first on the scene and called 911.
There was no evidence that I had been run off the road or been hit by a car.
But there was a garter snake with a bike tire mark in the road next to me.
The current hypothesis is that I spilled after hitting the snake or trying to avoid it.
I have no memory of anything after a short stop to have half a sandwich.
Dan said the road was flat and I was on the right side.

The xrays confirm cracks in my scapula, clavicle and three ribs. You can see the pieces of my clavicle and the gaping fissure in my scapula. But that does not seem to be at an important junction of forces. I continue to improve. I can lift my left arm high with support.


The concussion continues to have effects. I'm napping a lot and slowly checking in  with friends and family. Thanks for all your good wishes.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

This makes me shudder. Imagine if you HADN'T been wearing a helmet! So glad you were released so quickly, but I feel for all those cracked bones. You will hurt for a while, my friend.

Unknown said...

woah !! David, I'm so sorry you had this happen. We're thinking of you, and would love to visit you as soon as you can receive us. Love Zack and Laura

Annie O'Shaughnessy said...

Hi Dave.. You don't know me but I wanted to send my well wishes and supportive info. I got a serious concussion 2 years ago in a bike accident and, while I still have effects, they are lessened significantly through daily meditation. The results were so profound that I went on a month long meditation retreat, during which I felt no symptoms. So... rest a lot. Stay of this computer and download some meditation recordings! Good luck

Annie

Linda Childs said...

OUCH! So sorry to read this post... treat yourself very very kindly while you heal and breathe easy...
<3

Mike said...

Dave,

So sorry this happened. In my bad bike dreams it's more than a garter snake in my way or over my body. Wishing you a speedy and full recovery.

Mike and Vicki

Jarlath O'Neil-Dunne said...

Get well Dave!

Unknown said...

Hey David, So you will be getting better each day. Let's try to ride together before autumn leaves come tumbling down. Snakes and other creatures entering roads are the cause of many crashes. They're in my cycling dreams too. On a fast-paced group ride last month, a chipmunk ran through a cyclist's wheel -- almost caused a crash. Please stay in touch, and get well fast. Best, Pargie

Anonymous said...

Creeps sake! So good you were, at least, helmeted. Get better, take it slow. Best to you and Linda.