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.