Almost immediately Russ and I got lost. We zigged when we should have zagged and got completely off course. Luckily Russ knew where we were - so a slight mid course correction got us back on track.
About a mile from the end, Russ hit some loose gravel, flipped over his bike, and crashed onto the pavement - right into the middle of the street. I was right behind him so I got off my bike and my first reaction was to stop traffic as he was sprawled out in the road. It was a pretty serious accident.
The truck that was right behind us was able to stop and the driver (town employee) was a paramedic and had a first aid kit with him.
At first Russ felt fine - but his helmet was cracked in at least five spots. The town truck offered to take Russ to the hospital but he said he was fine.
Russ said he wanted to walk to town, rest and get something to eat. We were about 1/2 mile to town so we walked our bikes slowly and ended up at an ice cream shop. The owner was a young kid and I asked him how business was and of course he said fine. Russ (the banker) said he never asks that question - but instead asked the kid if he was making any money!!!
In any case, 1/2 way during conversation, Russ decides he needs to go to hospital. The owner of the ice cream shop had a truck and brought Russ to the hospital and then took me and the two bikes to our camp (Wentworth Military Academy). As we past buy the ice cream owner's house if told me that if Russ needed a place to stay for the night to please knock on his door and he could stay with him and his wife (you have to love the hospitality that mid-westerners have).
I then rode my bike back to the hospital to see how Russ was doing. Seems he cracked 5 ribs and dislocated his shoulder. They did X-rays to make sure he did not puncture a lung - so they treated him as an out-patient. Russ called his wife to come get him (only lives an hour or so from hospital - how lucky was that!). Image if this had happen early in the ride!
He came to camp to grab his bike and gear before heading home - so we took the opportunity for our last photo op....
(note to myself - when someone crashes and the helmet is cracked don't listen to the injured rider and insist they go to hospital).
All in all Russ was pretty lucky. No concussion and traffic was light so a serious incident was avoided. And thanks to some great people we were able to get Russ bandaged up and brought to the hospital.
But crashing with only two ride days before the end of the trip really, really sucks. Got an txt message from Russ saying he was going back after he heals to ride the last two days.
Us bikers are really crazy guys!!!!
2 comments:
Mike, Thanks for covering my back!Your concern and helpfulness was/is greatly appreciated. I would be comfortable riding anywhere with you. My wife, Dianna, also extends her thankfulness to you for taking care of her hubby. Hope to see you on the trail again. Be safe hiking in the mountains. (Hiking can be hazardous.)
Michael C to the rescue! He is amazing! Best most reliable travel companion--ask him about dental floss, Russ!
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