Bike Crashes
Imagine driving your car down the road, let’s say a road like PCH, and then while your vehicle is moving, you jump out. This is exactly what a bike crash feels like. Below that very very thin layer of Lycra is just your bare skin, sliding down the asphalt road at 25+ mph. The road rash is very unpleasant and a pain. To have to clean the effected area is painful in itself, but then walking and getting back on the bike with a completely bruised and scraped leg is terrible.
Apart from the injury itself and the aftermath of the crash, being a witness of such a horrifying thing is tough. To see someone directly in front of you slam fave first into the road and then tumblr across the asphalt sending their bike into the air and glasses to the opposite side of the road is sickening. Along with the sight, hearing a grown man scream is rare, and to hear it and see why, is one of the toughest things you could face.
On today’s ride we were joined by the Haynes Boys who have hardly ever ridden a bicycles. These boys witnessed a crash and almost tumbled themselves over the individual who went down. The reaction of these boys was indescribable. One of them, who was riding a Tandem with Guy (former manager and now sponsor) was so startled that he bent the handlebars in the midst of his scare. The others stood speechless not knowing what to do. It’s such a horrid moment, no one knows what to do. In races, we just keep racing no matter what emergency vehicle is still present on the course.
Days like today remind you that cycling is not an easy or safe sport. It reminds you that behind pedaling the bicycle, experience and skill does play a big part and many like myself, don’t realize people can’t do that and therefore choose to not ride. It’s a shame because cycling is such a beautiful sport, the world’s greatest leveler.
