End Pavement

Here’s how a series of small mistakes can turn a nice bike ride into a trip to the Emergency Room.

Mistake #1

Decided to go on a bike ride Saturday afternoon. On my way out the door despite only having 400 or so calories that morning, figuring I’d hit a convenience store on the road.

Mistake #2

Taking a different route than originally planned, a rural one with no convenience stores — or any other stores. Still, lots of beautiful scenery.

Mistake #3

Realizing there was a problem when a headwind started on the generally uphill grade. I kept moving since it would be farther to go home than continue the loop where a store was.

Mistake #4

Not taking into account the extra time resulting from the headwind, thus ensuring I would be riding during twilight, then complete darkness.

Mistake #5

Not carrying blinking lights since I “never ride at night.”

Mistake #6

Three miles from home in mostly dark streets, not getting off the bike and walking.

Mistake #7

Expecting the car coming in the opposite direction to signal if they were going to turn.

And that, dear friends, is how I wound up in the ER, after breaking hard to avoid slamming into the car that suddenly turned in front of me. I missed the car, thankfully, but did not miss the asphalt.

In a classic case of “How was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?” the 30+ miles of mostly rural riding was quite nice, despite the headwind and low calories. I have pictures I’ll post soon.

My doctor said 1-2 weeks healing time/rest for shoulder, then 6-8 weeks physical therapy. For the ribs, it’s 6-8 weeks and nothing to be done except heal and mending.