re-resolving
In the last few months we have become exceedingly lazy. Between the Holidays, a new baby, and SNOWMAGEDDON ‘08 (which we can clearly blame on Al Gore), exercise had become less frequent. One night, as the new year was rapidly approaching, we were sitting around eating potato chips and spoonfuls of Nutella, when we got to thinkin’ about our ‘resolutions’. Andrea decided to dust off the 30-day Shred DVD that was currently being used as a coaster and begin working out. And I decided to quit being fair-weathered when it came to riding my bicycle to work. Seemed realistic.
Andrea got ’shredding’ right away, and is already showing great results; and last Tuesday, I finally went to pick up my bike from a much-needed tune-up. I was pretty excited to get back on the saddle and—ignoring the weather forecast—I had a dry ride into work on Wednesday morning. I spent most of my day at my desk on the 11th floor, paying as little attention to the weather as possible. At quittin’ time, I pulled my bike out of the parking garage to learn that it had begun pouring rain earlier in the afternoon—and had not let up.
By the time I got to the base of ‘Dexter hill’, I was drenched. But with another cyclist behind me, I stubbornly gave it my all. At the top of the hill, as we were picking up speed, I was paying close attention to a bus that had just left a stop and crossed over the bike lane. As it gained some distance in front of me, I once again began accelerating. It was that very second that my light struck what I only instantly saw as the inside of a car door opening. I managed to begin steering my bike to avoid collision but was unsuccessful. I ended up clipping the door with my upper body, shattering the window. I remember hearing the crunch of the door being hyper extended, the clap of my laptop bag hitting the ground next to me and the clattering of the cyclist behind as he landed on my bike. As I got up to brush the mud off and to assess the damage, I realized that I couldn’t lift my bag with my left arm. The other cyclist—who, it turned out also just got his bike out of the shop—hung around for a few minutes but was ok to continue his ride.
That night, instead of going to dinner with friends, as originally planned, we ended up at the Northwest Hospital ER, learning all about what it means to separate a shoulder. Luckily, our friend Dr. Hodge was working that night and was able to get us star treatment—it was the quickest, most pleasant ER visit I’ve ever experienced. Thanks Doc!
I might need another sling
Since last Wednesday, I’ve given a lot of thought to the accident. I realize how lucky I am that it didn’t turn out worse than it did. I’ve heard about people being seriously maimed or even killed from being ‘doored’. Now, while I take a breath and wait until I am able to ride again, I will have to reassess my resolution…and unless anybody has a better suggestion, I’m thinking that it really ought to involve more Nutella.
January 12th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
OUCH! My other half is a fair weather cyclist and we live so close to work (15kms) that it seems silly to spend money on bus tickets etc when he can just hop on his bike. However stories like yours fill me with horror. Last year a friend broke both his arms when he was ‘doored’ and just like you he feels he was actually lucky because he has healed. He is still nervous cycling though and thats a concern. I suggest medicinal nutella, definitely!
January 12th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
ACK! I had no idea. I hope you are healing.
And I totally agree that Nutella makes everything better. XOXO
January 12th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
While maybe not your intention, I feel acutely aware of being a better driver because of this story. I am definitely going to double check before opening my car door. I’m really glad you are okay!
January 12th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
DUDE. that is just CRAZY!! So glad you’re ok!!
January 12th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
One of the reasons I don’t ride my bike more often is because of stories like yours. No, wait, the real reason is because I’m lazy and I like to drive. Hope you heal up quick!
January 13th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Oh man! That’s terrible. Glad to hear you’re ok… and it wasn’t any worse. I’m definitely thinking the nutella will help. Definitely.
January 13th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Glad to hear you survived and are healing.
January 13th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
i concur, potato chips and nutella are far safer than exercising.
January 14th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Ohmymy!! I hope you heal quickly. I’m really dying to do the 30day shred. Because, sure, yea, O is over a year and a half but that postpartum body is a bitch.
January 14th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Oh gosh, I hope you heal well! Sorry!
January 15th, 2009 at 10:36 am
If you gain enough weight, then no meisly “car door” will slow you down! You’ll bust right through it! I say do both. happy healing man.
January 15th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
ugh, sorry to hear that man. You should get really good at doing one armed pushups, then get a job as an Army recruiter.
January 15th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
I think I’ll stick to the kind of bikes that don’t go anywhere. Hope you heal soon.
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:26 pm
I had no idea. I am so glad that you are okay, and I hope you are feeling better soon.
Things like this do put things in perspective- eat the Nutella.
I hope you get back on your bike, but maybe just on trails. The roads are just too dangerous!
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:48 pm
I’m glad that things were not worse and that the information I had was useful. I had the same sentiment with my accident, it could have been worse, but it still sucks. It’s especially insulting when you don’t even get an apology, but actually get blamed. Grrrr…. My case is coming to a close, the insurance company gave me the highest amount that the policy would allot, which wasn’t much with how much the medical bills were. I could go after the family, but I’m not as callous as the young man, so i chose to take the higher road. I will say that I think you should take action asap. you don’t want to go into debt over someone else’s carelessness. My medical bills were around $18,000 (and i need more treatment). if there were witnesses (that biker behind you), if there was a police report, and if you got the license number, I would suggest taking it to the next step if he hasn’t contacted you by now. Good luck on your recovery. i hope you return to the saddle quickly.
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:44 pm
I know this happened a while ago, but I just now read about it and dang dude, sorry to hear about that! Glad you’re ok – I hear you adults are pretty resilient. Regardless, you should definitely have more nutella because, well, that stuff’s just good!
Hope you’re doing well!