Cycling carries dangers but I don't think it's inherently especially dangerous. Sometimes you just get unlucky and it's usually due to momentary distraction, brake failure, poor loading and bike balance, taking risks etc. if you cause a crash - or just bad luck if you're crashed into.
Helps to make sure your bike is well balanced and loaded too. It's OK now but I'm positive the handling of my Trek will improve a lot when the weight is redistributed as at the moment it's too rear-heavy with motorwheel and battery on rack if a pannier is attached in addition.
Using a single pannier inevitably causes weight imbalance - I can't be bothered to take 2 out with me most times. You get away with it on a huge long wheelbase 700C like Agattu without much difficulty but on a 26" compact MTB It's not the best arrangement.
Very light frame with a race wheel up front so the rear/front weight distribution is excessively loaded to the rear. Pulling the big battery and controller weights into the triangle will redistribute the load and allow rack to be used for extras instead of side panniers, which just get in the way and unbalance the bike if heavy stuff being carried on one side. Having retraced what happened I'm pretty sure I could have recovered that pothole impact without mishap if I'd loaded the bike better. Lesson learned and grounded now so no excuse to procrastinate over implementing the mods !
The bike needed a new 3 speed switch and changer. I replaced the v brakes with better quality ones just to be on the safe side. Commuting to work is a bit hairy in the rush hour but the accident took place on a straight deserted stretch of road on a Sunday!
You may find it takes several weeks to return to normal from a bash on the head. It was about 6 weeks with me.
Bike damage wise you got off OK by the sounds of it
. It's often the way that you get caught out when you're least expecting it and in circumstances which ought not to be hazardous. Maybe because one's not so vigilant when all ahead looks fine. Decent set of brakes is one thing I've never had any issue with shelling out for. A solid and worthwhile investment.
Yes it'll be a wee while before all is completely back to normal. But doing way better than I was expecting after initial aftermath. Might not be 20-something any more but not quite 40 either so hoping I can still bounce back reasonably easily.
hope your soon back ... on two wheels.
So do I - missing it already, snowflakes notwithstanding
All the best with recovery - sounds as if you've probably got off relatively lightly.
Head injuries are weird - I got mashed up about 10 years back, when a motorbike hit me broadside on. My right leg was in plaster for 8 months, plus all sorts of other damage, and I've absolutely no recollection of any of it. There's a gap of about 24 hours in which I was conscious and talking rationally etc, but it's all gone from the brain.
Take it easy and get well soon.
Thanks. Yes I was extremely fortunate, Hugh. The paramedics told me I was lucky to have survived at all the way I impacted the wall after they spoke with the people who witnessed it. Perhaps being a "lightweight" saved my bacon this round ! Sounds like you had a serious knock with that motorbike. Breaking a leg is a really awful setback and as for the idea of 8 months in plaster ..... would go absolutely bonkers !!!
