Getting back after first serious crash

[rliu]

Hope forum users won't mind a somewhat rambling blog-esque entry from me but I was interested in sharing my experience and hearing about anyone else's thoughts or similar experiences.
Had my first serious incident on a bike last Thursday, the car I was following behind braked sharply due to another car pulling out, and as it was wet my braking distance was not enough and I crashed head first into the rear windscreen of the car, causing several cuts to the face, chipped teeth and fractures to neck and cheekbone.
I have had one incident with a car before that had pulled across my path as I was on a roundabout, that incident knocked my confidence while cycling for many months. I fear this incident may have a far bigger impact both in terms of my own mental fear of crashing again and opposition from family to resuming cycling too. Some may argue that I could have arguably left a bigger gap in wet conditions, but as those who cycle in London or other busy cities may appreciate, sometimes when you do that it just leads to impatient drivers behind you overtaking and therefore wiping out that safe braking distance you had left for yourself.
After having felt optimistic and positive in hospital, it was when I got home yesterday (Sunday) that the feelings of doubt and self-pity had set in. It just felt unfortunate and cruelly ironic that the activity I had come to love more than any other had caused me the most amount of injuries I have had in my life. As a slightly overweight and un-sporty child I had always been left perplexed by why other kids in rugby or cricket teams had kept going back for more after being left with broken bones and serious bruises due to sports injuries, and now I was facing the same choice much later on in life, do I cave in to the thoughts of doubt and fear or accept the inherent risks of sport and carry on?

 

[derrick]

My other half is just getting back on her bike after 8 weeks, A car hit her on a roundabout, Car drivers fault nothing my wife could do about it. She is taking things really easily. She is very nervous at the moment but is getting there, Has now done three 40+ mile rides one of them was without me, Her and two friends went out Saturday morning.It's going to take her a while to get her confidence back, Give it a bit of time and i know she will get there. I think having a lot of support from club members and friends has helped a lot. It's always nicer to ride with a group of friends, Good luck to you. Think positive ride with friends and you will be fine.

 

[ufkacbln]

I had a bad accident (Skull, rib, clavicle hip and pelvis fractures) and I couldn't wait to get back on the bike, but once I did I found that I was shaky and less confident

After a few weeks of quiet routes and cycle paths I had regained confidence in my skills and started cycling more or less "normally"
if still slower and more cautious than before

The one thing that I could not do was return to the place where the accident occurred and it was not until another accident on the alternative route closed the road and forced me to do so that I actually cycled past the original site.... and then wondered what the block had been

I am not saying that it will work for you, but basically take your time and don't push too far as you regain your confidence and skills

From your post you have reflected on what happened and how it has affected you which is a start - now get back on the bike somewhere quiet and traffic free to make that all important first step

 

[Venod]

I can relate to your thoughts and doubt, I have been cycling/runing/keeping fit most of my life, I have had several offs on the bike but the last one a near head on collision with a car (not my fault and the driver is getting prosecuted) left me questioning if I wanted to get back on the bike, due to complications with a broken shoulder I have spent a total of 15 nights in hospital (never spent a night in hospital before), this was a very low point for me, but I have just got back to riding and looking forward to some good weather so I can regain fitness, I am a bit low on confidence in traffic and riding in a group as I have not got complete movement back in my shoulder, I am going to stick at it and hope confidence and movement return.

I hope you can overcome your fears and doubt and have many years of cycling ahead of you, its a great way to stay fit and healthy.

 

[mjr]

Sorry to hear about your crash and I might not be the best placed to comment because I'm a non-sport cyclist, but please leave a safe braking gap in future and test your brakes occasionally so that you can assess what such a gap is in current conditions. If someone invades the gap, drop back to reestablish the gap, same as when driving.

I'd definitely get back on the bike after that. It sounds largely self inflicted, so you should be able to avoid a repeat. I've had various (more minor) self inflicted crashes and generally thought "that was silly - won't do that again".

 

[Katherine]

Sorry about your accident. For now just concentrate on healing, getting well again and maintaining a bit of fitness in other ways. Gradually build up your confidence with some quiet cycling and don't rush anything. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Ian H]

You acknowledge your mistake, which is important. Learning from those is how we all improve (and ride more safely). But everyone makes mistakes, so don't beat yourself up too much; resolve instead to return better than before.

 

[si_c]

I had a similar accident to yours, pedestrian stepped out in front of a car, and I hadn't left sufficient braking distance and piled into the back of the car smashing my collarbone. For me it is worth getting back out there, I've learnt the lessons, and now try to leave sufficient braking room and I'm aware of planning more in terms of escape routes should I need to brake suddenly.

All that said, don't let this accident stop you from getting out, especially as you know what you did wrong, and how you can improve your riding. Take some time to recover and get better and then go for a ride, even if you just stick to quieter roads for a while until your confidence returns.

GWS

 

[classic33]

Slightly different attitude to most of the above.
Following being T-boned at a junction, my attitude was bugger it, they're not going to put me of the bike that easy.
It's each to their own on how they get on after an accident. Do whichever suits you and don't be rushed.

 

[mjr]

I'm aware of planning more in terms of escape routes should I need to brake suddenly

^^ this. Emergency turns are a useful tool to have if you need them, as is jumping back off against the bike to slow yourself down a little if a crash becomes unavoidable.

 

[classic33]

^^ this. Emergency turns are a useful tool to have if you need them, as is jumping back off against the bike to slow yourself down a little if a crash becomes unavoidable.

Into the path of whatever may be behind?

 

[mjr]

Into the path of whatever may be behind?

It's not a perfect solution, but you'd exchange a definite collision with a near-stopped object for a possible collision with one travelling in the same direction as you, so yes.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Carry on cycling, get back in the saddle as soon as you feel well enough / your injuries clear up. If you leave it too long, the doubts will fester, then you'll find you will be much less inclined to get back out there. Don't dwell on the crash, or how you could have done things differently. Just work out what you could have done different, then put it in the memory bank, and move on. Learn to ride to the prevailing conditions, and don't get sucked into riding like anyone else chooses to do. Personally speaking, in wet conditions I slow my pace considerably, if someone else wants to be a 'hero', then they are welcome to have the accident for me. Get well soon, and don't let the doubts build up