Crash Report

[Burt Reiff]

I must have been having empathetic feelings for all of the folks who have recently crashed or are having medical problems. On Saturday, Sep. 8th, I'm pedaling along with the group on Broadway near Jesmond Dene Park, no cars or other bikes near me, when  one crank arm breaks in half, and I go down like a bag of bolts! I was standing up in a high gear, trying to bridge a gap that had developed. I landed squarely on my tush and skidded for what seemed like a minute, but was over in a second. I have road rash on some knuckles, one shoulder, one knee, one elbow which required a few stitches, a very swollen butt, and a sore tail bone. The side of my helmet also took a good scraping along the asphalt.  And that's the good news! Shortly after getting the stitches, I realized that I could hardly walk. Today, I got an x-ray, and I am one lucky SOB; hip is not broken. So, until further evaluation, I am self-diagnosing some pulled tendons or ligaments, maybe a pinched nerve or two. And it only hurts when I walk! I am getting around using my hiking poles, so if you see someone trekking crab-like in a Starbucks near you, it's me!

Many thanks to those of you who hovered around me, got me back to my car, called and e-mailed. I really appreciate that.

Lessons learned: 1) Don't buy Ritchey cranks again. 2) Remember, that when standing up, you are more vulnerable for bad stuff to happen, so don't do it near traffic. Although this didn't apply to this accident, it could have, and I would have been smushed.

Ride safe,

   Burt

[Eddie B.]

Once you go Campy... you'll never ride anything else.

[Burt Reiff]

I hate to mention it, but about 25 years ago, I broke a Campy crank also. I was sitting when it happened and did not crash. I do think Campy is great, but this was a very unusual thing to happen, I hope. By the way, is this "the" Eddie B.?

Burt

[jeff 2]

Burtini - hope your bashed and bruised body heals soon - the mountains will miss you...

jeff 2