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Tuesday, May 31, 2011

DNF = Dog No Friend (of mine)

I went up to Middletown VA last Friday for Matt Settle's 600K brevet, which follows a rugged, scenic course through the Shenandoah Valley to Roanoke and back (mostly a long narrow loop although the section from Buchanan to Roanoke is an out and back). Things were going well for the 8 or so of us that started (broke up early into a couple of small groups of 2 or 3 and some solos). I was riding with Chris Mento and Phil Creel and we were on our way to the return control at Raphine (where drop bags were located). Around mile 233 at 3:30 a.m., we were starting down a long hill and heard some dogs barking close by. Phil and Chris got by them, but I did not fare so well. With no warning, a medium size black dog appeared square in front of me. There was no time to react, and I t-boned the dog, sending me over the handlebars. I felt the impact of the helmet on the road and then went down on my right shoulder. I laid on the road for a minute or so, and managed to get to my feet, but my knees buckled and I went down. Chris got on his phone and eventually reached Tom LePore, the volunteer working the Raphine control. While waiting for Tom to arrive with his van, Phil and Chris did what they could to make me comfortable and also gathered up all the stuff that had been knocked off my bike (cue sheet holder, water bottles, helmet light, mirror, pump).

Tom's wife Rose provided excellent help, carting me to the hospital in Winchester and staying there for several hours where I had a full round of xrays and the various scrapes and contusions were cleaned up and dressed. I ended up with a broken rib, another one cracked, and assorted bruises. Thankfully, no broken collar bone or dislocated shoulder. Now I just have to deal with the pain and wait for the healing to run its course.

7 comments:

  1. Aargh!

    I don't know what to write.

    At least you have approx 30 days in which to defend and extend your R-17.

    ...Martin

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  2. Bob, sorry to hear of your crash... just glad you were not solo at the time and it was not any worse.... heal fast. Robert

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  3. Bob, it was very nice meeting up with you, Chris, and Phil for dinner at the Burger King in Buchanan. And then very surprising to see you so banged up in Middletown! Best wishes for your ribs to heal quickly and the pain to subside as fast as possible.

    Bill

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  4. Bob,
    Mary and I did that ride with Chris Mento 3 or 4 years ago as our 1st 600k. I'm sorry the dog messed up your ride and your ribs. Chris is good company.
    Use the trainer a bit so you don't lose too much fitness. Irresponsible dog owners are a problem for us bicyclists.
    Heal fast.
    Tom F

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  5. Bob,
    Heal fast and get back on the bike. Loose dogs are bad news. I will do the same ride with DCR this week-end and will watch out for dogs at night. Thai.

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  6. So sorry you had this accident. Heal fast and well.

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  7. Dogs.
    at night.
    On a descent.
    Can not think of a worse situation.
    Very sorry to hear about this. Hope you are on the mend and will see you out there again soon.

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