One day this summer around 6:30 am there was no traffic around. Coming south and downhill on Broadview, made this left turn way too fast and was lucky to hang on.
Monday, October 12, 2009
10 Streetcar Track intersection at Broadview and Gerrard
One day this summer around 6:30 am there was no traffic around. Coming south and downhill on Broadview, made this left turn way too fast and was lucky to hang on.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Big Spill
October 3 2009
It had rained overnight and the forecast was for afternoon rain but it had stopped so I deicded to get in my usual Saturday morning ride of 1-2 hours, and hit the Brickworks farmers market.
Was cold so I thought I’d try out an idea for winter riding. Bib shorts, long sleeve North Face shirt, thermal long johns under rain pants, and Outdoor Research cap under the helmet. Gortex windbreaker, sunglasses, mp3 player and Sennheiser headphones. Axiom fingerless gloves…reminder that I’ll need gloves with covered fingers soon. Tried ski gloves and they’re too bulky to change gears with brifters.
Got out shortly after sunrise with no particular route in mind.
Went Gerrard east from Parliament to Warden, then north on Warden and instead of turning west on Danforth, kept going north to Eglinton, then went west to Bayview. Bit of a mistake because there was miles and miles of constructiion; the road was torn up so I had to ride on the sidewalk for a while. But eventually got to Bayview Road and took it south to the Brickworks. Stopped there to buy a loaf of the greatest whole grain bread in the city. Baked fresh the night before.
Took the usual route from there, back north along Bayview and onto the good old Lower Don Trail.
Was less than 10 minutes from home. Crossed a small wooden-planked bridge and was accelerating around a tight left turn when I went over some wet leaves. Tires went out from under me and I slammed into the ground. Hard. Wind knocked out, and in instant pain all along the left side. Shoulder, ribs…so glad I always wear a helmet or I would have probably been knocked out. Managed to pull off helmet, cap, sunglasses, headphones and sat there trying to regain my senses. A jogger came up and offered help, which was appreciated.
After a few minutes, was together enough to stand up again, collect my stuff, and limp away with the bike. Was in some serious pain, left hand and arm were virtually useless, and had to carry it up some stairs then get to Riverdale Park and take it up a long staircase but had no choice.
Finally got home, got out of the biking get-up and into street clothes and called a cab. Noticed that the left brifter had been pushed in and wondered if the bike had any damage but that assessment could wait. Had to get to a hospital for x-rays because there was so much pain I was certain either shoulder or ribs had a fracture, although when changing I was surprised that aside from some swelling there was no visible signs of damage.
After being there for a couple of hours waiting to get x-rayed and checked out by a doctor I asked for an ice pack. I was in huge pain. Massive. An ocean of pain. If the world was made out of pain it would be resting on my shoulder and ribs.So the nurse left, and five mintues went by. Then ten. Then what seemed like forever. Had she forgotten about me? Ignored my request? Finally she returned with a professionally made wonderful ice pack, better than what I had expected and I held that against my shoulder like it was my best friend. Alternated the ice pack between shoulder and ribs and kept waiting.
Finally got x-rayed and seen by a doctor who said, “It doesn’t look like there are any fractures but I’m not a radiologist”. Gee, thanks!
It had rained overnight and the forecast was for afternoon rain but it had stopped so I deicded to get in my usual Saturday morning ride of 1-2 hours, and hit the Brickworks farmers market.
Was cold so I thought I’d try out an idea for winter riding. Bib shorts, long sleeve North Face shirt, thermal long johns under rain pants, and Outdoor Research cap under the helmet. Gortex windbreaker, sunglasses, mp3 player and Sennheiser headphones. Axiom fingerless gloves…reminder that I’ll need gloves with covered fingers soon. Tried ski gloves and they’re too bulky to change gears with brifters.
Got out shortly after sunrise with no particular route in mind.
Went Gerrard east from Parliament to Warden, then north on Warden and instead of turning west on Danforth, kept going north to Eglinton, then went west to Bayview. Bit of a mistake because there was miles and miles of constructiion; the road was torn up so I had to ride on the sidewalk for a while. But eventually got to Bayview Road and took it south to the Brickworks. Stopped there to buy a loaf of the greatest whole grain bread in the city. Baked fresh the night before.
Took the usual route from there, back north along Bayview and onto the good old Lower Don Trail.
Was less than 10 minutes from home. Crossed a small wooden-planked bridge and was accelerating around a tight left turn when I went over some wet leaves. Tires went out from under me and I slammed into the ground. Hard. Wind knocked out, and in instant pain all along the left side. Shoulder, ribs…so glad I always wear a helmet or I would have probably been knocked out. Managed to pull off helmet, cap, sunglasses, headphones and sat there trying to regain my senses. A jogger came up and offered help, which was appreciated.
After a few minutes, was together enough to stand up again, collect my stuff, and limp away with the bike. Was in some serious pain, left hand and arm were virtually useless, and had to carry it up some stairs then get to Riverdale Park and take it up a long staircase but had no choice.
Finally got home, got out of the biking get-up and into street clothes and called a cab. Noticed that the left brifter had been pushed in and wondered if the bike had any damage but that assessment could wait. Had to get to a hospital for x-rays because there was so much pain I was certain either shoulder or ribs had a fracture, although when changing I was surprised that aside from some swelling there was no visible signs of damage.
After being there for a couple of hours waiting to get x-rayed and checked out by a doctor I asked for an ice pack. I was in huge pain. Massive. An ocean of pain. If the world was made out of pain it would be resting on my shoulder and ribs.So the nurse left, and five mintues went by. Then ten. Then what seemed like forever. Had she forgotten about me? Ignored my request? Finally she returned with a professionally made wonderful ice pack, better than what I had expected and I held that against my shoulder like it was my best friend. Alternated the ice pack between shoulder and ribs and kept waiting.
Finally got x-rayed and seen by a doctor who said, “It doesn’t look like there are any fractures but I’m not a radiologist”. Gee, thanks!
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