High Sierra Topix

Yeah...I had a bad one in Italy this week, and here's what I learned from the experience.

I was lucky. I should be fine, and able to backpack this summer with no real issues. But I look even worse than usual.

Lessons learned:

Wear a helmet.stupid! With a helmet I would have walked away from this crash. I have ridden over 52,000 miles on a bike in the last ten years or so, and only ridden without a helmet about twice, And that's all it took.

Stay at a good hotel. They were solicitous beyond belief, and efficient as well. I felt fully and totally cared for.

Have friends and clients in Italy. They were wonderful, and really went out of their way to make sure that I was OK.

Wear a helmet, stupid.

If you want the whole gory story, here's a link to our blog:

https://sites.google.com/site/backpackt ... e/our-blog" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Paul

Glad you will be ok.

Back in the early 90's, after my Roaring River Days, I was working for the FS patrolling the upper Deschutes River upstream from Bend. Most of the time I was in a Pickup, every now in then in a canoe or on a bike. Once a friend decided to sign up as a volunteer and accompany me on a day I was on a bike. We got to the TH and he had no helmet. Back to his house as I would not let him accompany me without a helmet. Back to the TH. 1/2 mile into the ride he hit a rock, went over the handlebars and landed on his head--no harm done!

Mike

Wow, glad you are okay and on the mend. Looks like quite a crash occurred.

Ouch. Looks like a nasty spill. Glad you're OK.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

Glad you are ok! I ride everyday to work and have been over the handlebars too, trying to avoid a construction sign that was placed in the bike lane(!!). Next thing I knew, I was on my back, looking up to 2 guys asking if I was ok. I did a quick body parts check, everything moves, then said yes. I took my helmet off and notice a big gash on the side, where it hit the curb. I am a true believer now!

Did your Health Insurance work over there?

I don't know about my health insurance over there...I just know that the bill they gave me was for about $125. I'll check to see if Kaiser is going to reimburse me for that, but if they don't it won't break the bank!

Happy to read that you are alright! I too have a road bike, but will never go with out
my helmet, to many things can happen that we are not in control of, especially
distracted drivers, have had to many close calls.
My only crash was when a pigeon flew into my spokes and had me fly into a rock wall,
still have the road burn marks on my forearm and chest. Everytime when I watch the
Tour de France am amazed more people don't get seriously hurt in those massive pile
ups.Kaiser should cover or at least partially cover your bills if you are out of state/country
and have an emergency. Did you call the number on the card to arrange payment to the
non-Kaiser facility.?

should obviously be in "beyond the sierra".

Glad the damage wasn't worse. Pic looks pretty bad. Heal quickly!

balzaccom wrote: But I look even worse than usual.

Paul,

How are you looking now? It has been almost two weeks. I hope you are back to your normal self!

Get well soon!

-Russ