Crashed my bike in Italy

A forum that'll feed your need for exploring the limitless adventure possibilities found in "other" places. Post trip reports or ask questions about outdoor adventures beyond the Sierra Nevada here.
Post Reply
User avatar
balzaccom
Topix Addict
Posts: 2952
Joined: Wed Dec 17, 2008 9:22 pm
Experience: N/A

Crashed my bike in Italy

Post by balzaccom »

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;
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/
Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-R ... 0984884963
User avatar
oldranger
Topix Addict
Posts: 2861
Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2007 9:18 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Bend, Oregon

Re: Crashed my bike in Italy

Post by oldranger »

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
Mike

Who can't do everything he used to and what he can do takes a hell of a lot longer!
Shawn
Topix Fanatic
Posts: 1061
Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2005 9:56 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Crashed my bike in Italy

Post by Shawn »

Wow, glad you are okay and on the mend. Looks like quite a crash occurred.
User avatar
sheperd80
Topix Regular
Posts: 167
Joined: Sat Jun 29, 2013 1:17 pm
Experience: N/A

Post by sheperd80 »

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

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
User avatar
freestone
Topix Expert
Posts: 961
Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2005 9:42 pm
Experience: Level 3 Backpacker
Location: Santa Barbara
Contact:

Re: Crashed my bike in Italy

Post by freestone »

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?
Short cuts make long delays. JRR Tolkien
User avatar
balzaccom
Topix Addict
Posts: 2952
Joined: Wed Dec 17, 2008 9:22 pm
Experience: N/A

Re: Crashed my bike in Italy

Post by balzaccom »

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!
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/
Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-R ... 0984884963
User avatar
maverick
Forums Moderator
Forums Moderator
Posts: 11821
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:54 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Crashed my bike in Italy

Post by maverick »

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.?
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
User avatar
rlown
Topix Docent
Posts: 8225
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:00 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Wilton, CA

Re: Crashed my bike in Italy

Post by rlown »

should obviously be in "beyond the sierra".
User avatar
Snow Nymph
Founding Member
Posts: 2042
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2005 6:43 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Mammoth Lakes, CA
Contact:

Re: Crashed my bike in Italy

Post by Snow Nymph »

:eek: Glad the damage wasn't worse. Pic looks pretty bad. Heal quickly!
Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear has no power, and the fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free . . . . Jim Morrison


http://snownymph.smugmug.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
Vaca Russ
Topix Expert
Posts: 809
Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2010 3:12 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: The Nut Tree

Re: Crashed my bike in Italy

Post by Vaca Russ »

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
"...Or have you only comfort, and the lust for comfort, that stealthy thing that enters the house a guest, and then becomes a host and then a master?"

Kahil Gibran.
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 21 guests