When a moving object contacts a stationary object of greater size or angle the moving object looses. Is the result a “fall” or “crash” or involuntary get off? Darn science getting in the way of describing what happened to me on Mon during a ride. I was riding Scorpion trail down past the basalt babyheads on sandstone
when that physics event occurred, the result left me sprawled on the ground entangled in my bike and right side down on earth. Last thing I remember was my helmeted head smacking onto the ground. I did not get the light show of stars. I laid still for several moments ( seconds or minutes?) sorting out signals from body parts to learn of what my immediate future would be. Pain signals received from pretty much my entire right side. My eyes remained focused. I untangled myself then worked to stand up. I succeeded, so far all necessary parts were functioning. I did range of motion movements paying particular attention to my permanently damaged right shoulder. Whew, my right arm worked although overall much pain. My immediate course of action was to get back to my van. I was almost down to the bottom of Scorpion, I needed to climb out of the creek. I got back on my bike learning that I could still maintain balance and coordination. I coasted the short distance to the Pyramid TH on upper red Rock rd. Getting back out offered choices of pedaling up the pavement, nasty Herkenham, Old Post, or Ridge / Sketch trails. Herkenham was the shortest to pavement but it has many tech challenges. I chose Herk. I was able to pedal sections that did not require taxing upper body strength. I could not completely inflate my lungs because of chest pain upon attempting to inflate. I pushed those parts. I pushed past a spot where I fell my first year here where I impaled pieces of manzanita into my left forearm. I made the pavement then pedaled 89A into a head wind. Once back at the van the next challenge was lifting my bike onto the rack which would be another test of my damaged body. Success, body performed. Next act was washing myself off and cleaning wounds I could reach. I wanted to be not smelling should my next stop be a hospital. I was able to wipe myself down so I learned that body parts still functioned albeit with pain. SO far I believed I did not need medical care. I drove back to VOC mostly steering with my left arm. I fixed, ate, and cleaned up dinner. The left side of my brain hurt. Foremost in my mind was possible cranial bleeding caused by the impact and the effect of the anticoagulants for blood clotting I take, a real possibility. I took Tylenol for pain. Next was getting undressed for bed then lowering my bed. Shit, raising my arm during the lowering hurt but I lowered it. Then getting into bed and positioned was a chore as I could not put weight on my right arm. Then establishing a sleep position that was pain free never happened. I was awake most of the night shifting around seeking comfort. I left the side door unlocked in case I needed to be rescued. Getting out of bed was almost as challenging as getting into it. Next was raising the bed which required both hands to work the pulley system that Lars installed back in 2015 to raise the bed after shoulder repair. Painful. Right arm still working. I dressed then made my way thru breakfast fixings and cleanup. I was very concerned about cranial bleeding and needed professionals to diagnosis. I drove back to Sedona to the ER where I was the only patient in the waiting area. I was whisked into an exam room. The attending D was the same one who saw me back in Jan with my guts issue. He checked me over then ordered a CT scan of my head a torso. Results came back: no bleeding or fractures. Whew, relief. Not even bruising. Treatment was icing, Tylenol, and a script for low dose oxycotin which I am following. I slept better last night and raising the bed this morning was slightly less painful. I am self grounded for the immediate future..
My crash was shorter than sudden. I was letting gravity propel me. The trail has twists and bends, Near as I can recount on a slight right bend my front wheel lost my intended direction then stalled. I did not go over the bars, there was no tuck and roll, it was a smack down. I will return to the site to reconstruct when I am able to drive the twisty road then hike to the spot.
So, did I fall or crash? What name fits?
Earlier in the day I was treated at physical therapy for my right knee. I have PT referrals for my right shoulder, hip, and knee, 3 separate referrals to be used at same clinic. The first referral is for my right shoulder. Eric is the PT who has treated me over the years for the shoulder and other parts. At this session I chose my knee treatment, the results were apparent during riding afterwards. My next appointment is this Thurs with now focusing on my shoulder.
Monday I drove up to cultural park for a western gateway ramble that I sort of figures a ride solo. Doug showed up before I started and I told him of my idea. He asked if he could join, I said yes even as I wanted to ride my ride my way. Previously I led Doug on several of social trails where I would be and he had explored the area on his own. Between us we kinda sort of figured out many of the cross country trails. Once on those trails we recounted our understanding of where those trails would take us. These nonsystem trails are well laid out and sustainable. Enjoyable ride and route selection for riding Axis to climb out of Dry Creek. I GPS what I ride, out there I have many tracks composed of system and cross country trails. The GS map I use is too old to show the newer system trails. I would like to overlay my tracks on current system trails.
Sat was a volunteer trails work day. Short story was building an alt line bypassing a difficult armored descent or climb, depending upon which direction ridden, on Llama. The dirt had moisture that made for easy digging. Haven’t ridden it yet. Cool solution that preserved the original line while offering a tech solution. I have never climbed that piece, descending it required focus and courage.
On Monday Ian grabbed me for a late afternoon ride out at Turkey Creek, he drove us out to our start point eliminating about 3 miles of road pedaling each way.
Weather system on Mon night into Tues dropped precip, a mix of snow and rain. I allowed the trails to dry out until Sunday.
Sedona Mtn Bike festival this weekend.
The devil made me do it the first time, the second time I did it on my own.