Column: Safety Gear Only Works If You Use It

I’m sure I looked smooth. I tried to roll into the wreck—and did, for the most part. Somewhere in there I heard the sickening sound of my helmet kissing the pavement. Score one for safety gear. 

And then there I was, watching my lights—a strobe on the back of the bike and a bright white light up front—lighting up the nearby trees. It was almost soothing and hypnotic. We had just sent an issue of the magazine to press, and I was out for one of my late-night rides—simply a great way to reduce stress and get some exercise. 

Even though I was on my BMX, I wasn’t doing anything BMX-y. Somehow a super-strong, built-for-BMX chain had snapped. The immediate lack of resistance sent me pile-driving right into the pavement. Despite the pain, my conscience was clean. 

Fortunately, soon after the wreck, someone drove by. And she kept on going, even though we made eye contact. I’m sure there’s a special place in hell for people like her. Forty-five minutes later, someone did find me, called 911, and notified my wife. (In my defense, if I had been carrying my phone, it likely would have been in my left pocket—the very side I had just landed on. So not only would I have had a broken arm, but my iPhone would have been smashed, too.)

The big question at that moment: Did I want to ride to the hospital in the ambulance or my wife’s car? I love my wife, but one look at the low-profile tires on her Civic Si made the choice obvious: ambulance. Sadly I didn’t get lights and sirens, although I didn’t have to stop and register once at the hospital; the crew just wheeled me right into an exam room.

I saw the orthopedist a couple of days later. Since I broke my arm up near the shoulder, they couldn’t put a cast on it. I would have to make do with a sling and some pain pills. 

That all happened almost three months ago and, by and large, I got really lucky. I didn’t need surgery, my wife is a great nurse, and Vans still offers their iconic slip-on sneakers. Tim and Margie provide us with great insurance, too, and I could work from home while I healed. I quickly got off the pain meds and was out of the sling after about seven weeks. 

I now have some mobility at my shoulder, but no strength. The doctor warned me against picking up anything heavier than a pound. He was right. I’ve been doing my stretching exercises, and I’ll see the good doctor again at the end of the week. 

Despite getting relatively lucky, that wreck still left a mark on my season. I reluctantly had to bail on several big events, including the Mitty, Miatapalooza, Pinehurst Concours, New York Auto Show and Mother’s Day at my parents’ house. When you have two bones knocking against each other, you simply tend to stay put. 

Here’s my big take-home message on all of this: Wear your safety gear. Buckle up. Invest in a head-and-neck restraint. Make sure your tools’ guards are in place. Properly torque all fasteners. Regularly inspect your chain. 

Despite all of our evolution, we’re still pretty squishy animals, ones easily laid low by a 15 mph bike wreck, never mind a car at triple-digit speed or a grinder spinning at 8500 rpm. 

As I can tell you, getting hurt hurts.

Like what you're reading? We rely on your financial support. For as little as $3, you can support Grassroots Motorsports by becoming a Patron today.