Crash & Graze
So what happened on Thursday, the last leg of the 200km training period??
Well I started the day, just wanted to get it done. I only had to do 43km’s to go, I was just chipping away at it you could say. By that I mean I was having a lot of breaks. Then as I was into my 3rd ‘set’ and waiting for the lights at Union Rd into Maribyrnong Rd, they turned green and away I went.
Picked up speed because it was a decrease in elevation. I think I looked down to turn my indicator off from the left hand turn at the lights. I looked up again and there was a guy crossing the road from the right (the traffic had given way to him), there was not much I could do to be frank. I was about 5 meters away before I saw him (I’m blind in the inferior, lateral quadrant of my right eye, that's pretty much the reason I don't drive) and he was 5 meters away when he saw me. He jumped at the last minute, which was probably a smart move by him. I kind of just rolled/flipped, cause if you don't know recumbent trikes are very easy to roll to the side if you've got the right leverage. I was extremely lucky!! I didn't crack my head, that would've meant a ‘for sure’ trip to the hospital, instead it just meant I had a scrape on my hand where I put it out to protect the side of my head and blood in my mouth which I think I got from putting a tooth through my lip/gum…. Really not that sure, it’s one of those mysteries that you can only hypothesise!
So I was lying on the ground in a bit of shock. In the space of about 20-30 seconds I had 3-4 people around me and assisting me to get my right foot out of the cleat (my left had automatically come out on impact) but seriously it was as if a grouse song had happened on the D-floor, they flocked from everywhere! I was truly grateful though, truly grateful! Just for the support they offered instantly without thinking..
Anyway they called the Ambo’s, they checked me out, and kinda wanted me to go to hospital but I declined (heard them say I had responsible parents so it should be OK !) No bump to me noggin, all good mate! It’s not the first time I've done this, haha!
I was a bit concerned about the other guy. He was okay though which was great and very apologetic! I was also very concerned about my trusty trike! But I'm pretty sure it’s fine as well, amazing.
So at the end of the day, it was out of my control. We were both a bit shaken up (probably more him than me) but both fine and as I said he was very apologetic, I'm just thankful it wasn't any worse! Bit annoyed that I didn't get my last 14kms done though!!!
