Leb 2 - head 0

[Ish]

After Scott's post (http://www.morcmtb.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16484) last week, I'm thinking "I can match that".
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6da02b3127cce88c3242d51f000000006108AauW7hy3ctD
I wish I could tell you what happened, but I don't remember. John/Ted - I pm'd you my cell. Give me a call. I owe a huge thanks to Ted, John, Phillip and anyone else I don't remember. You are good friends and without you..............

My wife came and got me (did I call her or did you use my ID tag?) and took me to the ER where I proceeded to get a cat scan and chest x-ray. 4 broken bones in my face later and a head concusison I am now at home. The only good thing about spending the night in the ER was the morphine! Things could have been a lot worse and I am well on my way to recovery. Hopefully I will be back in the saddle again soon.

Remember - keep the rubber side down.

[gopherhockey]

I can't tell you how happy I am to see you posting up... although I could have done without the picture reminder ;)

Just for the record and so Craig has it in print - I'll fill in some details. By doing this I also hope that everyone will remember that bad things can happen to even the best riders at any moments notice... please be careful out there! (Craig if this is too much information let me know and I'll remove this post.)

Anyway - Ted, Craig and I started out our second lap of Leb. Ted was leading, I was following and Craig was right behind. (We were hitting it pretty fast as usual.) We got to the double jump section and just as I was launching over the jump I heard the sound of metal vs. rock, a quick yell from Craig, then looked back to see him lying on the ground at the bottom of hill just before you hit the double jump.

Ted and I rushed over to him only to find that he was out cold. It took what felt like hours but was probably 3-4 minutes to get Craig to come around. Ted had his roadid already in hand and was about to head out to the lot to make the call. Craig actually got back up rather quickly (maybe too fast considering how he and his helmet looked) and we decided to walk back out to the lot under our own power. We gathered up all the pieces of Craig's glasses and helmet and started our hike out.

Along the way we were asked many times "what happened" and "did I crash?" so we decided to give Crag's wife a call. Crag, you called her on your cell but Ted spoke to her and told her to come take you to the ER. Then you kept asking "did you call my wife?" and "is she coming?". Phil was in the lot and helped us keep Craig amused until his wife came. Phil drove Crag's vehicle to the lot north just in case it had to sit overnight.

We speculate that Craig caught a pedal or chainring against one of the rocks on the ledge just before you drop in to do the double jump. By the looks of the seat on his bike I am guessing he went over the bars full speed and hit the ground head first. I think this could have been much worse than it turned out.

We sent Crag's helmet with him to the ER. It was completely cracked on the side where he hit. I can't even imagine what it would have been like without a helmet on. (and I can't believe how many people still ride without one!)

Craig... it is good to see you online again and I am happy it was not worse. I can tell you my ride today was mentally quite difficult as I still have those images of my friend lying on the ground and the knowledge of how quickly and unexpected things can happen.

Our sport is a fun but dangerous one. I know that many have gotten hurt at Leb and on other trails. It is, unfortunately, part of the sport we all know and love. I just want to remind everyone to please ride safe and wear your helmet, just as Craig did. Riding in a group is definitely a benefit, but we all know that at times we ride alone... and as others have said, there are usually other riders out there willing to lend a helping hand if needed.

Crag, take your time but we welcomg you back to the trails anytime and look forward to your return. Ted and Phillip, thanks for your help. Everyone - ride safe!

[tedsti]

I just talked to Craig, who is much more coherant than on Saturday. He says he usually hops the last rock on the right in the garden on his way to the double. I am guessing this is what he clipped with a pedal or maybe his back tire. Hitting it with the back tire could have put him OTB and about where he landed and we probably just heard the bike hit rocks when it landed.

He seemed in good spirits (probably just the drugs) and is looking forward to getting back on the bike.

Mountain biking can be dangerous, but it sure beats blowing your ACL in a wuss sport like tennis.

[LightWeight]

Ohhh, dude! Weren't we just talking about how fortunate we've been not to have gotten hurt too badly on the bike. I knew we'd jinx it... Glad I decided to take a 'bent cruise this weekend instead of hitting the trails.

Take it easy Craig. I'll have to stop by the office to see the damage first hand.

[Burke]

Ouchhhh!!!!

Glad to hear it wasn't any worse than it was. Hang in there! Liberal doses of Neosporin helped my abrasions disappear in a week.

Scott

[ppgc]

Craig-

Sorry to hear about the accident, heal up! Joel, I think you are next, 2 of us from work down, 1 to go. Stuff happens in 3's right? Pretty soon people are going to think we have some sort of Fight Club.

Get well soon!

-pete

[LightWeight]

Craig-

Sorry to hear about the accident, heal up! Joel, I think you are next, 2 of us from work down, 1 to go. Stuff happens in 3's right? Pretty soon people are going to think we have some sort of Fight Club.

Get well soon!

-pete

Not bloody likely... I've got extra rolling stability on my side through the rocks and I'm lucky if I meet 5 cars on my commute route. There's no way I'm goin' down! ;)

(knocks on wood, throws salt over right and left shoulder, carrying 4 leaf clover and rabbit's foot in pocket)

[bigwheel]

You certainly earned the name "Crash" on this one!

Good to hear that you are okay.

[TrailPatrol]

John (and all)
What is this "roadid" you mentioned both in your post here and your e-mail to me? It sounds like a great idea, like a Medic Alert for bikers. Is it a formal program, or just somehing you put together on your own?

As a patroller, I would love to see everyone out on the trails have something like that with them in case they do get in trouble like Craig did.

Ride safe!
:banana:
Hans

[flombe]

Wow! Scary stuff. I hope you heal quickly!

The Road ID can be purchased here >>> http://www.roadid.com/

$20-$25 depending on what you want. Call it cheap insurance.

I ride Theo alot and often solo. After hearing about Scott Thayer and Craig's crashes, I am ordeing mine right now!

[gopherhockey]

I contacted roadid to see if we could get a club discount in light of recent awareness of their product but have not heard back. I ordered one up this weekend.

[steef]

You guys are scaring me. ;) I just got myself a helmet last week, after a few years of going helmetless. I also plan on getting a full face helmet eventually, too. Hope you heal quickly, Crash and can get back on the bike soon.

[gopherhockey]

You guys are scaring me. ;) I just got myself a helmet last week, after a few years of going helmetless.

I love hearing this type of thing... there are still so many riders out there without helmets. We even saw some guys with full body armor but no helmet... strange.

[steef]

I bought my knee pads and elbow pads last fall. ;) Maybe it's just Leb that scares me now. I last rode it in the '90s, I believe and it was fun, but tame, much like the river bottoms. One of these days I'll make it down there again.

[Tex]

Oh man Ishman, that is harsh! I'm so bummed to hear this, but I'm glad you're okay. Take it easy for the next few weeks and we'll be back in the singletrack again in no time.
Let me know if you need any help getting the Turner back up and rolling.

-E

[bigwheel]

You guys are scaring me. ;) I just got myself a helmet last week, after a few years of going.

I decided to keep the helmet that I smashed last summer, as a reminder of why we wear them. My neck was hurting for a few weeks, but I was still able to ride, rather than hang out all summer in a hospital bed.

I'm glad that Craig and Scott were wearing theirs.

[gopherhockey]

Let me know if you need any help getting the Turner back up and rolling.

-E

It appeared that a new seat will be in order, but otherwise his bike looked pretty good. Craig must have softened the landing for the bike...

[BrightYellow]

Craig must have softened the landing for the bike...

Save the bike!

Craig... I thought Vicadin was supposed to make people happy! Not by the looks of it in that picture! :)

Ouch and double ouch. I was going to send you some flowers at the hospital, but then I thought maybe this instead:

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/14637-215_TLDIN5-2-Accessories-33-Helmets/Troy-Lee-Designs-D2-Inferno-Carbon-Helmet.htm

We'll be rolling in no time...

[funky-funky-chicken]

Craig... I hope that you have a speedy recovery. I hope that you are able to get back on a bike and ride, both physically and mentally. I hope that your wife doesn't worry too much about you the next time that you are out riding.

[gopherhockey]

Craig... I hope that you have a speedy recovery. I hope that you are able to get back on a bike and ride, both physically and mentally. I hope that your wife doesn't worry too much about you the next time that you are out riding.

I am actually amazed at how much it affected me mentally just being there. I actually was scared silly to ride the double jump on Sunday but forced myself to do it. I think the mental aspect can be just as difficult.

We had a discussion on how to keep significant others away from these types of discussions... some people are best not hearing about these types of things. :p

[TML]

Craig,

Glad to hear it's not any worse. Hope you recover quickly.

It's great to know there's such an awesome group of people out on the trail taking care of each other also!

[soupboy]

Yikes. Heal quickly young man. Glad you were out there with others.

I took a fierce digger riding solo mid-week at Levis Trow once - high sided down into a ravine landing squarely on a tree stump. The trusty C'back came in handy. I was freaked out about the "what ifs" had it been worse.

I think 29" wheels may have allowed a tall person to roll that section more smoothly (that was a shot).

Get well!

[Ish]

Thanks for all the kind words guys. I really appreciate it!

Funny thing is, I don't consider myself lucky because I was wearing a helment. Why? Because I always wear a helmet moutning biking!!! It is not even a consideration.

Sorry to freak you guys out and cause selfdoubt in others. Since I don't remember, I am making sheite up......but I really think this was just a freak accident. It could have been a whole lot worse and it could have been a lot better. I don't want others to start having self doubts and I sure hope I can jump back on the bike and not be any more timid.

And Soupboy - yea a 29er might have rolled that, but the way I ride the inferior full suspension design wouldn't have even allowed me to make it that far (jab back at you).

Craig

[Tex]

And Soupboy - yea a 29er might have rolled that, but the way I ride the inferior full suspension design wouldn't have even allowed me to make it that far (jab back at you).

Well, it sounds like you must be feeling a little bit better :D

[steef]

The thing is, freak accidents can and will happen. It's just part of riding. My friend messed his back up pretty good last summer at the River bottoms.

[soupboy]

And Soupboy - yea a 29er might have rolled that, but the way I ride the inferior full suspension design wouldn't have even allowed me to make it that far (jab back at you).

Well done. Inferiority is a state of mind. I wonder why DT is now making single pivots...

Save any left over "vitamins" for me.

[Ish]

Inferiority is a state of mind. I wonder why DT is now making single pivots...


hahaha.....that explains it. The thought that DT's move of the pivot from the chainstay to the seatstay results in an inferior suspention design exists only in their inferior mind..............

Sorry, I am not yet at full strength so my banter meter is running on empty. Time for some more vicadin!

[soupboy]

Sorry, I am not yet at full strength so my banter meter is running on empty. Time for some more vicadin!

Any teflon and Ti in your future for your mellon? Orbital bone break?

[Ish]

Any teflon and Ti in your future for your mellon? Orbital bone break?

The ENT doesn't think so, but I am going back in for another cat scan tomorrow.

[SprocketHead]

Craig,

Sorry to hear you tipped over and of course I wish you a speedy recovery!

Last time I rode with you, I drove myself into a tree while we were finishing up a lap on the entry trail(Dream II) last fall at Leb, Remember?

...All I got was a little bruise, but I remember just missing those branch stubs on them pesky pines, the pine bark is still permanently embedded in my nite rider.

Yes our favorite sport is Dangerous, that's why we like it I guess.... I'm sure we'll see you back in the saddle soon:)

[Trevize1138]

Hooooolyyyyy sh-!!! :shocked:

Craig, I know it hurt. But you da MAN now!!! :banana: I scraped up my forearm at Theo last night desperately trying to keep up with BikerTex as we both took the turn out of Zip on to the newly-expanded ski trail a little too fast. He then told me about your crash and I felt pretty damn lucky.

"Lebanon's hungry!" - BikerTex, 4/25/06, 7:15 p.m.

I told my wife last night that it was his fault I wiped out because he was riding so fast.

"Maybe it's your fault for not being as good as Eric?" - Mrs. Druckenmiller, 4/25/06, 9:00 p.m. ... speaking of injury ...

[Tex]

"Maybe it's your fault for not being as good as Eric?" - Mrs. Druckenmiller, 4/25/06, 9:00 p.m. ... speaking of injury ...

Ouch. I'll bet that's not the sort of sympathy you were looking for. ;) wink wink nudge nudge.

[tedsti]

Just finished ordering my RoadID. I was so tempted to put bloodtype: beer

[Paul Swenson]

Just finished ordering my RoadID. I was so tempted to put bloodtype: beer

Nurse, This man needs 474 cc's of Summit Stat!

[Ish]

"Maybe it's your fault for not being as good as Eric?" - Mrs. Druckenmiller, 4/25/06, 9:00 p.m.

And how does she know Big Tex? ;) ;)

[Tex]

And how does she know Big Tex? ;) ;)

You're joking right? All the ladies know how good Big Tex is :etard: ...

[jswing]

From the Road ID website...

Can a running club or other group have their club logo engraved on the front side of the FIXX Road ID?
Yes! We always look forward to the opportunity to engrave club's logos on the FIXX Road ID for their members to wear proudly as their form of ID. There is a one-time program charge of $35-$65 to create the image or text to be digitize for laser engraving. The charge depends upon the complexities of the image to be engraved. Sometimes we can wave the program charge for groups offering the FIXX to their members. You can see a few of the images we have done for clubs by viewing our selection of images (http://www.roadid.com/images.asp) available for the FIXX Road ID.

This is for the Dogtag style IDs - maybe get a MORC logo one and have it link from this website; they also say they will give 10% to websites that link to them...

By referring an online customer to Road ID via your web site link, you will receive 10% commission on their online purchase. It’s that easy.

[bigwheel]

Poor Boy Road ID

I think I'm just going to hang a luggage tag off of my seat post.

If rider is missing, please contact ...

[gopherhockey]

Poor Boy Road ID

I think I'm just going to hang a luggage tag off of my seat post.

If rider is missing, please contact ...

Bob's wife can pick him up at the MSP baggage claim...

[dave t]

Bob's wife can pick him up at the MSP baggage claim...:jumpy:

If somebody cals ahead, maybe she can get there before he makes too many laps around the carosel.