I went for a group ride today and we came across some pretty technical ascents - all of which were about 30 to 40 feet of rocky crags. The first two I did fine on and even "summited" then 2nd one. On the 3rd one, however, I failed miserably.....before the climb, I checked to make sure I was in the highest gear on my cassette but, for some weird reason, did not pay attention to the chainring selection. Bad move.
As I sped up to the hill climb and was making my way to the top....I didn't' realize I was in the big chainring (on my triple it's bigger than on a double). As I got to the top I lost my ability to spin and then over-torqued the rear wheel into losing grip. As this occurred I tilted slowly to the side with my right hand outstretched to cushion my impending fall. However when the rear wheel gave way, the sudden jerk twisted my bars into a "T" position and I fell, with my full body weight, onto (and into) the side of the left grip. Basically impaling my sternum into the bar grip itself. It was, needless to say, one of the most excruciating pains I have ever felt in my life. I was screaming for at least 3 min non-stop. Luckily for me I was with experienced riders and they calmed me down till the pain subsided and rode me back to the car. I went to urgent care right after and THaNK GOD I got away with a "bone bruise" and no fracture or internal bleeding - but it still hurts when I inhale and sit or lie in certain positions. Hiccups are excruciating still.....I truly do not wish this kind of pain on anyone.
Moral of the story: Accidents like this can happen even when going REALLY slow. In this case due to my idiocy for not checking what gear I was in. Make that selection before the climb starts.
As I sped up to the hill climb and was making my way to the top....I didn't' realize I was in the big chainring (on my triple it's bigger than on a double). As I got to the top I lost my ability to spin and then over-torqued the rear wheel into losing grip. As this occurred I tilted slowly to the side with my right hand outstretched to cushion my impending fall. However when the rear wheel gave way, the sudden jerk twisted my bars into a "T" position and I fell, with my full body weight, onto (and into) the side of the left grip. Basically impaling my sternum into the bar grip itself. It was, needless to say, one of the most excruciating pains I have ever felt in my life. I was screaming for at least 3 min non-stop. Luckily for me I was with experienced riders and they calmed me down till the pain subsided and rode me back to the car. I went to urgent care right after and THaNK GOD I got away with a "bone bruise" and no fracture or internal bleeding - but it still hurts when I inhale and sit or lie in certain positions. Hiccups are excruciating still.....I truly do not wish this kind of pain on anyone.
Moral of the story: Accidents like this can happen even when going REALLY slow. In this case due to my idiocy for not checking what gear I was in. Make that selection before the climb starts.