The Crash

the plan was to leave pacific grove at 7:00 and be at river inn for brunch with our families. although i only live a half mile away from the meeting point, i was a couple of minutes late (what’s new). of course, the weather report indicated it was going to be sunny, so naturally, i had on my short sleeves and shorts. but when i left my house, it was still cold, wet, and soggy from the night’s downpour, so on with the arm and knee warmers, knowing it could get quite warm once we get on highway 1. am i to doubt the weather report?

big group…and looking sharp in our green jerseys. like a real club. we are well on our way for our first usac-sanctioned training ride to big sur. our warm up winds along the beach through pebble beach and carmel and our first stop was on rio road at highway 1. next stop was at the rocky point restaurant. some got impatient and decided to take off. off i go with the group. took my turn pulling, up the climbs and down the drops; paceline is tight and fast. we’re going downhill bottoming out on bixby bridge. then it happened.

the lead rider slowed down. second rider in line attempted a escape but a speeding car almost brushed him and he came back into the line. caught my front wheel big time. thought i could save it; almost did, too. but the rider behind me caught my rear wheel and took me down. in a blink, i was down sitting on the ground, my bike somewhere else. everything happened in slow motion. i feel a bike hit me from the back and thought, “oh, that wasn’t too bad”. then two more and i see someone flying over me. just don’t go over the railing, i thought…it’s a 300-foot free fall down below. i look up and hear will breathless, “ribs, ribs, ribs”. i look around. ken in the middle of the road. i get up and check on will. by this time, everyone else had gathered around us. some had the presence of mind to warn and direct traffic. our sag comes around and get ken and will to the hospital.

i checked my bike. back wheel is toast. i traded wheels with will’s bike and ride on. hurricane point is still ahead and i finally found out why they call it that. winds were whipping from all directions and bounces off the face of the mountain creating a hurricane-like environment. fast downhill. cautious but steady.

made it to big sur inn. cold, wet, and sore. shoulders are starting to stiffen up and adrenaline is wearing off. leslie and the kids finally arrive. nice warm change of clothes and big hearty breakfast. and we’re headed home.

stopped by the hospital to check on will and ken. ken was in the process of getting discharged with a 3rd degree separated shoulder. will’s on morphine but conscious still awaiting results of the xrays. found out later everything is ok. bruised ribs, but he’s ok. my left shoulder is really bothering me now. i’ve got some cuts and bruises all over, but i’m ok, too.

the good news is were already planning for our next ride down!