I've been cycling for over 5 years now...... and on Saturday I met with my first ever bad cycling accident.
It all happened so fast.......
I had just finished my very tough strength and conditioning session with Josh from The Athletic Edge in Hampton Wick. I was cycling along feeling really good after my session. Got to the lights and rode up next to another cyclist who said to me that he has avoided twice being hit this morning, once by a Lorry and the other by an ambulance. I said to him 'Shit, that's terrible, be careful'. He said thanks and rode off as the lights turned green.
I continued to cycle along in the bike lane, I love a bike lane, you feel that little bit safer when riding on the roads.
Anyway I'm cycling in the bike lane, I've just past the little roundabout on my way into Twickenham, the river on my right and the turn if you want to go to St Marys University on my left, two other cyclists were behind me. At this point I've got a bit of speed when all of a sudden a vehicle decides to indicate and move into the lane that I am in, by the looks of it to park his their car but due to my speed and parked cars coming up I had nowhere to go and not enough time react, I slammed on my brakes to avoid the car coming into my lane and to avoid the parked cars in front........ well that was not a great move.
I flew over the tri bars on my bike, my chest slammed into those winding me for which felt like forever, before landing on my face and sliding along the asphalt. Once I gained my breathe, I screamed and began to cry, blood was pouring everywhere and all I could think about was my face and my bike! The police came, checked me out and moved me off the wrong. We were able to work out that nothing was broken, which is so lucky.
An ambulance however was called due to the amount of blood I lost from my face, which was mainly from my busted lip. I was developing a nice shiner on my left eye, the left side of my body was beginning to bruise and I had suffered some grazing on my face.
Got to A&E where I say for about an hour until I basically went up to them asked for some antiseptic wipes to clean all the blood of my face and hands. I told them nothing was broken, I can walk, talk, no teeth were missing, so if a doc could just check my lip to ensure I didn't need a stitch I would be on my way. Well that is exactly what they did. Doc checked me out, gave me the all clear and my dear friend @CarolineSmith00 came to A&E picked me and my bike up and got me home safe.
You know times like these makes you wonder, I am on my own living in this foreign country, no family but lots of friends......honestly who do you call when you are in trouble. During this moment I had no one. Bless my bestfriends just had their first born, the next closest friend was on holidays overseas, most of my other friends don't have cars and my tri friends bless were training. I am very lucky and blessed that Caroline was able to come and get me. I truly appreciated it and if it was the other way around I would be there in a heartbeat.
Anyway, got home, had a shower, quick nap and then got ready to go out and celebrate with my triathlete girls on a night out that I had organised several months ago.....Turbowoman!
Went out with a swollen face and lip but had a great night.
Anyone who reads this post, who rides a bike of any kind, if you do not wear a helmet at the moment, I would strongly suggest you start doing so. You have no idea when you will need it to save your life!
Till my next post
Smooches
xx