I'll be back from my trip but still on vaycay this week, so I should be there this Thursday conditions willing.

Raced last Thursday and crashed badly. Thought I'd post a race (crash) report as I am still bandaged up, not riding, and all I can think about is that damn crash.

How the crash happened:
They combined the 1/2/3's and 3/4's for this race. Consequently, the tempo was aggressive with strong, frequent attacks as 1/2/3's tried to lose each other and the 3/4's aggressively held on. Everything was going perfectly well until after the first turn of the fifth lap, where the attacks were being launched like crazy. As anyone who races at Floyd knows, on that stretch the average speed is the highest as there is no grass, no wind, and, ample room to move around. With nearly a third of the peloton launching solo attacks, there was a lot of lateral motion and the peloton began to weave like a worm. I was midway from the front and drafting behind another Kissena I didn't know (a bearded black man) when all of a sudden another rider sharply cut across in front of him while trying to follow an attack. The Kissena in front of me slammed his brakes. I slammed mine, but it was too late. Locking my rear wheel and burning a hole through my rear tire, my front tire got caught in his cassette. Alarmed by the contact, I started using some epic balancing skills to salvage the situation. However, it was a futile effort, as I was slammed from behind by three other riders. Instinctively trying to protect my drivetrain, I fell to my left and got dragged along the pavement about a meter, eyes closed, somewhat fetal, waiting for it all to end.

Personal Damage:
Large patch of skin ripped off left leg and elbow. Bad bruises all along leg, ass, elbow, shoulder, and forehead. Lots of blood.

Mechanical damage:
Burned hole in rear tire, front tire sidewall damaged badly enough to merit not using.
Both wheels banged out of true.
Braking surface on rear wheel badly gouged from impacting concrete (don't see how I could keep using the wheel without resurfacing the braking tracks).
Left shoe buckle broken
Chunk of the back of my helmet ripped off from getting hit from behind after I had hit the ground.
Shifters heavily scratched, "structural plastic" on right shifter cracked. However, everything else survived without damage and all shifting/braking still works.

Looking back:
Though I didn't cause the crash, I believe I exacerbated it. The pair of sunglasses I was using had lenses that, in hindsight, were too heavily tinted for a sunset ride. This limited my peripheral vision enough to reduce my reaction time. Also, I was too focused on the rear wheel of the guy in front of me and not so much the action in front of him. Thus, in the future I need to make more of a point of looking through the front wheel of the guy in front of me. That, plus using the appropriate lenses, could help avoid a similar crash in the future.

OUch! Damn dude. Heal up quick. I dunno if there's much else you could've done really....maybe reacted quicker, but when people start running into you from behind, there's not much else. I wouldn't run into you, you're a big mofo! I know I'd lose that one. Anyway, I'm sure you know the road rash routine, but if not just search the forum as it's been covered aplenty.

Take care,
-j.

Kaiser!

That totally blows - very sorry to hear about it - glad the damage isn't worse. You'll hear over & over again, "it's not *if* it's *when* you'll crash.

The important thing is that you're already thinking positively about what you can do better next time.

Sometimes the school of hard knocks demands tuition in blood.

You'll be back sooner than you think and wiser too.

J

Sorry about the crash Christian. Hope you feel better soon and heal-up well.

p.s. if you aren't doing so already, use Tega-derm bandages for your road rash. They are excellent.

Sorry to hear this Christian.

Don't overthink it - while there are some idiots who cause crashes, they are largely just part of the sport, and most of the time we come out of them with only minor injuries. Take care of yourself, and get back on your bike as soon you feel a little better.

That sucks Christian. Some impressive gore and carnage! Second the Tega breathing bandages, they kick ass.Just don't forget to apply a couple leaches as well.

Sounds like you were "screwed" by mr track star—avoiding a crash is tough with all the variables of overlap, braking, surface, wind, accelerations, misfiring neurons, slowing etc. My one centavo on crash avoidance/anticipation:
- get to know your safer riders wheels.
- be up the front because craziness mostly emanates from the rear.
- be chatty: If I'm behind someone and passing or in close proximity, I'll queitly(ish) let them know I'm "inside" or "outside"—over communicate when in the periphery.

Hope you're back on deck soon!

P.S. I am impressed by your drive train protecting skillz. I've never had time to think anything except oohhhhh shiiiit, faarck.

@ Malcomson: seriously! Drivetrain? Kaiser that drivetrain better be makin' you sandwitches...

That race probably shouldn't have happened at all. 1-4 combined field?? Total recipe for disaster.

Sucks about the crash, man. Sounds like a rough one. Impossible to know how avoidable it was, but I agree with Malcolmson about finding solid wheels to follow. And the one you had is not that, in my opinion. That exact individual has crashed me (HARD) once before and caused many other close calls in the peleton. Granted, I thought he'd improved his pack skills quite a bit this year. But yeah. Well, say hi to Lloyd for me.

Thanks for the input guys I appreciate it. I was lucky but there is a lesson to learn. Finding a good wheel is definitely key; being the newbie I am, it will take me some time to know who and who not to follow. I looked at the local drugstore for tega bandages and found some, but they were way too small to cover the wounds. I'd much prefer to use tega derms as ripping off layers of gauze every night *kills*. Just started walking around yesterday without bandages in an attempt to dry the wounds and expedite scab formation. It's coming along..I added two extra pictures showing the progress.

About the drivetrain bit. Sounds silly, I know. But for that split second when my front tire was wedged in a cassette and I was consciously trying to balance, I actually was able to choose which way to fall once I got rammed from behind. Once I had chosen a direction, then it was time to protect myself as I curled up into the best ball I could. Falling to the left is essentially instinctual for me. Maybe in my next crash, the forces will be so great as to render my leftward lean inconsequential...eek.

@ Adam: The Kissena race on 9/17 is 1-4. Not necessarily a recipe for disaster. If the 1/2's are in the minority (which they always are) then it's just a 3/4 race for the most part?

@ Jeff W: He almost killed me in a sprint last Tuesday, but I'd say this crash wasn't his fault; had he not been abruptly cut off neither of us would have been in trouble.

Kaiser,

There is probably a lot of stuff on the boards already on this topic, but the latest advice on treating road rash is "don't let it get dry"

Speeds healing, and leaves less of a scar - and itches less.

I'd google the latest for you but I'm on hamster-powered internet..

Thanks Jules. Found the link below and found it very informative.

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/injuries/a/abrasions.htm

Tegaderm is pretty great stuff, you can get it at much better prices than a local drug store if you shop online. ebay even.... it is probably smart for any cyclist to have some in their medicine cabinet.

Edit (duh): Get well soon!

Heal up there, Christian - sounds like you're doing all you can to get better.

On a different note, I just found out yesterday that my buddy Al (former Kissena) got second this past Thursday - he followed an attack by Jermaine Burrowes and they did 14 laps as a two-man break for the win. Nuts.

I plain on doing the race tom anyone else text me 917-586-0170

Who has been racing this the last few weeks? How is the racing? Are people showing up or is it a combined field every week? Toying with the idea of going out there tonight.

About 15 riders turned up tonight so Horace cancelled the 1-2-3 and combined 4/5. Crazy 30mph winds, the sky looking like a scene from The Road and a surprisingly dry course. Nosson, Harry, Mitch and myself representing.
Mitch had a mechanical, Nosson I think got dropped. Harry was tearing it up. We were down to four in lap 2. I left a gap after Harry's pull and off he went, leaving me off-the-hook. I threw in some attacks to mess with the chase and then it was just me and Vlad with Harry at 30 seconds. From then on it was a Vlad vs Harry TT, (I felt like the motorbike camera). Vlad reeled Harry in with a K to go and I got the all expenses paid ride to the finish line. Kissena 1-3-6! Props to Harry who held his own, you are STRONG dude—looking forward to seeing you mix it in the 4's. Looking forward to Saturday's track stand competition.

nice work

that is a sexy set of tactics!

Anyone planning on the WS United Graveyard race Saturday?

tito&co,
made it out this am...late start, light turn out, 6 in cat5 field. combined the 1,2,3,4's w about 20, for me in cat5 was both the last race in thursday Roubaix Series(i have 2 wins) and 1st race in the Graveyard Sreies(5 races, 4 remaining will be october sundays@fbf).

brief report (in english txt):
wind was up &in face at start/finish, 9:35a start, CRIT format 30minutes racing &a notice w/3 laps togo, per pattern i started out front to set a reasonable pace(27mph on second side, sammy torres(ind. &2nd place of Roubaix Series) came around to keep pace up at 2nd turn of the short triangle course, a strong new rider pushed out front on 3rd side &into 3rd turn, managed to get a junior to pull into wind which blew him up at end of straight when i pulled up front &down 2nd side at pace, sammy &i where quickly doing all the work new riders were slowing pace when out front...so, i attacked and gaped the field w/sammy on my wheel, we kept a 20m gap for 1/2 lap then group made it back onto our wheels, around again, same performance by newbees sitting in on our wheel or slowing, told sammy that would attack after start finish, pulled back enough to make a run past newbees at speed w/sammy on my wheel, quick gap now 50m, sammy came around and we made earnest break, we were off, 3laps togo, both working well w/ good 23+ avg., bell lap, 1km togo, sammy comes up for his pull&asks "can he have the win, he needs the points," i have no idea where i am in the points as i have missed 60% of races and places in 3 of 4, i say "sure!" but "we finish together" he volenters to help me next week(i have no idea what that means), final turn, sammy's out front, he picks up the pace(maybe to gap me, maybe to finish strong) i'm on him w/o a big problem & in perfect position to slingshot around in final 15m, i pull up parallel w/10m then back wheel length at line and sit-up to indicate no contest. sammy1st harry2nd we are +1min ahead whats left of field. fun race.

so, take away - successful effort to drop field, curious 'pact' w/rider(felt like a "sympathy stage race @the Giro," as sammy's wife 2 children and father-n-law were all present to see him win), worked hard &did NOT go down!
-h;>

@ Harry... interesting report. congrats on the placing but remember, chances at wins are few and far between in this sport. take them when you can get them. Every time you have a good result, the chances of you getting away the next week are reduced. People are watching you. They recognize you. They will want to be in the break with you or will want to chase you down. There is essentially no guarantee that this guy can or will even be able to help you in the future.

Congratulations on dominating the field, sounds like you've outgrown the nest!

However, I thought freebies were a limited privilege for teammates? Why would he volunteer to help you when he is admittedly trying to chase points? Next week he will still need points: if the same situation arises he will of course not concede, he's after points! I think you've been done there mate! Cycling is about tactics and he played you well. Lying to opponents verbally is a legitimate tactic: "I can't pull, I'm toasted", "I'm not working because I have a teammate in the break", "I know I'm not working but won't go for the sprint, don't worry"... Now, a new one: "Can I win please?" Put that one down to experience!

2oct2011

okay,
i've officially been screwed!

by that ratBastard 'sammy T.' today less than 24hrs after 'harry, let me win,' turns out sammy T. sameDay registered in the 'pete seina memorial' race in prospect, field of 41@prereg, saw sammy @lineup for race, he didnt swing over to my side of field, knew that fbf series #1&2 were in field&both can sprint, me not so good, so, 8Laps 27miles, &were off me upFront right away determined to ramp-up the cat5 pace and inflict pain in sprinters before last 300meters as one of 2 chances to place /other to sit in&attack w/3Laps togo...ok, top of 1st 'hill' &50m out front, guy in b&w watchID kit bridges up w/a guy in yellow Century kit, we rotate 1st lap w/27+ mph on bottom flats, pack is determined &closes our gap, 2nd effort @2nd hill 21+mph behind 'watchID' a bit rich for my blood, but still on his wheel, quick recovery over top&i take the front, a few quick rotations w/a couple new guy who slowed things down, cant seem to get work at good pace from any one other than roadID&myself, pack caught us again &we pull every blood one of them round to hill again, this repeated over&again till 4togo w/one guy off front who we kept in sight...bonk, i'm off back w/3togo as leaders attack hill (&ultimate) 2nd place finisher, passes me &calls me by name to take his wheel, tried, but could not hold it, fell back 20 places, recovered a bit&caught up w/'leaders' mid-way on descent, tired, but, greatful 2be in contact; 2togo, roadID shows frustration 'if we dont organize we're all racing for third'...this comment went completely over my head, i thought, 'know what you mean, we're all going to be crushed by a plethora of standard park sprinters w/300m togo,' (wrong), i begin to seriously recover, went up for quick couple pulls...w/little to no affect as all others pressed to front slowed the pace; 1togo, am 7wheel, i climb at moderate pace out of saddle, passALL roll over top of hill add pace, before bandshell am calling for some work up front, no one!, down the hill pace ramps up typical for bunch sprint, this time am still there w/50m togo poised 3-4back, watchID out front to left, ride a new wheel to inside right and pass ALL OUT w/10m am 4th to line w/the 'infamous' sammy T. a wheel ahead of me! no, i'm 6th out of the money...turn-out, there were (2)away on a break.

so,
1). 'ah, thats what watchID meant by 'racing for 3rd;' &
2). re: sammy T. 'let me win,' aka, ratBastard, for showing up @line, 1st time in the wind all day&to push me back one place &out of standings.
LESSON LEARNED! no, deals...
-h;>

@adam&michael, thnx 4heads up...sadly 23hrs late for this neophite!;/
ps. will re-post on 'calling all kissenas...' thread.

@ Harry. Not to rub salt in the wounds but I want all our racers to be clear:

I raced 10x in the 5s, got 1 win (2 person solo break at FBF).

raced 7x in the 4s, got 1 win.

raced 40+ times in 123 or Cat 3 races. 0 wins. (I did get 2 wins in 3/4 races but those hardly count for a 3)

So yeah, it only gets harder, so get em while you can!

@michael, i know...am a bit redFaced, now. -h;/

My new favorite saying:

"It is not the strongest guy who is smart enough, it is the smartest guy who is strong enough..."

@ Harry: did you have fun racing?

@stephane,
yes, ABSOLUTELY! ...had/having a blast, its thrilling to ride out, feel the wind, breath the open air, even w/grit of fbf &or road grim enroute along the gaultnet of FlatbushAV, love it. -h

Glad to hear you guys are still beating it out there!

Heard Lance won the 3/4's the other night

Is Horrace still going to run the Saturday Oct races? Can't imagine people wanting to stretch their season that long but hey, If i was around I'd probably do it haha