Seriously??

Well I said I was going to try and update the blog more often... and apparently the forces that be decided that meant some interesting stuff should happen to me.

In retrospect I should have kept my mouth shut.

This is my bike. It was my Dad's bike but he donated it to the cause of getting me to work in 20 minutes instead of 45. It is also apparently indestructible. A bit like my first car, a 1986 Volvo.
Wednesday on my way home from work a woman ever so kindly threw her driver's side door open into the lane and with approximately 2 seconds to impact I didn't have time to brake or swerve enough. It was Dana v. Car Door and Car Door definitely won.

The bike hit the inside of her open door, stopped and flung me into the road. Luckily traffic was stopped at a light and I landed on the pavement between two cars. After laying there for a good 10 seconds doing a quick once over of my own body to make sure nothing was broken or bleeding I got up and pulled the bike to the sidewalk. The driver seemed vaguely upset, but I would have appreciated a little more concern.

It was a lot like this video, except that she was coming OUT of the car, I didn't have time to move and there was a line of traffic stopped to my left.



A man walking his dog passing me informed me that a policeman had been driving by and was now parked and on his way over. At this point I got pretty dizzy and my right ear got all muffled and he took the liberty of calling EMS. So now me and my stupid little self have 3 police cars, 2 ambulances and 1 firetruck blocking a major intersection. At rush hour.

EMS gave me some oxygen (that stuff is nice) and checked me out, but I was given the all clear. Then I filled out the accident report with the policeman and the stupid driver (who was still showing very little remorse). Then I picked up my bike and walked the 2 blocks home. It's true, most accidents happen within a half mile from home.

Damage to the bike? After a full inspection this was all I could find...
I however, have some road rash, minimal bruising and a ridiculous amount of soreness.
That's it for the face...
My right shoulder hit the pavement pretty hard but was cushioned by a sweater and a windbreaker... actually, looking at that photo can you tell I also had on a backpack with a very padded strap? You can totally see the line where the backpack went! Shoulder is REALLY sore today. Hurts to move it much, a lot like my neck. Whiplash is no fun.
And then there's my knee. Can you tell it's a little swollen? It's better than last night, I couldn't even bend it then. It's bendable now, but doesn't like to be stood or walked on.
Based on the soreness and stiffness and overall trauma of it all I took a day off work. I'll be the poster girl for Motrin tomorrow and go back to work.

Remember kids: ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET!!