Tighten Yer Stem Bolts

herzalot said:
The forensics don't add up, so I am going to posit another theory...

Physical Evidence:
Right front of helmet scratched and dented, visor broken
Lacerations to right side of mouth, and swollen lip, right side
Painful bruise on right shoulder
Heavy dirt on right shoulder of jersey, No rips, NO dirt on left side of jersey or shorts
Filthy right elbow/forearm guard - no dirt on left forearm guard
Cuts, bruises and abrasions on right elbow and wrist. NO scratches on left side
Bruise, contusions on right hip and knee. NO marks on left hip. Small abrasion, no bruise on top of left knee.
Heavy dirt on right grip. NO dirt on left grip.
Handlebars at 90* from proper location, with slightly loose stem bolts after the crash.

Broken left hand, "boxer's break" compression of pinky. Broken mid palm.

How could I have broken my left hand in that manner with no marks on the left side of my body?

New theory - I broke my finger catching it on something first (a heavy branch?) CAUSING the fall to the right side, and the feeling of something failing on the front of the bike. I do not see how I could have broken my finger in the fall and have no dirt anywhere on my left side. The one thing that doesn't add up about that theory is I wasn't going fast enough for a branch to break my hand in that manner.

I now need to hike to the accident scene and investigate.

Any other thoughts?
Click to expand...


Handlebars were 90 degrees to the left or right of the front tire? Yep , looked like a boxer fx, usually a longitudinal force to the bone.
 
This is truly a big bummer!
Chris, have they given you a timeline on the heal and back on the bike factor? I hope this goes well with fast recovery.
Heal up fast my friend...
Mikie sad...:(
 
herzalot said:
The forensics don't add up, so I am going to posit another theory...

Physical Evidence:
Right front of helmet scratched and dented, visor broken
Lacerations to right side of mouth, and swollen lip, right side
Painful bruise on right shoulder
Heavy dirt on right shoulder of jersey, No rips, NO dirt on left side of jersey or shorts
Filthy right elbow/forearm guard - no dirt on left forearm guard
Cuts, bruises and abrasions on right elbow and wrist. NO scratches on left side
Bruise, contusions on right hip and knee. NO marks on left hip. Small abrasion, no bruise on top of left knee.
Heavy dirt on right grip. NO dirt on left grip.
Handlebars at 90* from proper location, with slightly loose stem bolts after the crash.

Broken left hand, "boxer's break" compression of pinky. Broken mid palm.

How could I have broken my left hand in that manner with no marks on the left side of my body?

New theory - I broke my finger catching it on something first (a heavy branch?) CAUSING the fall to the right side, and the feeling of something failing on the front of the bike. I do not see how I could have broken my finger in the fall and have no dirt anywhere on my left side. The one thing that doesn't add up about that theory is I wasn't going fast enough for a branch to break my hand in that manner.

I now need to hike to the accident scene and investigate.

Any other thoughts?
Click to expand...
Here's my theory:
gnome-06.jpg
 
With all the impact on your right side, how about the possibility you were still holding the grip with your left hand as you hit the ground and the shock or pinching action of the bars snapped the bone in your hand?
 
ridinrox said:
Gnomes, Gremlins same difference. I'm saying a lil creature got him....sheesh. :confused:
Click to expand...

That's what I said earlier. No, wait, I thought it. No wait...

Rubber side down...words to live healthfully by :)

Hoping for minimal disability from this biff, herz. My wife's hand modeling career was cut short by a finger injury last year on SJT. In general I'd rather have a bone break than soft tissue injury, but hands and feet are complicated little gadgets. To optimal outcome...
 
scan said:
That's what I said earlier.
Click to expand...

Yes, depending on where the handlebars ended up. The force to the bone coming through the grip, but not from the left grip or hand hitting the ground, since they were both clean. I'm seeing the hand getting pinched or a shock telescoping through the bars or some combination of both.

Bottom line, bad result from a slow fall and healing vibes to a good friend.
 
herzalot said:
How could I have broken my left hand in that manner with no marks on the left side of my body?

New theory - I broke my finger catching it on something first (a heavy branch?) CAUSING the fall to the right side, and the feeling of something failing on the front of the bike. I do not see how I could have broken my finger in the fall and have no dirt anywhere on my left side. The one thing that doesn't add up about that theory is I wasn't going fast enough for a branch to break my hand in that manner.

I now need to hike to the accident scene and investigate.

Any other thoughts?
Click to expand...

UPSed,

I do believe he asked for our thoughts, otherwise it's just.."bummer, dude." :thumbsdown::unsure::)
 
I'm still waiting on forensics of a crash I had 40 years ago. I was rolling along at @ 20mph (sorry, no STRAVA to prove that), maybe 10 miles into a 70 miler (take my word for it?), on my road bike.. when suddenly I was tripod ding (at speed) on my brake hoods and face! The helmet saved my head, but I smashed my teeth. Front wheel taco-ed. But did it cause it, or was it a consequence? Never figured it out, but the road was smooth, there were no cars around and I was just cruising.

Anyway, for Herz's benefit I've cordoned off the crash site and will be taking blood samples from nearby branches and witness statements from the resident Mule deer and Cactus Wren. I guarantee you someone knows something.
 
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kioti said:
I'm still waiting on forensics of a crash I had 40 years ago. I was rolling along at @ 20mph (sorry, no STRAVA to prove that), maybe 10 miles into a 70 miler (take my word for it?), on my road bike.. when suddenly I was tripodding on my brake hoods and face! The helmet saved my head, but I smashed my teeth. Front wheel tacked. But did it cause it, or was it a consequence? Never figured it out, but the road was smooth, there were no cars around and I was just cruising.

Anyway, for Herz's benefit I've cordoned off the crash site and will be taking blood samples from nearby branches and witness statements from the resident Mule deer and Cactus Wren. I guarantee you someone knows something.
Click to expand...
 
Mikie said:
Click to expand...
That was spectacular! :cool:

And thanks for the theories everyone. When Kioti is done brushing the accident scene and canvassing the local wildlife, and I hear from Todd which way the bars were facing, and we look for gnomes or gremlins, we should be able to solve this mystery. Unfortunately, it won't get me back on the bike sooner. :(

Surgery at high noon tomorrow. :bang:

BTW, Kara at BikeCo shares the "handlebar caused the break" hypothesis.

Here's what I found at BikeCo today...
TracerRacer.jpg



Fancy Tracer Racer ready for Sea Otter. Care to guess who will be piloting this beauty?
 
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