Withrow, MN Time Trial Crash

5/12/07 Withrow 40k time trial...suppose to be the safest race!?!

The first half went great. Brand new Orbea Ora was very smooth. Sporting 808s. Based on my computer time for the first half I was expected to finish at ~1:07.

But as fate would have it, as I was finishing my first 20K starting the last at the start/finish area clipping along at 25+ mph, the sides were lined with spectators. A little kid (~ 7 yr old) stepped out right in front of my wheel. All I remember is seeing the child step out (me racing into her) and then me lying on the ground yelling. Someone said I hit her, summer-saulted over my bike, both me and the bike about 7 feet in the air and then pavement slide.

After coming to I asked how the bike was, if I could finish the 2nd lap. Someone said my top tube was cracked. Little did I know, my bike frame was broke on both top tube & bottom (basically broke my new TT bike in half).

My left face had 2 large road rash scrapes in addition to some bruising from the helmet (like a makeup artist's creation on Star Trek). Road rash and deep bruising above my knees, several on both hands and wrists. A large section of road rash & bruising on my left shoulder. My back was very sore & I had difficulty moving around for weeks. I have a fractured clavicle (with splinter sticking out) at the very outside left. I also have a compression fracture of the spine (25% compression of T6).

The child incurred some internal bruising on her lungs. She was shook up, but back to school less than a week after. We are both very lucky.

Where does that bring me almost 6 weeks later & after 3 weeks of trainer workouts? My doctor said this morning I can return to biking!! Probably no racing for another month though. My new TT bike is being built already.