Topic: Crashed my bike at the track

[rrocket]

No, broken bones aren't normal. But it isn't surprising when they happen. Track day participants get an idea of what they're in for when the day can't begin until the ambulance arrives.

Of course, broken bones (or worse) occur practically every day on the street.

Deaths at a track day though is very grim. 2 in 2 weeks should have organizers looking at their procedures.

both deaths were at Pro6 trackdays and I can vouch from personal experience that they run the most organized and safety-oriented trackdays I've ever been to. No shortcuts at tech, safety meeting, etc. Truly awful that 2 riders have died on track in the past few weeks - my condolences to their loved ones.

Are they using Air Fencing there?  If not, it's not nearly as safe as you think...

[Brigitte]

How are you doing, Cord?

[Cord]

Much better Brigitte, thanks. Other than feeling like I've been shot when I sneeze...

Went for x-rays yesterday and just forcing my arm into the required positions caused more pain than I've felt in a while. The x-ray tech couldn't understand why I was having so much trouble moving my arm. Then while looking at the monitor she said, "Ooohhh, you really did smash your scapula" 

I figure a few more days and I should be able to reach the signal light stalk with my left hand. I can't quite reach up there yet and have had to perfect the right-handed turn signal activation - really tricky in traffic circles.

[johngenx]

...feeling like I've been shot when I sneeze...

Sorry to laugh at that!  I took a ski fall in Feb of 2010 and broke some ribs.  I caught a bad cold right after and spent a week with a terrible cough.  It was like I was being tortured!!  By the second day of that I would have given the nuke codes to terrorists to make it stop...

[Cord]

How long did your ribs take to heal John?

[rrocket]

Most of the riders say an injured shoulder or collarbone causes them the most pain.  On the bike, off the bike, sleeping, etc..

[Cord]

By the sounds of things, I got off lucky by not breaking the collarbone. Seems like it frequently goes along with a scapula injury.

Went to watch the races last Sunday and a young guy went down in a crash similar to mine. He ended up with a broken scapula, 6 broken ribs, broken clavicle, broken vertebra, and severe concussion. Organizers said it was the worst injury they've had there.

[johngenx]

How long did your ribs take to heal John?

I was running 10K a day within a couple weeks (in decreasing amounts of pain, I seem to enjoy suffering) and within a month was close to myself.

In 1982, my rib breakage was much worse, involving flail chest.  It took a couple months before I was really active again.  Also, thanks to flail chest, I had to be taped.  DAMN that was terrible.

In both cases, the first 10 days or so felt like it would take frikkin' years to mend, but progress came quickly after the two week mark.

[rrocket]

By the sounds of things, I got off lucky by not breaking the collarbone. Seems like it frequently goes along with a scapula injury.

Went to watch the races last Sunday and a young guy went down in a crash similar to mine. He ended up with a broken scapula, 6 broken ribs, broken clavicle, broken vertebra, and severe concussion. Organizers said it was the worst injury they've had there.

Man...I just can't help but think, unless if was a really really high speed crash and he hit something that top notch gear could help prevent these injuries.  I've seen some horrific crashes (and had some nasty ones myself) and injuries were minimal, all thanks to my gear.

[Cord]

Not sure if it's different for flail chest situations (god that sounds painful) but at the hospital the doctor told me that they no longer tape for broken ribs like they once did. Apparently they found that the restricted shallow breathing caused pneumonia in many patients.

[Cord]

By the sounds of things, I got off lucky by not breaking the collarbone. Seems like it frequently goes along with a scapula injury.

Went to watch the races last Sunday and a young guy went down in a crash similar to mine. He ended up with a broken scapula, 6 broken ribs, broken clavicle, broken vertebra, and severe concussion. Organizers said it was the worst injury they've had there.

Man...I just can't help but think, unless if was a really really high speed crash and he hit something that top notch gear could help prevent these injuries.  I've seen some horrific crashes (and had some nasty ones myself) and injuries were minimal, all thanks to my gear.

Not sure what he had for gear but it was at the highest speed area of the track - he was probably doing 180 kph when he hit the asphalt. I don't think he hit anything, maybe his own bike.

[rrocket]

By the sounds of things, I got off lucky by not breaking the collarbone. Seems like it frequently goes along with a scapula injury.

Went to watch the races last Sunday and a young guy went down in a crash similar to mine. He ended up with a broken scapula, 6 broken ribs, broken clavicle, broken vertebra, and severe concussion. Organizers said it was the worst injury they've had there.

Man...I just can't help but think, unless if was a really really high speed crash and he hit something that top notch gear could help prevent these injuries.  I've seen some horrific crashes (and had some nasty ones myself) and injuries were minimal, all thanks to my gear.

Not sure what he had for gear but it was at the highest speed area of the track - he was probably doing 180 kph when he hit the asphalt. I don't think he hit anything, maybe his own bike.

The ForceField Armor is amazing.  The first time I saw it (at a trade show), it was in the shape of a ball...about raquet ball sized.  It was smooshy and pliable like the softest of rubber.  You could smush it almost flat as a pancake on a table.  However, when it received a blow from a paddle (or hammer) the ball would scarcely deform.  It was amazing.  The performance is superior to hard plastic armor.

With my armor and my leather on, I would feel perfectly comfortable giving someone a wooden broom handle and have them hit me as hard as they wanted...back, ribs, shoulder, wherever.  I don't even think a wooden shovel handle would bother me much.  It's amazing stuff...

[ktm525]

By the sounds of things, I got off lucky by not breaking the collarbone. Seems like it frequently goes along with a scapula injury.

Went to watch the races last Sunday and a young guy went down in a crash similar to mine. He ended up with a broken scapula, 6 broken ribs, broken clavicle, broken vertebra, and severe concussion. Organizers said it was the worst injury they've had there.

Man...I just can't help but think, unless if was a really really high speed crash and he hit something that top notch gear could help prevent these injuries.  I've seen some horrific crashes (and had some nasty ones myself) and injuries were minimal, all thanks to my gear.

Not sure what he had for gear but it was at the highest speed area of the track - he was probably doing 180 kph when he hit the asphalt. I don't think he hit anything, maybe his own bike.

The ForceField Armor is amazing.  The first time I saw it (at a trade show), it was in the shape of a ball...about raquet ball sized.  It was smooshy and pliable like the softest of rubber.  You could smush it almost flat as a pancake on a table.  However, when it received a blow from a paddle (or hammer) the ball would scarcely deform.  It was amazing.  The performance is superior to hard plastic armor.

With my armor and my leather on, I would feel perfectly comfortable giving someone a wooden broom handle and have them hit me as hard as they wanted...back, ribs, shoulder, wherever.  I don't even think a wooden shovel handle would bother me much.  It's amazing stuff...

Is it hot?

[rrocket]

Is it hot?

Nope. Actually cooler than some other armor I've worn. 

[ktm525]

Is it hot?

Nope. Actually cooler than some other armor I've worn. 

I could only find one Cdn. distributor (Edmonton). How did you buy?

[rrocket]

Is it hot?

Nope. Actually cooler than some other armor I've worn. 

I could only find one Cdn. distributor (Edmonton). How did you buy?

I bought online.  You want for on road or off-road?

[ktm525]

Off. Maybe some double duty for dual sporting.