Wheeler's Wheels - January 2023

Be safe, be seen, wear a helmet

Professional about cycling, David Wheeler cycles 30 miles a week and is a member of Saddleworth Clarion Cycling Club

Firstly, Happy New Year to everyone.  Safety is something I have mentioned a few times in articles.  I would like to draw to your attention an article a friend posted after a accident last month.

Last Tuesday I learnt the value of Bike Helmets, on Tuesday the 27th December at approx 5pm I was heading down the A174 from Four lane ends to the long thin roundabout at the eastern end of the Marske bypass, I came off my bike as I approached the roundabout travelling downhill. According to my Garmin I was travelling at just over 30 mph. I cant remember how it happened its just a blank, I only know were I finished up.

A lot of it I cant remember, I am told some passers by including luckily for me a passing Fire Engine picked me up out of the road as I was unconscious for a period of time. One of the passers by knew my youngest son and called him when they realised who I was, as he was a distance away he rang my wife who drove the short distance from our house ( and as there would be a long wait for an ambulance) she took me to James Cook Hospital. I spent 5 hrs in there having xrays a CT scan etc , Luckily no broken bones but substantial bruising, cuts & scrapes and concussion - from which my head has only cleared from now 2 days later.

My helmet was a 7 year old Specialized Echelon it served me very well, I am not so naive to believe helmets will save you every time but I think its well worth stacking the odds in your own favour as I think my outcome without one would have been a whole lot worse last Tuesday. I am still not sure why I came off, my son has been up to the road and says there a few potholes and a lot of gravel there.

And of course I never thought it would happen to me.

Be safe, be seen, wear a helmet

Safe riding to all and give fellow cyclists a wave.

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