Biking Over Ice

Funny that my last post was about biking in the snow; I've done that a few times this winter, but fortunately there hasn't been as much snow this time around.

However, we have had a lot of rain, and a week ago Sunday was one such day. On Monday, the temperature dropped to well below freezing. Still, I didn't think twice about riding my bike to work, what with the transit strike.

The approach to the MacDonald bridge from Barrington Street was a sheet of ice; the salt hadn't penetrated it yet, so I walked my bike up the grass to the bridge proper and started riding from that point.

Everything was fine from there until the end of Leaman Street, where I crashed in the schoolyard due to ice. I walked the bike up to Highfield Park Drive, then rode on across the bridge. The last thing I remember was crossing the second exit on the far side, and then I woke up in the ditch with three strangers watching over me.

I had somehow fallen off the bike and hit my head.

The paramedics and police came, and even though I felt well enough to continue on to work, I submitted to their efforts, and they brought me to the hospital in due course. My first ride in an ambulance, by the way!

The verdict was a "moderate brain injury", including a concussion and bleeding. No outward disturbance to my head, thanks to the bike helmet and a couple of hats.

After spending the night and most of the next day in the hospital. I returned home and have since been resting/recuperating. A week on I feel not quite myself yet, but getting there. Strength is returning to my right side, and I've gone for a couple of walks.

Thanks go to those three people who stopped and looked after me, to the EHS crews, to the staff at the Dartmouth General ER, to my wife, and to my guardian angel and his colleagues!

The bike is OK!