Its decision time.

[Venod]

Whilst on a morning ride Wednesday 20th August, I was crossing a roundabout (the one the Sherburn in Elmet bypass close to the station) riding East to West, as I was exiting the roundabout the driver coming from the South and I presume going straight on clipped my back wheel, resulting in me hitting the deck, I was unconscious for two or three minutes, I ended up in York Hospital for three days, fractures to the skull and nose, nine stitches to head wound, lacerations to arms and legs, with severe bruising and swelling to right leg and hip.
The guy that knocked me off was 89 years old.
The decision is do I get back on the bike.
Its my second serious off resulting in a hospital stay, last time I was straight back on the bike when fit, this time the wife would like me to stop! Although I don't like being forced to stop by someone's bad driving I have felt for a while the roads are getting more dangerous, I know there is always off road, but this has completely knocked my confidence and feel it's time to pack in.
I was hoping to complete 100,000 miles on Strava before the year end, I guess it's still possible using the turbo

Stay safe out there.

 

[fossyant]

I've got back on. Fractured spine 10 years ago and Jan badly fractured my pelvis and hip socket (biggest concern as it usually means a new one). Back on bike now.

It's part of your life so don't give up. MrsF gets it these days as she loves wild swimming.

Hope the driver gets banned

 

[T4tomo]

The decision is hopefully the 89 year old hand in his or her licence.

Yes get back on the bike.

 

[wiggydiggy]

The guy that knocked me off was 89 years old.
The decision is do I get back on the bike.

Over-70s face driving ban for failing eye tests < That can't come soon enough, without knowing anything else I'd be willing to bet that 89 year old driver is probably not capable of keeping their licence under the new conditions.

Obvious questions but are the police involved, did you have accident insurance, have you got their details etc

All the best for a recovery, and yes do get back on.

 

[Venod]

Obvious questions but are the police involved, did you have accident insurance, have you got their details etc

Yes the police were involved, the PC suggested the driver will be required to take a driver awareness course, he is going to let me know the actual outcome, the police have appealed for witnesses.
I have the drivers insurance details and have initiated a claim via Cycling UK.
They were very good last time I used them, so fingers crossed.

 

[Big John]

I know what I'm about to say definitely won't be popular on here but there really is more to life than cycling. If I had a serious off I'm pretty sure it would be the nail in the coffin as far as cycling is concerned. Life is precious and time spent with the wife isn't all bad lol. My mate had two very serious offs both involving cars. He recovered from both, eventually, only for his next off to be his last. Hit by a car again but this time fatally. It's been two years now. We rode together and raced in the TLI for years. These things make you think, as you know only too well. Traffic is mental whether you're in the town or out in the sticks. It feels like it's getting worse. When I go out now think "Do I really warn to do this?". I reckon it wouldn't take much for me to pack in these days. But then there's always a smart turbo.......🤔

 

[matticus]

When I was young and foolish, I went out on an icy evening ... came round from the induced coma 3 days later, busted leg and hand bones, pulmonary embolism; followed by 9 weeks in hospital (cos you can't walk on two broken ankles).

I don't recall any family members suggesting I give up driving, oddly!

 

[Venod]

but there really is more to life than cycling

Hit by a car again but this time fatally

I completely agree with your post, I don't want my next off to be like your mates.

 

[fossyant]

But then there's always a smart turbo.......🤔

Good God no. There is a world outside. That's the whole point. Turbos are useful, especially when injured and recovering, but give me the real world.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

If cycling gives you joy then keep doing it, perhaps just evaluate risks you are in control of more.

I don't know that roundabout. Some roundabouts do feel more risky than others to me, for example the big one just west of Petersfield that has turnoffs to/from the A3. There were times I thought were best avoided to navigate it, especially when there is a much quieter alternative (Ridge Common Lane and over to Church Lane), albeit slightly longer and hillier.
It doesn't mean I could pass through that roundabout at what I consider a safe time every single time, but it should be safer than being there around rush hour when it's super busy etc.

 

[All uphill]

If you stop cycling what could replace it in your life?

 

[si_c]

Good God no. There is a world outside. That's the whole point. Turbos are useful, especially when injured and recovering, but give me the real world.

This is why my turbo sits in the garage, largely unused - I much prefer to get out side and get some fresh air if possible.

@Venod if you still enjoy cycling, I hope you don't give it up - maybe in the near term just change how/when/where you ride - it would be a shame to let others force a decision on you.

Regardless, best wishes for a speedy recovery.

 

[DCLane]

I don't know that roundabout.

I do know the roundabout and have had a couple of near misses there - one from a car and another from a wagon. The first didn't see an entire group of riders going from East to West.

It's naturally your decision. Maybe you could use paths / greenways instead? If you've been coming from Cawood direction over the roundabout then that's a busy road at the best of times; I was on it whilst on a club ride a fortnight ago.

 

[Venod]

If you stop cycling what could replace it in your life?

This is the big question.
I have done a lot of running throughout my life and mostly enjoyed it, but my knee was damaged in the last serious off 10 years ago and age is against me now but I might give it a go, hiking is another thing I have done a lot of and could interest me again, especially as the daughter has a full size Poodle cross Cocker Spaniel that never shy's away from a walk.

 

[Drago]

Strewth, glad you're OK and on the mend.

Probably small consolation to hear after what you've just been through, but premature death through not exercising is a lot more likely than premature death brought about by cycling. Even walking in public is, per journey mile, more likely to bring about your demise than cycling.

But logic isn't always the point after an incident like that.

I've sucdesdfully put motorists in prison for not dissimilar incidents with that type of outcome, so id be disappointed if they let him get away with a driver awareness course. Adter such an incident at that age they should at the very least be flagging him with the DVLA in order that they can be investigating his fitness to continue driving.

Whatever you decide, best of luck.