Sorry to hear that. Was it black ice? Did you have studded tyres on?
Black ice and studded tyres fitted ! Although 15 year old ones that never let me down. I'd only got a mile, and it was a main road. I'd gone down our ungritted side roads, onto a local bridleway, slight jink cornering on a frozen puddle, but the studs gripped, onto industrial estate, down the pavement.
Crossed main road, and just as I turned into another industrial estate, both wheels let go. Not even fast. But I fell directly onto my hip/wing. Bloody hurt and I felt like it might be broken (done my spine/ribs so know what it's like). Dragged myself to the side of the road, and got up - couldn't lift the leg, nor really walk. Called home, and son took me to A&E. No breaks, so 11 hours later left A&E full of morphine and I had to ask for crutches. Still couldn't put any weight on it.
Two days later, went on holiday in a wheel chair, then hobbled about on crutches. Came home, went to work in the new van (auto) and carried on for 6 weeks. Saw the physio at work (University) who thought I had a hip fracture. Went back to A&E, xrayed, no break. Showed them the physio's email. Eventually CT Scan, then when results came abck, all hell broke loose. How are you walking, you could be dead. Massive fractures in hip wing and multiple fractures in hip socket and pubic ramus (about 5-6 separate fractures). Very nearly had a new hip as they had to refer to specialists at another hospital. Only decided not to, as it had started to heal. Glad I didn't tbh. Hip had healed smooth, so no issues cycling, but it does play up in the cold, and I have a few muscle/tendon issues still, but they are healing.
I have been told I will need a total hip replacement at some time in the future. Had they found it on the day, my hip would have been replaced. The issue is breaks don't heal smooth, especially in a joint such as a hip. Been told absolutely no impact sports - running etc. Cycling and swimming is fine.
So folks, be careful on ice. I've since binned the old Schwalbe Snow studs with 100 spikes, for Marathon Winters with 200 spikes - also rubber compound will be softer. The Snow Studs didn't let me down in 15 years, but I think a combination of slightly too high pressure (Winter Plus work fine at higher pressure, snow studs less so), very slick black ice, and slight over confidence in the tyres.
That said, despite the extra studs (top and side of tread) the Marathon Winter Plus roll OK, and can be got pretty cheap - I paid £18 each.
I do have Ice Spiker Pro for the full suspension MTB with 400 spikey spikes, and they are incredible, but not really for commuting - best off road doing daft stuff.
Be careful folks !!
. There is a 'war' on poor motorists, isn't there????.
