Take it on the chin

by ashleycbmaw

20 Jun 2010

As well as being a motorist I am a keen cyclist and I cycle work everyday and have been for at least 6 years.

I was cycling to work one sunny morning 3 weeks ago, taking my time going in as it was such a nice morning and I reached some traffic lights on the A3 just as it gets to Borough high street.

I waited until the lights turned red then started cycling in a relaxed manner. A few seconds after leaving the lights I rode into a pothole, which usually is OK as I just go over them, however this one caught my front tyre and pushed the handle bars into my right shoulder which threw me very suddenly off the bike.
I came off so quickly I had no time to put out my left arm so landed on my chin.
I picked myself up and carried on cycling, but soon had no idea where I was (even though I know Borough well) this was shock setting in.
So I stopped and a very nice couple took one look at me and called me an ambulance and got me a drink of water.
I got to hospital and had 5 stitches in my chin, added to which I had a very bad bruise on my cheekbone and a very, very sore right shoulder.
Apparently the fact that I was wearing a helmet saved not only my head but saved my nose from being broken too.
The scary thing is that a simple pothole could cause so much damage to a regular cyclist who was cycling fairly slowly.
It has certainly damaged my confidence as well as my bike, chin, shoulder and cheek!
Cyclists! Beware of potholes and please, please always wear a helmet!