[ETC-Discussion] Would Prefer not to Share this News

[Spencer Beard]

Michael,

So sorry to hear about your accident. I'm glad Cathy wasn't hurt worse. It's
always the stokers who take the biggest hits when a tandem goes down, it
seems. 

I think you should forward this story to Cascade Bike Club. They're busy
working on trying to close the BG missing link. They might be able to use
the extra evidence to work on this trail hazard at the same time. Or they
might have other ways we can help get this problem fixed. Just a thought.

Tell Cathy to keep at whatever PT she is given. It can make a real
difference in how she recovers. 

Be well.

spencer

****************
Not doing more than average
is what keeps the average down.


-----Original Message-----
From: discussion-list-bounces at evergreentandemclub.org
[mailto:discussion-list-bounces at evergreentandemclub.org] On Behalf Of
Michael Corn
Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 7:50 PM
To: discussion-list at evergreentandemclub.org
Subject: [ETC-Discussion] Would Prefer not to Share this News

Fellow Etc-ers-

This is the kind of message that is neither fun to write nor to read.  After
our pleasant and enjoyable ride on Saturday (thank you Louise and Dennis for
leading), Cathy and I set off after lunch for home.  (We weren't being
anti-social, but had to eat outside to keep an eye on our bike which was not
secure.)

We were having a comfortable return home to Magnolia via the Burke Gilman,
just relaxing and enjoying the day, even if it was raining a little.  But we
were well-dressed, comfortable and our bike had good fenders.  As we headed
toward Ballard, you may know that there is an acute angle railroad track
crossing on the BG trail itself around NW 6th and NW 40th, near Fred Meyer.
I had been over that crossing many times on both a tandem and a single, but
maybe never quite in these conditions.  Anyway, after slowing from a little
more than 15 mph to about 10 mph or so and making a good effort to execute
the best possible crossing angle of the tracks, I started to take the final
right to complete the S-turn.  As we finished the crossing and turn, the
bicycle suddenly slipped out from underneath us and landed on its right
side.

We were both thrown down and forward.  I ended up with a few scrapes on my
legs with holes in my tights, but Cathy landed more on her upper arm and
outstretched hands.  We were pretty numb and shaken, but managed to get back
up with the assistance of another cyclist who had been crossing the tracks
in the opposite direction shortly before us.  (She commented how dangerous
this spot was and about the number of falls at this location.)  Cathy was in
a fair amount of discomfort and could only hold on to the handlebars with
her left hand.  But we made it down to the locks, walked across and
completed the last 4 or so miles of the ride.

Afterwards, we drove to the Ballard Swedish ER where she was x-rayed and
diagnosed with a fracture of the upper arm.  (There was a guy in the ER next
to us who fell on railroad tracks in Ballard on his brand-new Suzuki that he
picked up an hour before the accident.)  On Monday, we went to the UW
Medicine bone and joint (orthopaedic) clinic where the diagnosis was
confirmed.  Fortunately no fracture of the left hand.  So far, the fracture
looks pretty simple (if you like looking at black, blue and green colors)
and the bone is not displaced.  So, she is in a sling for immobilization and
hoped-for healing.  Not looking at surgery at this point.

Kind of looks like a dent in the cycling season, but we will see how things
go.  Our big challenge is figuring how she will be able to drive and get to
work in Renton once the need for continuous Vicodin has passed.

Since the accident, I have gone back and looked at the site and taken a few
pictures.  The first time I was there, a guy just walked out from the Glass
Eye studio next to the crossing and told me what a large number of accidents
occur at this location, particularly when it is wet.  The second time I was
there, a pedestrian walking his dog told me the same thing.  When you
analyze the location, it is easy to see a very large number of hazard
factors that you might not appreciate if you have gone through it many times
without any apparent problems.  The crossing angle is very acute and it is
simply not physically possible to cross the tracks at a right angle.  You
must do a quick left followed by a quick right and you are always at an
acute angle.  The width of the path and the barriers just do not allow going
perpendicular over the tracks.  If there is another cyclist coming from the
opposite direction, as it was in our case, it becomes even worse.  The city
has placed rubber material next to and between the tracks thinking this
makes it safe, but when the material gets wet, it is very slippery and much
worse than concrete or asphalt, like most of the trail.  It looks to me that
after a dry spell and some warmth (we had one before Saturday), road oils
also rise and collect with the water.  There is also a bit of crown and
downhill drop as you go westbound.  Finally, if you are on a very long
bicycle, like a tandem, your need to make an even sharper right as you
complete the S-turn in order to continue on the trail and this also
exaggerates the tendency to slip out.

We did fall squarely on the right side of the bike.  It was like Jan
Ulrich's famous TDF time-trial spin out in the rain (but we going very
slow.)  Both right pedals are badly scraped on the outboard side as well as
the aerobar and shifter.  I can't yet determine if the right rear crank is
bent inwards or if there is any frame damage.

Anyway, thought I would let you know that it might be a little while before
we will be able to join you on any rides.

I'll probably forego the philosophical stuff for now, but I pretty angry at
the city for constructing this trap in the name of promoting safe cycling.



Michael A. Corn
3019 - 31st Avenue West
Seattle, Washington 98199-2724
USA
(206) 285-7108 (Home)
(206) 616-2585 (Work)
michaelcorn at comcast.net (personal email)
mcorn at u.washington.edu (work email)



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