What happens when you suddenly find yourself on the ground with broken ribs, a concussion and a trashed bike? In many cases it because some one lost concentration in the pelaton and rubbed wheels, a pothole was not called out and your front tire sunk into it, water on the road caused you to slip or a million other things that can go wrong in a sport where separation from each other is measured in inches when going 20 to 25 mph. Then when the accident happens we pay the ultimate price to be in this ammature sport which is loss of time from work due to accident and in some cases loss of the biggest investment we have, our bike.
I know that I have prepared mentally for the scenario of road rash and trashed kit I've been there before and it's not pretty. I have also gotten a 'Road ID' for $20 so no matter how far out from home, or in the case of not being conscious, it can give EMS the info needed. I also have good insurance to back me up incase of an emergency. This was always a concern before in the early 80's when I had no insurance. What did I do then if a major thing happened I had no clue. But it's alot more comforting now too know I have protection but my bones sure as heck don't heal as fast and my bruises don't go away as fast as when I was 20 something.
And what about my spirit and what about my bike? The only thing I could find about insuring my bike was found at : http://www.examiner.com/x-7060-Insurance-Industry-Examiner~y2009m8d11-Insurance101-Where-to-buy-bicycle-insurance . There is some solid info here but the only real actual honest to god insurance for your ride is from England. I have no idea why non of the big insurance agencies don't do business with us little guys. Maybe we are like weekend basketball players to them, I don't know. But I do know that to replace my ride would be a major investment...again. The wife would shot first and ask questions latter!
Watching the Tour of California I saw the team cars stop for the down riders, help them up, check their bones and give them a new bike and off they went. For some reason I don't think that's going to happen if I go down in the maylai of the Tuesday or Thursday night ride. Hopefully my fellow riders would have pity on me and stop to make sure everything is good.
But what about the days and weeks ahead? For this I would think that I could count on a few of my friends in the Pelaton to buoy my spirits and give the wife a break from entertaining me. I've gotten to know several of the pack simply by asking how they are and whats up with them and just being a mentsch. And why not? This is my social group and I ride with them 4 to 7 hours a week and these are the people I choose to spend that time with. Why not get to know them? If any of these guys were to have trouble I would be there for them and I believe they would be there for me too. That is also part of the healing process and good sportsmanship to boot.
So give yourself a gut check on all three of the majors, accident backup on insurance for your self including a Road Id, insurance for your bike and support for the guys in the Pelaton. You will never know how good it is until you or your friends need it.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.
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