jgspin
11-10-2011, 11:37 AM
We read about cycling accidents, road rage, and drivers buzzing cyclists. Well how about helpful and nice drivers? After a hard ride on Tuesday, I did a harder hillier ride on Wednesday. I pushed the pace and dropped some of the guys on a steeper part of the ride and repeated that a few times. I split from the group and rode back to my car. Going up a 6% grade I pushed a little harder. I got out of the saddle and as I approached a dogleg right switchback around 12%, I cramped big time both quads and hams at the same time. My legs froze and I could not pedal at all. I was able to unclip the left as I slowly fell backwards.
So here I was precariously lying on a narrow 12% curve with the bike between my legs and I could not unclip my right foot. Luckily there were no cars going up as I tried in vain to release my foot. A newer pickup was going down the road and I heard it slowdown and stop. The lady shouts and asks me if I was ok. I said "Can you give me a hand?" So two older ladies maybe sisters who looked no younger than 75 walked up and helped me. It took a couple of minutes but the younger one was able to unclip my shoe and I was finally able to unstraddle my bike. She lifted the bike off of me and was surprised and said " Ooh, this is light." They tried to help me up but I told them I needed to sit to bend my legs and I was finally able to stop the cramps.
So with both ladies' hands on my shoulders one of them said a prayer for my fast recovery and safe return to my destination. That was a welcome surprise for me and made me choke a little bit. I thanked them as they went back to their truck. "Are you sure you don't want us to call for help?" I said I was fine. Then the older one said to the other, " I don't even have a cellphone. I'm such a dinosaur."
Although I had to walk up a couple of short grades I was able to ride to my car slowly until my cramps finally went away. Luckily, there were a lot of descents.
So here I was precariously lying on a narrow 12% curve with the bike between my legs and I could not unclip my right foot. Luckily there were no cars going up as I tried in vain to release my foot. A newer pickup was going down the road and I heard it slowdown and stop. The lady shouts and asks me if I was ok. I said "Can you give me a hand?" So two older ladies maybe sisters who looked no younger than 75 walked up and helped me. It took a couple of minutes but the younger one was able to unclip my shoe and I was finally able to unstraddle my bike. She lifted the bike off of me and was surprised and said " Ooh, this is light." They tried to help me up but I told them I needed to sit to bend my legs and I was finally able to stop the cramps.
So with both ladies' hands on my shoulders one of them said a prayer for my fast recovery and safe return to my destination. That was a welcome surprise for me and made me choke a little bit. I thanked them as they went back to their truck. "Are you sure you don't want us to call for help?" I said I was fine. Then the older one said to the other, " I don't even have a cellphone. I'm such a dinosaur."
Although I had to walk up a couple of short grades I was able to ride to my car slowly until my cramps finally went away. Luckily, there were a lot of descents.