Dang Dog!

On Friday, March 17th, I had a nasty run-in with a dog. It has been chasing me off and on for a couple of months now. I pepper sprayed it once (then ran out of spray). I spoke with the owner about it once (and another time about about other dogs that have been there before). On Friday, it picked a new spot to ambush me. It came out of the bushes at full speed - too fast to turn or stop. I was moving about 23mph when I spotted it. I slid off the back and grabbed the brakes. I think I hit the dog about 20mph. I went over the bars and did a full somersault.

The front wheel was rotated nearly 90 degrees to the right (the dog came from the left). Take a close look at the frame. Both the top tube and the downtube are bent from the impact. The wrinkle in the downtube is particulalry impressive.

The front wheel didn't taco as I expected. The fender did shatter below the brace. I suppose it hit the dog as he went under the bike.

My favorite seat took a beating when it hit the pavement.

Notice where my helmet hit the ground? The left/rear/crown. I was in a full roll. My left hand hit first, then my helmet and shoulder. My backpack took the rest of the beating. I'm glad my laptop wasn't in there. I think the seat helped vault me over via my left ribs. It hurts to laugh, sniff, hiccup or cough.

Four days later and I still hurt. My left hand has the worst of it. I think there are torn ligaments or a dislocated carpal. It is still swollen. My left shoulder and back still hurt, but my ribs are keeping me up at night. I just can't sleep on my usual side. I'm going back to the doctor tomorrow.