Cyclists have good reason to be hyper-aware and cautious on the road. Transport trucks sometimes barrel past too close for comfort (think lumber trucks in B.C.); motorists can be aggressive and road shoulders can be too small to ride on.
Riders can mitigate all these risks. What they can’t prepare for are the unforeseeable, fluky moments.
It was one such recent moment that has derailed one of the ConnecTour team for several weeks. It was a serious, scary moment that came on so suddenly, none of us had a chance to react until it had already happened.
Lisa and I were riding east on Highway 15 from the town of Outlook, Sask., about an hour’s drive south of Saskatoon. It was a calm, sunny day and we were having a relaxed ride. We had just cleared a section of the road where a crew was doing tar-and-chip surface repairs to the asphalt. Lisa sensed a vehicle approaching from behind and signaled that she was coming over to the shoulder.
But fully loaded bikes can be hard to manage. As she moved over, one of the panniers on her bike came into contact with mine. Losing control, she suddenly veered into the traffic lane. As I watched helplessly, I saw her front wheel go sideways and then she went down – hard. She didn’t even have a chance to put her hands out to break her fall.
I threw down my bike and ran over to her. She was lying still on the pavement, entangled in her bike. I called out to her, but she didn’t respond. Her eyes were open but there was no sign of consciousness. I called out a second time and she didn’t respond. Fighting a sense of panic, I kept repeating her name.
After maybe two endless minutes, she began to stir. She had no memory of the incident, and asked over and over what had happened. By now, several motorists had stopped and the rest of the ConnecTour crew had gathered around. Someone called an ambulance, and we helped Lisa into a chair by the side of the road.
Because of the road work, it took a long time for the ambulance to arrive . . . perhaps a half-hour. The EMTs immediately put on a collar, loaded her on a stretcher, and off she went to Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon. Thankfully, the EMTs allowed me to ride along in the ambulance.
The ER staff were excellent. Within minutes the on-duty physician had determined there was no sign of internal bleeding, and sent Lisa off for a CT scan and then xrays. As I waited, I picked up her helmet and saw it had been shattered by the impact with the pavement. I thought of an incident my friend Dan Gaynor had experienced about a decade ago when he had a sudden fall and shattered his helmet. That helmet had saved his life, and I realized that Lisa’s helmet had saved her’s, as well.
Within perhaps an hour, the staff had determined that she did not have a concussion, but she did have a fractured clavicle. That will put her off the ride for a minimum of four weeks, and likely more. Our hope is she can rejoin us when we reach central Ontario in a few weeks.
A number of people stepped forward to help, and we are extraordinarily grateful to them. The driver who was approaching behind Lisa was Tim Haugen. He invited the other members of the ConnecTour crew over to his grandfather’s farm nearby for lunch. The next morning, he showed up in Saskatoon with Lisa’s and my bikes.
Although Tim witnessed the crash, he shrugged it off. “All my boys (three) have broken their collarbones,” he chuckled. “They’re full of pins and screws.”
Lisa, fortunately, needed no pins and screws. The doctor was confident the bone would heal on its own.
Another generous friend also stepped forward. I contacted Jim Kerr, a Saskatoon automotive writer I had met on several assignments, and he instantly offered to provide whatever help we needed. With his help, we had Lisa’s bike boxed within a day so that it could return with her back to Ontario where she is recuperating with family until we catch up to her. Two days after the crash that scared the life of me, she boarded a plane for Pearson Airport in Toronto. It was an outcome that seemed almost too good to be true, thinking back to those terrifying moments after her crash.
Meanwhile, Jim and his partner Deborah weren’t done helping us out. After driving Lisa to the airport, they headed east for the hour-plus drive to Watrous, so I could be reunited with the ConnecTour crew.
Once again, the concern and kindness of the people we encountered along the way made what could have been an extraordinarily difficult set of circumstances very manageable.
The ConnecTour ride carries on. And all of us are counting the days until Lisa can rejoin us.
FOOTNOTE: Saskatchewan drivers get a gold star
Saskatchewan drivers are the safest and most courteous people we have encountered on our trip. When approaching us from behind, they almost always slow down, and when they pass they move over to the ongoing lane so that we have as much room as possible. Drivers approaching from the opposite direction often move onto the far shoulder to provide as much room as possible. These drivers are a model for the whole country, and we thank them.
Very scary indeed. Get well soon Lisa.
Was so glad Lisa was able to fly to Toronto and stay with us to help her heal- safe travels to the remaining group!! She’s dying to reconnect with you all- great stories!
Holy cow.
I am so grateful Lisa is okay and safe now.
Hoping for a speedy recovery Lisa.
I’m sending positive vibes and good wishes to the entire group and Lisa and Doug.
Be safe and well.
Thanks, John and Char. Being spoiled by family in Ontario. Hope you’re surviving the smoke!
I had so much fear for Lisa as I started reading this! I hope she heals quickly and they were right about the concussion.
Wishing you both well on your journeys.
Thanks, Janine. My bean appears to be intact and for that I am so grateful. The bruises, cuts and bone are on the mend, thanks for your well wishes and thinking of me. L
Thankfully Lisa will heal in time!! Rick and Tanya are my son and daughter in law. I’m sure they were frightened. All were. I think of everyone each day and hope for a safe trip.
Thank you, Carol. Rick and Tanya are the best people to ride with. And when you hit in a bump in the road, they know what to do. I am grateful to them and everyone else who helped me out.
I can’t believe this has happened, especially when Lisa expressed concerns about some roads in previous discussions.
Wishing her a speedy recovery & much needed rest.
❤ Mel
Thanks, Mel! And thanks for calling the other day.
Scary stuff. I’m glad she’ll be okay. Stay safe out there
Lisa you are in my thoughts, please let me know if I can help in anyway, I look forward to riding with you and the group soon. Maybe while you are home recovering we can get together for a ride or a visit.
Take extra special care,
Big hugs,
Lynn?
So good to hear from you, Lynn! I am recovering and being pampered by my family in Ontario. I have every intention of being back on the ride by early to mid-August. Would love to ride again with you this summer!
Xoxo Lisa
I’m so glad this very frightening experience is headed to a good outcome! Wishing you all safe and memorable (and healthy!) days ahead. Judy
So glad she’s ok! What a time. Thinking of you guys a ton! Love Kim
Oh my goodness! I had palpitations when I read the headline and the first few lines. What a scary experience. I’m so glad Lisa is on her way to a full recovery. Kudos to all the helpers – Saskatchewan really has great, generous people.
Big hugs to Lisa and you too, Doug. Be safe out there!
Can’t wait to hoist a beer when this is all said and done.
Cheers,
Other Doug
Not the kind of drama we were looking for. Sask people are the absolute best on Earth.
Holy moly! Sorry this happened Lisa, but so glad to hear you’re going to be ok!
So glad you are okay, Lisa! How scary!! Rest up and hopefully you will be riding again soon. xo LisaK
Thank you, Lisa! I am resting comfortably in Ontario. Pools, good people and cocktails!
Talk soon…xoxo
Wow! I just saw this. Very shocking indeed. I’m sometimes lazy about helmets but your’s is for sure a cautionary tale. I hope the healing goes well. Stay safe.
Ted and Ren
Oh gosh!
So sorry to hear about your accident and wish Lisa a very speedy recovery.
Sending mega healing vibes your way
Xo
So sorry to hear Safe travels. ❤️??