Yesterday I did my first two crit at Nutmeg Classic Criterium....I waited until after my spring A race to try one as they can be dangerous. Goals to have fun, learn, & stay upright...2/3 not bad.
First one went ok...dropped from pack about lap 5 as it was an open race w/ women 30+. Thought about leaving & not doing second crit. Kim (dredwards) from BT met me there & was great...supportive & very helpful as were women from my bike race team. Kim is awesome cyclist!
2nd race was cat 3/4 womens race. I did much better at staying close to a wheel to save energy. Followed this one women & ended up in front behind 2 others near Kim...from there I don't remember anything....the group avg 22.8 mph.
I woke up in the hospital...with very limited memory & was very out of it...in the 4 hours I was there stuff came back to me but I don't remember the crash. A total of 5 women went down w/2 of us transported to hospital. I must have landed on my shoulder & head from my injury pattern.
I have a grade 2 separated shoulder, missing lots of skin all along my left side, concussion...scale 1-100, 100 worst...75-80, I have no idea what happened...hit a sign, out for a time & 60+ minutes or more out of it, ...estimate out for 6-8 weeks...season probably over no HIM.
Helmet saved me...died doing what it should. I have head bruises & cuts in the shape of my helmet pads..and I tightened my helmet strap before the race...good thing.
Not sure about my bike...LBS I bought it at & will have it checked out at discouraged me from racing as it is dangerous....they were right.
Others have suggested that I will be able to get back to training sooner...time will tell. When my husband came to the accident scene I asked him to take pictures which amused everyone...I don't remember that but do have some interesting photos. I couldn't remember I had kids...we have 5.
I had awesome power numbers for the two races....need to look on bright side, The idea of no training for up to 8 weeks is scary.
I'll try & attach some pictures...
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P5301223.JPG (56KB - 31 downloads)P5301150.JPG (53KB - 15 downloads)P5301214.JPG (47KB - 16 downloads)