First women only circuit race... and first bike crash

First circuit race... first bike crash...

'It's not the racing, it's the crashing that's the problem'

The race got off to a great start, I was keeping up with the bunch, and was able to negotiate a good few stints within the bunch saving steam, which was good as I did end up leading out the pack a few times, which was poor tactics on my part.

The race was 30 minutes then 3 laps. We had done our 30 minutes, which flew by, and I still had plenty of energy left in the bag, the next lap did push a little more but wasn't out of reach. The final lap was called and another break away was just about departing when I got engulfed by riders closing in on both sides.

I was right in the middle of the bunch as they all made their efforts to push past and not lose the sprinter making a go for it. I was shoved hard into another bike and my front wheel got caught on a rear mech. The wheel stopped dead, travelling at 20mph I was sent hurtling into the air with my lovely new carbon frame still attached.

Miraculously the bunch dispersed around my path and remained rubber sides down. I somersaulted across the track and skidded along the tarmac with my bike close by.

The damage - bike and body

The rest went by pretty fast and was somewhat of a blur.

I had a large crack in my helmet (always wear a helmet), a wrecked front wheel (with the spoke and nipple ripped clear out), very grazed hoods, and a wonky bar leaver knocked out of place... with a very grazed club jersey, and a sore skin graze to match down my side.

More worrying though was the pedal shaped holes in my leg, so deep that even the first aider was looking a little pale. My elbow was also getting more painful by the second, with my arm getting less and less mobile as the minutes went by.

I was soon in A & E, and ended up with 15 stitches to the leg, and a sling for my fractured elbow. They also gave me antibiotics for the wound, and advised a month off the bike.

Will I race again?

So not a great first race in all. A lot to learn I'm sure... but whilst there are few opportunities for me to practice I'm not sure it's really such a great idea. Women's only races are few and far between, and circuit races I'm starting to think are maybe not the best way to start if you don't live all that close to a track, or have other women to ride with in a race situation.

I've been told road racing might be better, with a good hill or two that would be beneficial in breaking up the group, and avoiding close bunched up riding. The only problem with road races however is the cars, and with the recent loss of a road racer on a local race of late I'm reminded that racing on the road can be all the more fatal.

So whilst I debate my options it's a turbo month for me whilst my arm heals. It might be more that TT's are a safer route to go down.  I wanted to dabble with both TT's and racing this season though, so I could make a choice to commit to next year, so we'll see.

NHS doctors and nurses doing a great job, even understaffed on St Patrick's Day

I'd also like to say that the staff I saw at A&E in QA were all very lovely, and although I was there a whopping nine hours total (due to a blood splash in a poor nurses eye - yes it was all very bloody...), I was very pleased with the treatment I received.

They were certainly overstretched on the ward, however Hattie and I couldn't help but reflect upon how incredibly lucky we are to have a health care system paid for in taxes. I even got given a free lunch and mug of tea with my 15 stitches and x-rays.

In the mean time, if you like blood and gore further pics can be found here. You have been warned however, they are not pretty.

Post author Christina