Bike Accident? What should I do now?

Question

I fell on a sidewalk right beside a road (it was dirty). On my left hand: I took a chunk of skin out of the pad on my pointy-finger, and on the last joint on my thumb (located on the palm). I skinned up both knees very badly. I don't think I should go and see a doctor b/c there is nothing to stitch up and I have an antibacterial spray, a finger gauge, scar cream (for when this scabs over), band aids (large waterproof ones and variety of small, breathable ones), and neosporin.

I got a new helmet (B/c my old one is worn down very badly on one side from the bike accident). I want to get some elbow and knee pads and some biker gloves...what should I do?

Answer 1

relax and wear the road rash proudly. it is a good thing, it makes you a smarter and stronger rider.

pain is all mental, not physical

bikingthings

Answer 2

Good start on getting a new helmet - Definitely the first thing I would have done.

It could have been a lot worse, but there's nothing you could have done any better, you wore a helmet, you instinctively put out your hands to try and cushion your fall.

Elbow and knee pads are overkill, Get cycling gloves/mitts. Surely the most important piece of clothing/equipment after a helmet.

Answer 3

Not much more you could do. New helmet - smart move. I wear a helmet, bike gloves and sport glasses when I ride. No need for elbow or knee pads. Learn from the accident and keep on pedaling.

Answer 4

You're doing everything right. Good for you for chucking the old helmet immediately: they're only good one time!

Road rash is a fact of biking. Elbow and knee pads are overkill if you aren't riding BMX. As a roadie you will probably land on your hip or shoulder if you go down...someplace other than where the pads are.

Gloves, on the other hand, are almost as important as a helmet , IMHO. When you go down it's almost always your palms that hit first. Plus they prevent blisters, give you better grip on the bars and if you get ones with gel they can cushion your hands, wrists, elbows and arms in normal riding.

Answer 5

To help healing the road rash try using Tegaderm pads. They are adhesive sheets that go over the entire area and remain for days acting like new skin. They keep the area moist and bacteria-free, speed healing and keep the wound from getting your clothes or sheets dirty. You can find them in the first aid section at most stores.

Other than that you're doing everything right. Don't worry about knee or elbow pads but definitely wear gloves.

Answer 6

LOL.

Welcome to cycling.   Now that you've got road rash, the collarbone is next......   although hopefully not for awhile.    

New helmet, gloves, and your home remedies are really standard procedure.   I imagine you've replayed the incident in your mind to see if there's anything you could have done to prevent it.

As already noted, elbow and knee pads probably wouldn't make a difference.   Those aren't place that normally get scuffed up in a bike crash, plus they're not very comfortable for riding any distance.

Answer 7

Just relax.

Put cream plasters and all that and you will be fine

But next time, wear safety items such as helmets and knee pads