Madison's Train Tracks, Meet Matt's Bike

Today was supposed to be a fun day. I had great plans to walk to Budget Bike Center on Regent Street and pick up my shiny new Fuji Crosstown, then ride it around campus, taking photos as I saw fit. On my walk to the bike store I did manage to snap a photo of the old Presbyterian Church, as well as some of the international band competition going on at Camp Randall Stadium, usually known as the home of Wisconsin football. Eventually I got to the bike shop, purchased my shiny new bicycle and new bicycle lock, and was set to go home. Cory, the guy I bought the bike from, offered me 15% off a new bike helmet if I wanted one.

"Nah, I'll just get the one from home when I'm back in Illinois in a week. I'll be fine." So I left the bike shop, happy as could be with my purchase, and proceeded to take the scenic route home. I went down the southwest bike path (bike paths in Madison are like streets, they're everywhere) which took me back into the eastern section of campus. I then swung a left on University Avenue, going past all the main campus buildings, hoping to ger home and have a quick lunch before I went out again. The bike path becamoes a little harder to navigate once you get close to the University Avenue / Campus Drive intersection, so I stayed on the right side of the street as I crossed over the train tracks that go through the city.

Apparently these tracks are somewhat dangerous. The bike path is built up around the tracks to minimize their impact as you go over, but that doesn't really help since the path and the tracks intersect with each other at no more than a 25 degree angle. This creates a problem, since if you are not paying close attention (or if no one has warned you) the front wheel on your bike can very easily get caught in the tracks. Your bike then veers right, while the momentum of your body veers left, sending you face-first onto the asphalt sidewalk.

"I cannot believe I didn't buy a bike helmet," were the last words I thought to myself as my nose slammed into the pavement.

Given the amount of blood that was covering my face when I got up, I was surprisingly calm. I was fairly sure I had broken my nose, sliced open my lip, knocked out a few teeth, and probably broken another random bone that would be discovered later through a series of expensive X-Rays. Blood was pouring down my shirt and onto my messenger bag, as well as my bike (which had also sustained injuries -but this was not discovered until later.) I gathered myself up off the sidewalk, looking around for someone to help me stop the bleeding and possibly direct me to the nearest emergency center. Three guys eventually walked by, who seemed moderately concerned (I didn't know how bad I looked) and pointed toward "University Health Services," conveniently located only half a block away.

Thank God.

I calmly walked my bike over to the clinic and walked inside, where I was greeted by a very nice nurse who quickly rushed me to the nearest room. Over the next two hours, the physicians who saw me constantly remarked at how composed I seemed, given what had just happened. I think when really bad things happen to me, my mind just goes into "Wow this will be hilarious later" mode, so I managed to retain my sense of calm.

My injuries were less extensive than first thought, but still not very good. The bases of my plams both had a few layers of skin ripped off, coupled with flecks of dirt and asphalt that couldn't be removed. I had a flesh-deep cut on one of my right knuckles, as well as a series of scrapes across the rest of my right arm. My nose is probably not broken, but I am having x-rays on Monday to confirm this (my university health coverage starts on Monday, so they held off until then). Instead, my nose sustained a series of cuts and scrapes both inside and out, as well as a large bruise where the cartilage meets my skull. My lip was the worst. At impact the right side of my lower lip got caught between my upper and lower teeth, so I ended up actually biting a hole through my lip. This required three stitiches on the outside, but none on the inside (apparently the saliva works better than stitches). I'll be on antibiotics, both ointment and pills, until the cuts heal. But luckily no broken bones and no chipped or missing teeth.

My half-hour old bike could have been worse as well. The right gear shifter got scraped up and bent down, the seat was twisted, and the chain came off the gears entirely. I managed to reset the shifter and chain on the way home, and the scrapes don't really matter. I will clean the blood off the frame later. I also have to do that for my shirt and my messneger bag ("Use peroxide and cold water" they told me.)

Needless to say this has put a screeching halt to my Madison fun, for now. So no photos until later. But I can always use get well wishes!