The Ontario Ride to Conquer Cancer

markg · Member

Crashes

Ashley Costa · Veteran Member

There was one accident about 1 km into the ride (on Lakeshore), a woman went over her handlebars and had to go to the hospital for some stitches.
I also heard of another person who did this but don't know the outcome.

Also heard of some people in ditches (M route).

But didn't hear anything about someone getting airlifted.

twinpro · Veteran Member

As we were driving back to Toronto from Niagara Falls on Sunday afternoon 680 News reported that there was a head-on collision that involved two cyclists - somewhere along the route for Day 2, and that a rider was taken to hospital with serious brain injuries. Aside from that report I haven't heard anything further. I wouldn't be surprised if this story got removed from the news wires so as to not alarm the 4000+ participants.

BrianU · Veteran Member

The was one serious crash on Day 2 in Lincoln with 2 riders both were air lifted to the hospital on very serious and the other from what I heard not sure but was released from hospital but that is what I heard but on the main page on there is a note there the says a little about it . I went pass them just after it happened

Ashley Costa · Veteran Member

I did a quick google search and found this:
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2621234
&
(basically the same information)
http://eriecountyfireblotter.com/?p=2952

PMH:
http://www.pmhf.ca/Pages/NewsAndMedia/NewsStory.aspx?s=589

-- Edited by Ashley Costa on Wednesday 16th of June 2010 01:08:58 PM

-- Edited by Ashley Costa on Wednesday 16th of June 2010 01:11:02 PM

OFlaherty · Senior Member

Thank God they wore the helmets. I spotted a few with straps undone and didn't have the breath to suggest they buckle up.
I hope the guy's okay. I've been more injured falling on my bike or having one person land on me who caused the crash than by actual impact. But I have no idea exactly what injuries these two sustained. Sounds like the woman was okay to be released with some stitches.

With 4,000+ riders, many unfortunately attacking the course as the Tour de France, it's a miracle more weren't injured. My thoughts go to two injured on Sunday. Hope they're okay.

Phillh · Veteran Member

Thoughts and prayers to those injured in the crash.

I saw one close call on the 200m route where a rider must have been day dreaming and came within a couple feet of turning left in front of a speeding car. Luckily both he and the car swerved in opposite directions and disaster was avoided. This was a faster stretch of road and I'm sure the car was doing 80-100km/hr. I had visions of the rider flying into the air or the car swerving head on into us. We watched this guy ride for a while and he was all over the place, really had trouble staying to the side of the road and riding in a straight line. Even though our pace as a group was faster we slowed to let him get far ahead out of sight, he was just a danger to be around.

I can't say enough about the volunteers who helped with traffic as well. That said there was one intersection where we were turning left from country road onto faster road just before the final pit stop on day 2 of the 200M. He was yelling at us, "move it move it, you can make it" trying to encourage us to beat a car that was coming at at least 100km/hr. This was probably one of the only times I thought I was better off without the assistance at an intersection. We were in a group of 8 or so riders and making a fast/rushed turn on a wet road in front of a speeding car is just not a good idea. I ride defensively when it comes to cars so I yelled stop and yet some people continued to ride through as they were relying 100% on the volunteer at the intersection. Nobody was hurt but it was a close call that never should have happened. This was just a great reminder that you have to be 100% aware at all times and in the end your life (and those around you) is your responsibility, don't blindly follow others who may not ride and know the risks of trying to beat a car.

Ride safe all!

Cheers,

Phill

adiamond · Senior Member

The two things about the mile course were (a) it was less dense: and (b) the riders were probably more experienced in riding in groups and were perhaps more predictable.

Having said that a guy went down right in front of me after he drifted off onto the gravel shoulder and I was somehow able to avoid tumbling over him but I could easily imagine an entire pace line going down like you see in the Tour. There were also a couple of wheel rubs that fortunatly people knew how to deal with

In a way it is surprise and great fortune, particularly with the weather, that there were not more events.

Lets all hope the fellow recovers quickly.

CarolynCL · Member

We were passed by an ambulance that I strongly suspect was carrying one of the riders from the Lincoln crash. The ambulance was going very fast - full sirens. We all got right to the very edge of the road, but they still went past pretty close to us... it was a bit unnerving.

I wish there were more news on the condition of the man who was seriously hurt... my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. I hope that he makes a full recovery from his injuries.

I felt like there were more riders on the 200km route this year, but it may have just been because I was travelling a little faster, due to having a better bike (the first two years I did it on a "comfort bike" that weighed a ton, so I was definitely not in a position to pass very many people).

On Day 2 we also seemed to have quite a few riders with yellow tags on the kilometer route, which added to the congestion. I am curious to know how many were actually on the Mile route. Reports from teammates who did that route indicated that it was very lightly travelled.

depmode · Veteran Member

On another message someone stated that of the 800 people doing the mile ride on Saturday, the number dropped to 600 on Sunday.
So it would appear 200 extra riders joined the KM route Sunday.

SilverFox · Senior Member

I am very saddened to here about the crash on the K200. It is a reminder of how vulnerable we all are when out on 2 wheels.

The M200 did seem less congested on day 2, and there could be a number of factors:

25% apparently switched to the K200 (or dropped out)
Open start time spread out the remaining riders
rain over the first half the course changed how people rode. I saw fewer large groups, more 2's and 3's

OFlaherty · Senior Member

CarolynCL wrote:

We were passed by an ambulance that I strongly suspect was carrying one of the riders from the Lincoln crash. The ambulance was going very fast - full sirens. We all got right to the very edge of the road, but they still went past pretty close to us... it was a bit unnerving.

I wish there were more news on the condition of the man who was seriously hurt... my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. I hope that he makes a full recovery from his injuries.

I felt like there were more riders on the 200km route this year, but it may have just been because I was travelling a little faster, due to having a better bike (the first two years I did it on a "comfort bike" that weighed a ton, so I was definitely not in a position to pass very many people).

On Day 2 we also seemed to have quite a few riders with yellow tags on the kilometer route, which added to the congestion. I am curious to know how many were actually on the Mile route. Reports from teammates who did that route indicated that it was very lightly travelled.

Hi. I saw a M200 rider miss a turn and whip around, ignore police and very nearly hit an ambulance face on. Day one, barely 30 minutes out.

What was the first model bike you used and what did you use this year? My mountain bike "the tank" was hell. I'm looking for ideas for a better bike and not thousands of dollars.

SILVERFOX: The M200 was pretty spread out. Less riders, some dropped out, and I saw everyone pass me by 2/3 of the way into day one. Not a lot of people really. I heard 25% dropped out and some switched, and others just never came back day two.

I know it's honestly just hitting me now that I finished. My pharmacist, well aware of the litany of pain and such pills i rely on, CALLED to check on me. "I know you'll be in soon, but we're wondering how you did and if you're okay." That was very cool. Their contribution to the ride? No co-pay. It adds up. I got a hug from a woman I know with terminal cancer and the wife of a man fighting cancer emailed to thank me. I don't even know them. Made me smile.

Off topic, as always, if anyone even accidentally has a photo of me riding or just in a crowd, you couldn't miss the survivor flag and tired face, you all passed me, that would be great to have. The problem, amongst many, with being left alone to ride is you can't say "Hey, buddy, can we stop here by this fantastic scenery and take pictures for our friends and such?" because it's just you.

On accidents, the worst danger I encountered was the first five miles. people passing on the right, on the shoulder, no warning at all. Twice I was missed by about half a centimetre and mentally crossed myself. Mostly I stayed to the right and in as straight a line as possible.

Man, the volunteers were fantastic.

My only real regret, other than the bike and all, is missing signing the 2010 event flag. I'd wanted to write a message remembering my brother and I guess next year?

-- Edited by OFlaherty on Thursday 17th of June 2010 04:28:43 AM

slalom_ · Veteran Member

One of my team members was hit by a car in the first 10 km on Saturday morning. He was cycling down a hill on Lakeshore Blvd., and an impatient driver decided he could wait no longer. He pulled in front of my friend who slammed into the side of his car and went right over the vehicle (good thing he wasn't clicked in).

Concussion, bruised and sore all over. Spent Saturday in the hospital. The paramedics said he would have broken his neck if he wasn't so strong (he's a body builder). His bike was destroyed. Despite no broken bones, he will require physical therapy for several months. He was more upset that his year of planning and fund raising only lasted the first 30 minutes into the ride than he was about the pain.

I didn't see the accident, but was just a little behind. There were a couple of other riders who also stopped who said they were almost hit by the same guy, but were able to swerve out of the way or stop. I spoke to the driver who's first response was "I have places to be, and can't wait all day". He was charged by police and I'm sure didn't get where he was going. I hope they throw the book at him - both because of what he did, and because of his attitude that running into cyclists is ok if you have somewhere important to be.

-- Edited by slalom_ on Thursday 17th of June 2010 09:26:14 PM

Garbo · Member

I guess some people were in a little over their heads on the m200 route. I noticed the roads were very empty on Sunday, but really, the rain was the main issue.