The Ride That Changed Everything: A Cyclist’s Reflection on Safety
20 March 2025
I’ve always been passionate about cycling. As a member of Pedal Power and a regular Sunday rider with the Wanderers, the thrill of the open road and the challenge of the trails have been a major part of my life. But last week, everything changed.
It was just another ride—my MTB and I tackling the rugged terrain above the Cotter. But then came the crash. It was bad. I felt the impact immediately, and soon, I was in an ambulance, heading to the hospital with a broken collarbone and fractured ribs. Unfortunately, this wasn’t my first time.
When the doctors asked if I had hit my head or lost consciousness, I answered with conviction: "No." I was certain of it. From the moment I hit the ground, I was repeating out loud: "I am awake. I am awake." This wasn’t just instinct—it was a promise. Having been knocked out twice before, I had vowed to my wife and myself that if it ever happened again, I would hang up my bike for good.
Because I was so sure that my head hadn’t taken a hit, the hospital staff didn’t see the need for scans. The only thing that puzzled me was that my hearing aid had gone missing from my left ear. Strange, since I always wear a bandana over it.
Five days later, I arrived home from the hospital. Sore, exhausted, but grateful. That’s when I remembered my helmet, still sitting in the boot of my car. I opened it up, expecting nothing unusual. But the moment my eyes landed on it, my breath caught in my throat.
It was shattered.
The reality hit me hard. I had, in fact, struck my head. Hard enough to destroy my helmet. Hard enough that if I hadn’t been wearing it… well, I don’t want to think about what could have happened.
This story isn’t about my crash. It’s about the lesson in that broken helmet. It’s about the difference between getting to tell this tale and my family having to tell it for me. Helmets save lives. They saved mine.
So to every cyclist, whether you’re riding through the mountains, on the road, or just down the street: wear your helmet. No excuses, no exceptions. Spread the word. You never know when you’ll need it, until it’s too late.
Ride safe,
Terry
