Jason has been involved in an accident.

[Toestrapsteve]

Just to let you all know, Jason has left the Heath. Good to hear that although I went to visit him at the hospital tonight and found he'd left about 30 minutes before I arrived!
Jason I've a got a cycling mag with a very relevant article for you mate, which I can pop in if you give me your address.

[Rob Jones]

Tough cookie!

[Jason T]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you very much for all your messages, emails, texts, visits and thoughts ~ It's greatly appreciated.

Things escalated quickly yesterday from in the AM being informed I might be home Tuesday/Wednesday and then by 17:30 being told I can be discharged and had visits from pharmacy etc, so a mad rush to arrange collection from the hospital.

I had received an iPad earlier that day as it's very hard to operate a mobile device in this condition, so I had not yet been on the internet except for picking up emails/text on the phone ~ As such I am very sorry that I missed Steve yesterday evening, thank you so much for coming to the hospital to see me.

It would seem that the staff and other patients on the spinal unit are surprised at how I'm coping and how mobile I am so soon after the accident, essentially I am classed as having a broken neck so it will be good to be home for christmas and not stuck in hospital (although I could really do with one of those electric beds right now  ).

So a quick run down is that the impact was at such a force, the force of the impact travelled through my body breaking bones as it dissipated, consistent with an extreme act of violence they say.

Pretty much covered by the other posts but; Fractured Collar Bone (which may need an op at a later date) and broken the top three ribs on my left side, broken chest plate, broken top rib right side, a type of puncture to the lung and three vertebrae in my neck and back with a 3 month spinal therapy recovery plan.

Again, thank you for all the messages and sorry if I've not got back to everyone as the internet based ones were a struggle.

By the way, Harpo dropped off a very nice book for me to make my way through in hospital (The World of Cycling According to G).... who knew he could read   

Merry Christmas Everyone

[Steven]

Great to hear you are home. Give me a shout if you want the turbo set up in January!

[ron b]

Good news that you are home, at least you can now rest when you want to, I will not mention the tea, once you start liking the tea, it's time to go home The main chat at Physiques last Sunday was all about you and your accident, no Lycra or aero socks mentioned at all. Just rest and do the physio and we will see you in the New year. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

[Dave W]

Sounds painful  , Take it easy and don't rush things. Good to hear your leaving hospital and you can get back on your vegan diet.

How did the bike cope after that impact? I hope the Van driver is insured and taking all the blame

[traine]

Great to hear you are out Jason. I hope Harpo let's you keep th e book long enough for you to read it !

I had planned to visit this afternoon and went out this morning to get you the Christmas edition of Private Eye. Cruel I know since you have broken ribs and it should make you laugh. I will just have to read it myself now !

Have the best Christmas under the circumstances and we look forward to seeing you in club in the new year

Tim

[Rob Jones]

Sorry bout all the questions Jason, but I was wondering if you knocked your head at all? I was surprised such a heavy collision occurred within residential 30mph streets and its got me reconsidering my own personal helmet wearing policy - basically I wear one for all my training and weekend rides but not for my short commute on folding bike entirely through residential and commercial streets of cardiff. I had convinced myself that everything is moving so slowly (including me) that the benefits and comfort of a warm hat were preferable to a hard shell. I'm in my work suit and going for the 'hello motorists I am a vulnerable human being on a bike approach...please give me space'...not sure that would have done any good with your distracted van driver! It seems so wrong we have to protect ourselves against other road users with helmets, cameras etc

[Steven]

It's a very personal issue but I would not ride to the corner shop without a helmet.  I lost a friend who was 18 when a bus nudged him and he hit his head on the kerb.  Jason is one of our most considered riders and he was riding a route he does daily and he would know the hazards.  It just demonstrates what we all know, that accidents will happen...

[harpo]

To many big words for me!;) was amazed by how many calories your body uses when repairing itself, so get munching!!

[Tom]

Pleased but not surprised to see you're home Jason(I know what a toughie you are!).A minor point-if you have insurance with the CTC(and possibly others)you are(or were at least)entitled to a cash payment-not huge-for each day you were in hospital-irrespective of any fault etc.
Hope you continue to surprise the Doctors!

[Greg B]

Hope you get well soon buddy

[Jason T]

Thanks everyone and that's good to know Tom.

Rob, the main impact was taken by my right side but my head did hit the van, not too hard from what I recall but it was so fast and violent it's hard to tell.
I'll have to check the helmet when I can (although it'll be replaced) for damage, the blow to the head was strong enough to give me a bruise around my left eye similar to a light shadow..... I lost a fair bit of hearing in my right ear, that seems to have returned but it went again yesterday for a short period (similar to when your ears pop so it might not be related).

I should have replaced the helmet a few years ago as it's now had a second impact, the first impact wasn't that heavy but it did save my head from taking a fair old smack and a slide along the road.

Helmets, I don't like them but I wear them and they have saved me from a couple of bumps, slides and road rash to the head.

On average my annual mileage can be pretty evenly split between commutes and all other rides, I have a camera because of the commutes as I find the majority of incidents/crazy fools happen in and around Cardiff (especially as the nights draw in).

So I suggest that I'm more at risk for 40+ miles per week of commuting around Cardiff, 90+ total for the week than a Sunday 90 mile solo ride.

[tandemkeith]

Jason, Glad to learn you are out of the hospital, get well soon and sure you will be back on the bike in the new year.  All the best.

[RoyH]

Glad to hear your home, hopefully  you'll have a speedy recovery.