Tale of woe from sunny Italy.

[Andrew G]

Howdy folks. Sean said he'd been a bad boy and used the forum so I must be excused.

Just a little reportage as I'm not currently takling 9 or even 5 hills. Bit disappointed to miss the NC, but more the rides during the week.

Excellent hotel with fantastic food, and very helpful and friendly staff who've been very good to me and not complained about me making the place look untidy instead of being out on my bike.

Although there is a certain level of responsibility on Ernesto - hotel owner - as I'm a guest and was on a hotel guided ride when I crashed, he was superb, collecting Sean, Adrian and my bike from the crash site and taking them to the hospital, then staying for about 3-4 hours and translating for me, before we returned to the hotel.

First couple of days on arrival were spent with spins up and down the coast and to a bike shop - couldn't help it - in the next town.

Then we went for the first guided ride. These are basically like the small Novi Colli route being 100 - 130k in length and around the beautiful countryside here. Long hills, we covered 8k before going up an 8k hill about 5-6% average with two 10% sections. More hills followed which were hard but doable and I was very pleased as I was going well and really enjoying the ride.

After about 32 hard miles we were decending when I crashed. The guide - nice American guy called Wade - had warned that the switchbacks tighten at the bottom and then the road ends in a T juction to the main road. Consequently, and due to some rough road surface, I wasn't in looney mode and was taking it steady. On the final right hand bend I must have taken it a bit tight and the front wheel hit a gravel patch, and slipped away underneath me. I slid the width of the road on my right side, picked myself up, swore, put me chain on and got back on the bike to join the others who had just passed.

Very soon the wounds stung badly and I felt very woozy so asked Sean to stop the others. No sooner had we stopped and I got off my bike my legs went from underneath me as I was wacked by a combo of shock and sun stroke!

Everyone was really good looking after me particularly the rather foxy Mrs. Wolf - one half of a really nice German couple who were staying at our hotel.

Got my first trip in an ambulance with a bit of gesticulating between myself and the paramedics to try and explain ourselves.

If you're going to crash do it in Italy. The hospital was superb. I was taken straight through and given a full check over. They were worried about possible neck damage - whiplash sort of thing. I was taken for 10 xrays and an abdominal scan before having the wounds dressed. I can't imagine getting this from the NHS and this was all for a foreigner as well. I've been given the full report and xrays so I've got a souvenier.

Damage is very bad road rash on my right arm, upper and lower, right hip, knee and calf. Didn't miss much of my right side actually. Lost my newish Lampre jersay as that had to be cut off but my bibshorts survived the crash so I wouldn't let them cut those.

Bike has some scuffs notable on the ergos, which being carbon is a concern, so I'll drop it in GBs when I return and put a claim in to the insurance for whatever needs doing.

Bit of a pain not getting out on the rides, but you have to be philosophical abouut these things. It could have been a lot worse, I didn't break anything. The weather has been fantastic, the place is nice, and the Giro's on in the afternoon so I haven't been too bored.

Definately coming back as it is a great place for an April to early May holiday, and the guided rides are very well run in stunning scenery.

Off with Adrian's wife to try and watch the others roll in later. See you all soon, but don't think it will be Saturday.

Cheers,

Andrew.

[carl f]

Sorry to hear about the crash andrew, enjoy the rest of your trip,and the italian nurses......

[Roy Green]

Gets straight back on his bike — I'm proud of you!

[SimonJOsborne]

Bad luck mate. Heal quick and hope it's only superficial damage to the bike.

[John the old'un]

Really sorry to hear the news. Bike can be mended pretty quickly, but road rash takes a lot longer.
Keep your chin up Andrew.
John.

[Matthew Ives]

sounds horrible and great all at the same time.
Almost worth crashing, just so you can experience decent medical care.

Anyway, get well soon.

[Elliot M]

sorry to hear about that. Hope you are enjoying the food and vino in the interim...

[Brian Robinson]

Andrew,

Sorry to hear about your crash.

Bri

[Stu Merckx Man]

ouch hope you are better soon!

[Snoop Doug]

Shame about yer crash Andrew - great to hear you're in one piece and Mrs Wolf sounds like an unexpected bonus.

Look forward to seeing you out soon

Snoop

[higg]

Sorry to hear about your crash, Andrew. Hope you get to enjoy to rest of your holiday.

[George]

Unlucky Andrew hope you start to feel better soon!

Your a true Ambassador to the club

[-Adam-]

Yeah get better quick mate, really sorry to hear your missing out on your riding in Italia. I know you were really up for it, still as long as your ok, thats the main thing i guess.

Like my post in the results section, the current trend for ACC punctures/crashes has surely got to end soon!

[jon avery]

Sorry to hear about your crash mate, makes a change it not being me! Hope you will be back on your bike soon.

[Alan M]

What a pity after all those hilly miles in preparation - hope to see you back on the bike soon

Alan