"First, thanks to everyone on the Sherman ride for their concern and kind humor. I truly appreciate the effort everyone made to lighten what could have been a much more serious incident.

Special thanks go to Hank, Allan, Rich, Chris, and John.
Hank for his medical knowledge and calm roadside manner.
Allan for having duct tape to get my handlebars attached to make the bike walkable.
Rich for driving up from Brewster Station and driving me home.
Chris and John for accompanying Rich and the moral (and transportation) support offered when we met up on South Quaker Road.

Also, kudos to everyone who passed and then came back up the hill to check on me (that must have been a challenging climb!). Pieter and John for pacing the group pack to station.

Now, the damage report.

I had a clear road and accelerating quickly at the start of big decent. I decided to back off the speed a bit and had my hands on the brake levers. My front wheel went into a small indentation in the road but the bump caused me to grab the left (front) brake lever. The wheel stopped, I didn't and went head-first over the handlebars. My helmet took the initial impact as I rolled over onto my back. I then slide for a good number of feet, picking most of the road rash and bruises on my lower back and butt.

The bike bounced away from me. The handlebar near the right brake hood seemed to have hit first, most likely causing the stem face cap to be sheared of. The bike landed several feet away in the ditch on the other side of the road.

I was conscious for the whole event. when I stopped sliding, my first thought was, ""Sh* t, that sucks!"" I was on feet immediately and felt pain in my shoulder, lower back and right thumb. My second thought was about the bike, was it broken, would I be able to ride back to the station? I also looked up the road and saw a car descending but slowing as the driver realized there was some carnage in the road. He pulled up and asked if I was alright. I answered in the vague affirmative, mostly to send him on his way, knowing that there were more cyclists about to descend. I did not want me or anyone else to have another accident.

Hank was able to slow down and stop, everyone else safely sped by, inquiring if things were alright. A few minutes later, the group was coming back up the hill. Plans were discussed and agreed, Hank and Allan stayed with me to get things sorted, while the rest of group finished up the ride so Rich, Chris and John could drive back to pick-up the injured.

As Hank, Allan and I walked along the route (very pretty when walking) I catalogued my damage. Road rash on left shoulder arm and wrist, lower back and both butt cheeks. There were throbs of pain in my left shoulder, lower back which made bending a challenge, a bruise on left calf and most worryingly, my right thumb would not stay in place and was getting swollen. I was able to pop it into a position where it hurt less and I had more motion, but it wouldn't stay for long.

As Rich drove me home, I called my wife, Giuliana, and my doctor. Giuliana was on her way to a hair appointment which she canceled. I wanted to get home so I could drop off the bike and clean up as best possible before going to the hospital. The pain was annoying and frustrating by limiting my range of motion but tolerable. I showered, Giuliana cleaned and covered my wounds as best as possible and we proceeded to spend five hours in St. Vincent's emergency room. I got admitted, x-rayed, repatched and, the news that will keep me of the bike for some time. The orthopedic attendant said I have a possible fracture at the base of my right thumb. He put a cast on it that extends to the middle of my forearm. I need to see a specialist this week to determine if surgery is required.

And now, the inevitable Mastercard moment:

New handlebars and Stem $500
New tires and tubes $125