This past Saturday (9/4/2021), my alarm woke me up for my morning ride like many Saturdays before. This weekend was Labor Day weekend which meant I’d be able to work in three long rides. A quick look at the morning temperature showed 55 degrees, perfect riding weather.
After a quick splash of water on my face, it was time to put on my riding gear, helmet, gloves, and my Road ID. Today’s ride was a peaceful country ride out to a small town and back. On my way back, my ride was on track; I’d just crossed two hours and was a good 30 miles into my ride. I was coming to an incredibly scenic part of my ride, which took me between two lakes. As I headed downhill towards the lakes, I passed another rider and waved. Taking my right hand off my road bike caused me to veer right into the grass.
At this point, there were still no issues. After that point, the last memory I had was that I needed to pop my front wheel back up to the road. My next memory had me on a backboard surrounded by firemen and EMS. A long story short, something went wrong when I tried to move back onto the blacktop—the rider who I’d just waved to heard the accident and turned back around. I was unconscious, bleeding, and in need of help. My fellow rider quickly dialed 911 to request assistance and then used my Road ID to call my wife. The chances of two cyclists passing each other, both wearing a Road ID, and one person using the Road ID to alert another rider’s family has to be something other than luck. I’ve logged many hours of riding, and until that moment, I’ve never needed it. Yet, I’m thankful I had it.
After telling this story a few times this week, many of the cyclists I work with are purchasing the first of many Road IDs. I’m a proud advocate of Road ID; I’m thankful for the creator of Road ID. They put their belief into something that can change the lives of others. I’m equally appreciative of the Road ID staff and employees that handcraft this invaluable safety net. Thank you.
- Brian R.
