It was over in an instant....


The impact was severe. It happened so quick there was no time to react. One second everything was fine, the next the ground came up, close and personal. I may have blacked out for a few seconds. I didn't remember much at first, but, I did remember it hurt like Hell...

Four of us, my wife and our two friends, decided to explore an area of Cape Cod. Ten speed bikes, fast and maneuverable, were the perfect choice. Race Point, on the Cape, is an inviting place in summertime. Taking full advantage of a gorgeous sunny day seemed a good idea. So much to see and always within view of the ocean. The 'Point' is part of the National Sea Shore, on the outer Cape. It's a 40 mile stretch of sandy beach protected by the National Park Service. Migratory birds of all kinds spend time here as well as many other critters.

Paved bike paths provide an excellent way to get from one point of interest to the next, and can go on for miles. We off-loaded the bikes from the car picked a direction and headed out. It was a beautiful day, breezy with a mixture of sun and clouds. We navigated the bike path easily. Our pace was good and we traveled a good distance before coming upon an Amphitheater. It was built in a small clearing, at the bottom of a hill. Constructed in semicircular shape it had rows of bench type benches  made of concrete. The bike path ran down the hill, directly toward the benches. Just before reaching them, it curved to the left, to avoid the last row, then continued on behind, and away from the theater. Pausing at the top of the hill for a few minutes, we agreed to continue down the hill and past the Amphitheater.

A minute or so before biking down the hill, it started sprinkling. Not a lot but, enough to wet everything, most importantly, the trail's dusty surface. I didn't feel this would be a problem. We've ridden in the rain before. Sonny, my friend, and I started down the hill. Trudy and Pat, our wives, would follow once we reached the bottom. I was first down the hill and gained speed quickly. Sonny, was close behind. In just a few seconds it was time to grab the brakes to slow down but, nothing happened. The brakes were wet. I squeezed them with all my strength.....nothing. My speed was increasing. In another few seconds I'd reach the curve at the bottom. I was going to fast, I'd never make it. If I continued straight, I'd crash into the cement benches, and be turned into a large pile of Jelly, not a good option. My only chance was to get away from my bike. I took one foot off the pedal, and stretched for the pavement. I pushed off hard away from the bike. In an instant I was slammed onto the pavement. Severe pain shot through me. Pressure in my neck felt like it was going to explode. All the air in my chest was gone. It felt like an eternity before I could inhale a breath. My body slid to a stop. At the same time, Sonny was dealing with the same problem. I found out later that he was able to veer off the path and crash onto the grass. He was ok. Did I forget to mention, I removed my t-shirt before starting down the hill? It wouldn't have made any difference. Slowly, I sat up, regaining my senses. First thing was to survey the damage. My chest and stomach looked like raw hamburg. Both hands and elbows severely scrapped. My knees took some damage..luckily I was wearing jeans. I had gone down flat on my chest, and it took the worst hit. 

The wives quickly walked their bikes down the hill to where Sonny and I were sitting, clearly concerned about our conditions. After reassuring them that we were able to  get up and move about, we painfully made our way back to the car, loaded the bikes on and returned to our motel.  I didn't get medical attention. I felt I could take care of myself...after all, what would the hospital do that I couldn't? I didn't need stitches, no broken bones. I just needed to prevent any infection. That night was and I shivered incessantly, probably from partial shock. The wounds started to dry and begin the healing process, I was in agony. My skin felt like it was crawling. I tried applying soothing lotion to the wounds but, it was too painful. The next morning we left the Cape and returned home.

A few days later, I returned to work. One of my friends, a Doctor of Sports Medicine, asked why I looked uncomfortable. When I told him my story and showed him the injuries, he smiled and said, ' You're lucky..if you had a t-shirt on it would cost money to replace...skin grows back for free!' it was clear I wasn't getting any sympathy from him.

In a few weeks, my wounds healed completely. I would ride again but, not in the rain. I like to know I can STOP when I want too.....

Jake T

It was supposed to be a fun day....

We were on the 'Yankee', a 60' fishing boat, heading out of Harwich port on Cape Cod. She's carrying a large number of fishermen, including my friend Sonny and me. We're hoping to enjoy about five hours of deep sea fishing. Neither of us has much experience but, there can't be much to it. Just hang your line over the side and wait for a bite. If you run into a problem, the deck hands are there. They can bait a hook for the squeamish or cut away tangled lines. The entire crew consists of the Captain and two deck hands. 

Having cast off, the Yankee heads out from the protection of the Marina. She heads for deeper water. The weather is not good. Clouds and a stiff breeze blowing makes for a lot of 'chop'....small waves but, coming in all directions. Motoring out from the protection of the harbor the waves grow larger. The Yankee slices through them with ease. The up and down motion of the Yankee's bow plowing through the waves is exciting.....at first. People are busy getting their fishing gear ready. The deck hands are helping with baiting hooks and giving instructions to those that need them. Others are finding their spot along the gunnel so they can start fishing. After a long time and a long way from shore, the Captain announces that we are approaching a good fishing area. He throttles back the engines and circles a large area for a few minutes. Then suddenly, he kills the engines. We're adrift. Now things will get interesting.

Lots of chatter and excitement, no one notices the boat has stopped and is starting to 'rock and roll'. Many begin opening coolers and drinking their first beer...others start munching on sandwiches. My friend and I have dropped our lines over the side and are concentrating on our fishing poles and hoping for a bite. People moving to and from the concession bar. A few kids running around the deck.
 
Then it starts. Gradually at first. One here. One there. People start to turn a pale shade of green. The enthusiasm has waned and the smiles are gone. Not many are talking. Can sea sickness be far off? Answer..NO...within a few minutes this happy fishing boat has turned into a large bunch of sea sick individuals. No one is interested in fishing any more. The constant undulating Yankee has put an end to that. The only one seemingly  unaffected is Sonny. He's holding onto the gunnel with one hand, and fishing with the other. Meanwhile I'm beginning feeling that awful sensation. The boat's rolling action is having it's effect on me also. I feel small waves of nausea creeping in. I'm swallowing hard and often. I'm a sailor and have never been sea sick. I can't imagine spending the next five hours, before returning to port, being sea sick. With much effort I manage to get the nausea under control. After a while I manage to shake it off. I'm feeling much better. I turn my attention back to fishing. Others are not so lucky. The boat's bathroom is a disaster..you can use your imagination on that one..people are lying about the deck or hanging over the gunnel. Even the doorway into the boat's galley is blocked by a crumpled up individual to sick to move. The fun day, that was supposed to be a day of deep sea fishing, has turned into a 'hurry up and get us back to shore', OR 'if we stay out another minute, I'd rather die'!

The weather hasn't let up. Many pleas from passengers finally convince the captain to head back in early. Once under way the sickening motion is gone. The Yankee plows through the rough seas with ease. Eventually we reach the relative calm of the Marina's harbor. People begin returning to normal, regaining their composure. Once we reach the dock...they can't get off the Yankee fast enough. Solid ground feels so good. Sonny and I Managed to catch some nice fish and once my stomach settles down....I'm going out for a steak...oh, did I forget to mention...I don't eat fish. Never have. I can't explain why I went out fishing in the first place.

I know one thing...I'm so happy I don't have to clean that boat!!