I never thought I would be writing about this again, but it happened. A car struck me while I rode my bike. Again. On the long weekend, May 18th 2026 to be exact, I wanted to ride 160km in preparation for my first 100 mile ultra for the following week. Speed was not on my mind (and to be honest, I rarely go for speed anymore, I just enjoy the ride. Unless it’s a sanctioned race of course). My goal was just completing the distance in a mentally difficult way. To do 25km loops around Hamilton until it was achieved. On the second loop, I decided to make it a bigger loop and ride in an area I rarely ride in.
As I rode through a green light on the bike lane, a vehicle in front of me did not check their blindspot, turned right in an entrance ahead of the light, and hit me. As the vehicle began to turn, I acted as quickly as I could. I screamed at the driver, hit their window to get their attention, and slowed down. No response. I was lucky enough to slow down but I went down once the car struck me.
I remember flying off my bike and hearing my helmet hit the pavement. I just laid there and could not believe what had just happened. It was quick. I was on the bike lane riding and doing everything right and I still got hit. Again.
A woman saw it all and called 911. I didn’t panic this time but the adrenaline was real. I got up immediately, checked my body, and saw my bike’s wheel completely turned. I then focused back on myself. I just wanted to be ok. The driver who hit me stayed. I could walk. There was no blood. I was alive. My mind was racing but I acted calm from the outside. I was in shock. More bystanders came to assist.
EMS arrived. I called my sister, no answer. I then called my father and calmly told him that I was hit while cycling, was fine (adrenaline was numbing the pain), and that the ambulance would be taking me to the hospital. A large bump started developing on my left elbow, I immediately asked the paramedics to provide ice to reduce the swelling. The paramedics again did a fantastic job. They then put on a neck brace on in case there was a spine issue. This was a bit alarming but it was a new protocol for any bicycle accidents. It was voluntary to do but I kept it on. I wasn’t taking any risks.
I arrive at the hospital, and I am then put in the waiting room since I could walk. The paramedics said because of my fit build, I would most likely be fine especially compared to others they see in these type of accidents. It was relieving to hear but the fear was still there. It was still a traumatic experience. The aftermath and years after this accident, it will come back to my haunt me.
About 6-8 hours later at the hospital, I was discharged by the doctor. They took X-rays of my left elbow and CT scans of my head. I mentioned to the doctor, I had been hit in the past. A concussion was diagnosed from the headaches I began to get at the hospital. Again, in my mind was, ‘should i keep cycling?’
It is now Wednesday May 27 and I haven’t gone back to work as I heal. I have headaches and bruises. I finally saw my bike and it’s in rough condition. The tri bar bar is slightly bent. The electronic shifting on the bar is broken. There’s noticeable scrapes. The integrity of the frame is lost from the hit I took. Everything but the tri bars is carbon fibre. Aluminum was bent. Do I ride this again? I won’t.
Health wise. Mentally, I feel strong with less headaches but I’m still reluctant to ride and put my family at risk from external factors that could end my life. Physically, I’m banged up and recovering but I feel less damaged. I don’t want my family having to care for me for my selfish endeavours. Additionally, I just got my motorcycle license and I stepped back.
I got lucky, again. I could have been a paraplegic or dead. The person who stuck me was charged. I think about what i wrote 5 years ago and now I contemplate, is road riding over? I still love triathlons but I may have to train like Lionel sanders, train indoors from being in too many accidents. He’s been hit 4 times.
Listening to the medical professionals who have been treating me, I cannot go back to training yet. I can only swim and walk. I think this is a sign to just study my butt off until September and get those damn LSAT results, leave Hamilton, and follow my dreams. Everything happens for a reason and this is a key time to study as I heal and reflect on my life.
I think I will only blog this year and then make a video once I’ve been accepted to law school. I hope you are all doing well and I hope whatever barrier you are facing, you tackle it on and overcome it. Anything can be overcome. I am proof. Cycling will still happen, but for now it’ll be indoors after recovery. I will post about my revised goals soon.