Posted by Ken (aka kadley) on AttackPoint at 17:17 PST: Hi all — we’re on the road trying to catch up with Greg, Brad, Eddie and Dave. We just went by Phoenix, so should make it to them by Pagosa Springs. They are only 25 minutes behind the next team, who also lost time due to an accident. We were off the road for almost 5 hours while my injuries were assessed.

My crash occurred on the downgrade to Salton City, CA. This was after an earlier descent off Mt Palomar area where the road drops 4,000′ over 10 miles — a sustained 10% grade. On that run my max speed was just under 50 mph. Fortunately I was a bit slower for the crash — 35 mph. I got hit with a gust from a side canyon just as I hit some rough rutted pavement. The front wheel started to shimmy in resonance. Quickly it was out of control and I was over the handlebars.

The follow van was behind me. Greg said I tucked my head under and hit first on my back and tumbled. They blocked traffic with the van. Another RAAM team stopped to help and a volunteer fireman called the EMT’s .

I recall being asked some silly questions like who I was and what I was doing, and had no answers for any of them.

The damage was a busted clavicle, which required some minor surgery, 4 broken ribs, lots of lost skin from my back, arm, hip and leg, and 4 staples in the back of my head. My helmet is reduced to pieces, but it did its job well.

Thanks for everyone’s concern — Ken