Like I Said…
Crash, Visalia crit, sequoia classic nrc March 17th, 2008The bike owns you-
Nasty crash in Visalia. Ended up with a big hematoma on the side of my right ass, messed my middle finger up pretty good along with a variety of other road rash type injuries. Thank god for helmets and glasses though as my head is what took the brunt of the fall. The helmet is cracked in several places. Oakley racing jackets probably saved my eye from serious injury, someone’s pedal would have ended up touching my cornea otherwise. Thanks Oakley!
I’ll spend the next week recovering and getting ready for the next go round, coach says there’s nothing to worry about. So I’ll do just that, NOT WORRY! 
Here’s a link to the race video- Cycle To. I felt pretty good and went off the front for a few laps early on, maybe 2 laps in, and then the crash…
Seriously though, I love this sport. There’s just enough blood, tears, and suffering to appease my inner sicko.
Redlands here I come!
Lizzer
March 17th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I so want to just take care of you. AND help you with your wounds too!
March 17th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
awww get better soon!!!!
March 17th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
I am prolly the only 42 year-old stright male who likes to visit your site to check out your playlist. You can while away your recovery week by listening to the cribs, the new stephen malkmus OR get really good medicine by snagging some tix to the verve on april 23rd at the Warfield….love all the tunes from the bends, I saw them on that tour and they crushed it. Anyway, keep the good tunes blaring and get better.
Metz
March 17th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
CTodd: Right now you are down and out and feeling really crappy
Liz: I’ll say.
CTodd: And when I see how sad you are It sort of makes me…
Happy!
Liz: Happy?
CTodd: Sorry, Lizzy, human nature-
Nothing I can do! It’s… Schadenfreude!
Making me feel glad that I’m not you.
Liz: Well that’s not very nice, CTodd!
CTodd: I didn’t say it was nice! But everybody does it!
D’ja ever clap when a waitress falls and drops a tray of glasses?
And ain’t it fun to watch good bike racers falling on their asses?
Liz: Um…
CTodd: Don’tcha feel all warm and cozy, watching riders out in the rain!
It’s Schadenfreude!
People taking pleasure in your pain!
Liz: Oh, Schadenfreude, huh?
What’s that, some kinda Nazi word?
CTodd: Yup! It’s German for “happiness at the misfortune of others!”
Liz: “Happiness at the misfortune of others?” That is German!
Watching a Christine Vardaros being told she just ate chicken
CTodd: Or watching Michale Ball realize his sponsors are all sick of him!
Liz: Racing on a criterium corner when somebody shouts “Hold the line!”
Together: “No!!!”
Schadenfreude!
CTodd: “Fuck you asshole, that’s what curbs are for!”
March 17th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
HAHA CTodd, you are a special special person.
I’m actually digging my black eye… “I’m a pirate!”
March 17th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
You are not alone. My favourite was in bad luck as well.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2008/mar08/tirreno08/index.php?id=/photos/2008/mar08/tirreno08/tirreno085/bettiniphoto_0024650_1_full
MichaelZ
March 17th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
That’s what they said when I was a kid. Something about the short bus…
March 17th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
is there video?
March 17th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Liz… may I call you Liz? Do you see a deeper meaning here? A pattern? A couple of days ago you posted a picture of yourself reclining in the bathtub, drunk off your ass, saying “look at my pretty legs.” Yet such assets have drawn a lot of negative attention from anonymous trolls. Then you post a video of someone else’s wreck (foreshadowing?), and finally we have you defacing your own pretty legs. Is this all coincidence? Does this follow a pattern recently seen with a number of blonde starlets?
March 17th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Sheee-it, Hatcher, you did a good job.
March 17th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
I promise I will never wish you good luck before a race again. My bad.
M.
March 17th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
The Velo Girls hold very instructional classes on race tactics, keeping rubber side down, holding your line, etc. Glad you weren’t seriously hurt or seriously hurt me — again!
March 17th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Cool. Liz, you and Laura Van Gilder can both go to the Velo Girls class together!
Glad to hear you are up and about enough to post pics and think about the next race.
Prost! (< --cuz I don't know how to say that in Flemish)
Sabine
March 17th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Thanks for the awesome beer glasses, Sabine!!! Can’t wait to use them
March 17th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Maybe you could play bike polo to sharpen your skills… that seems applicable. It’s like watching porn and thinking you’re good in bed…
March 17th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Aww, Liz. Man, you lucky it wasn’t more serious! Heal soon. I will see you soon!
Hugs,
~Mel
March 17th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
hey … i just realized that Sabine gave away some of our cooler glasses.
that shit ain’t right.
March 17th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
I can’t wait to drink something bottle conditioned out of those bad-boys! It’s like heaven delivered the best glasses ever! Sabine and Michael RULE THE FRIGGIN’ EARTH!
March 17th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
once you try cyclocross you’ll never go back…you get to crash on people, grass, mud or dirt…and get beer hand-ups at the same time!
March 17th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Think you may be right, Anon.
Cross has been calling my name since I developed a little crush on a certain cross racer a while back… plus mud, beer and skinsuits= bliss!
Also, any chance to race against girls like Compton, Lloyd and Vardaros can’t suck.
March 18th, 2008 at 12:31 am
…you’re a tough cookie, kiddo…sorry to hear ya crashed but i’m betting yer up & back at it by tuesday…
…get smooth, stay tough…
March 18th, 2008 at 3:16 am
CTodd knows how to talk to the ladies. I gotta get some game like that.
Keep posting those body parts. I’ll soon have a Liz collage.
Only 5 1/2 months till cross season.
March 18th, 2008 at 3:37 am
Hey Liz,
Check out mikemonastero.blogspot.com for a different take on those same Oakleys, let me know what you think, lotsa stitches and a pretty cool pic, just scroll down. You now have another road rash picture for your files. Lucky, I guess, if you have to crash. Heal well…
March 18th, 2008 at 4:32 am
Sorry to hear the news Liz. Hope you have a fast recovery!
March 18th, 2008 at 5:16 am
Tough break on the crash. Gives you an excuse to completely mummify yourself in fish net gauze next time you race…
March 18th, 2008 at 5:50 am
Ha! “coach says there’s nothing to worry about” Such comforting words coach…
“There’s just enough blood, tears, and suffering to appease my inner sicko.” My inner sicko, love it! You are so cool! Glad you OK and nice you can see the funny side!
Maybe you can get wear some gauze like those euro cyclists… you’ll fit right in!
Hope you mend quick
CT
March 18th, 2008 at 6:17 am
Ouch… I don’t know about Shadenfrowhatever, but from a now healthy standpoint, looking back at my past crash pics/x-rays makes me feel way better than I ought to! Now it makes me want to get in there and eat shit with the big guns! Now does that make any sense?
March 18th, 2008 at 6:17 am
Hey Liz!
Just found your blog! Cool thing!
Hope you get better as soon as possible to hit the roads again. Not to mention beers and baths…
Please, can you let me know how can I buy your 2008 team clothes.
Thanks.
Tom H.
March 18th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Know that the pain will pass, we are made strong by what we overcome.
March 18th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Nice header
.
I love the video! Didn’t realize the field was so big when I was in it…
Rest up & get healthy before Redlands. That’s going to be one hell of a weekend!
March 18th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Nice dig off the front, nasty spill in the corner. Best luck with the recovery. (Here’s the hematoma/bruise/swelling-reduction super-secret [don't tell anyone]: witch hazel and alcohol in equal parts, soak a wash cloth in it, gently wring it out and then put it on the injured area; as the cloth gets hot, dunk in the mixture again and return to injury. not sure why it works, but it’s incredible.)
March 18th, 2008 at 9:51 am
I wish I was a big ol’ bandaid!
-Greybeard
March 18th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Liz,
Glad to hear you survived. I hear you are doing Copperopolis. All I can say is that you are tougher than I am. I wish you a speedy recovery and thanks for linking us.
-Eric
March 18th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Bummer
March 18th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I think we need to shoot you again, just like this! Hope you heal soon!
March 18th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Liz Hatch, you’re my hero
March 18th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Liz-
So glad you’re still mostly in one piece. The bike and the helmet looked kind of messed up, as well.
Take care now!
Sonja
March 18th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
I hope it wasn’t the Achel Bruin 8 , on Friday , that caused this.
March 18th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
careful liz…. i jumped back into racing the nature valley stage race shortly after my “big crash” of the season (just one k to the sprint finish in philly). the stage race actually set me back even further in the healing process with my injuries, which were similar to yours. the rest of my season was a wash because i pushed my little self too soon……there will ALWAYS be another race. make sure your body is ready for the strain. seriously.
March 19th, 2008 at 5:31 am
Sorry to hear that Liz, hope u get better soon
I know the pain, i’ve been hit by a car last saturday and have a broken shoulder… no “god is back” hill for me this year
March 19th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Glad you’re still in one piece. I doubt that cross-skills were of any use in this case but it may be a good idea. If that doesn’t work, try fourcross or bmx. Nothing better for honing your close-combat skills.
Anyway, this blog is getting addictive. Makes me wanna get a roadbike again. Grrrrr
March 19th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Get better soon… You know there are 2 types of cyclists: Those who fall and those who will fall…
March 19th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
You just keep loving life…and know where you are in it. Be wise in recovery. I am sorry this happened.
March 19th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Liz,
Totally sweet crash, yo! Epic to say the least. Get some rest and I hope that your middle finger gets better; it’s a valuable communication tool on the road, yeah?
March 19th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Ouch, that looks more painful than my crash I just had…plus you had photographers taking your picture, the only pics I have of mine is from the emergency room and at home after. Hope your starting to feel better and havent lost too much sleep with the road rash
March 20th, 2008 at 2:40 am
Considering your my space theme, maybe now would be a better time to do another Maxim shoot?
March 21st, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I can’t believe no one asked what happened? Clipped handlebars? Someone didn’t hold their line? What caused the crash? It is difficult to tell from the video. Well, maybe someone did ask that question yet I am too lazy to scroll through the comments. Sorry for the repost of a question (if so).
March 27th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
’tis the season.
you, tyler in P/N, gerdemanns in tirreno adriatico, I made a skin pizza on a training ride 2 weeks ago and the bruising is now in that nice weird yellow/brown phase…everyones coming out for a taste of spring chip and seal.
check out our friend over at BKW for his post on the crash and read through the comments for a little bit of crash compassion.
stories of losing ears/hearing and the thoughts that accompany crashes make the pain feel better.
shiny side up-rubber side down. stay fast and stay scary.
March 29th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
hope you’re feeling better!
http://www.thebroadbandracer.com/fly.aspx?taxid=65&layout=player&videoid=301
http://www.actionimages.cc/viewImage.php?pid=CYC-SVT1489&gid=CYC-SV1
April 4th, 2008 at 5:18 am
liz
glad you were not seriously hurt
heal up and get back on the bike
sadly crashing is part of pushing it
-jg
April 4th, 2008 at 6:10 am
Ouch! So it has been a few weeks since the crash now. I hope you are feeling a lot better and starting to lose some of those crazy colors.