Press Release 03.10.2006

 

Weekend Race Report

by Amy Dunkin
WV squad - Mazza Vineyards / Inferno Racing Team

Le'Espirit Road Race - LaGrange, KY -3-4-2006

What a great day to race. The sun was shinng, temps were a little chilly 35 degrees, but lots of cyclists were out and everything looked good for my first road race of 2006.

Staggered starts began at 12pm. There were 235 cyclists that showed up. The womens class had 15 riders of all cats.1,2,3, and 4. That was a great turnout for the women.

We begin our race and I manevoured up closer to the front so as to stay out of trouble since there were a number of us racing. I have always been told by my cycling teammates to try to stay near the front less likely to be involved in a crash. So I am in third position in the right line at this point.

So we are all riding along and all was good in the world. the women were in two lines pacing nicely. We had to complete three 9 mile laps. Great course, with rolling and flat roads. We picked up a little speed and got into a single line on a slight decent then we regrouped and were back in two lines. I was third in the left line now and really enjoying the race. we were about 8 miles in to the 27 mile race.

Then it happened...

We had a huge crash.

I don't remember what happened as I was knocked unconscious upon impact. I think I was out or twnelty minutes but I am not sure. I regained while being put in the ambulance. I could not rember anything aboutthe wreck how, when , or why it happened. All I remember was we were riding along and then the next thing I know I am waking up in the ambulance.

There were 15 women riding in paired lines. I was third in the left line and everything was good and then I woke up in the ambulance.  Apparently 9 of the 15 went down.

I think a total of four or six of the nine went to the hsopital but just two of us by ambulance, myself and Linda Burry of Team Louisville.

We were on a straight stretch, nothing on the course was very steep just rolling. We were definitely going over 20mph. We were only 8 miles into the
30 mile race,3 lap course.

I went down on my left side. The helmet I am sure saved my brain and maybe my life. Apparenlty the hard impact of the road hitting my head caused my sunglasses to make large cut over the back corner of my left eybrow. My left shoulder and hip took a lot of impact but no brakes showed up in the xrays and my cat scan was good. I did get some road rash on the left hip, knee, and shoulder.

Apparently my lower teeth must have slammed upward into my upper teeth and one of my front teeth got craked and was only hangingin on because the gum was holding it in. Which was good otherwise the nerve would have been exposed.Dr. My dentist worked on my teeth for a few hours Sunday. Got my first root canal too. So I now have a new tooth.

I got word what may have happened was that someone in the right line swerved to miss some gravel and that caused the whole crash. No  blame on
anyone. These things do happen. Just the first time for me in 10 years of racing.

Luckily Bruce Miller and Billy Hart, my friends and teammates, rode to the race with me and they took good care of me and provide great support.

Billy and Bruce were racing in the Cat.4,5, & citizen group of 80 cyclists. On their second lap Bruce went to the left of the ambulance he saw the women had a crash. He did not see me so he thought I was okay, thenhe saw my bike. He jumped off of his bike and ran to the ambulance. He rode in the front of the ambulance with me to the hospital. The paramedic let him use her phne to call Billy's cell and left a message to come to the hospital.

Billy had gone to the right of the ambulance and di not see me or my bike. S he finsihed the race in the pack. As he was waiting wondering where Bruce was he overheard some women talking about the wreck and he realized I was not in either. So he hustled back to the car and found the message on his cell. He gathered our bikes and met us at the hospital.

I highly recomend these guys if you ever have a crash. they were great support. Thanks guys.

  So that is what happened. I thought being in the front would have kept me out of the wrecks. Oh well.

  I am not scared to ride. I am sure I may have some anxiety when I line up at my next race. But I am not gong to let this keep me from doing what I
love and is usually very good for my health.

And yes my bike is trashed. I need two new wheels, new handlebars, new fork, and possibly new frame.

Until then I will be on the trainer, and weights. Might take the MTB out for a ride.

3-15-2006 - Update on Amy

I spent last week just resting and sleeeping. I was tired and sore. I have my stickes removed now and I hope the Mederma I am using will help the scar fade. My black bruised left hip/thigh area is fading by changin to a multitude of colors. I am on the trainer now, since Monday and doing fine. My legs feel good and my heartrate is doing it's normal thing.

3-15-2006 - Update on Linda Burry of Team Louisville involved in the crash.

With all that happened to me I was the better of the two hurt worst. The other woman, Linda Burry, had broken ribs and they lacerated her kidney, pancreas and lung. She has been in ICU at Univ. of Louisville hospital and they were hoping her kideny might repair itself since she is so healthy and in shape. She is 42 year old. The last word I heard was that her body was begining to recover and her organs were starting to function more regularly. She was suppoe to be moved out of ICU this past weekend. When I called on Sat. the hsopital said she was still in ICU. I plan on calling today to check on her we have all been thinking and praying for her fast and complete recovery.