Riding the overgrown "shoulder" of the A4130 - Nettlebed to Henley - I hit a thick windfallen branch which wobbled me and then launched me straight into the road - right into the path of very fast traffic coming up from behind. I was lying face down trying to get unclipped and get up, and waiting to become roadkill. I thought "This is it... this is how it ends..."
By some miracle I launched into a gap in the traffic... I just got out of the way before a horse transporter whistled by inches from my head with its horns blasting.
The thing is... I can't shake it, I can't stop thinking about it, didn't sleep last night, adrenalin is still pumping nearly 24 hours later - I feel like I've had a bowl of amphetamine, can't concentrate on my job. What's going on? I feel like I am going mad.
Buzzin! 😯
Are you absolutely sure that you're still alive?
[i]What's going on?[/i]
your body's worked out it's alive and wants to stay that way, your fight or flight reflex won't calm down so keeps flooding the system with chemicals.
Which given you've been scared shitless is probably understandable.
'you just had a near life experience' - Tyler Durden
jeezus thats lucky!
i had a bus pass me but swerve in to avoid a motorist on the other side of the road. it only clipped me at about 25 and flipped me over the bars, fracturing 4 vertebrae. that was 12 years ago and it took me 2 years to get back on a bike and it still hurts every single day. im lucky in a way that i work shifts as i would never commute in busy traffic again.
Been there. Tripped into the road and lay there while a truck drove straight over the top with it's tyres about 4 inches from my head. Waited until it had passed and rolled into the gutter shaking.
About 3 days to stop flinching at the sound of a car passing.
About 3 months before the flash backs stopped.
That is awesome. Do you reckon life would be better if you had approximately one near death experience every week?
That is awesome. Do you reckon life would be better if you had approximately one near death experience every week?
Nah, then it'd become mundane.
time off and see the dr, this is a heavy trauma, poss a little something to help things calm down? ive stared it in the face a few times in my life, it will pass and just know your luck was in and your still here, so be happy... and get down the newsagents for a lotto ticket.
I can do you a good deal on upping your life insurance if you like 😉
MTFU dude!
Back in Nam, just before the Tet offensive Charlie came over the wire next to my position. I spent 11 hours in intensive hand to hand combat. Even now I can't pass a Chinese takeaway without the reflex to grab my ankle knife or grasp around for a M16.
Have you played the lottery this week yet? With your luck I think you should.
Glad you're ok, the scary stuff might go on its own but seek professional help if in doubt. I can vouch for counselling (sadly), it works better than expected.
Probably poor road positioning, or lack of lights on your bike or something. Either that or nothing dangerous happened at all and it's just your imagination...
"wobbled me and then launched me straight into the road"
Have you informed the Police that a branch tried to push you infront of traffic ?
how's the bike?
That's what you get for using SPDs
The "quick, get a lottery ticket" comments always make me chuckle (I make them as well by the way) but, he is the only one who nearly died yesterday, he is the one who got ambushed by a twig/branch/log and got pinged into the road... and that's lucky!!!!!
Damn straight you are still wound up, it was a near miss, and no more likely to happen again so be thankful that it was an unusual thing that happened and do something relaxing whilst you say thank you anyone and everyone you think you need to, but with luck like that, I wouldn't waste my money on a lottery ticket 🙂
ps, very glad you are ok you lucky bugger 😉
Glad you are ok, good job for surviving, but:
I just got out of the way before a horse transporter whistled by inches from my head with its horns blasting.
FFS! People beeping at you, "hey stop lying in the road you silly fellow!" As if you're out to inconvenience them... 🙄
Anyway re the current level of anxiety - as above, the effects of this kind of thing last for a while.
Yes, the devils pedals certainly seperate the men from the boys.
Use it as a positive, look forward, make some plans. Get out on your bike.
Thats what i did after being taken out by a car hitting me head on.
And yes i was clipped in and i didn't die.
I knew there'd be a MTFU somewhere in there.
Manager's giving me the afternoon off... gonna see the doc, see what he says.
Bike (and me) are otherwise fine - a few scrapes, and Gore bibs shredded.
It was weird how I got "launched" - I was trying to fall left, and I felt the suspension compress and got flipped to the right instead -that's the "Oh My God" moment.
... and thanks for the kind responses.
Now go back and ride the path AGAIN. NOW! Attack it like its insulted your mother, really give it some. Take that BITCH!
OP just be thankful you didn't have Charlie around
[i]Manager's giving me the afternoon off[/i]
that's very good of them 🙂
IF this had been me I'd be playing it down so no one started mentioning how dangerous a past time I indulge in and perhaps I'm gettign too old for it 😉
gonna see the doc, see what he says.
IME the doc's won't really be that much help - and even if they refer you to NHS counselling it could be 3-6 months before you get to take that up. I was pretty well unable to function after my accident and so it wasn't really viable to wait that long - fortunately I was able to sort something independently which did help to sort myself out again.
Have you informed the Police that a branch tried to push you infront of traffic ?
It was probably Special Branch, undercover.
Back in Nam, just before the Tet offensive Charlie came over the wire next to my position. I spent 11 hours in intensive hand to hand combat. Even now I can't pass a Chinese takeaway without the reflex to grab my ankle knife or grasp around for a M16.
LMFAO. Seriously. 🙂
I was imagining Hora's words, in the voice of Charlie Sheen.
OP, in a nice way. Seriously MTFU. Think, put it into perspective and move on.
So if the Doc gives you anti-depressants etc. Do you think your near miss has given you a positive reason to live?
Don't dwell on it, take the positive that you are unharmed and run with it. Think of what you'd like to do now- what you've been putting off and do it.
Take something positive out of the experience - your alive, revel in it.
FFS. 20yrs ago I was in a car that somersaulted many times. You know what I did when I got out? I lived life. I didn't think 'oh shit Im now depressed.
Firstly glad you're OK and you'll get over it.
Secondly, don't ride near roads, ride on it at least the traffic can see you and anticipate moving around you.
OR, like me just avoid them full stop. I think riding through undergrowth wasn't the brightest decision you've made and the Doctor can do nothing to help you.
A counsellor may help you talk about it....
Unfortunately for the rest of use Hora "did get off the boat!"
quick ! find a woman whos had a similar near life experience recently and have fantastic 'end of the world' sex
Kimbers - lol
@Hora...
who said anything about being depressed.... I said I feel like I am on speed - my mind is racing like an engine in neutral with the gas held down, and it's freaking me out.
Quick - pick me 6 numbers from 1 to 49.
A few good stiff drinks will calm you down.
try and do it monday morning next time......wake you up properly for the week
good to hear you're ok but did you move said offending branch as someone might not be as lucky as you were.
Ax3M4n, glad you're still with us.
Is that the first time you've been in a situation like that?
Like most I guess, I've had a few close calls over the years but I can honestly say I've never though "this is how it ends". It's always been either over too quickly to think about what to think or, and only rarely, "sh!t... do something about it!"
Any would-be shrinks on the forum?
'cos I have to admit, I enjoy that feeling of coming close to disaster and getting away with it.
Have others really thought "this is how it ends" at the time?
Just interested.
First time i came down skiddaw in a bout 2002 I was buzzing for about 2 days, just fizzing on adrenaline. It will subside im sure, might want sleeping pills though.
actually i find sleeping with music really calms me down if my mind wont stop buzzing
my mind is racing like an engine in neutral with the gas held down, and it's freaking me out.
yep, that's it.
FFS, whatever you do, don't watch any of the Final Destination movies.
Not because of your experience, just because they're sh1t.
What tyres were you using (for a near death experience)?
They sound rubbish.
Good to still have you with us.
Watch Crash (Cronenberg) and try not to get hooked by the buzz of it all 
"whistled by inches from my head with its horns blasting"
To be fair if it had been relly close he/she wouldnt have had time to react and press their horn.
Talking of near death experiences, I had one as a kid. I fell of a boat on lake coniston. Was the most weird and calm experience I've ever had.
I just remember looking up to the surface and a circular patch of light on the surface getting smaller and smaller and more distant. Strangely at that point I was very calm and relax, in fact I felt very comfortable almost like in a dream.
The next thing I remember is being back on the surface spitting out water, unable to swim as I was in a blind panic and being rescued by a canoeist.
I think that was a proper near death experience. Didnt have any nightmares, depression etc. If anything it made me realise that lifes for living, and that now I wont fear death by drowing.. I dont think.
Back in Nam, just before the Tet offensive Charlie came over the wire next to my position. I spent 11 hours in intensive hand to hand combat. Even now I can't pass a Chinese takeaway without the reflex to grab my ankle knife or grasp around for a M16
Rubbish. We all know you get your nob out.
Op- lucky escape that dude. Chalk it up as one of your nine lives, a good tale for the pub, and don't let it put you off your riding.
Is this what stw is becoming. You have had an amazingly lucky escape. You should be thanking your lucky stars etc etc etc. What you mostly should be doing is smiling and being happy. I had a similar situation when i was younger where i ended up staring head-on into a set of headlights and it missed me by mm's. Why think about it, its not as though you could a) Forsee it, b) Do anything to avoid the a similar situation in the future. Smile and walk on.
Glass half full, half empty. Too many on stw are half empty people which is why there are so many depression and suicide threads
[i]Too many on stw are half empty people which is why there are so many depression and suicide threads[/i]
I think. You'll find. That's bollocks.
+1 DezB - in fact the only mentions of depression on this thread have been from 2 people complaining about people talking about depression on this thread.
Too many on stw are half empty people which is why there are so many depression and suicide threads
FAIL.
OP - if this is a 'proper' 'sidewalk'/cyclepath rather than just a bit of scub at the side of the road then I'd be getting onto the council, explainign what happened and asking for it to be cleared.
You don't need to be contemplating a law suit to get the problem sorted out and it may save some other person from going through the same experience.
[edit] and littlesthobo - probably time to be moving on if that's all you can contribute to the thread.
Correct me if i am wrong but has the number of depression, suicide, marriage break ups, the world is ending threads increased in the last 12 months?
That wasnt a slight on those effected by (Insert your issue). Its just highlighting that stw is not as positive a place as it should be imo. Most are fit blokes who enjoy getting out and about and should have a lot of positives in their life. The fact that this guy has escaped a serious incident should be celebrated imo with at least 10 pints and a kebab with his mates.
And to those saying fail, bollocks etc. Well excuse me for having my OWN opinion. Have i displayed it on all the other threads. No, i waited for one that had a positive outcome because i thought it would be more appropriate to celebrate. Maybe i should just head off and leave you guys to wallow
but he hasn't said he's depressed - just so wound up and buzzing that he can't settle to anything?
just because people ride bikes for a few hours a week doesn't mnean the rest of their lives are a bed of roses - it may be that they have a lot of stuff to deal with and find this place a good way of doing that. Fair play to them is all I can say - if it works carry on posting.
He didnt say he was suicidal either. I just mentioned those two situations in the context of the post. I didnt say he was getting divorced either but i mentioned it in another post. Oh no!
Wow, personally I feel if he's have jumped the branch like a proper rider he'd have been OK.
Like Hobo said, nice to be alive, so smile.
Why were you on the "overgrown" edge of the road? Was that not asking for trouble, riding where you cannot see any obstacles? It's much simpler to ride on the road itself 🙂
I just remember looking up to the surface and a circular patch of light on the surface getting smaller and smaller and more distant. Strangely at that point I was very calm and relax, in fact I felt very comfortable almost like in a dream
My neice had a similar experience said it was like going to sleep with her eyes open, but I don't think it's that relevant to what the OP has experienced to make a comparison
Glad to hear that the OP's alive well, hope you get over it soon.
I kinda dig what LittlestHobo is saying, but lets face it, there's some right twunts on the forum who take great pleasure in gloating over the misfortunes of others and telling the world how they would have done it better. Its always been that way, I wouldn't let it bother you.
The only time I nearly had my head run over by a car, I was so embarassed about falling off that I just closed my eyes and waited, my legs and arms tangled through my frame, immobile. It missed by milimeters.
Also fell about 80 feet out of a tree and bounced (back to health eventually). In fact, over the many years of scrapes and NDEs (near death experiences!) I don't think I've ever felt anything like the OP describes. I also heartily recommend a stiff drink or ten.
[i]And to those saying fail, bollocks etc. Well excuse me for having my OWN opinion[/i]
So were we.
[i]Most are fit blokes who enjoy getting out and about and should have a lot of positives in their life[/i]
and that's what I get from this site. If it was a miserable "place", I wouldn't come here.
Op now is the time to visit male saunas and bath houses. Won't hurt to try it
"You're never more alive than when you're staring death in the face."
Not sure where I heard that but it's made perfet sense to me on more than one occasion.
Yes, was hit head on whilst crossing near a notorious blind corner. Cleared pretty much the entire car and landed on my back (early '90s bumbag probably saved the base of my spine).
Was physically fine - got up, walked with my bike about 100 metres & then collapsed in shock.
Why do I get the feeling that wiggle is currently processing an order for flats as we speak?
Won't hurt to try it
depends which ends he's at...
What's going on? I feel like I am going mad
No you're not going mad. Ignore the MTFU stuff - different people react in different ways. If you can, find a friend who is happy to listen to the same story 50 times without trying to find a solution or telling you how to fix it - someone who is just happy to listen. You will get over it but bottling it up is like taking immodium when you've got the shits - it doesn't fix it it just delays the inevitable, it's all coming out sometime so better sooner rather than later
Edit: and do it now - not joking. If you can talk it out with friends who will listen over the next few days and listen a lot you will reduce any chances of this having a lasting effect. Wait a week and the effect of talking is reduced
OP ask your GP to arrange to hook you up to a ECG. Those symptoms sound like irregular hear rythm? (Heart racing) and could be symptomatic of a heart problem brought on by stress with this event being the tipping point.
Me personally, I'd have got up and wooped like Pastrana when he totalled that Scoob rally car....
Then gone home and sat in a 'hell-yeah' smokey de-brief whilst listening to some Pink Floyd til I looked like this...
For what its worth I actually agree with Hora re go to quacks just to check out blood pressure and heart beat. If you are not used to being in highly stressful life threatening sitautions the adrenaline dump that you will have suffered will have quite a significant effect. Added to the no doubt flashbacks (each of which will give you another dose of adrenaline) will give you the adrenaline shakes and insomnia.
Make sure you aint hitting the caffeine too heavy and dont resort to alcohol as it is no answer.
Try riding the same section of road as soon as possible but obviously watch out for the branch and once you have not fallen off and had a near death experience it may help you to 'file' the bad memory to where it should be in your brains long term memory store. there are some self help techniques on the internet for filing memories that can cause post traumatic stress.
In clebration of cheating the grim reaper I would get a tattoo 😉
Dont realy understand how you'd know that
[i]I feel like I've had a bowl of amphetamine[/i]
I think like most posters on STW you are making it up google
[b]Confabulation[/b]
To last poster... I wasn't making anything up. Bowl of amphetamine -misspent youth, I'm not some goody-two-shoes.
Doc said pretty much what some have said on here ... bodies natural reaction, adrenalin dump, heightened senses etc. Remedy - early night, and a book - i.e. try to relax - come back in a day or two if still fizzing. In reality - went down the pub with my mate and played darts. I'm alright now, just couldn't understand why I was so wired 24 hours later.
To those "depression, suicide posters" - I don't know wtf you are on about.
To the - go to a male sauna and bath houses - sounds a bit iffy. I don't think I'll bother - not my cup of tea.
To the rest of you, thanks for the encouragement - all good remedy
I was in a mild car accident last December (thru fence at 15 mph, I was the front seat passenger, no one hurt, car smashed up a bit), and it knocked me off-centre for at least 24 hours... couldn't sleep, accident kept replaying in my head etc. It passes. Your experience sounds much more intense, so I think it is natural to be buzzing for a few days. I know I was nervous as a passenger for a few weeks after my mild crash, so I guess you'll be over cautious on the bike... maybe time for a nice relaxing cross-country-avoiding-roads ride with some pals?