I also went to MADE this year as part of the setup crew! Since this was my third time in Portland in five years, my main reason for going was to get a real feel for the local scene and the vibe of SimWorks fans firsthand.
While our special correspondent Shige and our representative Tanaka have covered the event itself, and Eri-tsin has written a report on the rides, I—who was in charge of snacks and sub-content during MADE—would like to share a few stories from the rides we took after the show.
I suspect that injuries while riding often happen in the latter half when fatigue starts to build up.
I had a solo crash while riding the C2C Trail after MADE, and since my correspondent instincts kicked in and I took photos of my injury at every step, I'd like to share a brief report on it.
Thinking back on it now that I’ve almost fully recovered, I guess it wasn't a major injury, but because of the anxiety of the unknown—not knowing how bad it was or if it would get worse—I ended up changing my itinerary and taking it easy for the rest of the trip. (I enjoyed that part too, so it’s all good!)
About 10km before reaching the campsite in the final stretch, we hit a pleasant single-track. Once we cleared this, we’d finally be at the camp. It was getting dark in the mountains and the descent felt a little cold, but thinking we’d be there soon, I didn't bother putting on the long pants I’d brought. I was pedaling at a good pace, feeling great as I chased Serena, who was riding briskly ahead until she disappeared from view—completely forgetting that the bike I’d borrowed didn't have suspension. (I used to guide MTB tours at Yamabushi Trail Tour, so my old instincts just kicked in.)
By the time I realized it, I was going faster than I thought, and after failing to clear a series of road gaps, it was all over—I had a "jackknife" crash! I flew forward and to the right, landing on my head, but as you can see in the photos, the sides were covered in soft, cushiony undergrowth. My helmet’s chin strap was securely fastened, so other than a little "ouch" when getting up, I was completely fine… except for the wound on my leg.
(Just minutes before, I had momentarily taken off my helmet because it was hot... I was so glad I had put it back on properly.)
Kelsea, who was attending the ride, had brought a first aid kit, so we applied pressure and headed to the day's destination, the campsite. There was no cell service at the site, and without knowing the proper treatment, we pooled everyone’s knowledge and decided to just wash it with water and apply compression to stop the bleeding—that was the extent of our care for the day (and as it turned out, we weren't wrong).
So, after watching everyone else ride the next day and returning home at night, I went to the hospital the day after that, but they told me it was too late for stitches, so I had no choice but to wait for it to heal naturally lol.
Even though I had to wait for it to heal naturally, there were moments when my lower leg swelled up a few days later, or I felt anxious because I didn't know if the hospital diagnosis was standard. I took the plunge and posted my status on SNS, and the messages I received from experts in various fields gave me a huge amount of mental support. Thank you all so much.
When I got injured, Curtis from RETROTEC said to me, "You can always look at that scar and remember Oregon," which really lifted my spirits—a true American move. Since the scar will probably last a lifetime, maybe I should get a tattoo over it?
I know there are many types and degrees of injuries and trouble that can happen while cycling. While advanced issues need to be left to the professionals, I think we have to handle minor things—even those that don't necessarily require changing your itinerary—by ourselves. I truly believe that the injury I experienced this time is one that is common in cycling, and one that you can handle if you know how.
After going through all of this, I started thinking I could share the healing process, how to see a doctor in the US, the importance of insurance and the procedures involved, what to be careful about on rides based on my experience, and the first aid kit I actually used—so I made a ZINE!
I also learned the basics of modern wound care, so I've compiled everything I can share based solely on my personal experience.
Regarding the costs you might be wondering about: going to the hospital and getting a little dab of disinfectant cost about 50,000 yen per visit! I relied on my insurance and went three times, so that’s 150,000 yen for three dabs.
I wrote about most of the healing process while I was in America, but I put together my first aid kit after returning to Japan. I felt that being able to look at it and use it immediately in an emergency is important for initial response, so in that sense, I think it's better to bring a first aid kit with instructions in your native language.
Now, I pack the following first aid and emergency kit into a dry bag, and keep it close by when traveling by car or attending events.
I bought a few books to help me think about a first aid kit. Each one has very educational basics, but since there are aspects specific to cycling injuries, you have to think and adapt things yourself.
I also attended the First Aid Workshop held recently at Circles; it was a very meaningful seminar where I could hear principles and better choices regarding common cycling injuries and issues, mixed with real-life experiences.
For those who haven't thought much about first aid until now, I think it's a workshop that can change your perspective and way of thinking even if you just take it once.
The next session is scheduled for 11/1 (Fri) - 2 (Sat), so please come join us if you like going on rides! (I will share more details later, so please keep those dates open!)
The ZINE is also available in-store and at our WEB SHOP, so please pick up a copy and help me put my injury experience to rest.🙏
CIRCLES BOOKS If You Got Injury
Pages: 30 pages
Size: approx. 22cm x 14cm
Price: 1,650 yen (tax included)
