The Bicycle Club of Irvine

[Randy Profeta]

A few years ago I was struck by the mirror of a pickup truck. The blow was severe enough that I wound up in the hospital for a month and was in a coma for about a week. The day I was injured I was riding my MTB with a friend and did not have any ID with me. I usually wear a Road ID on my ankle doing roadie rides but not that day.

When the EMTs arrived, I was unconscious and my friend was not with me. As is our custom, we ride at our own paces. My friend had run out of water and we still had an hour of riding in front of us. I had slowed down as we passed Irvine Lake to see if there was a place to get some water for my friend. Unaware of this , he had gone up the road; we would regroup at the top of the next climb.

I was listed by the EMTs as a John Doe. Even though my friend did circle back and gave the responding CHP officer my name and my wife's contact information, the EMT had not changed his information.

When my wife arrived at the hospital, they had no record of "me" being admitted. Just some John Doe who was unconscious.

So, lesson learned. No matter how short the ride, or who you are riding with, always have ID with you when you ride. It can save a lot of unnecessary grief if you are injured and cannot speak for yourself.