Well, I'm still recovering from a broken hip (fractured head of femur) after falling/ being forced off the road just over three months ago. I can't say what actually happened, as I have no memory from half an hour before the accident, until a day after. A good smack on the head - which was luckily covered with a helmet. I also got knocked off a year or so ago, and am still suffering from the effects of that.
A good many drivers around here are aggressive, drive whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or simply have no regard for other road users.
In fifty years of cycling I have never fallen off due to my lack of skill, and I don't hang around. I cycle as a sport, not as a means of transport, with the intention of staying fit. I have now had two incidents within a couple of years that has kept me off work (self employed) for over 6 months.
As much as I hate to think about it, I am going to have to seriously reevaluate whether I cycle again. Cycling on the roads these days is very risky and I just cannot afford to have another accident. I am normally very sporty and active, and still do a physical job at 64 years of age. These two accidents have taken their toll, and I may never fully recover from them. I definitely can't afford another one.
About a week before the accident I purchased a tandem on EBay in the UK! I'll be picking that up when I come over in a couple of weeks. Driving over to drop my son's bikes off (and other stuff) at uni in Exeter. Then up towards Liverpool and Southport via Shrewsbury - probably picking up some brewing supplies en-route.
Anyone on that route that wants to feed homebrew to a weary crippled traveller?