Cycling is a sport we love for speed, freedom, and the rush of a great ride. But crashes happen, sometimes even when you least expect them.
Why it’s easy to miss
A concussion occurs when the brain is jolted inside the skull. You don’t need to hit your head directly — a sudden fall or jolt can be enough. Symptoms may include headache, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, fatigue, or confusion. They can appear immediately or hours later.
The tricky part is that riders often don’t realise they’re concussed. Dynamo member Ed found this out the hard way on the Isle of Wight ride in 2025. “I remember what caused the incident. But I have no memory of the fall itself or the pain associated with it.”
Despite two dents in his helmet, Ed didn’t recall hitting his head. He even turned off his Garmin’s crash alert so it wouldn’t notify his wife. Looking back, his memory gaps and repeated questions were clear signs of concussion. “During the ride back to the ferries, I kept asking the same question repeatedly: ‘how much longer to go?’ I remember absolutely nothing about the ride to the ferry after my accident.”
By contrast, MT’s (name redacted) crash was recognised immediately. He doesn’t remember the moment of impact, but others saw what happened. “I don’t have memory of what happened exactly… but I was told that after the sharp left corner I started pedalling too soon, hit the ground with my pedal, and went over the handlebars. My helmet had a big dent — it most likely saved my life.”
Two riders, including a club doctor, stopped to help him.
“He examined me and quickly determined that I had sustained a concussion. An ambulance was called and they waited with me while answering my repeated questions.”
In MT’s case, the diagnosis was clear: confusion, memory loss, and a visibly damaged helmet.
Why teammates matter
A concussed brain is impaired – a rider cannot safely decide for themselves. That’s why teammates are so important. In Ed’s case, it was his clubmates who eventually persuaded him to seek urgent care. “I actually wanted to delay my A&E visit until the next day after I got home. Paul (fellow club member) called me later that evening and convinced me not to delay… Turned out to be the right decision.”
MT was fortunate to have medical expertise on hand at the roadside. As he puts it “It was very obvious… my helmet saved my life.”
These two stories show both sides of the same coin: sometimes concussion is subtle and easily missed, other times it’s plain to see. In both cases, it was fellow riders stepping in that made the difference.
Returning to the bike
Concussion isn’t something you can “shake off.” Most riders recover within a couple of weeks, but returning too soon increases the risk of further injury. Medical guidance recommends a gradual, supervised return-to-ride plan – symptom-free at each stage, and only cleared by a healthcare professional.
Ed reflects “No advice [was] given, they were far more focused on the other issues. Possibly a missed opportunity to learn about best practice post-concussion protocol – as left to my own devices, if I had no other physical injuries, I’d be back on a bike the next day.”
MT, by contrast, was given structured medical advice. “I was told to rest for the next couple of days, monitor for any symptoms, and could return to cycling within less than a week. My head was in a foggy state for the next 3 days, but after that things went back to normal.”
His takeaway was simple. “Don’t rush back to be on the bike since your motor skills and responsiveness are affected.”
Lessons learned
Both riders agree that recognising concussion quickly can prevent serious consequences. Ed sums it up plainly. “If you can’t remember parts of the accident… you likely had a mild concussion at a minimum. Go to A&E immediately.”
And MT offers a practical riding tip too. “Be careful on the cornering, better to lose the wheel for 1 second than having to go through this injury.”
The bottom line
At London Dynamo, safety is a priority. Our Accident Reporting Guide sets out how to respond to and report any incident, but the most important thing is simple: look out for your fellow riders. If someone shows signs of concussion – memory loss, repeated questions, confusion, imbalance, or a damaged helmet – don’t let them ride on. Make sure they get medical attention, even if they insist they feel fine.
Cycling is about long-term enjoyment, not just the next ride or race. Recognising concussion, stepping in when a rider tries to push on, and following best-practice guidance keeps our club members safe, healthy, and riding for years to come.
