Mosman’s ‘Cycling Goddesses’ call for greater maintenance of Chowder Bay Rd after fall leaves rider badly injured

A CYCLIST suffered horrific injuries including 12 broken teeth, a broken nose, fractured rib, punctured lung, chipped spine and fractured elbow after hitting a pothole on a Mosman road.

Riders Jude Ahearn, Sue Clubb, Pam Somerville, Elizabeth Madsen, Laura Cunningham and Kay Stammers call themselves the ‘Cycling Goddesses’.

A GROUP of cyclists fears potholes on Chowder Bay Rd will cause more cyclists to end up in hospital after one of their friends suffered a horrific crash.

The experienced cyclists, known as the “Cycling Goddesses”, have called on the National Parks and Wildlife Service to make the Mosman road safe for cyclists.

The seriously injured cyclist, who declined to be named, hit a pothole, was thrown over the handlebars and landed heavily, face first. Her fellow cyclists thought she was dead.

The woman suffered 12 broken teeth, a split gum, a broken nose, a fractured rib, a punctured lung, a chipped spine, a fractured left elbow, and a damaged wrist and fingers. Four surgeons were needed for the woman’s initial operation.

The injured rider is placed into an ambulance after the accident.

The group is worried their friend will never ride again.

The cycling group hopes to meet the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which is responsible for the road, when their friend is well enough to attend the meeting.

Cyclist Pam Somerville was riding behind her friend when the crash happened and feared the worst.

“We dropped our bikes and ran over to her,” she said. “She did not move ... I thought she was dead.”

Mrs Somerville said the group had cautiously returned to cycling in the weeks since the crash.

“It made us very aware of how quickly things can happen, how quickly life can change,” she said.

“She’s recovering, she’s still got a long way to go and still has both arms in plaster.”

Pam Sommerville, with Sue Clubb (right), was right behind her friend when the accident happened. Picture: Phil Rogers

Cyclist Kay Stammers said the road was notorious for potholes.

“The road has been in a disgraceful condition for years,” she said.

“Potholes are a safety hazard, particularly when most people ride in the early morning. In the dappled light, potholes can virtually be invisible.

“We have seen other cyclists crash due to potholes.

“This should be a signal to the authorities that they have to maintain this road on a regular basis and not just for wait for something to happen.”

An Office of Environment and Heritage spokesman confirmed Chowder Bay Rd is a National Parks and Wildlife Service road.

“The NPWS is talking directly with the cyclist’s family,” the spokesman said and declined to comment further.

The cyclists say the road needs regular maintenance, not just after an accident.