When pro cyclist Grant Simonds took a spill on his bike while training for the 33rd annual ASWD Twilight Criterium, St. Luke’s Sports Medicine staff was close by to treat his injuries.
“I wasn’t looking … and I hit a gravel corner and just went down,” Simonds said.
The crash left a nasty abrasion up and down his left shin and knee. The wound wasn’t bad enough to keep him out of the Category 1 men’s pro race that took place July 13 on the streets of downtown Boise. Still, he wanted to care for it and keep it clean.
Before the race, he hopped on his bike and made his way to St. Luke’s medical tent, where he got a quick change of dressing.
“I’ve been to races where there is no medical,” said Simonds, a 22-year-old from Park City, Utah, who competes for DEAN Factory Racing. “I was in a huge wreck in California, and there was no medical there. I drove home in pain.”
That wasn’t the case at the Twilight Criterium.
St. Luke’s Sports Medicine outreach and athletic training services provided care at the event for both spectators and athletes.
“They were super-friendly,” Simonds said. “It’s the end of the day, and they’re still friendly.”
That’s what St. Luke’s certified athletic trainers Ian Sandercock and Todd Johnston like to hear. They are often out at public events representing St. Luke’s, providing a necessary service while also educating.
“A big part of our jobs is being in the community, being that front line and taking that level of care that we provide at the hospital outside of the hospital,” Sandercock said.
“We have a presence at rodeos, rural high schools, a lot of community events around town,” Johnston said.
St. Luke’s has been a fixture at the popular races through downtown Boise for years. The organization also supports Boise GreenBike, which sponsors an annual celebrity bike race that raises money for local charities. St. Luke’s volunteers helped at aid stations along the route, and the organization was represented on banners lining the streets.
And, of course, there were the medical tents.
“It’s just awesome that they’re maintaining a happy, friendly atmosphere,” said Simonds, who went on to finish just nine seconds behind the winner of the Category 1 race.
Chris Langrill is a writer and copy editor for the St. Luke’s Communications and Marketing department.