Woman recovering well after bicycle accident

A Huntington Beach woman is in good spirits despite being injured in a weekend biking accident at Crystal Cove State Park.

Karen Joyce, 39, suffered head trauma, bruises and facial swelling after she hit a bump and crashed during a Saturday morning bike ride. However, she said she was in good shape Monday.

“[I’m] improving. The swelling is going down and I’m taking on many interesting colors,” she said with a chuckle.

A Costa Mesa police helicopter with two officers found Joyce in a remote area of the park, police said.

Joyce was treated on site before being flown to Mission Viejo’s Hospital Trauma Center.

Joyce said she received 10 stitches in her nose and two in her eyebrow before being released Sunday. She did not have any fractures, however.

The Huntington Beach resident was participating in the El Moro Poker Ride, an annual event hosted by the SHARE Mountain Bike Club. She was riding with 10 to 12 people when she crashed, she said.

“I was going quite fast downhill, there was a little bit of traffic and I hit a rut and flew off,” Joyce said. “I don’t remember it but that’s what they [the people behind me] said happened to me.”

Despite the injuries she sustained, Joyce said she is in good condition. Overall, she has a positive outlook on her situation.

“I’m good, I didn’t break anything,” she said. “It could always be worse.”