Get All Access for $5/mo

Richard Branson Blogs About His Near-Death Bike Accident While training on his bicycle, he took a nasty fall that nearly launched him off a cliff.

By Dan Bova

Brendon Thorne/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Billionaire Richard Branson just posted pics of the aftermath of a harrowing bike outing that was anything but a fun day in the sun. On his Virgin blog, he wrote:

"A couple of nights ago I went cycling on Virgin Gorda with Holly and Sam as part of my training for the Virgin Strive Challenge. I was heading down a hill towards Leverick Bay when it suddenly got really dark and I managed to hit a "sleeping policeman' hump in the road head on. The next thing I knew, I was being hurled over the handlebars and my life was literally flashing before my eyes."

Branson goes on to describe how he was launched head-first into the road and credits his helmet for saving his life. His ride wasn't quite as fortunate. "My bike went flying off the cliff and disappeared," he writes. "We've since recovered the crumpled bicycle, completely destroyed."

Related: 'Screw It, Just Do It' Exclusive Video Interview with Sir Richard Branson

Here is a horrifying photo he tweeted following the crash.

He writes that he "only" suffered some torn ligaments and a cracked cheekbone, and hopes to still complete the Virgin Strive Challenge next month. The ever-upbeat CEO couldn't help but get a little cheeky about his busted cheek, writing, "My attitude has always been, if you fall flat on your face, at least you're moving forward. All you have to do is get back up and try again. At least I'm practicing what I preach -- though a little too literally!"

Earlier this year, Branson sat down with Entrepreneur and told us about his approach to risk and overcoming failure. Watch here.

Get well soon, Sir Richard!

Dan Bova

Entrepreneur Staff

VP of Special Projects

Dan Bova is the VP of Special Projects at Entrepreneur.com. He previously worked at Jimmy Kimmel Live, Maxim, and Spy magazine. His latest books for kids include This Day in History, Car and Driver's Trivia ZoneRoad & Track Crew's Big & Fast Cars, The Big Little Book of Awesome Stuff, and Wendell the Werewolf

Read his humor column This Should Be Fun if you want to feel better about yourself.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

There's a $200,000 Diamond-Making Machine For Sale on Alibaba — and That Says a Lot About the Industry

The lab-grown diamond market is expected to reach about $22 billion by 2031.

Leadership

This Conversation Hack Made Me a Millionaire — Here's How It Works

I've turned countless encounters into winning opportunities. Follow this advice to do the same.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle She Started in a High School Locker Room Hit Multimillion-Dollar Revenue — and Taylor Swift Is a Fan: 'Invest in Yourself'

Elena Bonvicini, now 25, was inspired to start her side hustle during a 2016 visit to her grandparents in Wisconsin.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

This Is the Most Important Thing You Can Do to Improve Your Business, According to the Co-Founder of a $32 Billion Company

At Yum! Brands, which includes KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut, former CEO David Novak helped grow the company to a market cap of $32 billion.

Growing a Business

Here's How I Drove My Company's Revenue By Taking One Often-Overlooked Step

More and more brands are tapping into the earning power of paid certifications. Here's how yours can, too.