Hi - I'm Back...With a Twist (LONG)!

[emily_in_nc]

Hi Ladies!

I am sure some of you will remember me and the tumultuous year I had last year.... fracturing my pelvis in April (dog accident while riding) and then losing my dad to a car accident in October. To say that 2005 was the most difficult year of my life is an understatement. I managed to go through the paces, not get fired from my job, nor divorced from my husband, but it has been hard. Lots of tears, lots of grieving, and lots of introspection.

One of the things in my world that took a big hit was my cycling. I was back to road riding last August after my accident, a bit fearfully and with some hip pain, but after my dad died, I just couldn't bring myself to get back on the bike. And as many of you know, the longer you stay off, the harder it is to get back on. I dreamed about riding, I thought about riding, but I just didn't want to be out on the roads with motorists and dogs. I still don't. I think losing my Dad (who drove a tiny little Honda Civic) to a driver in a huge, honking pickup truck reminded me of how very small and defenseless I was on my bicycle out amongst motor vehicles of all shapes and sizes, and how very lucky I've been over the years to ride thousands of miles without serious incident until my own accident (and that didn't even involve a motor vehicle, thank goodness!)

So, I hadn't ridden since October. My husband and I got into hiking and spent all winter and spring doing longer and longer hikes, around home and in the NC mountains, and culminating in a trip to the southwest US the first two weeks in May, where we hiked in 6 national parks, including a rim-to-river and back (in one day!) Grand Canyon hike of 18.2 miles. It was simply amazing, beautiful, and deeply fulfilling.

But I still missed cycling. Finally I could stand it no longer. I'd heard a gal at work talking about mountain biking on some local trails and wanting some companionship, so I raised my hand and joined her for the first time this past week. I had a BLAST! We started easy on packed gravel fire roads, no single-track for now (she can handle it, but I need to work up to it and get used to my MTB again), but I couldn't wipe the grin off my face the entire time I rode. It was slow and only about 8-10 miles, but I've been on a high ever since. And we've talked about making this a weekly thing, which I'd love.

Boy am I saddle sore! I had forgotten how well the body adapts to riding, and how hard it is to start again. But it's worth it!

So, for the first time since 2-22-2006, I am taking a peak into this forum, where I used to spend so much time. I have really missed you gals. I've been lurking a little in the "Mountain Biking" section and am planning on learning more. I have an inexpensive hardtail (REI Novara Bonita) that I like, but if I really get caught up in the bug, I may eventually go for a full-suspension. It's way, way too early to tell, but I think I may have just found the answer to how I can continue cycling but not ride in fear. :D I might just have to become a dirt chick! :cool:

Anyway, that's all for now. Hope y'all have all been doing well and riding lots! I look forward to reading more and catching up.

Big hugs,

Emily

[KnottedYet]

Hooray! Welcome back! :D

[DrBee]

Good for you to overcome all of that and make it back onto the bike! Welcome back!

[Surlygirl]

Emily, wahoooooo. I've often thought of you and missed you on the board. Of course I remember you and I realize how hard it must have been for you. The board has gotten so much bigger since you were last here, but there are a few of us old timers still lurking here and lots of newbies.
Good luck on your rides. Glad to hear you are doing well. Now if we could just get Crystal back on her bike over at girlbike.com
Jody

[Adventure Girl]

It's really nice to see you back on the forum, Em! After your accident, I was so inspired by your struggle and return to cycling. But then you posted that your father had passed away and you were taking a break. I often wondered if you were riding at all.

Welcome back! Mountain biking is so different from road riding. It's good to hear that your enjoying yourself on 2 wheels again!

[snapdragen]

Welcome back! :D

[DeniseGoldberg]

Emily -
Welcome back - to both the forum and more importantly to cycling. It's funny, but I was just thinking about you and wondering how you were doing. And now we know!

--- Denise

[RoadRaven]

EMILY!!!!

Welcome home!!!

You had your crash soon after I joined, but I followed your posts and your recovery so closely and have missed your insiteful and funny and poignant words here...


Thrilled to hear you are back on the bike again... looking forward to seeing you about more often...

And you had a summer of hiking (in Middle Earth we call it tramping) with your man - how wonderful!!!

Ride strong Emily
~Rave~

[Selkie]

Wow, Emily, I was just thinking about this past week and was going to post, asking if anyone had heard from you. WELCOME BACK!!!

[Blueberry]

So glad to hear that you're doing well and back in the saddle!!!:D :D :D

Let me know if you ever want to get together and ride the gravel trails in Duke Forest (I won't venture onto single track, but think I could handle gravel:D :D )

Carrie Anne

[cindysue]

it warmed my heart to read your story. Welcome back to TE and to getting back on a bike.

((((((((((((((((((hug)))))))))))))))))))))))

[crazycanuck]

Hey Emily,

Nice to see you back! Thanks for coming back and letting us know how things have gone for you.

Take care

c

[caligurl]

oh emily! WELCOME BACK! it's SO nice to see you on the forums and to see that you've been out on the bike!!!!!!

i've missed you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Trekhawk]

Welcome back Emily. Mountain biking is so much fun. Glad you have found a way to bike and be happy.:)

[Grog]

Oh, Emily, I'm really glad to see you again on the forum.

I was thinking of you a lot recently. I don't usually see dogs on my ride but I'm on Vancouver Island for a month, riding in much more rural settings, and happen to see many more big dogs roaming free around their master's house.... or venture beyond it. Which reminds me that I should have a conversation with my partner about what to do if a dog jumps in front of us...

I'm really happy you're back on a bike (any bike) and having fun. I was worried that maybe you had stopped riding for ever. I'm glad you're enjoying this!

[mtbdarby]

Emily, thanks for the update - I've wondered where you went. What a year 2005 was for you but it sounds like you came out of it in a good place. The hiking sounds wonderful as does the time you spent with your hubby doing it. I'm glad you got back on the bike - and dirt is good;) To me that's one of the beautiful things about riding mountain bike - no traffic!

Keep us posted and it is wonderful hearinf from you again.

[Bad JuJu]

Great to hear from you, Emily. I remember your posts, not just from here but over at the Terry forum too (before it got hijacked). Glad to hear you're back on your bike. I was off mine for a while, too, though I didn't have nearly the traumas you've been through; but I remember that re-Eureka moment when I remembered that on the bike is where my whole self--body, mind, soul--wants to be. Brava!

[jeannierides]

Oh, Emily. I can't tell you how happy I am to see you back! I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes! I have thought of you often - especially last week, when I drove down I-85 past your little town. I am so very happy you're back riding & have found another way to do what you love. And also happy to learn you've found a love of hiking with your dh! :D :D

[Quillfred]

Welcome back!

I don't think anyone's mentioned it yet, but there is a new mountain bike section now at TE. I have been posting many questions which they have been patiently answering. :) I want to do a bike camp in August.

Quillfred

[latelatebloomer]

Emily, so good to hear from you! You've been in my thoughts, too - missed your enthusiasm and unbounded support for other riders. There's an old Holly Near song that came to mind as I pictured you smiling on your mtn bike...


"I have dreamed on this mountain
since first I was my mother's daughter,
and you just can't take my dreams away."

[massbikebabe]

Welcome Home Emily,

Grab a coffee, pull up a chair and join the fun!!






karen

[Trek420]

welcome home emily! we missed you :D

[Lise]

Hi Emily, I saw someone with panniers like yours (front and back) today, and thought of your avatar. Welcome back. Glad to hear the dirt was a fun place for you to start up again. Lise

[bouncybouncy]

welcome back!!! i knew you were off enjoying the outdoors hiking/kayaking/and in anyway you could...glad to hear you peaked in to the dirty side of cycling!!!!

i found this site right before your accident...i was so sorry to hear you were leaving but i knew you would find your way back! this site is too addicting:p

i also was in the process of moving to NC during your recovery...we are now (somewhat) settled in and are finding some of the most awesome trails...if you are ever west look me up and i will show you some dirt you will love!!!!

[slinkedog]

Emily, welcome back! It's good to see your avatar again! :)

[Geonz]

We;lcome back... you left before I ca,me so I'm glad I can get to know you now! Keep the pedals churning...

[Barb]

So happy to see you posting (and riding) again!

[DirtDiva]

Welcome back Emily. I've been thinking of you too. :)

[Jo-n-NY]

Emily, WELCOME! WELCOME! WELCOME! BACK!!!!!

I cannot tell you how many times I have come to these boards and wondered how you were doing. I remember your last post and just thought if we would ever see you here again.

I am so happy to hear you are doing better. You are taking baby steps and you know that is fine. Do whatever you feel most comfortable with. It is just good to see you here again!!!!!

~ JoAnn

[emily_in_nc]

Wow, it was great hearing from each and every one of you. I am truly touched. I will try not to be a stranger, though I am incredibly busy at work right now and don't have quite as much "forum time" as I used to, but I sure love it here. I really have missed you great women!

Thank you so very much.

Emily

P.S. JoAnn, have you fully recovered from your injuries!? I hope so!

[Squirrel 2]

Hi Emily -- It's good to see you back, both here and on a bike. You showed a great deal of personal courage and strength to survive 2005. I know what it's like to come back from serious injury having watched my husband when he was recovering from a shattered hip socket, head injuries & double vision (yes, from a biking accident). Being able to conquer fear and self-doubt to get back on a bike and ride again is not an easy thing to do, nor is dealing with constant pain. My heart went out to you on the loss of your father as well. I lost my Dad over 20 years ago, and it still hurts. But it's good to be out & doing, it's the best thing. So I'm pleased to know that you are back on your bike, busy at work, and back on the board!

Best wishes,
Irene

[Jo-n-NY]

P.S. JoAnn, have you fully recovered from your injuries!? I hope so!

Emily, I am touched that you remembered, thank you so much for asking.

I am doing ok. I lost some range of motion, but it does not effect cycling. I took getting back in the saddle a little bit at a time. I referred to your accident blog quite often, although you sustained much worse injuries than I did. On May 21st on rode my first century and felt "now I am back".

Things for the last few weeks have been very hectic I have not gotten in much riding time since Memorial Day, but I should get some kind of schedule back in a couple of weeks.

Again, glad to see you back here and knowing that you are doing ok.


~JoAnn

[CorsairMac]

EMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM - wooohoooooooooooo it is SOOOO good to see you again! I'm sorry to hear about the paths your life has taken but it sounds like you found the road that is working for you! Your wit, wisdom and insight have been sorely missed and you have been in my thoughts often over the past year. Enjoy the dirt my friend and welcome back!

[Denise223]

Hi Emily!

Sorry to hear about everything you went through in 2005!

I'm new here, but wanted to say WELCOME BACK!!

I look forward to getting to "know" you. It looks like you are much loved around here :D !

Have a peaceful day!

Denise