My cycling accident update

[KkAllez]

Emily, hugs and a quick healing! I looked at your blog. Poor girl. Wish the quickest of recoveries.

K K

[DeniseGoldberg]

Emily -
Last night I finally had the time to read your entire blog. Your description of your time in the emergency room brought tears to my eyes - what an awful day you must have had. It sounds like you've made significant progress, although it may seem slow to you. Although it's really hard sometimes, please remember to go easy on yourself. I'm sure you'll get back to the biking activities that you love, but unfortunately I can tell you from experience that it can take longer than you want to get back to your pre-crash levels of fitness. The important thing is that you are working your way back.

More good thoughts are winging your way.
--- Denise

[KnuckleSandwich]

Emily....I'm so sorry to hear about your accident! (I don't check the board very often...so obviuosly, I'm a bit late!)

You helped me out while I was researching my Aegis Swift, and I appreciate how thoroughly you answered my numerous questions! Thanks again! I just got it on Monday....its a pink carbon Rocket!!

Good luck on your recovery! From experience, I know its a tough road...but, you seem like a tough cookie. Patience is the key, one mile at a time.....


Danielle

[Pedal Wench]

I'm amazed that you're recovering so well and so quickly! I hate to say this, but although it seems fast to us, I'm sure it's been interminable to you. Good luck, and be strong. Sending you pink-bike well wishes.

Leslie

edit: Emily, I hope you take this the right way. I read some parts of your blog, and I am overwhelmed by the love and support that you have. Barry sounds like a wonderful, wonderful man. Sometimes it takes bad things to show you how good things can be. Take comfort that you are surrounded by people, family and friends who are taking pleasure in helping you out. In a very strange way, you are a lucky woman.

[emily_in_nc]

edit: Emily, I hope you take this the right way. I read some parts of your blog, and I am overwhelmed by the love and support that you have. Barry sounds like a wonderful, wonderful man. Sometimes it takes bad things to show you how good things can be. Take comfort that you are surrounded by people, family and friends who are taking pleasure in helping you out. In a very strange way, you are a lucky woman.

Leslie ~ You are so right. I do know how very fortunate I am. I have amazing friends and family, and especially my dear husband of 20 years (this coming May 25!), Barry. I couldn't have done any of this without all the support I am receiving. I am also lucky to have support of so many people I don't even know personally out here in cyberspace, like this wonderful community. Thanks to all for your kindness and generosity of spirit! It really does me a world of good.

Emily

[emily_in_nc]

Emily....I'm so sorry to hear about your accident! (I don't check the board very often...so obviuosly, I'm a bit late!)

You helped me out while I was researching my Aegis Swift, and I appreciate how thoroughly you answered my numerous questions! Thanks again! I just got it on Monday....its a pink carbon Rocket!!

Good luck on your recovery! From experience, I know its a tough road...but, you seem like a tough cookie. Patience is the key, one mile at a time.....

Danielle

Danielle ~ Awesome about your Swift. You will love it! I was thrilled to see that my bike didn't seem to sustain any damage in the crash other than a scuffed up saddle. I will have it checked out by a LBS before I ride it again, of course, but it looks as pretty as ever! Thank goodness... Enjoy your bike! Post a photo of it if you can; I'd love to see it. I bet Crystal on girlbike.com would love to add it to her pink-bike gallery as well!

Emily

[CorsairMac]

I just wanted you to know Em - I went on a long ride with some friends recently and asked them ahead of time "what do we do in case of loose dogs?", the consensus was we would speed up and ride like Hades, calling out to each other to make sure we didn't lose anyone. So thank you for calling to my attention something I would've never thought about asking. I'm just sorry it was your accident that made me think of it.

[emily_in_nc]

I just wanted you to know Em - I went on a long ride with some friends recently and asked them ahead of time "what do we do in case of loose dogs?", the consensus was we would speed up and ride like Hades, calling out to each other to make sure we didn't lose anyone. So thank you for calling to my attention something I would've never thought about asking. I'm just sorry it was your accident that made me think of it.

Hey, that's great, CM!! I'm just glad to have raised a few folks' awareness of this. It is very smart to have a plan in place prior to the situation arising.

Emily

[MomOnBike]

"what do we do in case of loose dogs?", the consensus was we would speed up and ride like Hades, calling out to each other to make sure we didn't lose anyone.

I'm not convinced that acting as prey to a large preditor (which, after all, is what all dogs are) is a good idea.

What worked for me on my trip was to slow down, make myself big and bark NO! I used a deep chest voice and projected a lot of confidence. Of course, I'm a big woman and had dog spray in my hand when I did it.

The idea is to let them know that you are bigger, badder and meaner than they can ever hope to be. So far, with the dogs I've encountered, this method has worked better than running like a scared rabbit - which I had tried in the past. I'm not pretending I can bluff all dogs - that's why I carry dog spray. I don't intend to lose a confrontation with a dog.

One more thing. If you slow down, or even stop, the chances of a really bad wreck go down dramatically, and your chance of scoring a direct hit with the dog spray goes up.

One last, last thing. DH turned a bear once with this method when were hiking.

MomOnBike (AKA Alpha B-i-t-c-h and proud of it)

[emily_in_nc]

Emily -
Last night I finally had the time to read your entire blog. Your description of your time in the emergency room brought tears to my eyes - what an awful day you must have had. It sounds like you've made significant progress, although it may seem slow to you. Although it's really hard sometimes, please remember to go easy on yourself. I'm sure you'll get back to the biking activities that you love, but unfortunately I can tell you from experience that it can take longer than you want to get back to your pre-crash levels of fitness. The important thing is that you are working your way back.

More good thoughts are winging your way.
--- Denise

Denise ~ your post brought tears to my eyes. I had read your accident journal awhile back and was amazed by your recovery and steadfastness. At the time I read it, it was with idle curiosity, as I would surely never be in such a position myself! I guess I thought accidents only happened to other cyclists, not to me. But now I know better, and even through all the pain this accident has caused me, I know that I am wiser now. Thanks for your kind thoughts!

Emily