Yes. And it sucks. But the good news is if you take care of yourself NOW (i.e. by not riding through injury and aggravating things), you'll be back.

Everyone knows I've had my share of injuries over the last few years. The one that hurt the most (emotionally) was when I was diagnosed with pulmonary emboli and I had to miss the Death Ride. (Yes, I see the irony. ). Anyway, I was being admitted into the hospital all the while lecturing my doctor about how she had to let me out because I had been coaching people for this big bike ride that was in a week and a half and I just had to be there.

Of course I didn't ride. I got some sense talked into me. Indeed I couldn't ride for 6 months. But I went out to the event and cheered on my teammates. And last year, I coached a group of people to do this ride again. When I got to the top of the last pass, I broke down in tears - it was like all the bottled up disappointment at not being able to ride last year just all came pouring out at the top of that last mountain.

Take care of yourself. You'll be back.