June rides, summer begins

[emily_in_nc]

Thank you so much, both. Love that you thought enough of me to light the incense, rebecca. I do feel we're all related, here. Can't tell you both how much your words mean to me, right now. I don't know which is worse, the pain or the depression. My whole lifestyle in the dumpster in a fraction of a second. I'm still in a state of shock. Not sure how I will deal with this, but I will find a way. I keep thinking of Emily and how she managed her accident and that's a real inspiration, right now.

My bicycling will never be the same, though, and that's a good thing. I have such a hard head, this is probably what I needed to make the necessary changes. I have a long time to think about it, for sure.

NWG, I know you said you don't want sympathy, but how about empathy? I am shaking my head in disbelief right now, and my heart goes out to you! What terrible luck, and right after you just got your lovely Log Lady!

I know so well how it feels to have your entire cycling life ripped out from under you in the blink of an eye, and it sucks! I appreciate your kind words about how I have dealt with my crash last year (and I had an equally serious one in 2005, when I broke my pelvis in three places and was non weight-bearing on that side for 8 weeks; was off the bike for several months that time and still have pain to this day).

However, what makes your situation worse than either of mine in many ways is that you normally ride every. single. day. I have other significant interests and hobbies that are able to flow to the forefront when I have to take an enforced hiatus from the bike. I love cycling, and it is a very important part of my life, but not to quite the extent that it seems to be for you, so this will be all the more difficult for you. That sucks!

Since you don't remember the accident, I am assuming that means that you lost consciousness briefly. I was asked that many times after my crash by various doctors, but I don't think I did. If so, it was no more than for the blink of an eye. I guess the doctors' concerns there were for a possible concussion, and I hope that you didn't suffer one on top of your other injuries. ETA: In my hurry to respond, I missed your post right above stating that you didn't have a concussion. Thank goodness! That's a positive.

I will miss your frequent and interesting ride reports but do hope you'll keep posting as you recover. Just as I have changed some things about the way I cycle, you will obviously do so, as you intend. It kinda sucks, but sometimes you do have to make those adjustments. I just hope that when you do heal, you will have a minimum of lasting pain and impact. Both of my crashes have had long-term impacts that I expect to continue for many years to one extent or another, so my wishes for you are probably not realistic, but you are a warrior, so I know you will carry on the best you can! If you're not familiar with Pamela Blalock, you should check out her blog. She has been through a lot of serious bike injuries (as well as breast cancer) and manages to forge onward. She's one of my heroes, and my husband actually knew her from work years ago, when she lived in NC.

Here's her most recent post regarding her injuries:
https://blayleys.blogspot.com/2018/0...e-so-stop.html

I will be keeping you in my thoughts. I am still shaking my head in shock and disbelief!

Emily