In 2003 I was in a bad, bad cycling accident. I don't remember much, but I woke up in a helicopter, if that give you an indication of the nature of the crash. My helmet was cracked in three places; thank goodness I was wearing it! I had a bad, bad concussion, but nothing life-changing, thankfully. I also had face abrasions and a huge bruise on my hip.

I took a month off from the bike and anything strenuous. It took me several weeks to feel comfortable going up and down stairs.

The first time back on my bike (I commute to work), I was crossing a busy street with the WALK signal at a crosswalk...and a bimbo on a phone runs the red light and HITS ME! Can you believe it! Luckily, she realized what she was doing and was able to almost stop before hitting me, so the hit was not hard--really a bump. But, still!

After that was all taken care of, I got back on my bike right away...like after I and another pedestrian chewed her out. I don't think she'll be talking on the phone while driving through Georgetown traffic anymore.

Since then, I've been a year-round commuter, 28 miles round trip through the streets of DC. I bought a new road bike last fall and have started going on longer rides (longest is 40 miles, and next week I plan 50).

On a deeper level, the accident (the first one) really made me realize how unbelievably lucky I am to have every day, and every minute of every day. I'm now EXCITED just to wake up and live life, and I refuse to let anything get in the way of that. People ask me why I ride my bike to work, or why I take the stairs instead of the elevator, and my reply is BECAUSE I CAN! If I couldn't, I would be wishing that I could, but I CAN so I DO!

I think the key is to somehow make the positive outshine the negative. Imagine a successful ride the night before your ride, and then as you're riding, too. I think visualization is important. It's used by pro athletes alot. Dread is a powerful emotion, but so is anticipation. They are similar, but opposites.

Keep at it! You can do it!