9:15 in the morning I sat in a waiting room for Dr. Johnson to come and give me the verdict concerning the status of my broken neck. My emotions were mixed. I was really excited because I figured there was a 95% chance that he would say I could get back on the bike. On the other hand, that 5% seemed a little too large!

Dr. Johnson came in and with very little explanation just said, “Your X-rays look great. I don’t see any reason to not let you go.” I tried to keep my excitement in check and think rationally. I asked, “So, should I work to minimize any risk?” “Well, I wouldn’t go bungee jumping,” he replied, “but you are free to go back to doing things you used to do.” That would include riding a bike!

Forty-five minutes later, I was on the bike. When I climbed on board, I didn’t have a plan. First I just wanted to see if I could find the beautiful redhead who was riding with her sister-in-law around Cleveland Park. After a little time cruising around there I headed out on the Swamp Rabbit Trail.

That is when I found them. We talked for a moment and my wife asked me, “So, are you going to head out to TR?” Well, yeah, that sounded like a plan. I would ride to the end of the trail and then come back home. We said our goodbyes and headed in opposite directions.

Before long, the end of the trail arrived. I was feeling pretty good! Well, why not just continue on to Marietta? It was only a few more miles down the road.

Hmmmm, after getting a double cheese burger at the Burger King there in Marietta I started to wonder what I would do next. It even crossed my mind to continue on to Caesar’s Head. That thought didn’t last long! However, I did want to expand my ride.

The answer was to head down 288 through Pumpkintown and on to the intersection of Highway 11. After checking for phone messages, I started on my way. About 38 miles into the ride, I started to feel my neck getting sore. Actually it wasn’t so much sore as just tired. My neck and shoulders started getting tired of holding my head up.

By that point I had to make a decision. I could keep going on to Highway 11 where I knew I would find a store to get some more water and fuel. I was closer to the Pumpkintown station, but I knew they only took cash. All I had was my debit card. So, I kept pushing.

What a welcome sight to see the store! I was out of fluids and the temperature had risen up to 91 degrees. The fact I was going to have to go back as far as I had come was starting to sink into my mind. I knew right then I was going to end up with nearly 70 miles in my legs by the time I got back home.

Only one thing to do… start turning the pedals. At 50 miles I was still on the wrong side of Marietta. I started breaking the ride down into segments. Rather than focus on the entire route, I just targeted the next waypoint and kept only that in my mind.

Once I got back on the Swamp Rabbit Trail, I knew I was going to make it. The closer I got to Greenville the more I started to weigh my options. I could stay on the trail and wind my way home or I could take to the road and take a more direct route. Good thing I did!

I got off the trail onto Pete Hollis. As I was climbing over the bridge above the railroad tracks my left leg seized up. I had cramps rolling through ALL the muscles in my leg. I kept saying to myself, “Relax and spin. Spin and relax.” I found a gear that got me into a cadence that offered some relief. By the time I made it back near Hincapie Sports I was back in shape, but I knew one wrong move and the cramps would return.

Finally, I rolled home. Later that Friday afternoon I drove over to Sunshine Cycle Shop. I spent some time talking to the guys, but I was pretty wiped out! Later when I stopped by the shop on my Saturday morning ride the guys expressed that they had been concerned for me. They said I was losing my voice and seemed a little disoriented. Can’t say I could argue with them!

The Saturday morning ride was much better. I headed out over Paris Mountain to check out the action of the morning’s Paris Mountain Time Trial. It was good to see all the cyclists once again — and feeling that I was a part of things. I even came back up the Furman side. I didn’t push it and reached the top in 17 minutes.

Yes, I’ve made it. The doctor told me that he didn’t need to see me again. I’m clear and free! I am so thankful to be back. I’m looking forward to the road ahead. That is one KOM behind me.

 

Tags: Recovery

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