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I don’t like to clean my bikes when they’re running smooth, but I’m weird superstitious about stuff like that.
I signed the petition a couple days ago as did a lot of other bikers I know. Looks like the project has been scrapped.
https://patch.com/georgia/roswell/roswell-scraps-proposed-135-court-tennis-center
Hey man you’re 60 and you’re riding trails. You gotta be in at least half decent shape for your age. I’m 48 and I ride a lot, usually at least 50 miles a week. I’ve been riding trails since I was a kid, and I feel as good as I ever have on my bikes. Keep riding man!
Cool topic! I am hoping to spend about a school year chasing the good weather around the US and Canada riding epic trails, and taking epic hikes with my wife and dogs. Planning on doing it in a Sprinter van or something similar. Our youngest will be off to college in a few more years.
Hi Jared,
Man I am really sorry to hear this. I know how you feel, because I went through a very similar experience this year. After riding my mountain bike and dirt bike hard without incident all fall and winter long this past year, I had a very hard crash in February following my son around the bmx track. Like you I was knocked out, and don’t really remember the crash, though I do remember the moments before the crash. We estimate I was out for at least a minute, maybe 2. I had concussion symptoms for a few weeks, and was forgetting things, but thank goodness those problems went away.
I broke both my hands and broke my left wrist badly in multiple places. I also lacerated my liver. I was in the hospital for 5 days until my liver stabilized. They wouldn’t let me eat or get out of bed until a few hours before they checked me out. I lost almost 20 pounds while I was in there. After I was released, I had my left hand and wrist surgically repaired. I now have a rod inside my 3rd metacarpal and a large plate in my left arm with 6 screws.
The first day I was in the hospital, they found a tumor in my left wrist, close to 1 of the breaks. They told me it could be cancer, but they wouldn’t know until I was seen by an orthopedic oncologist. Problem was, there wasn’t an orthopedic oncologist at that hospital because I was at a trauma hospital. So the whole time I was in the hospital, I didn’t know if I had cancer or not. Needless to say it was a tough time.
Turns out my tumor was benign. When I finally got out I went straight to the oncologist who told me I had probably had that tumor since I was a teenager. I’m 44 now. I had the surgeries on my hand and wrist 2 days later.
The first few weeks at home were very tough. I was very weak, and extremely bummed about my condition. It felt like it would be an eternity until I would be able to be active again. The pain medications made me feel crazy, and reeked havoc with my system. I stopped taking them entirely except for advil after 5 days, so needless to say I was in a lot of pain. I imagine these last 3 weeks have been similar for you and all I can say is I sympathize.
After a month things started to get better. I started being able to sleep better. I started getting out of the house a lot more, and I started to put some weight back on and get some strength back. At 5 or 6 weeks I started working out a little at the gym, and going on easy bike rides in the neighborhood. At 7 weeks I started playing a little pick up soccer again, and at 8 weeks I started taking easy mountain bike rides on trails.
Over the next 4 months I slowly got my strength back, though I have to say it was slow. I was very sore for a very long time. When you take that kind of impact, it really takes a toll on your whole body. Early on, I was focused on my injuries, but as my injuries healed, I became aware of how my whole body was impacted. I have a very good massage therapist I have been seeing for years. She was a huge help with my recovery.
At 4 months I was able to ride fairly hard on the mountain bike, and at about 5 months I started really pushing myself at the gym. Now at about 7 months, I feel great other than some soreness in my hands and wrist after intense activity.
This whole experience has actually had a very positive impact on my life. Now that I feel good again, I have a renewed passion for my family, my work, and the things I like to do like ride bikes and dirt bikes, play soccer, and work out.
I know you’re feeling very low right now, and 6 months sounds like an eternity, but the time will pass quicker than you think. Slowly but surely, you will feel better and get your strength back. Try you best to stay positive. Push yourself when you think you can, and rest your body when it tells you to. Find yourself a good massage therapist if you don’t already have 1, and try to stretch yourself the best you can. Don’t be discouraged when you first resume riding ect. by your lack of strength. This is normal, and you will get your strength back.
I wish you the best, and hope this story helps you in some way.
Lee
John,
I really appreciate your input. After much thought I am thinking it would probably make more sense to fly out west, and then rent bikes there. If we fly, we have options. I just read your 3 part article about Sedona. Sedona in some ways would be easier. There are tons of flight options from ATL to Phoenix, and the flights are shorter and cheaper. Also, it looks like Sedona would likely be a little warmer than Moab in late November. Is that correct?
Do you think Sedona would be a better fit for us than Moab? I know there aren’t as many novice friendly trails in Sedona, but my daughter is a pretty tough, athletic kid, and I think she would be able to do the intermediate trails. I thought about even basing out of Sedona, but driving up to Moab for a couple of days as well. Thanks again for your input!
Thanks John for the info! Lots of possibilities for sure. Right now I’m leaning towards stopping first at LOVIT in Arkansas, then doing a couple days at Palo Duro and a few days in New Mexico. Really want to go to Moab, but I’m thinking that maybe we just don’t have enough time. Thanks again!
Thanks very much for your reply Markus. I just checked out that website; you live in paradise my friend. I would love to head there, but I’m thinking Thanksgiving time might be a little late in the year for that area. Definitely will keep it in mind though. Thanks!
