Several of you learned
of my bike crash on Wednesday. To fill
you in on some details: It was at a low speed only 0.3 miles from being done
but I went down medium-hard on my left side.
I was able to get up but it was clear that I needed to be checked
out. There was a small bruise on my head
that I didn’t even know was there and a scrape on my right leg – nothing bleeding
to speak of. I sensed tolerable pain in
my left shoulder and elbow.
Kathy came to pick
me up to take me to an emergency room where they x-rayed me and determined that
I probably had a fractured elbow but no other breaks. I was fitted with a soft cast that was
somewhat uncomfortable and inconvenient.
Thursday I went to
an orthopedist where this diagnosis was confirmed. The cast was removed and not replaced – I’m
happy about that. I wear a sling but
that isn’t necessary all day. I see the
orthopedist again in 2 weeks for more x-rays to see if things are progressing
satisfactorily. If so I will start PT at
that point. I am generally comfortable
but I can make my elbow, wrist and upper back sting if I get in the wrong
position. Docs say it will take 6 weeks
of non-riding to recover sufficiently.
We’ll see about that – I don’t want to rush things but I was riding 1
month after my first rotator cuff surgery.
Thanks to those of
you who learned of this and expressed “get well” wishes. This is my first extended time off the bike
due to a biking incident in 30+ years of riding. I know I’ll miss seeing you on bikes but I’ll
see you at breakfasts, coffees and other social gatherings as they occur. You now have the opportunity to catch up (Mike - you will have to ride backwards to catch me); the
ride Wednesday put me just over 3300 miles for the calendar year.
Happy and Safe
Biking to you all. See you soon.
I imagine we can find ride leaders to keep Thursday rides going while I'm out. Watch this page and/or check your email.
BTW - RAGBRAI PICS - click the bird
