STEVE'S CYCLING MISADVENTURE

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STEVE'S CYCLING MISADVENTURE

Post by MPN-MATE Admin »

STEVE'S CYCLING MISADVENTURE

Good evening all... :-)

Thought I had best eventually come around to explaining my absence from the FORUM of late...

Sadly, three (3) weeks ago, almost to the day. I was run down by a 4WD whilst merging across into the cycling lane on Sydney's M7 Motorway.

Whilst a most fascinating experience, I do hope that all readers will take my advice and "Do Not Try This At Home".

I am guessing the vehicle that I collided with was travelling at an estimated speed of 80 – 100kmph at the time of impact.

Naturally, I have all of the contusions on contusions (mainly upon my RH side), along with all of the abrasions one might expect. The most significant injury was / is X3-4 Non-displaced fractures to my Pelvis. Which ia rather painful at times too... For a number of reasons that one might deduce after some consideration.

Even more sadly is the complete obliteration of my beautiful Cervelo R3. Not long before this event, I had been working to have her tuned to the very best of my abilities, and she had responded by rewarding me with such a great feeling, (like she had gained a motor),. she was really flying along... There's very little left to salvage, (if anything at all). I am yet to have the ability to try to pull apart what remains of her... All extremely sad for me to undertake...

However, I am told that I should be smiling because I am still alive and here etc... Naturally, thinking about my R3 leaves me quite depressed, as is the notion of my endeavours to begin the replacement journey... I really loved that bike, and she had served me and all my efforts so well throughout all my training and all our Fundraising efforts...

Recommencing my exercising regime is still some three (3) weeks away, (if I am lucky – already feeling fat!).

My bike was under insured, so while I will receive some assistance, unfortunately, that sum will fall well short of her replacement value...

Hence, yet another problem seeking a solution has arisen... What to do?

While I am in some physical pain, most of it is of a psychological nature, & borne out of my own reasoning providing me with the assurance that I must accept part of the blame for this demise.

It seems such a cruel realisation, that at the time of this event; I was feeling so strong and able in my fitness; my bike was cruising like a sailboat of perfect lines with the perfect breeze in a following sea... Everything seemed just perfect... Than BAM! Wake up & return to this cursed reality...

My apologies... my depression rears its ugly head and even more so while having to take these horrid pain killers, but they do really help too...

Just prior to this untimely event, I had commenced in earnest our next Fundraiser plan... All now ceased of course! It was slowly starting to take shape, and I was feeling so encouraged to capitalise on all our previous best efforts... Now the "Pause Button" pressed for who knows how long?

Naturally, I'll eventually do the 'Taylor Swift' thing and "Shake it all off!" ;-)

Anyways, hopefully I will see some of you this coming Sunday evening for our next Cafe Catchup from 6-8PM

Best wishes all...

Apologies for my gloom... I'll be back soon...

Steve
BIKE R3 after 22.05.24.png
BIKE R3 after 22.05.24.png (747.82 KiB) Viewed 3166 times
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KatieB
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Re: STEVE'S CYCLING MISADVENTURE

Post by KatieB »

Hey Steve,
So sorry you are still in pain after your awful accident. I am sure most of us have already contacted you and hope that you heal quickly.
The loss of your bike is a different matter as we all know what an important part of your life it is. It is easy to understand your devastation and understandable depression.
You have achieved so much in the past few years and if it wasn’t for you and your bike, we would not have this forum which so many of us value and find extremely helpful.
You mention we have a coffee catchup on Sunday. Hopefully, as many of us will be there as possible to help you back into realising how much we value you in the world of MPNers.
Can you post the coffee catchup link please?

Sending best wishes for a speedy recovery and a new bike.
Katie
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Kinsale
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Re: STEVE'S CYCLING MISADVENTURE

Post by Kinsale »

Steve - the description of your accident is shocking and you are lucky to be alive my friend. I know cycling, particularly on your R3 is deeply embedded in your way of life and as a vital part of managing your MPN.

You are a strong man and I know that through your determination your recovery will proceed quickly, and this has to be your main focus. We will have regular MPN Mate catch ups to share in your progress of recovery. It is definitely ok that any future fundraising drives are parked whilst you focus on your health.

Cheers

Mark
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Re: STEVE'S CYCLING MISADVENTURE

Post by MPN-MATE Admin »

Hi guys... :-)

Thank you for your Posts Katie & Mark... I will be fine of course. Just a tad sad atm is all...

Thank you both for your kind thoughts and comments.

Katie, the Post is already on the FORUM for the next Cafe Catchup, however here they are again, and I will do a quick Final Reminder Email shortly:

MATES MEETING DETAILS:

WHERE: ONLINE – MICROSOFT TEAMS

WHEN: SUNDAY JUNE 16

TIME: FROM 6 – 8PM AEST

MEETING LINK:

https://teams.live.com/meet/95392473204 ... RUtKRH3x2V


Thank you

Steve
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Alkemist
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Re: STEVE'S CYCLING MISADVENTURE

Post by Alkemist »

Hi Steve
Sorry to hear about your accident and the loss of your treasured bike. But as others have said, 'You are extremely fortunate to still be here to tell the tale.' I'm sure you have relived the moments leading up to the collision many times over. I don't fully understand what 'merging across into the cycling lane on the M7' means, but if it brings you into the path of a 4WD travelling at high speed, I hope you realize that it is the kind of risky manoeuvre to be avoided in future 🤣.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Allan
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Re: STEVE'S CYCLING MISADVENTURE

Post by MPN-MATE Admin »

Hey Allan,

Thanks for your message...

Yes, it is a risky pastime riding a pushbike on any road in reality. The course I was doing on the day, is one I have taken many hundreds of times before...

Everything happens in nano-seconds as you'd recognise, and reliving the moment one must acknowledge the inherent dangers involved of course...

However, there is only ever so much that one is ever truly in control of, the rest as they often like to cite, "... is in the lap of the cycling gods..."

Recovery continues & I shall be happy once I am able to recommence exercising & some physio, which is still circa 3-4 weeks away according to my specialist etc.

Feeling very fat already three weeks Post the event... :-((

Thanks for you thoughts Allan... 8-)

Best wishes

Steve
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