[MrBill66Malibu]

As some of you may know I had a pretty bad Bicycle wreck just before Thanksgiving.
It left me with swelling of my spinal cord at C6 and C7. This caused both my hands, wrist and arms to be numb and very little strength in my right hand and almost none in my left.

I could not even turn a door knob with my left hand. Luckily I did not break or crack any of my vertebres, but the doctor wanted to write me out of work for 6 weeks. Not going to happen with 2 kids in college and no short term coverage.

I was back at work after 2 weeks and back on the bike 6 weeks later. Still suffering from my accident I rode very slowly and short distances. Funny thing was my hands always felt less numb after riding. When you are off the bike for 6 weeks it can take you up to 12 weeks to get back.

Well after 4 months, my hands are back 99% and tonight I was able to ride up Pilot Mountain. Yes, this is the same place The Andy Griffith Show called Mount Pilot as Andy grew up in this area and was where the show was based on.

This is one of the toughest climbs in America and it has 15% grades with no flat areas to recover. I climbed it in 23 mins without stopping which is just 3 mins slower then my best time.

I thank God for giving me the gift of recovering and to all my friends and family for their support!!! Here are some links to Pilot Mountain and one cyclist account of his climb.

http://dunningrb.wordpress.com/2007/10/13/pilot-mountain-vs-rodney-dunning-101307/

http://www.visitmayberry.com/detailsnorthcarolina.asp?BusinessID=253&BusinessCategoryID=87


I just had to share my joy with my extended Chevelle Family!!!!

 

[webfoot]

Welcome back! Glad you are OK.

 

[PaPa Johns 77]

That is great to hear Bill! Glad it turned out great for you!:thumbsup:

 

[Racing]

I was unaware of the accident. Good to see that your on the mend. :yes:

 

[hbcruiser]

Awsome, great to here good news:thumbsup:

 

[barnyard68]

Great news Bill...Welcome back!

 

[Andy69]

way to go, Bill

 

[mmurphy77]

As they say Bill, you can't keep a good man down. Glad you're well!

 

[depley]

Congrats on the return. Myself I like riding downhill, uphill I will leave to the experts!

 

[quikss]

If I recall correctly, you are on a Madone, you should be flying up those hills

I just got my first CF bike, I tell you what, I don't know if it is just a mental thing or if it really is the bike, but my climbing has drastically improved on the CF bike.

Glad to hear your back in the saddle, you are correct, it takes quite some time to make up for lost time from the saddle.

Fortunately mt worst bicycle wreck came from trying to get my foot out of a pedal cage and I tipped over and landed on my lawnmower Another good reason to go clipless:yes:

Jeff

 

[MrBill66Malibu]

If I recall correctly, you are on a Madone, you should be flying up those hills

I just got my first CF bike, I tell you what, I don't know if it is just a mental thing or if it really is the bike, but my climbing has drastically improved on the CF bike.

Glad to hear your back in the saddle, you are correct, it takes quite some time to make up for lost time from the saddle.

Fortunately mt worst bicycle wreck came from trying to get my foot out of a pedal cage and I tipped over and landed on my lawnmower Another good reason to go clipless:yes:

Jeff

Jeff,

You are correct. Its a 2007 Madone 5.2 and a CF bike really makes a difference. I am flying up the hills, except Pilot Mountain ain't no hill!!! LOL

Thanks for every ones response!!!

 

[Timmer]

Bill - Good going keep it up good for ya

 

[Dan Orgill]

Bill, didn't know about your mishap, but good stuff on your recovery!:hurray:

 

[Hi-po SS 454]

Hi Bill, me being a Cyclist, could you go over exactly what happen to cause your accident.
I have different thoughts as we scream down these mountain roads after making it to the top. What if the front wheel goes flat at 45 mpg, is there sand on the next turn, etc. I hate those thoughts when your moving fast

 

[00WS6TA]

Welcome back!

 

[Jay65SS]

Glad to hear you're back :thumbsup:
Not sure I'd be so quick to get on the bike again with your situation, but be careful.

 

[rak1]

Welcome back....

 

[MrBill66Malibu]

Hi Bill, me being a Cyclist, could you go over exactly what happen to cause your accident.
I have different thoughts as we scream down these mountain roads after making it to the top. What if the front wheel goes flat at 45 mpg, is there sand on the next turn, etc. I hate those thoughts when your moving fast

Rich,

I'm embarrassed by my actions, but man enough to tell all of my stupidity!!! LOL
I was working on my Mountain bike at a friends house and after replacing the front fork I decided to test ride it.

I went out of his driveway and up the block, turned around and was coming into the driveway too fast (front brake wasn't working) so I figured I would just go through the lawn :clonk: At night I didn't see the 3 ft deep culvert :clonk:

The rest, as we say is history. My pride is still more damaged then my body because I was soooo stupid in letting my guard down and not thinking. :clonk:

P.S. Last summer I rode in a relay race in Asheville NC, 53 mph down hill. I try not thinking of the things you mentioned or I would just quit riding!!! LOL

 

[furball8994]

Bill. Glad to hear that you have fully (99%) recovered. I remember your other post. It was scary.
As for your ride up that "cliff". All I can say is WoW. 2.5 miles @10% avg. grade in 23 min. Thats a sustained 6.5 mph avg.
I checked out the links. I would love to ride that mountain on my bike. (read motorcycle) LOL.

 

[MrBill66Malibu]

Bill. Glad to hear that you have fully (99%) recovered. I remember your other post. It was scary.
As for your ride up that "cliff". All I can say is WoW. 2.5 miles @10% avg. grade in 23 min. Thats a sustained 6.5 mph avg.
I checked out the links. I would love to ride that mountain on my bike. (read motorcycle) LOL.

Scott,

Thanks, the sad part is, there are riders that flat out pass me like I'm standing still. Some of the riders in the area are just amazing.