No one likes to crash

This blog isn't quite the lighthearted race report of norm. Actually it's not a race report at all. For those who have followed my blog they will know what has happened in the last month for those who don't let's begin.

On the 7th of May I was in Toowoomba with the Veneziano Blefari team to race the upcoming NRS Tour of Toowoomba, when I had a collision with a car that had pulled out in front of me whilst on a training ride. No moving allowed and a very uncomfortable neckbrace became a new accessory until I reached the hospital, where I was then able to further view my injuries. The usual road rash on my right hip was expected, but on removal of my knicks the doctor pointed out a centimetre deep hole in my left thigh about the size of a fifty cent piece. This meant stitches and therefore no racing the tour we had come so far for.

The news really didn't get much better after that, I came back from getting X-rays to find the police beside my bed, with the interview finished the rest of the team came to pick me up around 10 with the news that my beautiful Cervelo S5 VWD was in pretty bad shape. Much to my surprise someone was at the scene of the
accident which can be found here: http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/cyclist-lucky-escape-injury-after-rangeville-crash/1859601/

The worst part of the crash by far was the following days, being unable to walk properly, not being able to use my hands to do something as simple as taking the cap off the milk. But easily the most horrible part of the crash was sitting down standing up and getting in to bed, with my leg so badly bruised and cut up I was unable to lift my foot an inch off the ground under my legs own strength. Frustration was the first emotion to set in which turned to anger and then just feeling low, I thought to myself "I'm a 19 year old elite cyclist who couldn't even move his own leg." Times did get pretty tough both physically and mentally over the following days, no improvement in movement starts to get you thinking the worst like "Will I ever ride again?" and "What if I can't use my leg again?". It was times like then that I could count myself lucky to have the full support of the Veneziano Blefari Cycling team by my side as well as my friends and family back home keeping me in their thoughts and checking on me each day to see how I was going.

At the moment with insurance hanging in the balance and no end in sight, as well as needing to replace my bike I have put some bike stuff from the garage that I don't use anymore on Gumtree for sale. Take a look at what's there, it's not much but every cent will be going to buying a new bike after everything that has happened. If you find anything you like just contact me and something can be worked out.

Merida Time Warp TT Bike
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/adelaide-region/bicycles/merida-time-warp-tt-must-go-/1020905756

3T Aura Pro TT bars
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/adelaide-region/bicycles/3t-aura-pro-tt-bars/1021729590

3T Ergosum Team bars
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/adelaide-region/bicycles/3t-ergosum-team-handlebars/1021729919

ISM Adamo Prologue saddle
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/adelaide-region/bicycles/ism-adamo-prologue-saddle/1021730120

Mavic Podium shoes
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/adelaide-region/bicycles/mavic-podium-shoes/1021757022

It shows that while cycling is a sport of many highs, one moment can turn everything around within a second. I can admit that hard times lead to low thoughts and a tear or two were shed, but the support of the great people around me helped day by day to start me on the road to recovery.