After Ragbrai

As I reported in my previous blog post, last year my friend Cam persuaded me to participate in Ragbrai – a weeklong bike adventure across Iowa. It’s not a race – it’s more like a Burning Man on wheels.  We started outdoor training in March and by July we had logged over a thousand miles.

Unfortunately fifteen miles into the ride on the first day a rider lost control of his bike as he crossed over Mud Creek bridge. He hit the concrete side curb and his bike careened across the road in front of us. As he struggled to regain control he swerved back to the right. I slammed on my brakes as he went down. I was certain I was going to run over him but I missed him. A rider behind me screamed, "Don't stop." I rode to the top of the next hill and waited for Cam.

She didn't show. Cam had hit the rear tire of his bike and she was seriously injured. She had a concussion; fractures in her upper jaw; a fractured left wrist; broken fingers on her right hand – ring and pinkie finger; a shattered right elbow and numerous deep bruises and road rash from face to foot - mostly on her right side. 

Our great Ragbrai adventure ended with a trip to the Council Bluffs Emergency room and then an eight hour drive back to Evanston. During the next few weeks after she returned, Cam had surgery on her right hand (two pins), on her right elbow (seven pins and a titanium plate), and three root canals. She also started occupational therapy to regain the range of motion in her elbow, wrist and hand.

Cam has been heartened by the outpouring of support and concern from the Ragbrai community of riders. Now some 60 days since the accident she is done with surgery and even her damaged bike is ready for pickup.

As for outside riding this season she is sticking to her indoor trainer.  She has signed up for a 100km run for May of next year and she says she will learn to fall on her left side from here on out.