Hit By Car: Getting Back on the Bike...After a Broken Neck

Hit By Car: Getting Back on the Bike
How to Ride Again After A Broken Neck

Joël and I are out for a road ride meandering along quaint and relaxing country roads.  The cars that pass us are few and far between, and they move far over to the other side of the road, giving us ample room.  But then we come up a busy road.  Traffic is moving fast, car after car in both directions, traveling around 50 mph.  We need ride only 25 yards down this road and turn left.  There is a huge shoulder, and a turning lane where we go left. But as Joël tells me what we are doing and where we are turning my heart rate goes way up. I start breathing quickly and become extremely nervous.  I tell myself I can do this; Joël will stay with me.  As we move into the turning lane and traffic is passing me in both directions I have a bit of a panic attack.  I'm hyperventilating, my heart is pumping, and I start to freak out telling Joël I can't be here. Too many cars, too much traffic; it brings back memories that I don't like.  Luckily we can make the turn soon and we are back on a quiet road.  After what happened 10 years ago I don't do well in traffic. Getting hit by a car sucked, and I don't want it to happen again.

It was January 2008, I had just moved to Alabama, there for school.  At the time I was a triathlete, my cycling occuring only on the road. It was a nice Sunday afternoon and I headed out for a ride, looking forward to exploring the roads of the new area I now lived in. Just outside of Auburn the rural roads were quiet and the southern drivers courteous and friendly. What a great place to live for awhile, perfect for triathlon training.

After riding solo for some time, I was heading back toward town and encountered another cyclist.  After some friendly chit-chat I asked if I could tag along to learn the route. Sure was the reply.  We rode along in single file and then came the car that changed it all.

What happened next I have no memory of, which is probably for the better.  The details have been supplied to me by the other cyclist and other drivers who saw the accident happen.  I was hit from behind. After impact I rolled onto the hood and windshield of the car and then flew through the air, finally landing on the pavement.  Luckily the other cyclist was slightly more to the right of me and thus just got knocked off the road.  The car that hit me was totaled; hood crumpled, windshield smashed.  Yup, that's my claim to fame, my body totaled a Toyta Carolla. Makes me a feel a bit super-human.  The driver, an elderly gentleman, said he just never saw us on the road; he never knew we were there.

An ambulance ride to the ER and after numerous diagnostics tests I had a fractured fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae with herniated discs, spinal cord compression, and lots of road rash all over.  My bike looked like a pile of spaghetti. My helmet in pieces.  My clothing ripped in numerous places.  Bummer, I had just bought the jacket I was wearing a few days prior.  During all of this, the emergency responders called my roommate, and she came to the hospital.  The other cyclist came along also.  My roommate called Joël, who was currently still living in the Caribbean, to tell him what happened.  I was stable, being admitted for surgery the next day, and had friends there to help me out.

A plate and pins were used to stabilize the vertebral fractures and I spent a week in the hospital.  For the first few days of my hospital stay I had to ask help to go to the bathroom and get changed, I couldn't bend over and I couldn't even pull down my own pants. Next time you sit on the toilet imagine having to ask for help to get there.  I had to wear a neck brace, which I never wish on anyone, it was awkward and uncomfortable. Eating with it on was impossible, especially spaghetti.  But, it wasn't all that bad.  Friends and fellow students came to visit me.  The hospital had internet, cable TV, and pretty good food.

Once discharged from the hospital, I was already starting to feel the jitters of not training for a week. I still had to wear the neck brace for another week and was told to try to stay quiet. I really hurt, so I didn't do much but I go for a walk with my dog and some light strength training and stretching of my lower body.  I was picking glass out of my scalp for days.  The pain meds had me feeling loopy and  upset my stomach.  My post-surgery instructions were that I could start swimming two weeks post-op, riding a stationary bike in four weeks, and running and riding outside in six weeks. Sure, mentally I was ready to get going ASAP, but physically it took time.   I knew recovery would be tough but I had to get back on the bike.

I was already signed up for spring races and for a half-ironman in Germany that summer and I was not going to let this incident hamper my racing.  Just after I was back at home my mom came to visit and we drove to Atlanta to a triathlon-specific bike shop so that I could order a bike.  I was still wearing the neck brace and had limited mobility but I didn't want to waste time.  No riding outside for a few more weeks but I wanted to make sure I had a bike to get on when that time came around.  I'm sure that bike shop hasn't sold many bikes to people who couldn't even ride it yet.

As soon as I was allowed to swim, bike, and run you can bet I was back to doing those things. I still remember my first time back in the pool.  Turning my head to take a breath was excruciating and I could barely move my arms above my head. But I tried.  Most of my workout was just floating and kicking, but I was back in the pool. My first stationary bike ride I had to sit practically upright, I couldn't bend to get down onto the bars.  And the first run caused pain and tingling in my neck. I took things day by day, still training and pushing the limits but also listening to my body. Before I knew it was riding outside again (on my new bike of course), attending masters swim class, and running with my dog.


By the time the triathlon season rolled around I was back to training full time and felt no effects of the accident. I won my age group at my first race back, and continued to have a successful season, landing on the podium many times.  Ironman 70.3 in Weisbaden went well, minimal lack of endurance due to losing much of my early season base training. The accident didn't slow me down, neither physically or mentally at races.

Fast forward to 2018, 10 years after the accident.  No pain and no decreased range of motion at the surgery site. I do have some referred back issues but they are manageable.  Massage, physical therapy, acupuncture, laser therapy, anti-inflammatories, and the occasional steroid injection and/or epidural injection keeps me going.  The physical ramifications are miniscule, but the memories of the accident stay with me when riding on the road.  I become uncomfortable when riding in high traffic situations.  Maybe this is one of the reasons I was so drawn to mountain biking when Joël and I really got into it when he moved to the US. It has it's fair share of bruises and injuries but it's off the road and away from cars. Yes, I still road ride on a regular basis, but routes are picked carefully.


I often wonder why did all of this happen? Was it so that I would eventually gravitate towards mountain biking?  Because I need a new triathlon bike?  Or because my roommate and the guy I was riding with were meant to get together.  Yup, that's right. They met that day in the hospital and are now married. I was a maid of honor at their wedding.  Fate sometimes takes hold and things happen for a reason.  But let's hope having a broken neck is something I never need as a reason for something else to occur again in the future.

- Jess














Four Paws and Fur Makes the Best Training Partner

Four Paws and Fur Makes the Best Training Partner

Joël and I wake up and check the outside temperature, it's a chilly 12 degrees F. As we meander through our morning routine our dog Clifford follows us, watching closely for those keys signs that we are going for a ride.  Joël and I really don't want to ride outside, the warmth of the basement is calling us to ride inside that day.  The look of hope and excitement in Cliff's eyes sways us in the direction of the cold. Before we know it we are putting on the layers and heading out for a ride. Cliff is wagging his tail and is ready to go.


I admit, I didn't even want Cliff at first. Our old Golden Retriever Nikki had just passed and Joël and I were checking out a rescue with the intention to just talk with the organizers about adopting a dog in the future.  We had seen pictures of Clifford on the website, he was the only of his litter not yet adopted. We really weren't wanting to adopt him right away, this was just a meeting to think about it as a maybe in the future.  Why was he not yet adopted?  He was shy, fearful, and not socialized. At four months old he didn't even know how to walk on a leash. As the litter was brought in to meet all of their new family members we went to see Cliff. Cliff proceeded to crawl onto Joël's lap and peed. Cliff chose Joël and the decision was made, we came home with a new family addition that evening.

Trail dog training commenced and over the next few months we molded Cliff into the perfect trail dog. It was a two-way effort, Joël and I worked hard and put in our training time but Cliff also showed us he wanted to be out there. The more and more we rode and traveled with him, the more and more it became his thing. Excitement would build when the bikes came out, the van was being packed, or my running sneakers were being put on.  Cliff learned how to run on a slack leash right next to us while running or cycling around town, and when off leash he learned verbal cues to help him stay close.  Cliff even adapted to travel in a cart attached to the bike so that he could access the trails more readily.  Joël and I created a monster, and it's a good thing.

So how does Cliff's addiction to the trails affect our training? Well, everything in our lives revolves around Cliff.  He impart dictates our training, travels, and races.  And we are fine with that.

No matter what the weather, Cliff wants to go out.  Cold, rain, wind, snow; he doesn't care.  Many days Joël and I are going back and forth about what to do for training that day; stay inside or go out.  And then Cliff gives us the look.  So outside we go.  Cliff prefers the trails or the local park on the bikes but no matter what he always gets us out the door.  If it's really cold we may finish up the training session on the hometrainers but Cliff gets us out for a bit first. And what about if it really is just way to terrible out to ride?  Then we go for a run or a hike.  And this is pretty much every day of the week.  Even if we are tired or sore; there is no skipping the outside that day.  We at least need to get Cliff out for a bit, he expects it and deserves it.

Cliff's chariot is something special Joël made to help get Cliff to more rides and to better trails along with being more time efficient for us.  Why drive to the trail when you can ride?  Using a pull-behind child cart attached to his bike, Joël will pull Cliff along to the trailhead.  This way we can take Cliff to more places along with getting more time on the bike.  And of course this is a good workout for Joël, nothing like pulling 100+ pounds behind you.  Joël and I enjoy the look on the faces of people as they drive by us and then realize that there is a dog in that cart.

Many of you are familiar with our camper van, nicknamed "The Nankvan". It's a creeper-esq van converted into a campervan.  And who was the number one priority when converting it?  Why Clifford of course.  Cliff goes everywhere with us. Rides, races, camping trips, family vacations; you name it Cliff is there. He has traveled to more states and countries than many people.  More often than not when we show up to a cycling related event we always get the question "is Cliff here" because he has become such a staple in our travels.  Our van life adventures revolve around what is best for Cliff. Is this camping site best for him?  Will there be good trails for him? Can he stay in the van
alone here?  Cliff is just as comfortable in the van as he is in his own bed at home. We have a special sleeping area for him.  Tinted and sun-blocked windows along with a fan to keep him cool in the summer; jackets, booties, and a area to snuggle to stay warm during the winter.  We even have set-up elaborate fenced and tented areas incorporating the van at some races.  Cliff is our traveling buddy and we make sure everything is just perfect for him.





Cliff has become a regular on many group rides.  "Do I hear a ringing in my ears" is not an uncommon saying on rides due the bear bell we have Cliff wear.  Riding with friends is a part of cycling both Joël and I enjoy, it's one of the many reasons we ride.  Cliff has become an accepted member of many of the regular group rides we attend.  If the ride is going to be too long or too intense for Cliff, we will do our "Cliff prologue" and/or "Cliff cooldown". We will take Cliff out for a short loop before or after (or both) the main group ride. While the ride is going on Cliff can relax in the van, eat a snack, get a drink, and recharge for post ride socializing. Overall Cliff is a shy guy, but put on a helmet and ride a bike and he will be your friend.

Trails dogs make every ride better.  Having a bad ride? Cliff helps turn that frown upside down.  Maybe I'm just not feeling it, just can't clear things that day, or am really not feeling into the ride. Watching Cliff bound along the trail with that happy look on his face makes the ride all worth it. There have been many rides that if it wasn't for having to be out there for Cliff I would have turned around just after starting. And ya know what; after riding a while and seeing how happy Cliff is all of a sudden the ride gets better and better and turns into a good workout. Thanks Cliff for being my motivator!

Cliff and cycling, they go together.  Cliff is our number one training partner' maybe even sort of our coach.  He gets us out for training sessions even if we don't want to go. If we are having a bad ride the happiness on Cliff's face makes it all better. He is part of the family and travels everywhere with us.  Joël and I are both happy Cliff chose us; and we tend to think Cliff is happy to be with us. Looking forward to many more miles, many more early morning rides, and many more adventures in the Nankvan with Cliff.

-Jess