On Jan 29, 2017 I nearly lost my life bombing a descent in Colorado. Fractured 4 bones in my back, 3 in my foot, my wrist, and lost more blood/skin than I can remember. Forget rock climbing and cycling, I couldn’t even feed or bathe myself any longer. I became lost, lonely, and felt sorry for myself at times – to a point in which it affected and ended my long term relationship. I needed to do something, anything, to get myself motivated again.
I wound up taking all the money I had saved up for 2 years on a new SUV and purchased my dream road bike … my beloved Moots. It would be a few months before I could ride it, but it was just the motivation I needed to claw myself back into reality, into normalcy, and routine. I trained HARD as I dreamed of titanium daily. It began slow, but at least it began – I shouldn’t be walking, let alone be here. Success went from showering solo again to walking with a cane to physical therapy to light yoga and, FINALLY, riding again.
But I didn’t allow myself to ride the Moots until I felt confident in knowing my physical capabilities were at (or near) the level of prestige of the brand I had coveted so much. So I rode like a madman on a training bike – 10 miles became 20, which soon became 50, which soon became 100! Simultaneously, my pace picked up from 15 mph to 17 to 18 and now around ~20 mph. I quickly became the guy at the front of most group rides, the kind of guy who laughs at head winds as he pushes the pace. I was ready.
From the first pedal stroke it became abundantly and unequivocally clear to me that the Moots was not just the right choice, but the only choice for me. I quickly forgot about pain and loss and suffering. The only thing I thought about was the pure enjoyment of riding, of exploring, and of being at one with the landscape. My Moots has not only been the best gift I could have given myself, but has also proved to be invaluable in turning around my physical/emotional/mental health, as well as my confidence.
I’m nearly at 100% recovery from the accident, albeit a newly redefined 100%. Fortunately, I’m several months ahead of schedule and alive as ever. Not bad for someone whom only picked up cycling in September of 2016.
Everyone has a story … and the Moots Vamoots RSL Disc is helping to rewrite mine.