Featured Then---and Now. Thank You To My Forum Friends Who Helped Me Hang In There!

Today's date marks one year since I crashed my bicycle and got off to an early start to the craziness of 2020. It's amazing that an entire year has passed since that day. So much has transpired in that year's time including a pandemic, loss (and gain) of a job, and saying goodbye to our beloved boxer, Annie. I know that many of my forum friends have also experienced major challenges, hardships, and losses this year. As I reflected today on the events of a year ago, I also considered all those who helped me hang in there through the ensuing months. And many of the forum members here are among those who supported and encouraged me as I healed.

So here's a HUGE thank you to each of you who sent encouraging words, made me laugh, shared your own stories of broken bones and recovery, and checked in on my progress through posts and PM's. I am very thankful for your support and I'm blessed by your friendship. In looking back today at the copious messages in the thread I started after my accident, I felt overwhelmed and grateful for the kindness expressed by so many of you--forum friends that I've not even met in person. Yet!

So here are a few photos of then---and now. Of course I marked the day by riding! Riding motorcycles, mind you. Not that blasted bicycle.





On Saturday Mr. Sandi and I rode with our boss and her husband. We'd not seen him in over a year and a half as he had heart surgery in the fall of 2019. He's doing great now. He used to be a motorcycle cop so is an amazing rider. And how awesome is it that Mr. Sandi and I are riding buddies with our boss?!?

The actual date of my crash was January 18th but I crashed on a Saturday so this day also felt like an "anniversary" of sorts based on the day of the month. I did think about riding my bicycle to commemorate the occasion. But then I regained my senses. We did a nice round 100 miles and had weather that was perfect for riding.







Today I rode my Street Glide Special with our buddy, RT. Mr. Sandi didn't join us because he had two "dates" scheduled, one with the guy who trims our trees once a year and the other with his guitar buddy, RS. They two of them set up chairs and amps and music stands on our back patio and play together each Monday afternoon. I really wanted to get out and ride today because it just felt like the right thing to do. I am so grateful now each time I ride after being sidelined for seven months while recuperating. Those bikes were a powerful motivator!

RT and I did an afternoon ride up to the Oracle Patio Cafe, one of our two primary COVID-era riding destination restaurants because they have outdoor seating and excellent safety protocol. But unfortunately on this day the cafe was closed. Not for MLK Day but for the owners to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. So we just hung out and chatted for a bit then headed back down into Tucson. It was another beautiful day with temps around 70ºF and our mileage was around 70, too.





What a difference a year makes. One year ago I couldn't walk because of a broken pelvis and I was scheduled for elbow surgery. I still do home PT about an hour each day but functionally I'm able to do most everything that I could do prior to my accident.

I'm grateful for so many things--good medical care, healing, Mr. Sandi's care and patience, friends and family. For my faith. For patience and tenacity and motivation. And for my forum friends who cheered me on. You know who you are! And I thank you.

 

Nice anniversary celebration Sandi. After racing bicycles myself I related to the crash and recovery, but never had anything as bad.
I did feel for you not being able to ride, although I joined the “jealous” queue after your Mustang purchase. During the recuperating period, COVID was a very common factor for us all, lockdowns and all
Here’s to the glory and self medication of riding, May it last our lifetimes.

 

So glad you got through it all Sandi
Now if only this feckin Covid thing would hurry up on its way

 

Nice to put that behind you Sandi.
This exercise thing is far to dangerous!
Stay on two wheels but make sure that there is an engine slung between them - it's much safer!

 

Have an extremely belated get well soon from me Sandi... and great to see you took my advice so well with you recovery
I never knew of your accident but it looks like all is well now, you picked a good year to be out of action

 

Glad you made the effort to hang in there Sandi.

Like your good self a few of us have had a challenging 2020 and there’s still challenges ahead in 2021. So it’s onwards and upwards as they say.

Keep on posting those great pictures of your ride outs. I was watching one of Jamie Robinson’s motogeo videos on YouTube the other day (I enjoy his motogeo videos) were he was riding the Apache Trail in Arizona. He you ridden it.

 

Great you have regained some degree of normality and are now able to pootle about in the Arizona sunshine with friends - despite the possible inconvenience of lockdowns and distancing.

 

The "self medicating of riding".....LOVE that, @Dartplayer! It is SO true.

 

Thanks, @andyc1. I appreciate your belated get well soon. I still have elbow issues and will most likely have another surgery to remove the hardware that's in there as it's quite annoying. It's especially bothersome with the elbow armor in my motorcycle jackets. And who knew we whacked our elbows on things so frequently? My surgeon said that most people who are thin opt to get that metal outta there. I don't know when I'll have that done, though. I'm not in a hurry due to COVID. Not a good time to be in a medical facility unless a necessity to my mind.

 

Glad your fit Sandi.

 

I agree about having the engine slung between the two wheels, @steve lovatt Right now I feel far more comfortable and confident even riding my 820 pound Street Glide than I do my 15 pound bicycle. Though each bicycle ride makes me feel a bit better in that respect, I still don't really look forward the bicycle rides as I do the motorcycle rides.

 

Thanks, @Tiglet. Yes, more challenges ahead in 2021. Just because we put up new calendars, COVID and politics and tough stuff doesn't just change like the snap of the fingers. Yes, onwards and upwards.

I've not ridden the Apache Trail in Arizona but am curious about Jamie Robinson's motogeo videos. I'll check them out on YouTube. Thanks for the info!

 

Ouch! lots of the road racers over here have metal bits, apparently they annoy them during cold winters but I'm guessing you don't have that problem over there

 

Great to hear you have made a good recovery Sandi. We don't bounce as well as we perhaps once did as we get older! I noticed its just about a year since I joined this forum too, so perhaps I'm not a newbie anymore.

 

After I’ve watched and to be honest during Jamie’s videos I always feel hungry.

Boy does he like his food

If you’ve never heard of Jamie he was a British pro road racer who made it to the GP’s, unfortunately he didn’t conquer to world.

 

I arrived on the forum about halfway through your recovery, Sandi. I wasn't there to offer condolences and best wishes at the start, but I can say now how glad I am that you're back on your motorcycles and enjoying life in the Arizona sunshine.

Last year was turbulent in real life and on here as well. During that time I appreciated how you reminded us that this is, first and foremost a biker's forum. No matter what differences we had, people always came together in their appreciation of the descriptions and pictures from your journeys. You reminded us why we love being on two wheels, and how exploring the world on them just can't be beaten. So I'd like to thank you as well, for contributing so much to our little corner of the net and making it a happier place. Safe travels.

 

Actually it can get quite chilly here in the desert, Andy! We rode up to a dealership near Phoenix a couple of weeks ago and it was 34ºC when we started. With our speeds and the ambient air temperature, our calculated wind chill was about 16ºC! We do get usually about a week's worth of below freezing overnight temperatures.

But that all said, we really don't have all that much cold weather so that hasn't been an issue for me with the metal bits in my elbow thankfully.

 

Awww, you're welcome, @Octoberon. And thank you for your kind words.

One of the things I've been thinking about a lot lately is that I want to strive to be a more positive force and voice each day rather than a being a complainer and a negative force. That's often easier said than done but in my own small way I am doing my upmost each day to contribute in a positive way to those around me personally and professionally and not be a "Debbie Downer". (Sorry to the Debbie's out there, nothing personal!)

 

So pleased that you have recovered so well and have put your accident behind you. And all of it was with the backdrop of the pandemic... you are a great inspiration for us all @Sandi T. so positive and lively post and contribution on the forum.

 

Sandi T
You are awesome. You know we all knew you would never be beaten and you proved us right. That's why we all love you so much.
Hugs
Joe