----Begin E-Mail----

Hey there. Here's from the last cycling accident I'll ever have, or so I promised my wife!

I was on the first day of my vacation in July 2000 and around 10:00 AM I took to the trails on my mountain bike. I headed into the Dundas valley at the base of the Niagara escarpment area in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

About 5 Km out of the city I was heading down a steep hill and hit a rock and crashed heavily. I was left with a dislocated shoulder a few cuts and my right hand was in a very unusual position! I had to make it back and grab a bus to the hospital. The picture of me standing is from the second day out of the hospital. I was in for 5 days.

The second shot is one week later and the last one is just before I got that external fixator off and the pins out 7 weeks later.

I've never had a cast but wouldn't like to have a fixator again. With lots of physio I am able to write, albeit with a new font, but have nerve damage and pain in my hand and the sweat glands on the top of my hand no longer work. I'm told this is from the fixator and the pins and screws that went in to keep the bone together.

Anyway, it could have been worse. I was wearing my helmet, always have, and threw it away after as it may not protect properly more than once.

----End E-Mail----

Editor's Notes:

I haven't been on my bike for about a year and a half, and that second picture is going to keep me off of it forever, or so I promised my wife ;)

I didn't even know there was good biking in Niagra. There are too many wax museums and strip clubs to be bothered with the bike.

And like the man says, always wear a helmet and throw it away after a serious fall. Once they are hit pretty hard they don't have the same strength, even if they look fine. At least, that's what the guys who sell them say. Better safe than sorry, though.

Sharky

Photos:
Fixator- not fun, just not fun
Hold still- or else
Up and about- looking good