I like this post, but I needed a "I don't like this" button. Keep taking good care, cyclocross is not the same without you, but you'll be back before you know it!

Pat it's only a matter of time before you'll be back in the saddle kicking all of our butts and making me suffer on your wheel. You've proven it before and I'm looking forward to you proving it again. 

Oh man pat, not you too!  Heal up fast!

That really sucks, so sorry to hear Pat! 

OUCH! On the plus side your legs looks super ripped in that photo...

As I'm sure you know, this too shall pass - not much of consolation for the next two weeks while you try and live/sleep on that that thing.

Glad it was only a collarbone and not your noggin. Hope you are feeling better sooner than you expect.

Patrick, I’m so sorry that you have to go through this, I hope that all this hell will be erased from memory very quickly.

Sorry Patrick. Really sucks that you have to wait for so long, also that's it's your right collar bone (I'm hoping you are left handed...). Cool photo though.

Collarbone update:

So it's been a week since I had three plates screwed into my clavicle. I should get some nice X-rays when I meet with the surgeon next week. Gotta join the rest of you with "badass" metal holding bones together. 

The first few days sucked. Limited mobility and constant pain. All of this has gotten better over the course of a week. I stopped using the sling a few days ago and stopped taking ibuprofen and acetaminophen yesterday. I had been taking oxy at night to help with sleep, but that stopped being necessary. 

I have use of my right arm again. I can type, hold things, and even cut my own food! (I am appreciating the small things). I am not supposed to do any "weight bearing" with my right arm. When the surgeon first told me this I first thought he meant I couldn't go to the gym! I am daft. I still am not sure what the limits of being able to lift things with my right arm, but I figure that if I can hold a coffee cup and it doesn't hurt then it's okay. If I hold something too heavy and it hurts, I'll stop doing that. 

As a Psychologist I have been able to work remotely, but I am a little stir crazy at home. I have been torturing my wife Katie by telling her I am considering taking a drive. She thinks (and is probably right) that it is too early. Still, I may test things out this weekend, including seeing how it feels to get on the bike trainer for a little bit. If it hurts I will know to wait some more. 

I am still a month out from riding on the road, but perhaps I can come out to a cross race and take photos if some of you are heading to one. I appreciate all of this who have reached out directly or through the forum. Looking forward to riding with you all soon(ish).

Happy to hear there’s progress Pat! A month sounds long, but it’s already a day closer now than when you wrote it. 

You'll get there soon Pat!

Injury/Recover Update my side

• Surgery Date was August 26th, so ~ 7 weeks post op
• Still doing some PT for the shoulder, probably another couple of weeks to go, strength is good but still a bit tight flexibility wise
• Been doing some indoor sessions and feeling ok
• Ribs finally feeling better so decided to try outside yesterday
• Legs n lungs working ok, endurance still to be tested
• On return the shoulder was feeling it a bit, will take some ibuprofen before heading out the next time
• This is how much NYP charges for a 3 day ER visit + outpatient surgery ($124k billed, $83k covered)
• 
  
• 

Bike

• Front brake not working! Left brake lever has no resistance (this problem never came up indoors)
• No real cosmetic damage apart from the bar tape
• Will be dropping this off for a service this week when I'm travelling, should have done this when I was out of action....

Clothing

• Verge Tor 4.0 Mediums Jerseys are a squeeze/borderline offensive to say the least, I was an L in Champion, with a little bit of give
• TOR 4.0 Bib Shorts - Medium Long, are not long. Decent fit/same as Champion but definitely not long, make me wonder how short the regulars are...
• Gloves needed for 8oC
• When will the next store window open for Winter gear?

Should be good for next weekend so looking forward to seeing you all out there again!

It’s been 4 weeks since my collarbone surgery and I’ve been tentatively riding outdoors again. This weekend I rode with Mark up to Rockland lake and my shoulder felt a little tight, but that was a small price to pay for a solid ride in glorious 60+ degree day in November. I am being particularly attentive to reduce risks of taking another fall as the bone isn’t fully healed 🤞

The 12 days  prior to surgery were rough and the first week after surgery was still pretty difficult, but soon after I had much more range of motion and reveled in the renewed ability to put on t-shirts and cut food on my own! 

Patrick literally kicked my head in coming back on 9w