Originally Posted by trekmogul

Let me jump in here also about being a early rider. Up every morning (7 days a week) @ 245am and clipped into my pedals 0450am just like clock work. My day can not start or function without my early 20-25 mile ride every single morning. Me like most of you also need my coffee to get my started off on the right foot as i honestly do not think i could function without it. Then it is 3 half boiled eggs and a tablespoon of peanut butter and out the door I go.


2 weeks ago at about 0510am in the morning cruising along on a country road with the owner of my LBS I struck a raccoon and ended up really banged up. I have/had 2 cracked ribs, terrible neck sprain, tons of nasty road rash on my right leg and had the end of the handlebar smash the HRM module into my sternum. We managed to straighten the brakes and put the front tire back on the bead and I rode home the 9.5 miles to where my car is parked. We were riding along just about 21MPH and that raccoon tossed me like a rag doll off of that bike. I am ok but still banged and bruised. Missed 3 days before I was able to get back on the bike but very cautious and hesitant. I am 63.5 years old and that was one brutal hit i took..

I been back at my 445am rides but still very tender and spooked of those raccoons ..!