Like many life-time cyclists I have experienced life-threshing injuries due to collisions with automobiles and animals. I was reflecting on one these incidents just a few days ago - because I was hit by a car 16 years ago on the "daylight savings" change weekend. Not that this matters - but I got hit at the 99th mile of a 102 mile "all-day" Sunday ride. My thoughts immediately seemed to focus on how just "any one little change" in the pace or rest stops of the previous 98 miles would have kept me from that intersection at the time I was hit. I also remember how reflexive and fearful I became when I resumed riding and came to similar situations as my accident. I was even skittish when driving.

Later on, my observation is that cycling was the single most valuable adjunct to healing and rehabbing my health. When ruminating about your future activities just remember that the deer you hit may have kept you from getting killed by a truck an hour later. (or the next day)

Fate is a fickle mistress. Learn what you can from your accident - but realize how much you can't!

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