In Sept, I was barely starting out in the mass start of the "Black Patch Festival" bicycle ride from Princeton, Ky. , when an unseen pothole caused me to crash hard against the asphalt.

I immediately knew I was badly injured. I couldn't breathe, and had severe pain in the back of my left chest. This had happened once before almost 10 years ago. That time I had 6 rib fractures and had to be hospitalized for 3 days. My medical training and that old experience told me this was a similar injury.

Fortunately, the sag wagon was right behind me and an ambulance was on the spot. Unfortunately they were well trained and Velcro-ed me down to a back board. So I really had pain and labored breathing till I got to the Caldwell Co. Hospital ER, and X-rays confirmed I had no spinal injury
(1 hour of cursing and praying later).
The doc was extremely comforting and told me that this time I only had 3 rib fractures.

The best news was when the nurse said she had a nice big shot of Toredol for me.

Now 7 weeks later I'm finally back to thegym and back on the bike.