Yep, it was my first real break, I was fourteen at the time, crashed my bike! Some things don’t change eh? Anyway, actually, it was a motorbike, a scrambler, a 250 Cotton works frame with leading-link forks around a 250cc Villiers engine. I used to thrash about on it over Puxton which was an old gravel pit.

We used to time each other around a circuit. On this particular day I was going like a nutter, got slightly more airborne than I should have, and stacked it. Broke my right wrist, easy diagnosis as I could see it was broke. After a few weeks in plaster the doctors decided it wasn’t healing so they were gonna plate it. I spent the next few weeks with my arm in plaster up past my elbow. Now, here’s the funny, strange but true bit…… because I couldn’t bend my elbow I couldn’t wipe my bum! Couldn’t reach see, so had to teach myself to wipe left handed. To this day, as a right-handed person I still wipe left-handed! 🙂 Can you imagine what a stroke of luck that was when years later I broke my right shoulder?

Talking of years later, Puxton got built on, the playground of my youth gone forever.

Had a new x-ray taken down at St Junien hospital yesterday, followed by a consultation with the doctor. It’s healing well, but it’ll need a lot more time. Have a look at the x-ray yourself, see if you can see the progress.

I’m wearing a strap that holds my shoulders back tight. I asked if i could have a spare one so that one could get washed while i wear the other (like on the turbo or something!). He took a look at the one I already have, decided it wasn’t tight enough, so gave me a new one and strapped my shoulders back tighter than ever! Next visit – two weeks hence.

BTW – I ain’t feeling sorry for myself over this. No one forces me to ride a bike, I do it ‘cos I want to. I consider myself fortunate to have the opportunity. I’m happy with my lot. 🙂

Seen the Orthopaedic specialist at St Junien….. he says it’s a bad break, though he’s seen worse. The good news is that he’s confident it will heal OK without surgical intervention. I’m happy with that. As I understand it the first 10-14 days are most important in terms of a fibrous union forming. So, plenty of rest and good food to give my body the best chance.

Thanks to everyone who’s written to me, or posted comments. You’re all very kind.

Back at the sharp end – Jean-Phi managed to catch Marco and the two of them finished together – first two home 100kms in less than 4:30hrs. Lionel arrived a couple of minutes down. Carla rode the 85km option with Beauvallet Cyclo-club president Theo. They came home in 4hrs 55mins (well done wifey).

Now, Merci a tous …
Davy, thanks for stopping and helping me get down to the marshal at the road cross – you’re a good lad. Thanks to the first aid crew who looked after me with ice packs and water. Thanks to the ambulance crew (the pompiers) for taking me to St Junien hospital in their “vehicule presidential” (which means they put the lights and siren on ‘cos they don’t like to stop).

Thanks to the nurses and staff at the hospital for strapping me up, and turning me around with efficiency and minimum delay. Thanks to my friend Peter (Beta Biker) for bringing me home from hospital in his Italian open topped sports car. If you’re gonna travel injured, you might as well travel in style.

The upshot is that it is broken, and i might need to have surgery on it. I’ll find out for sure later today. I’ve gone onto starvation rations so that I don’t bulk up too much, and i’ll be on the turbo trainer as soon as I can.

In the mean time i’ve got the Tour de France to ride from the comfort of my armchair, and i’ve got some time to work on my French. 😉