Another Wreck 100 under my belt.
Yes, I was in a crash again this year. But, more on that later. The day started out great. I easily found Greg Francken, Jim Saueressig and Doug Wambach – my riding partners for the day. Mike Geinter (Team Extreme) snapped a photo of us and we were off to the starting point.
The 100 Mile Team
There were a few speeches. But, for me, the national anthem was the most inspiring. I, along with many others, I’m sure, reflected on our soldiers overseas keeping our country safe. We decided to get in on the first wave, so we just soft pedaled ahead during the last of the speeches and waited for them to roll by. We jumped in with the Vision Quest gang and a few other bad boys – including the 7 time winner of the TdF – Mr. Lance Armstrong.
Lance with the Vision Quest gang. Is that Robbie Ventura on the tandem?
Not long after that, we missed our turn (Tony Phillips was leading at that point). We ended up in Wales in an effort to get back on course. I drifted towards the back as I was putting my camera away after the above shot. I heard the familiar sound of a tube blowing and stopped with a few other guys to help. Turns out it was one of Lance’s buddies with the flat. So we all stood around and watched as the group changed his tube 3 times only to have it explode anew each time. A few us took turns trying to engage Lance – including yours truly. I welcomed him to Wisconsin and asked if he’d much of a chance to see Milwaukee. He replied – “I’ve never been to Milwaukee” – and seemed to have no clue that he was anywhere near it.
Changing a flat with Lance
We decided to take a short cut on Highway 83 to get to the nearest rest stop – St. Pauls Church. Along the way, I introduced myself to the rider next to me. He tells me his name – Todd Schmidt – and I do a double take. “Todd Schmidt. I know you.” Todd was the sales rep at Wheel & Sprocket who sold me a pair of blue Shimano cycling shoes years ago – just like the ones Doug used to ride in. Next thing I know, I’m flying over the front of my handlebars. As I’m inverted, I see Fleck doing the same thing. Turns out there was a 4×4 piece of lumber in the road. I NEVER saw it. And Fleck, who was right behind me, did an endo when he rode his bike off the side (to avoid me) and his front wheel stopped in the soft sand. Of course, it might have helped had the riders in front done a better job of pointing it out. Dan Wellman (Team Mack and TW Multisport) was a good Samaritan and made sure we were okay. I had a nasty knot on my head and scraped up my face and shoulder pretty bad. But, the adrenaline was flowing, so I jumped on my bike and limped into the rest stop just around the corner. A volunteer gave me a first aid kit and I irrigated my wounds. I took an ibuprofen and was about to pop another when I glanced at the expiration date – January 1st, 2001! After Julien of Wheel & Sprocket gave my bike the once over (rear wheel needed to be trued), I decided to top off my water bottles before heading out. Suddenly I got nauseous. Then dizzy. Then very dizzy. I went down to one knee and was suddenly surrounded by a group of doctors who had just graduated last month and were out for the ride. I wanted to lay down in the grass in the shade. But, they overpowered me, forced me into a wheel chair and begun to apply traction.
I always smile for the camera – even when in pain
Okay, it wasn’t exactly like that. Truth is, they were very kind. And I felt so light-headed that I just followed their lead. They peppered me with questions like – what day is it? where are you?, etc. I still had a little spunk in me, so I replied “This is the last day of the Tour de France and I have to get back on my bike to help Lance to the top of Alp du Huez.” Evidently that’s when they finally called the ambulance.
I hung around the hospital forever. The place was so jammed they had to leave me in the hallway strapped to a backboard. I tried to escape when they weren’t looking by undoing all the straps. But, I couldn’t reach the last one by my legs because I couldn’t lift my darn body up – my neck hurt so much. So, I just sat there and snapped photos of myself and sent text messages. I would’ve called, but I couldn’t get the phone to my ear.
With nothing else to do while strapped to a backboard, I took pictures of myself.
While I was waiting for the results of the x-rays (still strapped to the backboard), another biker came over to see how I was doing. (Her friend was in the ER, too). She was a total knockout. Every cycling dudes’ dream. I know chicks dig guys when they’re hurt in the line of battle, so I figured she was probably trying to pick me up. I showed her a photo of me with Lance and how I had been riding with him and so on and so forth. But, I guess I wasn’t suave enough because she eventually just wished me well and left without asking for my number. 🙂
Finally, the ER physician came by and said the x-rays were negative. Thank God.
Oh, by the way, the story with Lance doesn’t end there. Turns out, he wanted to get back in a hurry to WCTC. So he and his buddy high-tailed it back with Fleck and Wellman.
I live to ride again!
JOHN