What a crazy few weeks. I am home now recovering, but spent 3 weeks in the hospital, 10 hour surgery - kind of Hayden Wilde on steroids, broken clavicle, scapula, 8 broken ribs, collapsed lung, open break of tib/fib. 5 small strokes as a result of blood clots. Trauma CPR on site which doesn’t really have a good success rate.
I was a mile from finishing my ride on a county road, riding within traffic when a GMC denali truck saw a slight gap (where I was riding) and chose to shoot the gap to get home 15s faster and hit me hard from the left side. From there - thankful to the local 911 response of 6 minutes, the local Skagit hospital for stabilizing me (I coach a surgeon at the hospital and he said the surgeon working that night saved my life there - then the airlift and surgery the next day (Aug 13). The next 2 weeks were very touch and go - don’t want to relive that but multiple times I didn’t think I was making it. About 10 days ago - turned a corner and I have been making progress since. Still a long way to go - but I am out of the hospital and trying to be rest and get better as everything gets worked out.
After the news of Sam O’Shea yesterday (who I met in Vegas T100 last year, such a nice dude) I am very thankful that I only have the injuries that I have. I am glad to be alive. I love this sport - I love riding my bike. I don’t want this to kill outside riding but I know it has affected lots of friends and athletes.
Be vigilant, do your best, live your life, love your people. That’s the most important thing I’ve got out of this.
Thanks for the support - a long way to go but I can only be optimistic. The darkest days are at least behind me…
Welcome back has several meanings here now. Glad you made it. Did the truck stop to help? I changed my route this morning because of your story and others. Doesn’t seem worth it.
So sad and frustrating. If only people understood they are not being aggressive and bold by driving like morons, but they are instead revealing their own inadequacies with such behavior maybe they’d look at their own behavior a little differently.
Yes, you big strong guy shooting the gap, acting like a tough guy, we know you yell at your kids and deep down are unsatisfied with yourself and your life, but you don’t have to take it out on everyone else around you.
wow this is nuts. now that you are able to speak about it, was this a hit and run or the driver was caught? If a hit and run try to get the news media to do a story on this. Perhaps someone has evidence or can step up as a witness to help you out
Very glad to have you still with us Brent. You have been in our thoughts a lot since we heard about the incident. Running into you at various Western events has always been something we looked forwards to. Stay strong, rest up and we will see you again soon.
The truck stopped. As did a bunch of cars I understand. It’s in the hands of lawyers and such now, but what a cluster. Be safe and live life but honestly…I get the apprehension.
Thinking of you Brent and the recovery journey ahead of you.
Although I live in a different country we have the same issues with crazy drivers and the exposure we have to them.
It saddens and angers me that the driver simply gets a fine for what he has done to you. I hope there is further legal recourse available to you.
Best of wishes for your ongoing recovery.