Perspective Shift at TOAD

     I don't know that I've been more excited about a race series than I was about the 2017 edition of Tour of Americas Dairy Land (TOAD). Pablo Santa Cruz and I had put together a composite team of riders from across the country that not only possess amazing pedigrees, but also are just a really fun group of great guys. While only a few of us planned to do every race, we had nine guys committed to coming for most of the races. Included on our roster were Mike Oleheiser, Emile Abraham, Pablo Santa Cruz, Chris Powers, Ernie Pena, Vance James, Wayne Simon, Curtis Tolson, and me. The series started on June 15th and there are ten criteriums every day in different venues all around the Milwaukee Wisconsin area.
     The first day was really hot and took place on a rather simple four corner course. There were several dangerous breaks but it all came back together when Mike Oleheiser went to the front with 8 laps to go and set a blistering tempo. With one lap to go Berry Rohling, a Dutch National Champion Speed Skater riding for Intelligentsia Coffee, attacked through turn one and ripped off an entire lap at 31+MPH. His teammate, Mike Heagney, one of the best 40+ sprinters in the country, then attacked into turn 3. I was able to jump to Mikes wheel and came around right after the last turn heading for the line. Unfortunately, my thumb hit my sprint shifter throwing my chain from the 11 to the 13 cog only 50 meters from the line and I was passed by another fast man named Rob White. I took 2nd and Emile took 3rd, so it was a good day for the team, but I was upset with the mechanical issue which cost me the win.
     On the second day we were in East Troy on a course with several turns and definitely more technical than the first day. From the gun the pace was very high and a break of ten rolled off the front very early. Our break lapped the field and Mike Oleheiser took me through the field quickly before another group could get off the front. My teammates kept it together for the sprint and I was able to attack into the next to last corner and hold it for the win putting me in the leaders jersey for the 40+ Omnium. Emile took 2nd so again the team had a great performance.

1st Place on Day 2 at the 2017 Tour of America's Dairy Land

     Day three was another break but with only five riders including the man in 2nd place overall, Rob White. With only one lap to go Mike Oleheiser bridged up to the break making it six. Going into the final corner we had a 500 meter sprint so I let Intelligentsia rider, Carlos Casali open it up. Rob jumped with about 225 meters to go and I quickly got his wheel. With a slight tailwind Rob quickly got the speed up to 41.5 MPH and while I started to come around I ran out of real estate and was beat to the line with a bike throw. I, unfortunately, lost the jersey but was only one point behind Rob going into the fourth race.
     The fourth race took place in Waukesha, Wi. in a downtown venue with several restaurants and bars. It's an awesome environment with several spectators lined up around the course enjoying great food and adult beverages. The race was very active with constant attacks until the very end. Mike Oleheiser finally got away mid race with a World Champion BMX rider. Together they lapped the field and made contact with only one lap to go. I was near the front sitting at about 5th or 6th wheel with only two turns to go when I was slammed from the side by a rider that had come into the turn taking an inside line, and going too fast. He plowed almost straight into me and the rider in front of me and thats when things went really bad.
     I was able to miss hitting the curb by steering into a curb cut at a driveway narrowly missing a huge oak tree. Unfortunately the rider in front had flipped over the curb and was crashing right in front of me. As I was rolling over the top of him my front wheel hung on what had to be his pedal. It was like a steel trap stopping my forward momentum. I had been going through the corner at 30 MPH but when my front wheel stopped I was catapulted over the bars and the first thing that hit the sidewalk was my head. I remember thinking that the impact was going to be huge and I actually had time in my mind to predict I would be knocked unconscious. As I slammed into the concrete my neck bent forward slamming my chin into my chest and stretching it well beyond normal range of motion. My Specialized Evade helmet split into two halves and crumpled in a similar manner to how a race car crumples around a driver in a crash. I attribute the fact that I wasn't knocked unconscious to the energy absorbed by the helmet.

Specialized Evade Helmet that Saved my Life

     Immediately after I crashed my first realization was that I was still conscious, but that my neck felt broken. The impact had given me a "stinger" similar to what football players sometimes get when they get hit hard helmet to helmet. A stinger temporarily causes one not to be able to feel their extremities adding to my anxiety that I had broken my neck. The medical personnel were there almost immediately. I think there must have been someone stationed at that particular corner. The fear I felt at that moment is almost indescribable. The relief I felt within only a minute after realizing I wasn't paralyzed is similarly indescribable!
     I was loaded into an ambulance and taken to a hospital less than five minutes away and was getting a CT scan within ten minutes of my arrival. The CT scan was negative for fractured vertebrae which was also a huge relief. I was fitted for a neck brace, given some pain meds and released about 2 1/2 hours after I arrived. My teammates were all there and incredibly worried and supportive at the same time. I feel so fortunate to be friends with such a great group of people that put my safety and comfort so far above their own personal comfort. Similarly, the entire cycling community, including my most fierce competitors were reaching out checking on my welfare for the next several days. I am overwhelmed with how incredible the cycling community can be and how genuinely good most of the people are that are members of this relatively small family.
     It has been about five days since the crash and I am already much better. I have symptoms of a severe case of reverse whiplash but I should be fully recovered within another week or so. I would like to thank all of you that have reached out offering your heartfelt sympathy. I am very fortunate to have walked away from this one but even more fortunate to have so many friends and supporters that genuinely care for others. Thanks for reading!