Most of the cycling community will thankfully never know what it’s like to get hit by a car while out riding their bike. I’m part of that group as I’ve been blessed with 12 safe years of cycling. Game off…

Please take a minute to do one of the following: 1.) knock on wood 2.) pray… or 3.) whatever it is you do to not allow a statement to get jinxed. Thanks…

Game on… But for a small group of cyclists, in the blink of an eye, they’ll find themselves on the wrong end of a car’s bumper and in the middle of a life altering experience.

Are they ok? What went wrong? How did it happen?… We all have our questions as you first hear the news.

I’ve never really had anybody I’ve known fairly well get seriously injured untill a few weeks ago when Jon Parrish, a young Arizonan, got hit while riding in the Tour of Scottsdale. Yeah, right in the middle of a race…

I had my questions and concerns so once I heard that Jon would fully recover from his broken back and collarbone, I figured I’d send him a brief interview to hear the thoughts and feelings straight from his heart and head to his typing finger tips. He graciously agreed and below is a brief interview with Jon Parrish as he tells us how the recovery is coming along and how he fills his new found free time.

AK- What do you remember happening the day of your accident?

JP- I was riding in the Tour of Scottsdale charity ride and doing pretty good. Then I had a flat. Being that it was the start of my training season, I decided not to try and catch back up with the group so that was the reason I was by myself. I was riding up Shea Road in the car-width bike lane just hanging out and all the sudden I was hit from behind. But I don’t remember any of it as I was knocked out the second it happen so I did not know what happen. I woke up later - not exactly sure how long - just in time to be put onto the stretcher and put into the ambulance. Other cyclists who came up on me said that I was talking and trying to get up and on my bike but I don’t remember any of that. I was then taken to the hospital. I was there for 4 days.

AK- What’s happening with the driver of the automobile? Is he cooperating with you?

JP- My parents actually went to look at the car and the driver was there. They said he was very genuinely sorry and really doesn’t know what happened. It really shook him up as he has a son my age. He told them he tried to find out which hospital I was in but because I was a “John Doe” he could not find me. He could not drive home because he was so upset. I think he is really sorry and is being very cooperative.

AK- Tell us how your day is different since the accident? What fills your time?

JP- Well I have been in bed about 85% of the time just watching movies, returning emails to people who are checking up on me seeing how I’m doing and buying stuff online like movies and other stuff. And every week or so I’m going to different doctors to check up on my progress. Someone has to help me initially get out of bed because I have a body brace that I like to take off when I am lying down - that’s the ONLY time I can take it off (dr says it’s okay) and someone has to put it back on me and then help me up. Other than that, I can walk around and sit up, etc. I have not gone out in the car too much - just as necessary to go to the dr.

AK- How long will your recovery take?

JP- My collarbone should be healed up within six weeks from the crash. I have not seen the neurosurgeon yet, but in the hospital, he told me that if everything goes as he expects with my back, I could be out of the body brace in 8 to 10 weeks and 12 weeks at the latest before I’m back on the road. He also told me if I do really well, I can probably be on the trainer in 4-5 weeks plus doing some water exercise.

AK- Do you plan to continue riding once you recover?

JP- I plan on being back on my bike as soon as possible. I’m itching so bad just to ride the trainer but I can’t yet until I talk to my doctor next week and see what he says about riding the trainer… but for sure I can’t ride on the road for 10-12 weeks.

AK- How do you think you’ll react once you get back out on the bike and back out in traffic?

JP- I don’t know yet. I know I will be so happy just to ride the bike again! You don’t know how much you miss something until its gone. About the traffic… I don’t know…. I think I will be a little more cautious about riding….maybe look over my back a little more.

AK- This is the second time in recent months that you’ve had to fight back from a serious injury? How does the recovery differ the second time around?

JP- Well I have had three crashes since June. The first one was 10 days before Nationals. In that one I broke my right scapula and two ribs but I didn’t know it. Guess that was good since I was headed to Nationals and did pretty good even with the injury (Jon placed 2nd in the U23 National Criterium Championships- editor). The second one in August, I broke my left scapula, three ribs, my left collarbone and I had a collapsed lung this time. To be totaly honest, pain-wise, this injury does not hurt as bad as the one in August. Dont’ get me wrong - it still hurts pretty bad. The recovery is just frustrating because I have to lay in bed most of the time and not move my back. This collarbone is not too bad though as it was a straight through break.

Basically, the most upsetting thing of all is that I have to be off the bike for a while. I am not angry with the man who hit me because I know it was not intentional. I really appreciate all the support that has been given to me by the cycling community, my team, and my friends. So many people came to see me in the hospital or sent their wishes to me. And I can’t forget all the medical personnel who have helped me - they have been awesome! It’s also been hard that I have not been able to work - no income is not good! But, look for me back on the bike as soon as possible and ready to race in the spring!

Well, that’s the latest word from Jon Parrish on his long road to recovery… and you know what? I don’t doubt for one minute that I’ll see Jon back on the bike and fighting for results come Spring time. That’s the nature of his character. He’s a fighter.

“You don’t know how much you miss something until its gone.” Something to think about.

Take care.

Categories: Daily Jibber Jabber.
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