Update number five

I really expected to be back cycling again in April but I`ve been a wee bit unwell at times this month, this had nothing to do with my injuries. In fact my shoulder & heel are doing fine at the moment and I`ve now stopped taking those painkillers altogether now. Though I may occasionally have an Ouch or Scream moment!
Had to stop my daily exercise routine a few times when I was unwell, but since October 2015 the exercise bike has clocked-up 3,100 miles. Shame I can`t put that in My Cycle Log!
Still having to use the walking stick on my longer walks.

Update number four

Still no cycling for me but feeling so much better these days. My shoulder and heel will never be right and will always have some stiffness in them. Also been told I`m at 100% risk of getting arthrits in them when I get older, thought I was already old?
Occasionally pain in my shoulder just reminds me that I can`t do some of the things I used to do! My heel has more of an ache than pain, and I`m walking much more without the aid of that stick, but on longer walks I still need it.
Daily exercise program going well plus I`m still spinning my legs on that exercise bike clocking up 1,500 miles so far.

Happy and Safe Cycling in 2016 to all my readers

Update number three

Still no cycling for me yet though I`m now spinning the old legs each day on an exercise bike, which my neighbour was just about to throw out! It in very good condition too, so I suppose it was just one of those lets get fit moments and then found it hard-work!
Finished with Physio at Hospital, but of course still doing a personal exercise program everyday to keep shoulder and heel moving. Still taking painkillers especially for the shoulder which is very painful at times, and still using a walking stick to get about on.
My accident claim as now been settled thanks to the CTC Slater & Gordon, and a nice cheque is now in my Bank. But of course money can never replace the amount of time I`ve lost cycling in my Essex lanes!
Hope (keeping my fingers cross here) to be back cycling again in Spring 2016.

 Here`s the exercise bike and so far I`ve done 200 miles on it in three weeks.

Update number two

It`s now 45 weeks today that I was knocked off the bike and I`m still unable to returned to my cycling yet. Things are getting better slowly, now walking with the aid of a walking stick, and having Physio fortnightly at Thurrock Hospital. Shoulder still painful at times and have been referred back to my consultant by the  Physio, so having to wait for an appointment now.
The motorist that didn`t see me on that roundabout was in court in June and she got 6 points and a fine!

Update

It`s now 33 weeks today that I was knocked off the bike at a local roundabout, and I`m still unable to cycle due to my injuries. Which makes it the longest period that I`ve ever gone without cycling in 35 years! My recovery is still progressing slowly with lots of exercises and daily short walks with the aid of one elbow crutch.
The motorist that didn`t see me that morning was in court last month and pleaded guilty to `driving without due care and consideration` the case was adjourned to June.
My bike has been checked out at my local Cycle Shop and is all okay, but I don`t know when I will be back cycling but I will be back!

Wednesday 10th September

On a lovely sunny and warm morning I decide to take my `Claud Baby` out for a spin to Blackmore for a cuppa and then decide where to go from there. So leaving home at 09.30 I sped out to North Ockendon and then carefully rode for a couple of miles along Fen Lane which had recently had those horrible loose chipping laid. Then once through Bulphan and over the A128 I headed for Dunton. To find the roundabout over the A127 unusually quiet, so I was shocked when halfway round I suddenly found myself on the bonnet of a car! Then dumped onto the road followed my a lot of pain! Amongst the chaos that followed I heard a woman voice saying `I didn`t see him` that explains everything I was a victim of SMIDSY.
My main injuries were fractures  to my left shoulder, right heel and a few ribs also on my right side. Things could have been much worst if I hadn`t been wearing my helmet!
                                              

I came home on Nov 5th, ribs were much better, left arm in a sling to support my fracture shoulder, and I`m using one crutch to get about on because of my heel fracture. I`m now looking at Spring 2015 to get back cycling again in my Essex lanes.

Funny thing my `Claud Baby` was hardly damage, as this photo was taken after the accident!

Saturday 16th August

I found it a bit chilly around the old knees at first as I set off on the Rory at 6am but I soon warmed up, with the Sun playing peek-a-boo with the clouds and for much of the day too. My destination? Was either Paper Mill Lock or Heybridge Basin, both I`ve not been to in some years. So taking my normal route out through Bulphan, Dunton to Billericay and Downham was uneventful. At South Hanningfield I found a flooded road but rode through without even getting my feet wet, unlike another cyclist who got soaked but then he didn`t have mudguards! I made my way to Bicknacre and on to the B1418 and once over the roundabout a very short stretch on the A414 before turning into (this always makes me smile) Tom Tit Lane! I was now heading for Paper Mill Lock, so through Woodham Walter and into lanes I`ve not ridden along for many years. Including Totfts Lane which this morning was rather wet, muddy and had some nasty loses stuff on the bends. I came out on North Hill Little Baddow and rolled down to the River Chelmer and Paper Mill Lock. To find the Tearooms opens at 10am and it was now only 09.15! Not to worry I had a cereal bar and a chat with a man and his dog, and set off for home with 33 miles already done.

Paper Mill Lock and Weir 

After a few more lanes I rode for about a mile on the B1137 and then back into the lanes heading for Russell Green. Passing the old RAF Boreham Airfield, which was once a USA Wartime Airfield, and then a test site for Ford Motor Company but these days the Essex Police have their Helicopter parked here.
                                                            

Outside the entrance to the old RAF Boreham Airfield we remember those that died for us.

Once over the A130 I took that lovely (but short) tarmac bridleway to Little Waltham, then made my way to Broads Green and Chignall Smealy to Good Easter. At Chalk End it was time for another cereal bar before I hit the A1060 for a (mostly downhill) couple of miles. Back into the lanes at Boyton Cross and Roxwell which still has paintings on the road from the Tour De France! After Cooksmill Green I had a busy A414 to get over to make my way to Blackmore and Megarry`s Tearooms for a well earned cuppa and scones! My mileage was now 58, so taking my normal route back through Doddinghurst, South Weald and Upminster to reach home at 14.45 with 75 miles done. So another enjoyable day in the saddle in my Essex.