Jul 08, 2026
3 Month after broken hip/leg and surgery I tried to stay a bit more quiet due to RAAM and Race Around Poland going on … RAAM is completed while RAP is still going. Unfortunate I could not participate in RAP this year as planned … Just watching the posts and progress of those racers. However, I was able to switch from walking on crutches to a cane. That was a major accomplishment in my recovery. Also, I am for a while on the stationary trainer I finally was able to use my velomobile since I can store the cane in it. The pictures from some longer distance rides are only from my last 2 weekends. I try mixing stationary trainer rides and rides in the velomobile because both require different seating and different muscles in my legs/hip. I try to get ready for regular upright race bikes in parallel to prepare riding longer in the velomobile. Power levels are still low and it will take weeks / month to rebuild my strength … Its to be expected when over 60 years. So I know I still must remain patient. Hopefully I can drop the cane sometime soon so I could get on a regular race bike. Once I try it may be the backup bike first before I start using a TT bike or my regular allrounder. Nevertheless ... still a very long way ahead to get walking the regular way and being into ultra distance racing again.
Jun 02, 2026
2 month after my injury and 8.5 weeks after surgery I finally had a weekend with two century rides on my stationary trainer. On stationary trainer now since about 2 weeks. Did actually do first century on Memorial Day weekend and was not sure last weekend if I could do two or not. Plan was an easy century on Saturday and easy ride on Sunday. Felt ok on Sunday too so I extended the riding time a bit. Lets be realistic ... I am far from being in good condition. Still walking on crutches so limited to stationary trainer since I need to be able to walk to ride on the road. Also speed and times show its lame riding (at least not a typical ride over 100 miles many others would do). But it's only to rebuild a bit endurance and get my muscles building up again. So nothing really special but a big step forward in recovery. Have a few tough medical sessions this week and eins hopefully getting medical procedures the next 3 weeks. After that I hope it's normalizing. Until the blood circulation gets partial fixed I am not allowed being in a car over 2 hours or being on an airplane .... 2 hours is mainly to get my leg up to reduce swelling. Will be ok ... I am positive about it. Many know I dislike stationary trainer rides. However it's my only chance for the moment. Also started my walking on crutches to do it barefoot again to prepare for the next steps in recovery. Hope that all pays back soon and that I can be on the road riding by end of the month again.
Jun 02, 2026
Finally Breakthrough Getting back on my Stationary Trainer Bike 6.5 weeks after hip surgery and 2.5 weeks after the setback I finally was able to get on the stationary trainer and do a little bit cycling at home. Good thing was that I can get on and off without help. I do it with a person around to make sure if something happens I have some help. Saturday was mostly walking on crutches, physical therapy activities in pool and a first easy session on bicycle trainer. Sunday very similar but I split it into 2 sessions on bicycle trainer with one a bit over an hour and second a bit later for a bit over 30 minutes. After 6.5 weeks no cycling (except some sessions at PT location since they had a special trainer to get on and off easier) I finally was able to do overall a bit over 45 miles (over 70 km) on my stationary trainer bike at home. Not enthusiastic yet because I have one major procedure scheduled for Tuesday afternoon and need to see how that goes and if my leg will improve after that. Still, it was a great improvement. Also start getting more weight on the left leg. Still careful and following PT advice and recommendations. When cycling I did put most power on my right leg. Left I start step by step adding a but to the process. I admit I am excited with the improvements I made during last week. Physical therapist is happy to see the progress as well and assigns new activities. I practice them daily at home and in the water. Hopefully I can keep regular stationary trainer rides scheduled now. For all out there with a bad injury … please never give up. What I sometimes do is I readjust my expectations to make sure I can see a little bit success step by step. Its important to get positive results and in some cases (like mine this time) it takes adjusted goals instead of fighting for the high targets. It might be frustrating first but its easier to improve that way … at least as of my experience.
Jun 02, 2026
Longhorn500 2026 Race Report (3/3) Summary after Lomghorn500. Sad DNF and goals of crossing finish line in time and without injuries are not met. Broken hip while not being on the bicycle. Made a mistake to not sit down when I knew I have a high chance losing consciousness close to finish line. For me this is part of racing ultra distance. Every race is again different facing new challenges. Luckily friends (like Jeff and Rick) from race organization convinced and helped me to get to the hospital. Hip fracture was severe and leg was a bit twisted/displaced. I could hardly even touch the ground besides moving the leg or adding weight. I was planning to drive home. Unlikely with such foolish first thought if I would ever have made the 1350-mile drive and arrive home.
Being at hospital I finally did get the bad news. Was hospitalized right away and surgery was scheduled and done on Tuesday morning.
After surgery I gave it 4 hours before I start first walks on crutches. Plan was to walk a few times a day if possible. Enforced to leave on Wednesday latest. With lots of good advice I was able to get on the road on Wednesday and did start my drive home. The 1350 miles back home took me a bit over 21 hours. Stopped only for refilling the car plus a short 30-minute power nap. Had to keep moving because the van was packed up badly and I could not make room to sleep anywhere in my van-based RV. Ruled out hotel stops because I had no access to other clothes or anything. Funny as was … All I did wear was a simple jersey, paper pants and the socks from the hospital. I was so happy to finally arrive home on Thursday Afternoon. Had help to get critical stuff from the car offloaded.
Tons of things went through my mind … first and most critical how to get back to work as quick as possible. Second - what the heck am I planning to do to get back into racing? OK … It’s not the most important to schedule the next race but I had to see what races I need to cancel first. Dream goal was to be back into racing by mid/late May. But reality check shows that it might be too soon and strategy changed to step by step progress and decitions.
I am sure many have faced much more difficult situations. I do not want to show off with a tough health situation at all. I only want to share what went through my mind/feelings and how I deal with it so others can see they are not alone with such situations. I believe personally I will get back on the bike and be in races again. Timing is secondary by now (one week after the injury). Top priorities are Job, Family and after that health and hobby. I have plans and will stay focused. Since back home I keep walking on crutches and since day 7 after surgery I started physical therapy. Rest is a step-by-step decision. Most comments and direct text messages have been very encouraging. And I am very thankful. While a few are more aggressive against me. It’s OK to face reality … some pulled me kind of back on my feet to realize I am just an average cyclist. I am an amateur and no professional cyclist. Means I do it for enjoyment and see no financial return. For those who gave me a harder time … no worries. I still respect you guys and your accomplishments. I am not mad even I may initially respond a bit snippy. I am a normal person only and sorry not using coaching and not using any crew support. I want cool results but let’s be realistic I am over 60, working full time and just use cycling as balance to work and other issues and this fracture is not my worse injury. Worse injury I had 4 years ago, and unfortunate let into this due to a minor mistake not sitting down and standing.
So please everyone enjoy life. Important is we set goals and try to go for them.
!!!! pictures are from internet and only samples how injury and fix may look like. I never share direct injury pictures.
Jun 02, 2026
Longhorn500 2026 Race Report (2/3) New spare tubes and CO2 cartridges plus new front wheel. And into loop 2. Made it almost 2 hours later to finish loop 1 than planned due to time for checking flat front issues. Refilled and all good to go. Did ok on loop 2. No stop at time station 1 around mile 61 since I had enough drinking supply. Went slower in the dark than originally planned but the flats in loop one and loss of one head light reduced my visibility and as stated goal was to arrive healthy at the end. Some may say it’s nonsense that I used a 500-mile race as test race. Why test race? I wanted to see what I need to work on and if my left tight muscle is holding up ok. Had pain from the crash at beginning but that was easy manageable so muscle seemed to hold ok. Loop two was finished around 9am and therefore almost 3 hours after what I had in mind initially. Did my refills at my car and went off again. Was at that time thinking about calling it a DNF due to the late finish of loop 2 but I decided to keep going. Sometimes our mind is playing tricks and wants us to finish. Funny in this race … would have been better I had listened to my inner voice. Loop 3 was uneventful. Did not really stop in loop 3 since it was only a 87-mile loop. After loop 3 I used bathroom at start/finish and went off again for final loop. That was kind of a crazy loop. All cool and had a brief stop at time station one to report my time and kept moving. Water supply was ok, but I was confused with my navigation. OK it was only a mental confusion and nothing specific. Main issue was related to not missing a turn. About less than 5 miles before finish I Was looking for a turn and was unsure. Got mentally a bit too excited and my brain went a bit hyper. For most people that’s no issue. Based on my brain damage from 2022 it is an issue and I noticed signs for a possible loss of consciousness. I stopped and got off my bicycle for safety. Made a mistake for not sitting down. Misery hit me badly losing consciousness while standing next to my bicycle. I fell - no memory how long I was unconscious and how I hit the ground. Woke up laying on road and noticed a few cars driving by. They did not care asking if I am ok. Until one couple stopped and ask if I need help. For many an easy situation they would have gotten back on bike and finished but I just could no longer move my left leg. I was not tough enough and left leg was hanging not usable. That couple was extremely helpful. They gave me crutches as well and drove me the under 5 miles to the finish line. So now a DNF and not keeping my goal up to stay healthy- sad outcome of the race. I did get in my car under pain and almost wanted to drive off but lucky me the race organizers stopped me immediately and drove me for a checkup to the few blocks away hospital. Finally turned out I had a fracture on left hip (intertrochantric fracture) with leg being displaced and surgery was required to fix it. Thanks so much for all the help I received.
