Colossal Disaster!

So the worst of posts and not caused by cycling! Already my Hawaii-sized saddle sore was preventing me cycling (tried 5 miles this morning but it was clearly going to be too painful and too dangerous). Went back to the house to slap more diaper rash cream on the affected areas which were really livid by then. Rode shotgun with John to Rome in a particularly uncomfortable set of poises! Arrived in Rome to the most amazing 6 bedroom apt very near the Castel Sant’Angelo (where they held the Cardinals/Preferitti hostage in Angels and Demons). Unloaded and took electric scooters to the Colosseum to meet the real cyclists. What a great way to see Rome when it is 90F/32C! Took the required photos with the team and headed back to the apt. At which point the scooters were less wonderful! Hit a pothole, came off and ended up in the ER. 4 hours later exited with a plaster cast on right arm, reflecting the 5 breaks in my right distal radius (big bone abutting the wrist joint) with a recommendation to have surgery soon!

My Orthopod in the US is fab (thank you, Jeff Brooks at OSSM in New Canaan) and got me after the X-ray and CT scan but before the final dictate form the Italian guy. I now have a cast, no cycling future this trip, no worries about future saddle sores and surgery in my future upon my return to the US (date still to be negotiated with Jeff).

I cannot tell you how angry I am, how emotional I am after 9 months of planning and training, after all the Covid-related changes to the trip and after the most fabulous experience so far with a really great bunch of guys. I can’t believe that my downfall was not even on a fu#*ing bike at the hands of an Italian truck driver!

Made it to dinner in time for a classic Pice e Pepe (Rome classic - spaghetti, olive oil, pepper, parmiggiano - simple and delicious, with much Bolgheri!). The guys have been great and only made fun of me every two minutes or so to let the grief settle in gently!

Hoping Jeff tomorrow says no need for surgery so I can stay till the end, but not looking great so far! We’ll see.

PS posted dinner photos from yesterday to yesterday’s blog…how weird is that?!

Data to follow and probably a few photos from the others who had an amazing ride through Rome for much of the length of the Tiber!