Over before it starts…

We are just a week or two into bike park season, and it's already over for Kelli. Last Saturday, we visited our local bike park and hit the trails. The weather was perfect, and it was the opening day celebration with music, food, beer, and bikes. We had a blast; until things took a turn.

Around 4 pm, we tackled the black downhill trail. Everything was going great. Both of us successfully navigated a large in-trail rock drop for the first time. Was it scary? Absolutely, but we sent it anyway. We took a break to chat with another couple we had met the previous week before resuming our ride down the trail. As we rounded a corner, we decided to bypass the park's largest feature - a massive rock drop that leads you directly into a sharp right berm. Everything was smooth until it wasn't. I, (Kelli), approached the sharp right berm a bit too fast and ended up crashing. The details of what happened are unclear at best.

We believe one of my tires washed out on the dusty berm and I was slammed into the hard-packed dirt. Luckily a group of mountain bikers were sessioning the big drop and were able to warn other riders that I was down. After picking myself up and checking my bike, I noticed a little pain in my ankle and some clunking in my knee. Determined to continue down the trail by myself, (yes, I am VERY stubborn), I slowly made my way down.

Steve was waiting at the bottom of the trail for me. Fortunately, one of the riders we met last week was following me and was able to inform Steve about my crash and I had claimed to be okay and said that I would ride down.

After reaching the bottom of the trail, we tried to get over to the lift. Steve insisted more than once that we should have the bike patrol help me, but I refused. I mean, who needs to walk when they can ride a bike with one leg? I can be stubborn to a fault. Getting on the lift was another challenge as I couldn't walk or bear much weight on my right leg. To Steve's embarrassment, I asked the lift operator to stop the lift so Steve could put my bike on it for me. Once again, he reminded me that they have a bike patrol for a reason and I should have ridden up with them.

As we slowly rode the lift to the top I could feel my ankle and foot swelling in my shoe. That is not a pleasant feeling knowing that you have to jump off the lift and quickly get out of the way so you don’t get run over by the chair, (the image of me getting knocked over has me laughing as I write). At the top Steve requested that the lift be stopped so I can hop off and get out of the way slowly hopping the whole way. The lift operators suggested we get bike patrol to help me out, again who needs that when you can ride your bike with one leg down the ramp, across the drive and down a hill? Gravity finally worked in my favor.

After arriving at the bike patrol station, I iced my ankle and discussed the incident with the others. While waiting for the ice to take effect and for Steve to bring the truck around, we talked about another injury that occurred earlier in the day. It turns out that another rider crashed at the same spot where I had an hour earlier, and an ambulance was called because the rider's helmet was cracked open. A helicopter was also dispatched due to the possibility of head trauma, but fortunately, it wasn't needed. I felt incredibly lucky, or so I thought.

Still convinced my ankle is the main issue.

Not thrilled about the “mandatory” photo Steve wanted.

After hopping my way over to our truck, we had to decide whether to go to the local ER for x-rays or try to make it back home, which was 90 minutes away. We decided to stop at the local small-town hospital where I was promptly seen, x-rayed, and put into a non-weight-bearing splint from my foot up past my knee. It turns out that my ankle wasn’t my biggest injury. We found out that I probably fractured my leg and was advised to follow up ASAP with an orthopedist.

Almost ready to head home.

Waiting for crutches.

On Monday morning, I visited the Sports Medicine department at the University of Iowa, where I underwent an evaluation and had an MRI. The team at Sports Medicine was impressive and managed to complete everything in under 2 hours. The MRI results revealed that I had severely injured my knee, with a tibial plateau fracture and a grade 3 MCL injury, along with several other less significant findings. I was informed that I would need to be non-weight bearing for at least 4 weeks, followed by physical therapy. When I inquired about returning to downhill mountain biking, I was told that if everything goes as expected and I strictly adhere to the treatment plan, it could take about 12 weeks. This news was very disheartening for me. But I am nothing if not stubborn, so challenge accepted!

Check out that fracture line and that swelling! Holy Cow my knee is HUGE!

This summer will look different with Steve riding and me hanging out at the base camps. If you happen to see us, stop by for a chat, a drink and free merch, (I got promoted to social media and merch director by Steve, LOL).

Feel the fear,

send it anyway.

Kelli