The weather was becoming consistently nice, Susan and I were having some down time to catch up with ourselves before the next batch of trips, some riding buddies were available to do a couple of rides with me.
Kathy arranged what she has come to call her ‘birthday ride’ as she often does do it on her birthday. Jo joined the two of us for a ride into Snohomish for lunch on a leisurely, relatively short and beautiful country ride. I didn’t get any photos of the countryside and farm animals, but Kathy snapped a picture of me and Jo at the lunch stop.
On another day, Shelly and Lizette offered to lead a ride on the Eastrail that they are quite familiar with and have had a part in the development phases.
It is an unpaved trail but nicely hard packed dirt and light gravel that any bike can ride on comfortably. We made a stop to have a look at the remnants of the Kalakala ferry. Old is the operative word here — 1930s old.
Along the trail there are a few whimsical and artful things for a rider’s enjoyment.
A frog made from washers.
Then we came to a big highlight of the newly finished spiraling bike/ped bridge that kept us continually away from auto traffic.
That’s me in the somewhat distance circling along the bridge.
Jo joined me for one more ride as we were both free and ready for a ride in Snohomish country side with Cascade Bike club. Turned out we were the only two to join our leader, Cassie, for her ‘Cemetery and Ice Cream” ride. Weather sunny and nicely cool for our bike ride. We ventured into a little known cemetery that is tucked behind some stores in a small mall.
The old house is unoccupied but looks as it may be available for small group history outings or something – or maybe is being prepared for such.
The headstones are dated in the 1800s and Cassie gave us more information than neither Jo nor I were able to retain!
Heading out from the cemetery we had to stop at the entrance from the driveway to the road. And here is where my month of July would take a huge turn. We were stopped for traffic from our left to clear before making our right turn. Traffic cleared and my two buddies were starting up – my turn to start riding. I had been anxious to get going and was ready —- but missed my right pedal and went down hard on my right side with bike on top of me.
I stayed down a while (mainly trying to get the breath that had been knocked out of me) before standing up with help from Jo and Cassie. Our leader Cassie said we can go back now (we had ridden about 5-6 miles), but I moved arms and body, stretched up and sideways, and took a few steps and determined that nothing hurt enough to cut our ride short.
On we went to the next cemetery.
We rode only a little through the grounds there, found a back way (to add a couple little miles) to continue our route back to the starting point and our vehicles. As we rode along, the littlest bump jarred my sore body and by the time we ended our 19 mile ride (13 of them from my fall), I was very sore and moving gingerly. My two riding buddies had to put my bike into my car as I could not lift anything.
Not wanting to call Susan as that would just make her worry, and even if she came for me I would have to drive home, I drove myself home. By the time I got into the garage, where Susan was beginning to pack for our trip to Canada, I was too sore to do much and even needed a little help out of the car. Looking at me, Susan said immediately that I was going to Urgent Care which is where we spent the next four hours.
There they did a chest X-ray and a CT scan from head to hips. Basically the scan did not show any fractures but the ER doc said he was quite sure that I had hairline fractures in some ribs that were causing my horrendous pain. They cleaned and patched up my few scrapes on knee, elbow and shoulder, told me to take Tylenol and Ibuprofen, prescribed a lidocaine patch, told me to check back with my own doctor in a few days, and sent me home.
Susan has been taking good caring and loving care of me.
Yesterday (Wednesday, the fall was on Saturday) Susan went with me to see my Doc whom I do so love! She went over everything, gave me stronger pain med (oxy) for bed time as I have been unable to sleep due to the pain, and talked with me about my bicycling question. ER doc had told me no bicycling for a MONTH!! Oh no. I have a long history with my doctor who knows me and my bicycling addiction very well. She shrugged at that news and said, you will know when you feel able to ride. The ER doc does not know you and thinks of you as an old lady who just toodles around home on her bike. You can bike whenever you feel ready. Have I mentioned how I LOVE my doctor!?!?
Susan and I have had to cancel our 10 day trip to Canada to meet our friends who came up from California. We are sorry to miss the trip but there is nothing we (I) can do to carry through with it. Now I sit to recuperate, take a (very) short daily walk around our cul d sac, do my breath exercise machine, called a spirometer (avoiding fluid build up in my lungs), and try to build my patience for healing well enough to move on. So far — still plenty of pain. I am more than fortunate to have Susan who has been way more patient and understanding about all this, and family and friends who check in by email or face book. They have lifted my spirits.
As someone once said sometime ….. I shall return. 😌
Adventures with Nancy 
Hi Nancy!
Oh no! I was just thinking we haven’t even ridden together in a long time since you and Susan are so busy traveling. I always enjoy reading about your travels and all of the Sisters!
I have been riding the Kirkland Connector too. I have a new favorite loop from Madison Park (I just moved before my Alaska trip and am still trying to get settled). It is about a 38 mile loop – Burke to Sammamish to Eastrail near Chateau St. Michelle and then Kirkland Connector to 520 and home.

Anyway, best wishes for a speedy recovery! I know how painful ribs can be! Yikes!
Take good care!
Sue
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Thanks Sue. I do know that I am on the mend — but pain is still hounding me too much! That sounds like a great loop you have worked out from your home to the trails. Once I am riding again I will see what rides I can put out that you might want to join, or do one of yours ;’-). Thank for you encouraging words Sue.
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Hi Nancy, I’m so sorry to hear of your accident! Geez, that can happen so fast. I hope you are out of pain soon and can get back on your bike in time to enjoy some summer weather. Iˋm happy that Susan is taking good care of you. In addition to the pain is bicycle withdrawal… that’s too much.
I, too, am missing out on part of this summer. I had a second heart ablation two weeks ago and am waiting for the op wound to heal sufficiently for me to ride my bike. Maybe next week? I’m not in pain, though, so I’ll try not to compain.
I wish you a speedy recovery!
Suzanne
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Thank you so much Suzanne. And I say complaining is part of healing – so you do as much of that as you will ;’-). I know you will be fine as well, but any health or injury is no fun for us. And you are so right about hot bicycle withdrawal!! At least I think it will not be an entire month of the bike as the ER doc said. I am not at this moment anxious to ride, but I don’t think it will be much longer before I am!!
Le’s both heal and get well and be able to get out to enjoy some of this summer 🙄.
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Hi Suzanne, it’s a sad day when, in a single blog post, I have to read about two cycling friends who are off their bikes. Anyway, just as you wished Nancy a speedy recovery, I wish YOU a speedy recovery.
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Sorry to hear about your accident Nancy. Although I suspect you’ll be back on the bike sooner that the first doctor expected. Hope the rest of the summer goes more smoothly. —Connie
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Thanks Connie. I feel that you are right and I will not be off for an entire month!
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Nancy! So sorry ! What bummer. You’re so fortunate to have such an attentive partner! Hope the recovery period is short and that you’re back up and ‘at em’ soon!
Gay
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Thank you Gay. I am healing more and more each day and today is the best so far. Still more pain than I like, but at least able to move a little more than I have been.
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Just got around to reading this! Hopefully you are feeling less pain and will heal quickly! Take care and Happy Birthday soon — you’ll be getting a card in the mail. Deborah
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Oh Deborah, thank you so very much as I look forward to getting your card. I am healing but it is slow going. Today is a best day but that does not mean I am totally good!!! Will keep at the healing process even though I am far from a patient person! Thanks again Deborah.
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OUCH! I’ve had various injuries over the years and have found I can often ride my bike more comfortably than I can walk. I’ve never had cracked ribs though, so I can speak to that kind of pain. Anyway, take care of yourself. As for when to start cycling again, I say “listen to your body.”
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I meant to write, “I CAN’T speak to that kind of pain.” Sorry
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Well, I can tell you – that kind of pain is horrendous. Apparently many have gone through this pain as I get lots of comments from many people about it! Yep – I will listen to my body, which right now – one week post-fall — is still telling me ‘no’. Thanks Greg.
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Hi Nancy-
We sure hope you are feeling better by now! I know from experience how painful broken ribs are. Sounds like your personal doc knows you well-are you able to do more yet? Glad you have Susan to take care of you.
We are on Lopez with some of the Rainbows. Beautiful and no rain this year but we miss you! So far Kristin had her food stolen at her campsite by raccoons, and Meri sprained her ankle on the bumpy lawn at the Islander. Not hurt too badly-trying to inspire patient cooperation with ice packs and ice cream!
Hope you’re back in the saddle soon,
Kim and Meri
Sent from my iPad
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OH no! Too many calamities over there on the island. I miss being there too 🙄. Feeling a little better each day, but not yet feeling I can get on my bike. When I suggested I might take a short ride around in the next day or two, Susan said we needed to take it for its maintenance check after I had been asking that for a few days! All of a sudden she was willing to then hide it from my use! 🤨. So there it is for a few days and I can hope to be able to ride it when we pick it up. Not really wanting to ride right now with some pain still lingering ;’-). Have great fun over there, and thanks for thinking of me.🌈❤️🚴♀️
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