The day started like any other day on the TDA. Pitch down tent, pack red box, eat breakfast, check tires, get on your bike and start cycling. I fell in love with the trees, the rolling hills, the beautiful colors. Absolutely stunning.
We were enjoying the ride and talking about how wonderful and beautiful Ethiopia is as we started a fast descent down the hill we had just climbed. A momentarily lapse of concentration and a series of speed bumps changed everything. I crashed pretty hard, shoulder first into the pavement. Funny how things can change in a split second; one moment your living your dream the next your laying on the side of the road thinking what could have been.
One of my goals on this trip was to cycle every inch; a lot of emotions were running through my head as I was laying on the side of the road waiting for the doctor. I realized the moment I hit the pavement that there was no way I would be able to achieve my goal of EFI. I was also looking so forward to cycling the Blue Nile Gorge and more of the mountainous terrain of Ethiopia; that too will not happen. I was…I am very disappointed and heartbroken, but this setback also gave me the opportunity to gain some perspective.
I looked around me and there must have been 20-30 locals scurrying to help me, anyway they could; some scrambling to help Maria make a phone call, others holding up jackets to shield me from the sun; others offering to take us to the hospital. Every truck, car, rider stopped. I was deeply moved by the care and concern shown by the local people and many of my fellow riders.
The TDA sometimes puts up a rope around the campsite to prevent people from coming in. Locals, mostly kids often stand behind the rope and watch us for hours. Its surreal, I don’t really like the rope being there…but its there. The truck that I was laying on was parked next to the rope, the door open facing the kids. I was watching them behind the rope staring at me, with torn, ragged clothes. I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself, and quickly realized how blessed my life is. I have the opportunity to come here and experience Africa with Maria. The type of opportunity that the majority, if any, of these kids will never have. Even though I was in pain, I was still happy. I lay there with the wind blowing in my face, overlooking the fields, beautiful trees and the setting sun, thinking to myself “I’m in Africa”. So, my dream of cycling every inch is gone, but I realize that this trip isn’t about that. It’s about more important things. It just took a cracked collar bone to realize it. My bone will heal, and I will get back on my bike and continue to experience this beautiful continent, with a clearer picture as to why I am here.
I know that it is very tough for Maria to see me in pain. I am so proud of her for the strength she showed. She has always been there for me, always supporting me and loving me. I know it was very tough on her, because she didn’t know how bad my injuries were. She stayed cool, and was able to get me the help I needed. She didn’t leave my side and kept telling me how much she loved me and that everything would be ok. Really helped put things into perspective.
I truly want to thank my fellow riders and the staff for all the support. I will never forget the care that I received from Dr. Luc and Amandine, true professionals. Bruno, Johanekke, Kathleen and John; thank you for help and support on the road. Diana, you are truly a great friend. Thank you for your kind words, your support, and for making me laugh when I really needed it. Thank you Chris for your words of encouragement and for literally giving me the shirt off your back. You’re truly a good friend and a great person. And yes, we will ride together to Cape Town. Thanks Rod for coming by and talking to me; it has been tough for both of us, but we’ll get there. Thank you Janet and Addis, for all your help. Dave, Deb, Liz, Ryan and Duncan, thank you for your words of encouragement. A big thank you as well to all who came by to wish me well or went out of their way to help Maria. I apologize if I forgot anyone, it’s not intentional…Dr. Luc gave me a pretty heavy dose of painkillers. And to the countless strangers who stopped..”Amesegenallo”.
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February 18th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Hey Spiros,
Everybody here at home we’re thinking of you and wishing you to get well very soon!
As for my self, I can only imagine how hard and how disappointing this must be but if you can see the big picture this is just a bump in the road (literally). As I said before, these will be 4, 5 weeks out of months and months of amazing adventures that are still ahead of you. And you’re right you are still extremely fortunate to be there with Maria and live your dream.
No doubt next few weeks will have a different pace but I believe will be the kind of pace that’ll give you a lot more time for reflection, as you very well put it: time for a new perspective.
Forget about the EFI, yes it would have been a nice personal record but in the end what it really matters is that you’ve been there, you’ve travelled the continent from one end to the other, you’ve seen the beauty of Africa in its amazing nature and people, you’ve taken everything in and therefore you are that much richer as a person.
So chin up brother, change this setback into an opportunity to experience true friendship and true human emotions that seems to be all around you, you have all those wonderful people there, you have Maria next to you and you have us here at home cheering for you. Life is still pretty much… Great! Isn’t it?
Take care Spiros, get well and back in the saddle soon!
Love,
Tony
February 18th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
When I heard that you were injured I panicked because I got scared. After reading your blog, I want to say that I love you, Im proud of you and you are my hero. You never give up and you make me feel that anything is possible.Tell Maro to keep up the good work. Dont worry we didnt tell yiayia. Take care of each other and avoid the speed bumps
February 18th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
I miss you alot. I hope you get better really soon. Maro you were very strong in helping PiPi (Spiros). You guys are the bravest people I have ever met and I hope one day I could be like you. Stay strong and try alot when you feel better. I love you so much Pipi and Maro.xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxooxoxoxooxo
February 19th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Spiros & Maria, Rachel and I send you our very best wishes for a very speedy recovery.
Thank you for taking us on your journey.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Really sorry to hear about your misfortune. It sounds, though, like you both have a ton of great memories to look back on. I envy you the experience. Well…maybe not the last bit.
Get well soon!
February 19th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Dear Spiros,
What inspirational words in the face of disappointment and adversity. You remind me that every day - wherever you are - is the beginning of a new journey. It just depends on how you decide to look at life.
Our thoughts and wishes of a speedy recovery are with you and Maria.
Rachel
February 20th, 2008 at 3:13 am
A speedy recovery to you, and hopefully you will spend some more time with your camera!
February 20th, 2008 at 6:28 am
Thank you all so very much for your support and good wishes. Please don’t worry, I’m already starting to feel much better. We will be off the bikes for a few weeks, but will be back at it in Tanzania! Just a minor setback…that’s all. In the meantime, we’ll be travelling around Ethiopia and Tanzania, doing some sightseeing, relaxing on the beach and doing a safari. Keep on reading, I’m sure we will have lots more adventures to report.
Spiros
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Hey Spiros and Maria!
Just read your blog for the first time tonight. Geez, Spiros, that sucks! We were sad to hear about your fall, but hey, it’s better than being eaten by a tiger or somethin’ har har - just kidding!
We are on our road trip back to the east coast. We are in South Padre Island tonight for the next 3 days. Got here to some heavy fog and cold (only 64 degrees) but it’s supposed to warm up to 80+ the next few days.
Hope you heal better than new, and buy Maria a double shot of tequila to calm/relax - it helps me! har har!
Take care of yourselves and ride a little more carefully from now on!
Hope to see you in the far east one day!
angele & dwight xo
February 25th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Spiros,
Once, somebody wrote to me in a letter: “Life has both good and bad and we should equally enjoy both”. Enjoying the good part is easy. When life gets tough though, enjoying is easier said than done. Maybe it all comes down to appreciating the gift of life. We should not take our good being for granted because, just like you wrote, things can change in a split second. Without the gift of life we would not experience neither of good nor bad.
So as long as you still have time around, give everybody a big smile and enjoy life as it comes (include some pictures please :).
Dino
February 28th, 2008 at 8:04 am
i miss u guys so much!!! hope u r felling better!!!xoxoxoxo