Back in the Saddle: Injury, Cancer, and a 30-Mile Comeback Ride
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From San Diego Dreams to a Lubbock Reset
I trained for nearly a year — over 6,000 miles in the saddle — with one big goal: to ride from San Diego to Las Cruces
But sometimes life throws a wrench into your derailleur.
On that long tour, I had a freak accident that broke my bicycle and forced me to cut the ride short and head home. It wasn’t the ending I trained for, but I wasn’t about to stop pedaling.
While my bike was in the shop (for what would turn out to be two weeks), I didn’t miss a beat. I swapped the open road for my indoor trainer and just kept riding. Not glamorous — but it kept my legs moving and my spirit grounded.
Biopsy, Broken Crank, and Broken Momentum
The day I got my bike back, I had a six-month checkup — and the doctor did a biopsy on a suspicious spot on my lower leg. That same afternoon, I tried riding outside again, but my gears were all over the place. Back to the shop I went.
The next day they called with more bad news: my crank needed replacing. The part would take two weeks to come in. The good news? I could still ride — but half my gears (the ones I rely on for climbing) were unusable.
Luckily, I live in flat-as-a-pancake Lubbock, Texas , so I adjusted. No hill training, just steady flat rides. Not ideal, but good enough.
Then the real gut-punch hit.
The Call No Cyclist Wants
My doctor called and said the biopsy came back positive for squamous cell carcinoma. It had to come out — soon. She said I'd likely need stitches and would have to stop riding for two weeks.
I went in for surgery the same day my new crank arrived. Timing, right?
I dropped my bike back off at the shop — they were closed for July 4th, so it’d be another three days before they could install the new part. I figured it didn’t matter — I wasn’t supposed to ride anyway.
But sometimes, things turn around.
🩺 Don't Wait — Get Your Skin Checked
If you’ve spent years in the sun like I have, it’s worth getting a professional skin check. Many hospitals and clinics offer free screenings — and early detection can save your life. Just one quick visit could catch something important.
The surgery turned out to be simple. The cancer was shallow, and instead of stitches, the doctor left the wound open to heal naturally. Even better, she said I could get back on the bike in three days instead of two weeks.
Back on the Road — and Back to Myself
Three days later, I picked up my bike. Gears were fixed. Wound was healing. Legs were itching.
I rode a hard 30 miles that afternoon — and it felt like a victory lap.
No pain. No hesitation. Just sweat, speed, and gratitude. That is me up there pictured about halfway through my ride today.
What I’ve Learned
2025 hasn’t been an easy year for cycling. I've had cancer cut out of my leg, a broken crank, a broken trip, and some mental lows. But I’m now in the best shape I’ve been in for years — because I kept going.
The road didn’t unfold the way I expected. But I didn’t stop pedaling.
So now, it’s time to do what I do best:
Train, baby, train.
Want to Ride Through Setbacks Too?
Whether it’s illness, injury, or broken gear — you can keep going Ride indoors. Ride flat. Ride slow if you need to. But ride.
Because momentum, once built, is hard to kill.
Don’t miss my roundup of 10 Must-Have Cycling Accessories for Seniors. These are the comfort and safety upgrades I actually use — and swear by.
These are the 2 most important items you absolutely must have as a cyclist
- Giro Fixture MIPS II Helmet — my #1 safety essential. See colors & price
- Przewalski Bib Shorts — comfort that keeps you riding. See them
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