(If you didn’t read the finished version of Part 1, please do so first.) Two weeks after a very hard gravity check, I am still breathing and ambulatory, so that means I’m still biking. Here then, is the rest… of the story.

After a week, still sore and being very careful with my shoulder, I returned to the scene of the crime during daylight. Soqi the Cannondale Quick 4 is a flat-bar hybrid bike, like Sonnie the GT Arette, so does not put a lot of pressure on the hands and arms. Unlike Sommar the Fuji Finest,my road bike with the drop bars, who would have been painful to ride. Anywho, below is a look at the offending cracks that took me down. First, a gravel- and dried mud-filled trail going uphill, the way I normally go. (Had I been bikig through that and uphill, I would have been traveling at a much slower speed.) The middle shot shows the rut better with sunglasses for perspective, but the full height of the cracks are still not totally appreciated. And third, an overall picture of the broken pathway.

As you can tell, that is some nasty road furniture, the opening to hell, or something. Again, I’m lucky my injury wasn’t worse, and it still hurts when I move my arm certain ways. Despite being a fathlete, I suppose being a bendy one from all the yoga may have helped me fall well. I was referred to physical therapy, but of ccourse they didn’t have any available appointments. By the time they do, I probably won’t need them, or I’ll have found another provider. I considered some aqua therapy, thrashing about gently in a swimming pool, but the elbow road rash hasn’t totally healed.

What has helped me most, aside from time, hot/cold showers, magnesium lotion, natural pain gel, and slight stretching, is acupuncture, and specifically the practice of cupping. That’s where the provider lights a match under a bulbous glass doohickey to create a vacuum, then places it quickly on the injured area.

Cupping allegedly moves stagnant blood and chi around, promoting healing. It also feels kinda cool, like the poisons of the damage are being sucked out of my body through the skin. It also leaves some ghastly or cool circular bruises of differing hues, which suggests to me it does really work. Anyway, it feels good when they’re removed.

Now, two weeks later. I’m not 100% yet, but I am much better. There’s still certain movements of my arm and shoulder that are a little bit painful and restricted. The skin on my elbow is almost healed. Overall I think I’ll probably be okay. But I might need to work on some strengthening.

I still have yet to report the incident to the city. Because it’s not a normal street, it’s probably going to be the parks department that should fix it. And I bet they have a bit more relaxed repair process, if at all. I’ll be sure to share my bloody elbow photograph when I do, though. Hopefully others won’t have to risk injury.

The lesson is of course to be more careful riding at night, especially on surfaces that are not on the main roads and sidewalks. Even if I think I know the road I should visually confirm that before flying down the hill in the dark with a low headlight. So keep those headlights charged and a backup battery or light.

Fortunately, I was able to continue my daily cycling streak. The next time I might not he so lucky. Cycling can be dangerous and even deadly., so do your best to be safe out there. Should you fall, don’t let fear win and keep you from recovery. As in life, in cycling, you can learn from and usually recover from your mistakes. Get back in that saddle. It’s just like riding a bike.

Also, please check out this handy 11-point guide from a previous, less grievous, crash:  After the Fall:  What to Do When You Come Off Your Bicycle.

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