So out US321 we went. I managed to latch onto a group and
we quickly gapped the group behind us. We were moving along at a pretty good
clip. I remember hitting mile 7 or so and thinking I need to slow down or I
will regret this pace. I backed off some then was dropped from the main bunch.
There was a guy left with me. All I remember is he was from east TN. Don’t
remember his name, but we stuck together until we turned off of 321 to Rocky
Branch Road. It’s always a bit relaxing to get off of 4-lane roads to more
rural or neighborhood like roads. Rocky Branch was a rural, semi-smooth surface
road. There were some run down looking properties. Some others were nice. I
remember seeing a smushed turtle on the roadside (always sad).
Soon I arrived at a stop sign. Two (maybe three guys)
rode up beside me. We exchanged greetings, remarked on the day and how nice it
was going to be. Made the right hand turn...
This is where things get a bit murky. I remember going
down the hill. Looking ahead and seeing a sharp left hand turn with the signs
with arrows. I think there was a house in the distance across the lush green
field. I remember thinking, “I guess if I slide out or miss the turn I’ll end
up in that field...”
I remember my back tire squealing as it slid out to the
right. I remember hitting the ground with instant pain in my hip quickly
followed by my helmet smacking the pavement then I remember tumbling (I don’t
know how many times). I remember my bike hitting me in the face. Then all
motion stopped. Next thing I remember is someone in yellow and black hitting me
(body and bike).
I was in that lush green field.
Then things are even more confusing. I remember telling
people not to move me. I remember trying to roll back with the thought of
getting up. Ooooooowwwww. Fuck. I have a major problem, I’m not getting up this
time. I remember someone coming to me asking name, birthday, where I was etc. I
remember them checking my neck for step-offs. This person had to at least be an
EMT to know to do that. I remember trying to call my Mom. My phone kept
dropping the call. I finally handed my phone up to someone and asking them to
please call her but to be really calm when they got her in the phone. This
turned out to be Greg’s “job” and to hear Mom’s version “he was the calmest
person I’ve ever talked to.” Next came Julie.
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