Concussion!?

So that was yesterday’s good news. The darker side was a cancellation call to James re Sani2c this week, and coming to terms with a more significant injury than prior anticipation. Although the CT scan cleared suspicion for anything life threatening, the concussion is less assessable and un-treatable. Rest and relaxing only – till goodness knows when.

After a disciplined week of hanging around, two visits to the wound specialist and two massages, I rolled out on the Epic with Michal to Jonkershoek on Saturday afternoon. I couldnt put a smooth stroke through my right leg, but generally the discomfort was less than expected. Until I reached the gravel.

The uphill climb started the throbbing headache, the vibrations and jarring that is, and the down brought a cloud of dullness to mind that smothered all my senses. I stayed in denial till Monday morning, hoping I’d still be able to ride Sani by Thursday. But every specialist opinion yesterday morning suggested otherwise. Defiant still, I conceded to a CT scan yesterday afternoon. Further blessings to hear it showed no major abnormalities or threats, and was a last fuel to hope.

But after three lengths in the outside pool, I sombrely waded out, dragged my sorry state of perlextion to the grass bank, and called James. Even just the rotation of my head for breathing seemed to trigger the dull pain in my skull. I no longer needed a specialist opinion.

My disappointment is as vast as the Natal midlands I should be riding through this week and equally a testament to the Sani2c joy ride, from Underberg to Scottburgh along the finest trails. A big shout out to EA Sports, who’d invited James and I into their stable. 2010 it will be then – When Chris has no excuse either.