Sunflowers & Stitches: How a Slow-Mo Bike Fall Led to Connection & Community
It all began with a slow and anti-climactic fall.
We were 36 miles into a 50-mile ride and had decided to regroup on a side street. After chatting and taking some quick sips of water, one by one, we set off, back on our bikes to head down what looked to be a sweet and pretty fast hill.
Well, I never made it down the hill. My bike accident would take place before the hill, almost in slow motion. Not a very exciting way to go down.
The Accident
I was the last in line, so I clipped in to my pedals and attempted to move forward. I, unfortunately, began to tip to one side.
I quickly tried to unclip my left foot from the pedal but was too late. I proceeded to very slowly tip, and eventually, my bike, along with me in it, met the pavement with a thud.
Once I got a look at my right calf, I knew my ride was over.
It looked like hamburger with a dressing of bike grease. I had a deep gash that exposed more of my inner calf workings than I would ever like to see again.
I called out to my husband and slowly, but surely my whole cycling team was there to take care of me.
The Rescue
Soon after my fall, a car pulled up. The driver came out and told us he was an EMT and asked it could help. What luck, of course, he could help!
He introduced himself as Pierce. "How cool. My nephew's name is Pierce. What were the chances?" That coincidence would be only the beginning of the synchronicities that take place that day.
Pierce was about to go to his car to get a first aid kit when at truck slowed down. The driver of the truck waved, and the EMT waved him down.
Out came a tall, well-dressed man. His salt and pepper hair was high and tight, and it was clear that he had just come for a 911 Memorial Service. He was the Assistant Fire Chief.
After checking out my wound and giving me a neurological evaluation, we waited for "his guys" to show up.
As we waited, Jackie, one of my teammates, asked the chief about the 911 memorial service today. He told us that he was at Ground Zero days after 911 and that there are still parts of New York he can't visit. He confessed that with so many young people knowing about 911 through movies and not through real human experience, he worried that the severity of 911 might be lost on the next generation.
As we sat in the grass on that warm and sunny September day, we were reminded of the events of 20 years ago and how they still affect us all today.
Then the ambulance arrived. The chief greeted the paramedics, and as he was about to leave, he noticed that many of my teammates were wearing sunflowers. Our team Captain, Teresa, has always loved sunflowers, so we started wearing them on our rides. Sunflowers are our thing.
The chief then said to me, "Sunflowers. My daughter loved sunflowers".
His use of the past tense was not lost on me.
Me, being a yogi and grounded believer in the Universe and connection, said, "I guess we were supposed to meet today."
He looked at me with watery eyes and didn't say a word.
It was then that the firefighters came to ask me the same questions that the Assistant Chief and Pierce, the first EMT asked me.
The chief said his goodbyes and wished us a safe ride back. My teammates and I thanked him, and off he went.
My husband and I were weighing our options, ER or Urgent Care, when about 10 minutes later, the Assistant Fire Chief reappeared.
He called for our attention. It was clear he had something important to say.
He began by saying that he didn't necessarily believe in woo-woo things and signs, but when he got into this truck, his girlfriend asked him if he knew what we were riding for. He said he thought we were just a "bowling team" (competent and funny). She told him that we raise money for Cancer research and patient care. He then went on to tell us that he lost his daughter two years ago to Cancer. She was 20, and she had been battling cancer for 15 years. She loved sunflowers. They lay sunflowers on her grave every year, and in fact, they laid sunflowers on her grave that morning. My teammate, Mandi handed him one of our sunflower pins to keep. It was clear that he was touched. He then thanked us for riding for such an important cause.
He then left, and my teammates and I were silent (many of us were crying).
To say yesterday was emotionally charged would be an understatement.
The Takeaway
Yes, my fall, hours waiting in urgent care, eight shots of lidocaine, and 19 stitches all sucked.
Yet that slow-mo, annoying fall gave me the opportunity to:
stop (even though the ride's tagline was "unstoppable this year)
meet a fantastic group of first responders
feel supported by my team (they stayed with me until I was ready to go to Urgent Care, and then they even rode their bike to Urgent Care after they completed their own ride)
meet the Fire Chief and learn about his own connection to Cancer
be reminded that our team is a part of a growing and powerful force that raises money for cancer research and patient care
You might not believe that our meeting was "meant to be" or that the sunflowers were a sign from beyond, but there is no doubt that the events of that day have restored my faith in humanity and reminded us all that we are all connected.
Do good, stop every now and then, listen to a stranger's story, and re-train your brain to recognize the good moments, too.
Fun Fact: Our team alone has raised $48,880 over the last five years. We look forward to more fundraising, more training rides, and more adventures together! #ctfride #TeamBreathandPush
About Julie Bailis
Julie Bailis is a public speaker, retreat leader, wellness writer, and owner of Mountain View Wellness LLC. Through Mountain View Wellness, Julie creates in-person and virtual wellness programs that help her clients create and sustain healthy lifestyles using weight training, HIIT (high-intensity interval training), yoga, and meditation.
Julie’s programs empower her clients physically, mentally, and emotionally. Whether your goals are to improve posture, increase balance, or land your first pull-up, Julie can help you.
You can train with Julie in one-on-one and small group classes in North Haven, CT. She also offers weekly live HIIT zoom classes, and you can also learn with her virtually through her online wellness programs (Meditation for Beginners, 21-Day Whole Health & Wellness Program, 14-Day Core Program)
Julie is also available for public speaking events, workshops, and seminars.
Email Julie at julie@mvwct.com for more information on specialty programs.