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Cycling is more than just a hobby for many enthusiasts; it's a way of life, a source of joy, and a means of connecting with the world around us. However, for some, this passion can lead to challenges and setbacks. Getting back on the saddle after breaking a femur was no problem for me BUT getting back on gravel after breaking my femur on gravel was not easy. As I started my journey to recovery, I desperately wanted a mentor. Hopefully reading about my recovery can help aid in someone's future recovery!

Four of us (Jennifer Klein, Claudia Bailey, Loretta Simpson, and me – Kathleen Quinn) set out to ride about 45 miles of gravel. The sun was shining, and despite the icy weather of the previous week, the gravel roads promised adventure. Little did I know that my life was about to take a dramatic turn. I slipped at the bottom of a gravel descent where a pothole had frozen over. The fall took place in a section of Cooper Creek Road that doesn’t have good cell coverage. Jennifer stayed by my side while Loretta and Claudia went opposite ways looking for help. At some point, Claudia somehow figured out how to use her iphone 15 to connect with emergency services without signal. Emergency services showed up with sufficient drugs to get me into the ambulance then to a helicopter and finally to the hospital where they confirmed a broken femur.

The Road to Recovery & Sorella Support
The femur, the longest bone in the human body, is essential for walking, let alone cycling. The process of regaining strength and mobility was slow and challenging. Healing pain triggered doubt and uncertainty. Countless hours of physical therapy. 12 days in the hospital and the doctors did not feel it was safe for me to go home. So, I spent 2 weeks in the rehab facility, where I had 6 hours of therapy per day. Jennifer Klein, with the help of many angels from the cycling community brought meals to my family and helped with carpooling. When I returned home, I had a home PT service that came daily, and delicious meals delivered. Next, I was able to go to outpatient PT. Eventually, I began walking in a swimming pool.

Getting Back on the Saddle
Since cycling is my version therapy, I was struggling mentally and medicating with food! I gained 25 pounds. I still couldn’t walk without a cane, but I needed to be on the bike. On April 20th, I took my first bike ride since the accident. I had signed up for a gravel century in Steamboat Colorado 15 days before my accident. I knew I needed a goal so decided to keep my Steamboat gravel entry but modify the goal. My plan was to gently ride 50 instead of 100 miles. This got me motivated. I rode 3 times a week with my long rides being on the weekend.

Planning the Gravel Adventure
I flew out to Colorado early to spend a few days with my sister. Then, I met Karen Richardson in Steamboat. Karen was doing 140 miles. Karen & I went to the health food store and bought 17,000 liters of beet juice because we heard that helped with altitude. The night before Steamboat Gravel, I realized I never changed my entry from 100 to 50 miles. So, I went to the check-in area to change it and they said it was too late. But I didn’t really think much of it. Karen said, “You have to do the 100 or you won’t get the hat”. I laughed it off saying I really don’t care about the hat. We went back to the place we were staying, had pasta for dinner, and went to bed early!

The Day of Redemption
I had to start in the 100 mile group because they are very strict about the groups. Karen’s start time was something crazy early like 5 am and I was starting at 9 am so we drove to the start separately. I made small talk with a few other riders, slapped on my helmet and overloaded camel pack and hopped on the bike thinking slow and steady, 50 gravel miles at altitude is a great goal. As I got to the turning point to take the 50 mile option, all I could hear is Karen saying “You have to do the 100 or you won’t get the hat”. I ran into Karen around my mile 80 (her mile 120) where we were both exhausted. We stopped at the next aid station where we ate bacon and drank Coca-Cola and applied LOTS of chamois cream.

Overcoming Adversity
Doing steamboat gravel after breaking my femur was more than just a physical challenge; the gravel road was symbolic of the bumpy path to recovery with all my doubts and fears. As I rode, I thought of the accident and how it changed my life. I thought of the countless hours of rehabilitation, the encouragement and care from friends and family, and the unwavering support of the cycling community. Whenever it got hard, I just thought, I am so lucky I am here, and I can ride. And now I laugh every time I look at that blue hat that proves I did 100 miles at Steamboat Gravel. Thanks Karen and thank you to all my Sorellas and my cycling friends.