I posted my previous blog not wanting to spoil what had been a great day up until my arrival in Madison. But here’s the follow up:
Friday was all going too well. The ride thro Yellowstone had been epic but the turn into Madison Campground brought my 2019 America ride to an abrupt end, with an almighty bang!! Driver, Loleta Meikin, “blinded by the sun”, rear ended me at speed, leaving both bike & me in a sorry state. Yellowstone Rangers arrived within minutes & the ambulance came very soon after. Abandoning my bike & gear at the roadside, I was rushed to the nearest hospital 60 miles away, at Big Sky, MT – with thumb bone protruding from my left hand, gashes, scrapes & blood all over. This was the first time I’d ever seen a “living” bone, let alone my own & confirmed my dislike for gory hospital programs on tv.
My dented helmet had taken the main impact of the fall & was, most likely, a lifesaver. My thumb was found to be broken & dislocated & had torn through my hand – but it wasn’t smashed as feared – thank goodness! Other injuries were “relatively” minor. Around 1:00am I got discharged with a bag of medical goodies & checked in to a nearby Wilson Hotel. Although exhausted, the pain made it impossible for me to sleep. I spent the next 15 mins in a failed one handed attempt to remove a childproof top off the painkiller bottle, then the following 30 mins making myself decent to go down to reception for help. Needless to say, the tablets didn’t work but the exercise helped to pass away what became a very long night.
The following day, NP Ranger, Patrick Klatte, called to check on my recovery & offered further support – including getting my bike to Bozeman if needed. He informed me that witness statements had now been taken & the driver had since been ticketed & “heavily” fined. He repeatedly apologised for what had happened – to him it was clearly personal.
Paramedic, Stephen Lageman & Heidi Stoddart
My getting through the last few days in a foreign country has not, in small part, been due to the help & generosity of the following people & offer my sincere thanks.
Paramedic, David, did a great job tending to me & keeping me engaged throughout the long 2hr ambulance ride; most importantly, for getting my blood pressure, pulse & temperature to behave. After arriving at the hospital, Paramedic, Stephen Lageman, handed me his contact details with the offer of getting my bike from Yellowstone to Bozeman! Nurse, Marie, not only tended my wounds but arranged my accommodation & transport to Bozeman, plus contact details in case of further support. Hotel Manager, Mandy Hotovy (Wilson Hotel Big Sky), arranged a very special rate for as long as I needed to stay in Big Sky. My Jackson friends, Bomber & Amy Bryan, introduced me to their Bozeman friends, Bill & Heidi Stoddart, who collected me from the Bozeman bus stop & brought me to their home – with the generous offer that I may stay until my flight out on 10 August.
Bike & me with – both in need of repair
Tomorrow is 5 August, my birthday, and will be looking forward to receiving a splint, opening two birthday cards, and a very uneventful day with no surprises!!
John's Epic Cycle Adventures 
Bloody hell John so sorry about you accident, you are so lucky to get away with your injury’s, by the look of your bike you’ve had an amazing escape, I’ll be picking you up from the airport, take it easy mate
X X X
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Hi John hope you’r okay after your mishap, I think you were very lucky not to be more seriously injured. Good luck bye for now.
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Thanks Dave, You are right, my helmet took the main impact – without it, outcome would have been worse for sure. Look forward to a beer in the Greyhound!! Cheers
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Wow glad your ok and your injuries and bike will repair. Maybe this was your birthday present! Are you done with the lone biking or considering another? Rest up and best wishes Chris & Gill
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Thank Chis & Gill
No reason to stop adventuring though. Could have happened anywhere to anyone. Just one of life’s many risks.
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Happy Birthday John, you made it to 66 with many more to come!! Such a bugger of a story but glad you’re out of the fog and on the mend. Enjoy your time in Bozeman, and we look forward to keeping in touch and our next rendezvous down the road a piece. All the best, Bomber
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Hi Bomber, Bozeman looks a great place & am hoping to see a little of it before flying out. Had a memorable birthday diner with the Stoddart family followed by a magnificent lightning show from their porch. Cheers
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Oh John I’m so sorry to hear that! Thank goodness you weren’t more seriously injured and you are being looked after. I hope you’re now relatively pain free. What an eventful birthday(and not in a good way!) Take care. Thinking of you Love
Pat X Sent from my iPhone
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Thanks Pat, I’m fine though not quite finished with hospitals yet. Back for a second op today! New friends, Bill & Heidi have been great. Even baked me a birthday cake!!
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Hey John
Dusty just told me you were on this route last weekend. Another epic adventure!!! Sorry it got cut short but glad your ok. Could have been 100x worst. Your spirit can’t be broken!!! I hope you got to enjoy Yellowstone before the accident. It is an absolutely magical place. Hope you a very quick recovery! Also happy belated birthday. Good luck on the rest of your journey and hope to see you soon.
Much love, Miles
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Hi Miles!!
Great to hear from you! & thanks for the birthday wishes. They are coming thick & fast now.
My ride through Yellowstone was a great day & thought of you guys detouring here last year, as I was riding. At the top of the day’s 3rd Divide crossing, a lady, ran towards me to give a high-5. She had passed me on the climbs several times & said I’d inspired her to cycle more – made my day! I was actually within sight of the campground, when the accident happed so have separated the two experiences in my head.
Hope that Dusty & you still have riding adventures – you were great companions on the Divide & look forward to our next meeting. Your good friend, John
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