Set-backs, injuries and challenges

Set-backs, injuries and challenges

The photo above is the one I took back in 2014 while I was lying in a creek, in a remote mountain biking track, hoping an ambulance would arrive.

I took the photo to txt it to the Emergency dispatcher so hopefully they could figure out where I was.

Luckily one of the on-duty Fire Department staff knew the spot – as he had rescued someone from there in the past.

You see, I had attempted to ride across that rather narrow log, but instead plummeted head first into the bank and broke my neck. 

I had a very strange feeling about my bike ride that day, and I remember thinking before beforehand that I shouldn’t try and cross that creek. I wish I had trusted my instinct.

I can not tell you the feeling of relief I had when I managed to move my legs lying there. A scary few minutes I can assure you.

I spent months recovering and luckily I had a great team of instructors who kept the wheels of my business turning. 

I write about this now –  years later, just to say I’m thankful to be walking, kicking and teaching still.

And I don’t take that for granted.

Paul McPhail

A photos below shows the cracked bike helmet that saved my life, and the neck brace I had to wear for several months after.