For 20 years I have dreamed of being fit and healthy enough to participate in the Great Victorian Bike Ride, an eight day ride of almost 600km in my home state of Victoria. This year, 18 months after getting my lapband and losing 63kg, my husband and I set off from Lakes Entrance on our first ever Great Vic.

First two days of riding were fantastic. The whole event was living up to my expectations with the riding, the camaraderie, camping and spending time with my husband.

Day three dawned bright and sunny and we were on the road nice and early out of Briagalong. Morning tea stop in our former town of Maffra and then two and a half km down the road, disaster struck! I crashed out big time over the handlebars and onto the road.

I was in agony, convinced that I had broken my leg! An hour later I was in an ambulance, six hours later I was finally released from the ER with a puncture wound and severe haematoma to my upper right thigh, along with a collection of bruises, scrapes etc that have developed quite colorfully over the days since.

Yesterday, still on the camp for the ride, I decided to give it another go but wasn't even able to pedal. The physiotherapist then confirmed that i would not be able to complete the ride. I was devastated that I have not completed my dream or my NSV but am going to support my husband right through to the end on Sunday.

And next year, I WILL complete my NSV and finish the Great Vic!

Congratulations on such an amazing achievemnet and commiserations that it didn't end the way it should have. Glad that your injuries are relatively minor, hope you heal 100% really soon.

It's still a great NSV! Sorry for your mishap, but you will make it next year. In the mean time, Go Hubby!!!!

It's amazing that you were fit and we'll enough to even sign up for it! Well done!

WoW that is awsome weight loss...and a great achivement to even be able to try a bike race like that...thanks for sharing with us....Get them next time !

63 kg is a huge amount of weight to lose! I believe you will do it next year!

Ouch you poor thing, hope you heal quickly. What you did is a huge achievement and what a great weightloss you have had. Next year you'll be able to complete it!

The fact that you even started the ride is an achievment! Sorry about the leg... but you will get 'em next year!

Just being able to enter and ride for 2 days is a major NSV. Don't play that down. Sorry about your accident, but confident you will get them next year! Congratulations on your weight loss.

You have done fantastic to even attempt a ride. It is not your fault that you are unable to complete it. BUt there wil be another day, so good try and best wishes for a healthy leg. Karen

I consider what you did a major accomplishment, you should be very proud. Chances are you would have finished had the accident not occured. I know I couldn't ride like that. One day of heavy riding and I am so sore I can barely move.

Great job and don't look at this as a failure, look at this as one step closer to a dream.

Not incomplete! NSV to be continued you still came a long way from where you started, so good job! You'll do it!!

Thanks so much for all your encouraging words! My husband finished the ride yesterday and immediately went and signed us both up for next year. So now I have another mid to long term health goal to keep me focussed, not to mention the support of the greatest man in the world!

For 20 years I have dreamed of being fit and healthy enough to participate in the Great Victorian Bike Ride' date=' an eight day ride of almost 600km in my home state of Victoria. This year, 18 months after getting my lapband and losing 63kg, my husband and I set off from Lakes Entrance on our first ever Great Vic.

First two days of riding were fantastic. The whole event was living up to my expectations with the riding, the camaraderie, camping and spending time with my husband.

Day three dawned bright and sunny and we were on the road nice and early out of Briagalong. Morning tea stop in our former town of Maffra and then two and a half km down the road, disaster struck! I crashed out big time over the handlebars and onto the road.

I was in agony, convinced that I had broken my leg! An hour later I was in an ambulance, six hours later I was finally released from the ER with a puncture wound and severe haematoma to my upper right thigh, along with a collection of bruises, scrapes etc that have developed quite colorfully over the days since.

Yesterday, still on the camp for the ride, I decided to give it another go but wasn't even able to pedal. The physiotherapist then confirmed that i would not be able to complete the ride. I was devastated that I have not completed my dream or my NSV but am going to support my husband right through to the end on Sunday.

And next year, I WILL complete my NSV and finish the Great Vic![/quote']

Ok so I think your whole experience is pretty cool! Only awesome athletes crash their bikes and get back up..you totally rock!

Last year I was training for the NWM in SF and I did a 1/2 marathon in the middle of my training. I chose a trail run with 4600 feet elevation change. It was so awesome. But after I finished it I realized that my back kinda hurt. Herniated disc took me out of all races... For now!

Best wishes for next year!