Norman, Oklahoma's own Andrea Ratkovic has returned with her new TDS cycling team from Mallorca, Spain, and she's keeping us up- to-date on the day-to-day life of a professional cyclist. She'll provide an updated journal each week on the RTN web site.

Read journal entry #3

Yeah, those friggin' countryfied dogs! You know the kind I'm talkin' about -- they think the whole country is their territory. You enter, you pay! Such was the case last week on a sunny afternoon when I decided to go for a warm up of about an hour without my helmet. "It's only for a short ride," I reasoned, "and it's so nice outside." Well, after about 30 minutes my ride became even shorter as I crashed to the pavement. The only sound I could hear was the crack of my head against the road. The velocity with which I fell was too great for me to keep my head up; my neck simply wasn't strong enough to do this. Things to remember...

I had encountered these 2 dogs many times on rides in the past but had been with a group of people, so normally somebody would spray a waterbottle at them which would cause them to at least slow down. This time, however, I was on my own, and I was going too hard to take my hands off the bars to grab my waterbottle. In addition, I was too busy keeping an eye on the dogs who were running full speed, side by side, right next to me. In fact, the one closest to me was mere inches from my lower leg looking like he was going to take a bite at any moment (don't know what he was tinkin' there--wouldn't have been much of a meal!). I was trying desperately to keep my front wheel ahead of these dogs, so they wouldn't cross in front of me. Alas, the inevitable happened, and one did exactly that. I nailed that big ole dog (which did no damage to him) causing my front wheel to turn left thus making the bike slam to the ground on its right side. Well, I should say that it slammed ME down because the bike was relatively unscathed. I had to replace the shifters, handlebars, and rear derailleur. I had road rash on my right elbow, shoulder, back, and ankle. My head was bleeding profusely. I tried not to panic knowing that any head wound would bleed like that. But, I had had 3 previous concussions. I knew the feeling. I knew it was coming...

I walked to a house where a Boy Scout saw the accident. He got his mother, and they wrapped my head up. They drove me to the emergency room where I received 8 staples and a tetanus shot. It's also where the concussion finally hit me full force. It was hard to focus. The room was spinning. I had to keep my head still. They released me to a friend and instructed my roommate to wake me 2 hours after going to sleep. She friggin' comes in my room, bless her heart, and shines a damn flashlight into my eyes to check my pupils. I could have killed her had I had my wits about me. I squinted up at her, and she says, "Well, you're gonna have to open up your eyes more, so I can see." Have any of you ever had a concussion? Bright lights in a dark room -- NOT a pleasant experience. "Maybe I'm dead," I thought, "and this is that white light everyone talks about..."

The next day I felt like I had been in the ring with Tanya Harding. My ribs were sore, my stomach muscles felt like I had done 200 crunches, and my dizzy head was kicking my ass! My TMJs were killing me too. The ferocious impact of my head smacking the road caused major swelling around my jaw, so I could hardly open my mouth. Chewing sent sharp pains into my ears. It was a difficult week. I was lethargic, and everyone kept asking me what kind of drugs I was on (answer: none).

For ahwile there, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to fly to L.A. to begin my racing season at Pamona Valley on March 18th, but finally on the 14th I hopped on the trainer for 45 minutes. The next day I did an hour, and the day after that I rode for 1 hour and 15 minutes. It felt good to sweat, but I kept getting this hangover-like headache every time I got my heartrate up which is common with a concussion. That part sucks, but at least I can ride. I don't know how my reaction time will be. That has definitely been compromised. If I feel I'll be endangering others because of my condition, I shall pull out of the race in Pamona. For now, though, I am scheduled to toe the line baby!!

I was worried about flying with the pressure changes and the hustle and bustle, but all went well. I got dizzy a few times, but I think that is going to happen for many weeks, maybe even many months. This is my 4th serious head injury. One time I had to get 16 staples (not a bike accident). With each concussion it takes longer for you to heal. Concussions are brain injuries, and they are not to be taken lightly.

I hope people don't judge me and think I deserve this because I wasn't wearing a helmet. People don't always wear seatbelts, and EVERYONE breaks traffic laws, so no stone throwing please. Helmets aren't the be all end all. I broke my back in a bike race; the helmet didn't save me there. I DO advocate wearing helmets, but I don't think people are jerks for not wearing one. It's a choice. I paid for my decision with 8 staples. It could have been worse; it also could have been better.

Enough said on that. I have an attorney who is handling this case with the dog owners. They have called me and seem very sincere in their apologies. They also told me they are keeping the dogs penned up. I don't think they realized their dogs were such a nuisance to cyclists because no one ever complained. No one ever complains, though, until something "bad" happens because we are so used to dealing with dogs, people, and cars. It comes with the territory, you know? I feel bad for the owners, though, beause maybe if someone had brought the dog situation to their attention they would have kept them penned up earlier. Talk to people, ya'll, if you encounter dogs that could potentially be a problem. These dogs I dealt with NEVER crossed in front of me before. It only takes one time...

Be safe out there. Wear your shell, and keep your head up.

Andrea "RAT"