by Steve Mason
(at far right)
On Wednesday, December 13th, 2023, I was riding home from work on my bicycle and was hit, then run over, by an SUV who, although he claimed he saw me, decided to turn right as I was heading straight, with a green light, through an intersection and was not only hit, but the driver ran over the lower portion of my bike with me clipped in and hanging on tightly to the handlebars. I do not remember the fall but landed on my face/head, thus breaking my helmet, breaking three of my front teeth, and causing facial wounds and an ankle puncture, among other injuries including severe headaches and a neckache that continues today. As someone who has enjoyed cycling since childhood, I knew I needed a goal to get me back on my bicycle and with the Wine Country Century the first weekend in May being one of the first centuries of the season, that was the perfect carrot.
After some healing and getting my rebuilt bicycle back in February I started to ride again. As regular participants of the WCC will remember, we experienced what forecasters claimed to be an unusual “winter storm" that first Saturday in May of 2024. Determined, I departed from the start of the 100 mile course a little early as I was not sure how I would do and wanted to finish in time to ideally enjoy some of the festivities. Before reaching the highway overpass, not two blocks from the start, I was already soaked down to soggy wet socks. I was the first rider to arrive at the first rest stop and immediately found myself shivering as I dismounted my bike. Questioning my decision, I was immediately greeted by the friendly volunteers at that stop who were excited to see a rider and extremely encouraging. After they prepared me a hot meal (a potato breakfast burrito I believe) I remounted my bike and continued on in the morning downpour. Typically downhills are where one makes up time from climbing grades, however my sidepull caliper breaks did not work at all in the heavy downpour, especially in the hills near Occidental, adding fear of crashing again and causing me to Flintstone slow/stop with my feet while descending.
Thank to the fantastic volunteers and friendly riders I encountered once the 100 mile course merged with other distances, I completed course, not only happy with the days ride, but knowing I was truly a cyclist again. Although I had ridden the Wine Country Century several years prior, it is now an annual event on my schedule and I look forward to participating again this year.