RICK’S FIXES

Rick enjoys some two-wheeled rehabilitation – an emotional reunion with his faithful old Trophy

The Maestro of Mendfulness reveals tips and readers’ rues

WELL, I FINALLY went and got that pint of milk – the one I was on the way to buy when I got bashed out of the saddle in March. I’ve just got back on a bike for the first time and, I as I type, my hands are shaking. Several people asked how confident I felt about riding a bike again and, although I can’t imagine being put off, this was certainly a far more traumatic accident than any I’ve had before – I suffered six fractures and a dislocation, spent 10 days in hospital, endured two months of being unable to get into a bath or shower, and my injuries are still fragile enough that any further incident will have serious consequences.

But that’s not why my hands are shaking. It’s not even that I hadn’t gone 100 yards before a van pulled out in front of me without even bothering to look my way, or the 4x4 that didn’t feel the need to indicate before turning. No, what made my hands shake was pure, unadulterated excitement. Riding bikes is the greatest thing in the world. It seemed right to take the Triumph Trophy I have owned since I was 21 years old and it’s an easy bike to ride and start. I don’t want to test my pinned-together shin by kickstarting yet– but it will support my weight, so with the bike securely on the prop stand and leaning away, it wasn’t too hard to stand alongside, get my balance and kick with the left foot. Bless its old heart, after sitting unused since winter the Triumph fired up first go. I don’t need to tell you what riding a motorcycle is like, but when you’ve spent so much time hobbling around on a stick, that ability to soar along as effortlessly as a bird becomes an even more amazing experience. Not all of my bikes are as convenient to ride as the Triumph, so I doubt I’ll be able to get about on them for a while, but for now I’m just very grateful to be back doing what I love the most.

‘IT MADE MY HANDS SHAKE. RIDING BIKES IS THE GREATEST THING IN THE WORLD’

Rick’s Triumphant return to the road (with help from his mate Pete’s Land Rover to carry his stick and fend off cars)