Well Wishes from ncrandonneur.blogspot.com

http://ncrandonneur.blogspot.com/2008/05/tar-heel-rider-injured.html

Play by Play (or "I Believe I Can Fly")

First, my apologies to Danny & Kevin Coggins (who has been more than wonderful), for this is part of a private email message they shared. Although Danny's accident was no laughing matter, his personal "blow by blow" recollection of his crash was too funny not to share with the rest of his friends. Again, Kevin, Danny, I hope I have not overstepped any boundaries by publishing Danny's response, to which he made me privy.

Sincerely,
Nancy

PS. Many thanks to Tom Graham and Greg Robitaile who looked after Danny. They unselfishly cut their training ride short and brought him home after he volunteered to drive the car so that they could finish their ride. (Sorry, I teased you at the hospital. You guys are awesome.)

And Mary and Janet, who brainstormed this whole idea. Thank you for allowing me to be a part. You're the best!!

And for all the friends of cyclist Danny Thomas, God bless you!


May you always have love to share, health to spare, And friends that care.
Ride safe!

****************************************


"OK, here’s “The Blow by Blow” as best I remember it:

Hmmm... should I pass these people?
Damn, that put me on a bad line
Wow this section is steeper than I thought
TIGHT TURN!!!!!!!
OMG... RIDERS IN THE CURVE... SH*T!!!!!!!
BAILOUT!!!! LOOK FOR A GAP IN THE TREES!!!!!!
Ooooofffff
Ouchhhhh
OUCHHHH!!!
SMACK
OUCHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
Crunch
DAMN!!!!

Sure, I’m OK, I’m just a little dizzy... nah, just some road rash but my sternum hurts a bit... hmmm, that’s weird, my vision is all blurry... nah, I’ll be fine as soon as the dizziness passes... yeah, my ribs hurt a little but I’m sure that’s just a bump... OOPS, I just coughed up blood. Time to visit the ER, guys................ HEY, WHERE”S THAT MORPHINE YOU PROMISED ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:>)

Danny"

Ultracycling Records

We wanted to share with you some of Danny's accomplishments. For an "old" guy, he's quite the athlete....and storyteller.

http://www.ultracycling.com/records/northcarolina_record2005.html

http://www.ultracycling.com/records/northcarolina_record2006.html

A Note of Thanks from Danny

To all my friends,

The pain killers have now worn off to the level where I think I can actually sit down and start writing thank you notes to you truly amazing people, but since there are so many of you it’s going to take a while! Therefore, I figured that I would start with a quick email to say thank you to everyone for all your kindness since my accident. Your emails, phone calls, visits, and contributions have been nothing short of amazing. I am truly blessed to have so many good friends. Words alone can’t possibly thank everyone for everything you have done for me, some of which I’m probably not even yet aware, but just know that I’m eternally grateful.
By the way, to those of you who left voicemail messages but weren’t actually able to get through on the phone, I’m sorry I missed your calls but they were relayed to me and I hope to be able to catch up with you VERY soon.
Now, try to do as I say and not as I do and keep the rubber side down and the flesh off the pavement!

Danny

How to donate...

Thank you all so so much for all your responses...I knew people would reach out and help Danny!! Thank you! You are all WONDERFUL!!!!

As many pointed out, I never posted where to send donations (and that was mostly because we wanted to get the information posted and still didn't have the details ironed out)

Today, Nancy was able to setup PayPal for those of you that are comfortable with paypal you can donate directly there: https://www.paypal.com/.
There folks can make a payment to FriendsOfCyclistDannyThomas@gmail.com.

Also, I emailed with Kevin Coggins at The SpinCycle (http://www.thespincycle.com/) and he will have a donation box setup in the shop. You can go by there and drop off a check in Danny's name.

If you'd prefer mailing a check, please send your request for an address to FriendsOfCyclistDannyThomas@gmail.com.

We are also checking with a few other places around the area and will update the blog with more information as we have it.

Thank you again!

DANNY THOMAS, SERIOUSLY INJURED IN BIKE ACCIDENT 5/17/2008

As many of you now know, Danny Thomas was seriously injured this weekend at Triple Mountain.

Danny was descending Sauertown Mountain this past Saturday when he came around a curve to find two slower riders in his path, for which he corrected by swinging out to pass, putting him off his centerline. Before he knew it, he rounded the next curve where he encountered two other cyclists who had stopped in the road to rest on their climb up the mountain. Danny had two choices, either careen into them at 50 MPH or go off the side of the mountain. He chose the later.

His bike hit gravel sending him over the handlebars, rolling down the side of the mountain where he came to stop some 50-60 feet below. Danny's helmet was cracked straight through in about 6 places; his contacts flew from his eyes on impact. He is basically lucky to be alive.

In true Danny form, he was ready to simply head home, throw peroxide on his road rash and be done with it, but on the drive home he started coughing up blood.

He was admitted to Western Wake hospital Saturday afternoon and moved to Big Wake Trauma Center that evening. Tests showed he has a punctured lung, broken ribs, internal bruising, and of course he is covered in bruises and road rash.

If you ever doubted the need for wearing a helmet...doubt no longer.

Anyway, as many of you know, Danny is a single dad of two beautiful daughters and has worked various coaching jobs to help support him and his family. Like so many others these days, he had to purchase insurance he could afford at the time. And of course "affordable healthcare" means a horrendous deductible.

Apparently, he kept asking the doctors if they really needed to do the tests they were doing because he was so worried about the cost.

Danny has touched so many of our lives...whether it may have been in his racing days, or in class at Gold’s Gym, or coaching the Team-in-Training folks, or on an individual basis. He has encouraged and inspired so many of us... Let's take a moment and give back to him.

Please consider donating to help defray the cost of his medical bills.

His deductible is $3,000 - if every one touched by Danny gives just a little I know we can cover this much, and hopefully beyond to help cover whatever % he has to pay beyond that.

Danny was released from the hospital, Monday evening (5/19/2008), and is beginning a long road to recovery from home.

Every little bit helps...anything you would consider giving is greatly appreciated. Or if you have ideas how we can raise money (like maybe a spin class marathon, or a ride, or something, please let us know)

Thank you so so much.

FriendsOfCyclistDannyThomas@gmail.com