Blake Caldwell, Tour of Missouri stage 1 So it’s been a little more than a week since my crash and there hasn’t been a day yet without significant progress in my healing. Last Friday, I finally made it back home to Boulder, CO, with a lot of help from Bryan. He drove me from the hospital in Springfield back to Kansas City where we were able to catch a flight to Denver. After a tornado landed in the nearby area, security sent everyone inside the airport to the parking garage before we could go back to the gate. I’m not sure how safe that garage was, but luckily we didn’t have to find out and were in the air after only a short delay. After a short drive from Denver, I made it back home.

At first, it was difficult moving around without the help of a wheelchair. However, my hip and collarbone have made fast progress since. By mid-week, I was able to walk around by myself, even if a little awkwardly. Now the soreness in my hip and collarbone has been improving daily. I even got on the trainer for a few minutes yesterday!

It’s been quite a transition between being in the middle of seven-day stage race and being back at home resting. My body was definitely not ready to be thrown from full-gas racing straight to a hospital bed. It’s been frustrating to be stuck at home instead of getting out on my bike like I always do. It’s left me with a lot of time to think about the ups and downs from this year and how to prepare for next year.

I was able to spend a few mornings watching the stage finishes from Missouri on the internet. It was great to see the team pull it off and keep Christian in the jersey all the way to the end. I wish I would have been there, but being able to watch it was the next best thing.

Again, thanks to everyone for all the positive comments!