This month my father and I traveled to Dalton, Georgia, to join my friend and former teammate Saul Raisin (pictured right with me) for his annual Raisin Hope Ride to benefit brain injury treatment and awareness. The ride was a nice way for me to start getting back into training while taking in a lot of quiet back roads around Dalton, including the climb up Fort Mountain, one of Saul’s favorite testing grounds. It was a fantastic weekend and I met some truly amazing people.

The stories people had about the recovery they had gone through to be able to ride in the event were truly astounding. It makes me realize how lucky I am that I will be able to race again next season. Many people with head injuries not much different than mine have had to deal with far more drastic and permanent changes in their lives. It was inspiring to talk to the other Raisin Hope participants and hear their stories of dealing with brain injuries and their affect on their loved ones.

One thing everybody I met shares is a passion for life, and in several cases, a passion for the bike. Like Saul and I, many found that the bike provides the motivation they need to regain what they once had before their injury. The simple action and joy of just riding a bicycle is enough to keep you pushing forward and stop you from giving up — even when recovery seems on a different planet.

A big thanks to Saul and his parents, Jim and Yvon, for putting on this event and for their hospitality all week long. For more info and photos from Raisin Hope check out www.RaisinHope.org

Timmy

Timmy Duggan (above) and Danny Pate will finish up their 600-mile, seven day tour today in San Diego as they raise money and awareness for the Challenged Athletes Foundation. Timmy and Danny, along with other members of the Argyle staff, were brought in to the event by lead sponsor Jeff Jacobs, who is also a […]

As the today’s activities wrap up, Team Garmin-Chipotle has officially set the tone for the weekend by winning the US Pro national time trial championships with Dave Z and putting a total of 4 riders in the top 5. Here is a follow up the conversation Timmy (below right) and I had yesterday with a […]

As I sit in the heat and humidity of downtown Greenville, South Carolina, I can’t help but think about the role Team Garmin-Chipotle H3O will play in cycling history over the next two days. We have proven ourselves on European soil and have been a dominant team domestically. We already have two national champions on […]

I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of my recovery. I’ve had a pretty relaxed summer, although it has definitely been the most difficult period of my life up to this point. Traumatic brain injuries are so frustrating in so many ways. I never imagined how many […]

Despite how normal I am feeling right now, my head injury is actually a little more serious. In my crash I suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage, resulting now in a subdural hematoma, which is basically a big bruise on the right frontal lobe of my brain. The subdural hematoma on my brain is still a […]

Velonews.com talks to Timmy Duggan and Dave Zabriskie about their recent injuries and their hopes for recovery and their return to racing.
Said Duggan: “I can exercise, but super easy. Any exercise, or even drinking alcohol, could cause more bleeding, because it raises your blood pressure, which could cause the clot to bleed out more. […]

After my high speed crash a few weeks ago at the Tour de Georgia, I am happy to say that I am at home, healthy and well. A broken collarbone, scapula, and a moderate head injury (basically a big bruise on my brain) isn’t fun but it could have been worse. I am very […]