WHO'S WORLD OF FANTASY WILL YOU DIVE INTO NEXT?

Dear Froome,

Please accept this letter wishing you a speedy recovery. It takes will and determination to recover from such an experience. Trust me, I would know.

In 2015, I crashed while going to finish my homework at a certain boys club in Nairobi, Kenya. I never used to wear helmets back in the day, and I certainly couldn’t move as fast as you do even on your “easy” training session.

Nevertheless, I fell and hit my head against the pavement on a short descent. The impact indented my skull, and I would have bled to death had the driver of the car behind me not taken me to Getrudes for first aid.

I was admitted at Aga Khan Hospital the same evening, went to theatre the following morning and was discharged two days later. The accident occured five days to my 16th birthday.

The doctor recommended bed rest, and so did my parents. I was given a 3-month medication prescription.

Even then, I couldn’t just sit around and have everything done for me, just as I couldn’t stand my (temporary) suspension from the bike. About a week after my discharge, I was already on the (forced) path of recovery.

I would walk from my bedroom to the bathroom when I was meant to be asleep; each morning, I would walk to the main gate to pick the newspaper; soon, I started jogging in the field and doing short sprints to test whether my legs were strong again. Ultimately, I walked the 5km to the Getrudes Hospital to retrieve my bike.

Many assumed that I would quit riding after that. I have always held that I learnt two things from that experience:

1. Always wear a helmet, and
2. Don’t do stupid things on the road.

I believe in you. I believe that you have the spirit of a fighter, and that you will probably recover faster than I did.

Oh, the story didn’t end there. A year later, I was introduced to competitive cycling by one Alex Tibwitta, and I have been racing locally since 2017 (with a helmet! Lol). I’m hoping to make it to the Olympics in the TT discipline.

Keeping you in my thoughts.

Sincerely,
Josemaria Maina,
Budding Kenya Cyclist.