Well, I had a very interesting doctors appointment recently. But it answered so many questions.

It all goes back to June 2005. In the best shape of my life. Putting in huge mileage, riding 2 a days, hammering friends into the ground that used to drop me. It was like a dream. I was planning a full assault of the endurance circuit. First big race was the 24 hour that June. I had a great month in May putting in over 3000km's of training and in June was beginning my taper about 2 weeks out. Exactly 2 weeks before the race I did a huge group road ride...in the rain.....and I crashed...and I hit my head. Didn't think too much of it, a little woozy for a few minutes but was able to continue on. 2 weeks later started the 24 hour. 1st lap, 40 mins in, totally flying, hit a downhill rock garden and went over the bars taking the full impact on my head and right shoulder. Looking back I was totally out of it wandering around the course. My shoulder was wrecked (which is still a problem to this day, but I can live with it), my race done, and off to the hospital. Actually last weekend I was talking to the safety guy for the 24 hour and he said my story actually made it into a magazine about the worst crashes they've ever seen....I was honoured....if they only knew how bad it was.

I've never been the same since. Migraines became the biggest problem, especially over the last 12 months. That led to difficulty training, some weight gain (or inability to drop winter weight!) etc. 3 catscans later and still nothing to tell (other than only rocks in my head for every wanting to race 24 hours solo!). Finally got in to see a neurologist as the migraines were getting worse. She said the 2 concussions (mostly the 2nd) triggered everything (I never used to get migraines ever). She said most people genetically will have the possibility of getting them or not....and sometimes a trigger is needed to start them up. Mine was the severe crash. She said most of my issues stem from all of this (including neck/shoulder problems). So I am glad to finally have some sort of diagnosis and some medication to hopefully solve the problem. Seems like there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I might get things back to normal. I'm not sure what this season still holds at this point....just taking it one day at a time as the medication can take 3-4 months to really start making a difference. But I hope it is sooner, I can starting riding more, and kick things off with a bang at the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo in February. I'm a bit disappointed with how the season has been going and don't like to let down the people and companies who support me, but I'm doing my best and even if the results don't show it I still get great opportunties to talk up product. So thanks to all of you.

Steve