The Benefits of a Biking Buddy

I would like to relate an incident that happened 3 weeks ago to me and my mountain biking buddy Michael. We decided on a late Sunday afternoon ride in the River Valley here in Edmonton, AB. We usually go about 20-30km on some primo singletrack that runs along the north and south side of the North Saskatewan river. About 10 km into the ride i started to feel nauseous and weak. I chalked this up to a lack of sleep and a lack of proper food prior to the ride, both of which I am fairly diligent about. We continued to ride crusing through berms and powering up hills. Even after sucking back some power gel and a banana I still felt weaker and like I needed to puke. Well I thought - I am just not having a good day. It would soon prove to get much worse. We decided to head back and I got weaker and more nauseous. We decided to call in the support vehicle (my wife) and get the bikes loaded and a ride home. Luckly she ensured that I had my cell phone on me before I left. About 30 seconds after calling her I started to get dizzy, lightheaded and more severe pain in my chest and left arm. NOW I knew I was in dire straits and needed help. A heart attack is not a good thing to have in the middle of the river valley but luckly we were near a major road and access point. My buddy Michael was already dialing 911 and an ambulance was on it's way. My wife (Shelly) already on her way to pick up up had to pull over to let the ambulance by, not knowing it was for me. They were there in ten minutes and had assessed me and got me loaded into the meat wagon. I went into ventricular fibrulation (twice) in the ambulance and they had to zap me a couple of time to 'get me back'. It was my friend Michael's quick call to 911 and the fast arrival of the paramedics that saved my life. Long story short, I had a stent inserted into an artery in my heart and am now on a whack of pills to thin my blood and stabilize my blood pressure. I am also unable to ride which makes me sad - but I know I have to heal and allow for my body and heart to recuperate. Due to my decent physical condition and younger age (Iam 43) my recovery should be quick. Thanks to my cellphone and my buddy Michael I am alive today. So in closing I would like to remind all riders out there to always ride with a buddy and a cellphone. They could save your life.

Ride Strong, Ride Smart.

Val