THE WILL TO RETURN: TRADING TWO WHEELS FOR THE BUS

fter three weeks of forced rest following my accident, I had determined that getting back to work had to happen, even if I was nowhere near 100%. Making the leap back to routine was less a sprint and more of a tentative hobble. On Thursday (27th), my bike—still out of action after the RTC—was replaced. I traded two wheels for a slightly daunting ride on public transport.

Just a couple of days ago, I finally managed to take Magnus, my dog, for a walk. Though the movement was slow and accompanied by considerable discomfort, the sheer act felt like a profound triumph, and I was deeply thankful to achieve it. My youngest daughter’s partner, Liam, has been instrumental in keeping this routine going during my recovery. For me, these walks are far more than mere exercise; they are a cherished connection to the land, an opportunity to enjoy the moon, and, most importantly, invaluable time spent with my loyal companion, Magnus.

Catching the bus was an unwelcome challenge to start the day. I was already operating on minimal sleep and the bus seats felt unforgivingly uncomfortable, sending pangs through my back which is still not in the best condition.

Fortunately, my first shift was made easier by the bonus of a later start: 10am instead of the scheduled 8am I made it to my workplace without incident and after a brief, clarifying meeting with my supervisor—which set out the framework of my graduated return—I settled in front of a computer. While I know I'm stuck inside for the foreseeable future, I'm incredibly grateful that my employer has offered the flexibility to make this adjustment.

The Crash Aftermath and Early Exhaustion

Later that day, Morticia picked me up. Despite the reduced hours, I was unprepared for the sheer level of exhaustion that hit me; after just a few hours, I felt utterly drained. Hopefully, this intense fatigue is simply a natural reaction to activity after three weeks of necessary rest and recovery, and not a sign I've pushed too hard.

My return to work did, however, give me the chance to finally examine the damage to my bicycle. It has been safely stored in one of the outbuildings since my colleagues were kind enough to recover it for me. First impressions confirm that the rear rack took the brunt of the impact and is horribly bent out of shape. I'm not in a position to check the roadworthiness of the frame or any of the moving parts, but a complete safety check is the bare minimum it’s going to need. Adding insult to injury, I've also lost my rear camera (which is particularly annoying since it would have captured some interesting viewing) and my radar light. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that all of this will be covered by the other party's insurance.

Image from the surviving front camera
directly after impact

The Question Mark

So, after just three days of limited work, I feel more drained and exhausted than I expected. It has genuinely surprised me. Now I have three days off before I start again, which gives me time to rest and consider: Have I returned too early?

Keep Following the Journey. If the thought of resting for three more days is already making me restless, I need a distraction! Keep up with the recovery process and, if you need a dose of action while I'm stuck off the bike, there's plenty more to explore and read across my other platforms:

Read the Webcomic: Northman

While my real-life adventure involves uncomfortable bus seats and physiotherapy, my webcomic takes things up a notch! Follow the adventures of "Northman"—a webcomic loosely based on my life and sprinkled with Viking lore and bold action.

Read the latest chapter here: northman.kirt.me.uk

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