Cycling: Battler back on bike he loves a year after crash

Geoff Purcell, who had a horrific crash before last year's Colville Connection.

After what Geoff Purcell has been through, you might think he wouldn't be heading out for any last-minute practice rides before this year's Colville Connection on the Coromandel.

But he is just so happy to be back on his bike, and feels as if he has earned the right.

The 51-year-old, an assistant area commander for the Fire Service, had a horrific crash last year while he was training at Totara Park, South Auckland, only nine days before the race.

Purcell fell 2m off his mountain bike travelling at about 10km/h and landed on his right thigh. He fractured his right hip socket and broke his pelvis in three places.

He needed to be stretchered up to the ambulance by the watch crews at Papatoetoe Fire Station.

"I appreciated their sound first-aid and rescue skills as well as many quips and not so subtle humour."

When he arrived at Middlemore Hospital it was confirmed that he had fractured his hip and pelvic bones.

He had surgery and three large screws (70mm, 80mm and 130mm) were inserted into the bones. He was finally cleared to return to work full-time at the end of August last year - six months after the accident.

Now, one year on, Purcell is preparing to take on the Colville Connection 72km MTB event once more.

It will be a sweet moment after watching the 2013 event from a wheelchair with the pain numbed by morphine. "It was disappointing to miss last year's race after training and then not be able to complete it. The morphine and lots of coffee certainly helped dull the disappointment."

Purcell said he wasn't nervous getting back on the bike as riding an exercycle had been a big part of his rehabilitation.

"It was neat to be able to get out and about again after so long restricted to crutches and wheelchair.

"My right leg muscles had atrophied due to lack of use and I had to do plenty of strength-training and then back on the cycle to build this back up. It has taken a full year to get back to where I was before the crash.

"I am really looking forward to completing this race."

Purcell loves the freedom to go exploring on his mountain bike. It was something he dreamed of when he was laid low for so many months.

The Aucklander has simple advice for those who are looking to recover from major injuries.

"I found that setting a goal, such as 'completing the Colville Connection', has been a real motivator. I have been pushing myself to be fit and ready to go on February 22 [four days short of one year since the accident]."