Not Alone
By Brad Mamalis
November 9, 2023 4:30am
I put on all my gear and swung my leg over my motorcycle to head to work, just like countless mornings before. I had been riding various motorcycles for over 20 years. But this morning was different. I was passing through a large intersection along Route 1 and… it happened. An inattentive driver ignored the left red turn arrow and plowed into my left side.
The impact was violent.
My motorcycle and I went bouncing together to the opposite curb about 100 feet away. Meanwhile, the driver left the scene. I came to settle on the grass between the road and the bike path, alone. My Triumph Rocket rested, destroyed, 150 feet away. I crawled back over to the road to lay on my back and to assess my injuries. It was then that I looked down in horror to find nothing where my left foot had been.
I panicked.
But then I began calming myself and regulating my breathing to slow my heart rate. I knew, thanks to my Marine Corps training (OORAH!), that if I panicked, it could mean death.
I was desperately wishing for someone to find me and help me. It was then that I heard a woman’s voice behind me. I yelled to her, “tell them my leg is gone!” Then she came into view… What?! That couldn’t be. There she was, a woman dressed in a full bicycle riding outfit, spandex, helmet, glasses and everything - the whole kit. At this hour? Whatever… I wasn’t alone any more.
Fast forward three weeks, still in the hospital recovering, and the police were trying to convince me the woman on the bike did not exist. I knew she was real. I just wanted to thank my spandex hero and everyone else involved in helping save my life. Finally, a month or so later, the detective investigating the crash called me and told me, “we know who she is.”
That woman was one of our locals, Maria Logan. She had been biking to work – like she does almost every day – along the same route of the crash.
We started texting while I was in the hospital about our hobbies and lives. We were becoming close friends before meeting properly. She told me she would help me get me back on a mountain bike, an activity I did back when ebikes and gravel bikes weren’t a thing. Back when 2 or 3 front chainrings were normal and dropper posts had still to make an appearance. I told her I would get her on a Onewheel. My leisure activity of choice.
I was skeptical of my chances to actually do any of these activities. I did not know there was life post-amputation. I thought I would be stuck doing nothing more strenuous than walking, if I even got to that point. It was difficult to look ahead, but my chats with Maria helped me keep my spirits up.
Maria and I finally met in person at her Super Bowl party and we have become incredibly close friends since. With her help I purchased not one, but two new bikes. A Stumpjumper for when I have the energy, and a beautiful Specialized Turbo Levo eMTB for when I want to extend my time on the trails.
I have not really had the chance to get any proper riding in yet, but I have been making rounds through the neighborhood while I await for the Veterans Administration to approve and produce my “recreation leg.” That new leg will be made with a specific emphasis on riding so I join you all on the trails!
Maria Logan
I don’t know how I made it to work on time on November 9, and still on my bike… I caught the horrible aftermath of a motorcycle hit and run, and stayed with the injured rider to help him stay calm so he would not go into cardiac arrest. It was difficult, but I remained calm and ready to assist while the responding officer applied a tourniquet. Once the paramedics arrived I moved on - he was now in good hands. I’m amazed at how fast things happen and how quickly things change in the blink of an eye. I’m also grateful for my first aid training. Because of it I was able to quickly react during a stressful situation.
I’ve connected with Brad after the hit and run, and have gained a new friend. I’m glad we finally met and helped him realize I wasn’t a hallucination. I’m eager to help him get back on the bike