In Cafe Racer magazine’s latest October/November issue, our columnist and longtime rider Anthony Conroy shares some deeply personal experiences with our readers. After several decades aboard two wheels, he suffered a serious illness that resulted in the amputation of his right leg below the knee. I won’t get into the details, but Connie, as his friends know him, found himself physically incapable of riding a motorcycle for well over a year after the surgery. His lengthy path back to the independence and exhilaration of motorcycling proves a fascinating read and one that should prove at least somewhat familiar to anyone who’s suffered a serious injury while riding.
Finding the inner strength to climb back onto a motorcycle after fate has had its way with one’s health is never easy, especially as we grow older. I’ve spent many months on crutches and visiting far more doctor’s offices than I ever wished to, mainly because of riding mishaps or other physical ailments directly or indirectly associated with a life on two wheels.
I consider myself fortunate to have had many friends who were successful professional and amateur motorcycle racers, people who taught me to view injuries as just inconveniences on life’s road. I remember when former CRM test rider and bike builder Blake Kelly became determined to qualify for the Daytona 200 back in 2005; he wore his healthy, young body down and then some chasing what seemed at teh time like an improbable dream, sustaining some harrowing injuries along the way. Neveretheless, Blake proved tougher the circumstances and adversity, qualifying for the prestigious competition in his very first try, a feat which hasn’t been accomplished very many times over the years.
Another CRM alum possessing the rare and inspiring ability to shrug off pan and broken bones with a NFL player’s casualness was Keith Reed. The multi-time WERA regional roadracing champ often returned home from weekends racing at Ohio’s Nelsen-Ledges circuit with a shelf full of trophies and a sling over yet another busted collarbone, never allowed the periodic setbacks define him or his quest for ever-more speed; he just kept racing even when his body hadn’t yet completely healed.
Some friends thought both Keith and Blake to be on the far side of crazy for riding their bodies – not to mention their future health- to shake off the sort of hard hits that would send many folks to the sidelines for life. For my part, I admired their ability to not allow much of anything to stand in their way of pursuing the sport that makes them happiest.
I believe Conroy, who has never competed in racing, eventually reached the same deep vein of self-determination when getting back on a streetbike after nearly two years. Reading about his journey is inspiring on many, many levels. If you’ve undergone a similar experience, drop us a line at www.rockersrule@caferacermag.com- we’d like to hear from you.