Beating the Odds: “Earning My Buckle on Prosthetic Knees!”
14 months prior to the start of the Tevis Cup, my husband, Andy, had bi-lateral knee replacement surgery. They actually amputate your leg above and below the knee, attach a prosthetic knee to the bone with bolts, drilling holes in your femur and tib/fib, then re-attach the muscles, tendons, and ligaments and sew the skin back up! It’s rare that a surgeon will agree to do bi-lateral knee replacement surgery on a patient, due to the extreme pain and difficulty of recovering from such a surgery all at once. The doctor advised against it, but Andy was determined to meet his goal and complete the 2022 Tevis Cup ride on his partner, One Sun.
On January, 2022, six months post-surgery, Andy announced he was going to ride the Tevis Cup this year. I was skeptical and worried he might be over doing it, but he was determined to get his life back and fly down the trail the way he used to on foot.
Andy’s dream was always to compete in the Western States Run, but life had other plans for him. Instead, he got another opportunity to cross those mountains using his avatar, One Sun, a phenomenal athlete.
On the morning of the Tevis Cup ride, Andy was set to ride One Sun, and I was on my horse Taser. It was truly an epic feeling to start this race with my husband after everything he’d gone through and all the years he spent watching me start this journey through the mountains
So there we were riding down the trail together on one of the most scenic, challenging, and rewarding rides in the world and loving it. Our plan was to stick together until we reached Robinson Flat vet check, and then take it check by check. All was going precisely as planned. We had a glorious start and cruised into High Camp looking good when Andy declared he had to pee. I hoped he would be fast (as guys can pee and walk right?), but no, I watched him walk leisurely to the porta potty area like he had time to spare. When he finally emerged, I was on my horse, watching with impatience as he led Sun to a mounting block and prepared to get on. I started to ride off when I heard a commotion and some yelling. I looked back and to my horror I observed One Sun doing a high-speed backup with Andy being drug on the ground, hanging on to his reins trying to get back on his feet. Once safely back in the saddle, Andy quickly caught up to me laughing and a little embarrassed saying he somehow fell off the mounting block and landed on his back! He told me one of the volunteers offered to get him a band-aid. We later learned from the Ride Director, Chuck Stalley, the High Camp Head Volunteer radioed Andy’s number and said to “Watch this guy, I don’t think he’s going to make it!” We got some good laughs out of that one.
We worked our way through the area known as the “bogs” in the high country, where the foliage was so thick you couldn’t see the trail in some sections. The rest of the trail leading up to Cougar Rock was uneventful, but breathtakingly beautiful, technical, and required concentration and focus. As we approached the Cougar Rock entrance, I asked Andy if he wanted to go over the rock. He was quick to say “Nope, not gonna do it,” so we both opted for the bypass trail.
Sadly, we parted ways when it was time to leave the Robinson Vet Check. My horse was developing a bad case of scratches that I failed to notice or treat in time. While we were waiting at the out timer, I told Andy to go on without me. The look Andy gave me was “No! Don’t make me do this alone….” It was hard to leave Andy but I knew he could get the job done. One Sun was looking solid and I was certain Andy would get his buckle if he just stayed on and trusted him.
From that point on, Andy and One Sun were on their own, riding by themselves from Robinson Flat to Murderer’s Bar (nearly 40 miles). Both Andy and Sun were getting lots of bonding time. However, as horses do, Sun was very bored and disgruntled without his buddy for all those miles or another horse to keep him company and lacked enthusiasm.
Leaving Foresthill, still a solo team, they dropped down into the dark single-track trail known as “Cal 1 and Cal 2.” Andy decided not to use a head lamp, instead trusting his horse to guide him safely down the trail. To help him through this dark section, I had instructed Andy to grab his horse’s mane in order to feel the through his horse’s neck each turn, drop, and rise in the trail. It was definitely a test of faith. As expected, One Sun had no problem as he picked his way down the dark trail of rising and falling switchbacks towards Auburn.
Just before reaching Francisco’s Vet Check, their prayers were answered as they were joined by several riders. Andy was relieved and energized as Sun perked up, wanting to tear down the trail after them, finally getting his mojo back.
At Foresthill I gathered up our crew and headed to the “No Hands Bridge” to cheer this amazing team on for their last four miles to the finish. We gathered our chairs, blankets, and cooler stocked with the essentials and anxiously waited for their arrival. After what seemed like forever, I heard the familiar “yeeyee” and knew it was them. We were beside ourselves with excitement as they thundered down the single track in a large group of five riders. We had just enough time to cheer and say “hi” as they took off across the bridge ready to get it done. We quickly gathered our things and boogied to the cars so we could beat them to the finish line.
We didn’t have to wait long after staging at the Auburn Overlook finish line before Andy and One Sun appeared out of the dark, forested trail, at a trot until they crossed under that Finish Line banner after 100 miles!
Let me summarize Andy’s amazing accomplishment. Six years prior to the Tevis Cup ride, Andy learned how to ride. Two years prior he stopped riding due to excruciating knee pain. One year prior he had double knee replacement surgery. Four months prior, he completed his first 50 mile competition to prove he could do it. Three months prior, he completed his second 50 mile competition at speed, winning the Best Condition award at the Cache Creek Ride. Culminating in his successful finish at the Tevis Cup 100 mile ride at age 58, earning his first buckle on his first attempt.
“It was a long arduous road to get to the starting line, but I got there. I have to say the 100-mile ride was one of the most difficult sporting competitions I have done and most satisfying also. The Tevis Cup pushed me
physically as well as mentally beyond limits but through sheer desire and perseverance. I embraced what the ride had to offer and proved to myself I can still get it done! In the end, we successfully crossed the mountains into Auburn and I was able finish my first Tevis Cup attempt in 15th place.”
So my friends, I write this happy ending for all of you out there to share. Riders and non-riders, who have ever dreamed big, but are holding back for whatever the reason, life is too precious to not give it everything you’ve got and take advantage of every opportunity.
It comes down to this: True grit, determination, and a refusal to give up. Endurance is a sport of enduring, and if you want something bad enough you will find the strength to walk your path to success.
See you on the Tevis Cup Trail, 2023!
