Headlines
As reported by The Hartford Courant, July 21, 2009.
Mending Calhoun Is Back on the Bike
By Mike Anthony
CROMWELL – When Jim Calhoun tumbled over his bike handlebars June 13 during the Jim Calhoun Cancer Challenge Ride, he was unaware that he had several broken ribs — but certainly aware of what event he was participating in.
"I remember it distinctly," Calhoun said Monday at the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce breakfast. "There was a sign. It said, 'Calhoun Ride.' So I said, 'Well, Calhoun has to ride, then.'"
So Calhoun rode. He finished the last 16 miles of the event with eight broken ribs. Originally, Calhoun was diagnosed with having five broken ribs, but he said follow-up exams showed cracking in others, too.
Calhoun, 67, collapsed because of exhaustion and trauma after the race. He finished speaking to a reporter, leaned against a car and slid down. He spent nearly 10 minutes on the ground before being helped by former UConn player Scott Burrell.
"I remember sliding down, but I was fighting it and I couldn't get myself back," he said. "I started to feel, for the first time, shortness of breath. It scared me. It scared everybody."
Not enough to keep him off a bike. Calhoun rode 18 miles Sunday and plans to ride 50 miles again in next summer's challenge ride. With the goal of playing golf by Aug. 1 still in mind, Calhoun swung a club for the first time since the accident just a few days ago.
"The first couple of days were tough, when I couldn't really breathe and that stuff," Calhoun said. "But I'm feeling much better."