Dear All,

Anyone live near Knoxville or Tellico Plains, TN and would like to help a biker in need? Whilst trying to ride a Triumph Tiger 800 XC around The World, I had a little 'freak' mishap 1 Dec and proceeded to fall off my bike and down a 25 ft cliff onto the rocks below, fracturing 9 ribs, 3 lower back vertebrae, my right hand (twice) and dislocated/broke several fingers (DOH!). An unwelcome addition was a pneumothorax, which is not a great companion at the best of times, particularly on the road to Bald River Falls, TN, off season (in the middle of nowhere). Anyway, after an uncomfortable while, a kindly trucker came by and asked me what I was doing (laying at the bottom of the cliff), to which I replied 'waiting for my lung to re-inflate so I can get back on my bike...'

Two months later (after recuperating abroad) I'm ready to Rock'n'Roll again! However, my bike is in Tellico Plains and the nearest airport I can fly into is Knoxville (arr 9 Feb). If some kind/bored/crazy biker would like to give a lift then he would win copious amounts of gratefulness, dinner and lots of drinks on completion. However, I realise this is a big favour for a stranger to make, especially as this is my 1st post on this site after finding it, and so I'll settle for a piece of cardboard and a pen to aid my pending hitch-hike.

When/if I get there, I'm looking forward to starting Sam Correro's Trans-America Trail (again). I realise it's not the ideal time of year for this, but I have time off work, so why not?! So, anyone fancy joining me, please do. Although you won't mind if I keep well clear of cliffs?

Thanks for reading,

Chris