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NORWALK, Conn. Luis Mora is a frequent competitor on the area triathlon circuit. But a nasty bike accident in the Stamford KIC It Triathlon on June 26 which left him unconscious for 10 minutes and caused injuries to his mouth and shoulder won't put him on the sidelines.
"The sooner you get back on the bike, the sooner you get rid of the devil inside,'' said Luis, 46, a Norwalk resident who hopes to compete in Sunday's Mossman Sprint Triathlon at Calf Pasture Bach. "I went for a bike ride the first time since the accident the other day, and the first 15 or 20 minutes, it was still a little scary. After that I was OK. It took a little time."
Mora had planned to compete in a different triathlon this weekend. When the injury occurred, he pulled out and delayed entering the Mossman. When he felt he had recovered, Mossman had reached capacity. He is seeking an exemption from the race host. If he does receive one, he will volunteer for Sunday's race.
The accident in Stamford occurred before the race started. He dropped off his running shoes in the second transition area. He was pedaling to the first transition area to drop off his bike for the second leg, which occurs after the swim. He was carrying his wetsuit in a bag on his handlebars. When he hit a pothole, the bag became entangled in the bike's spokes. He flipped over the handlebars and crashed to the pavement. Several teeth pushed through his upper lip. He needed 12 stitches in and around his mouth. He bruised his rotator cuff and suffered cuts to his legs, arms, back and head. He had a Grade 1 concussion.
"It was scary, but it could have been a lot worse,'' Mora said. "My helmet saved me." The bike also incurred significant damage. Both wheels were broken, and the fork was also damaged. "That's what hurts the most,'' Mora said. "Those wheels are really expensive. Fortunately, I have a training bike I can use for other races."
Mora used to race motocross motorcycle races on off-road courses. Accidents happen frequently in that sport, so Mora is no stranger to bruises. He switched to running and triathlons about 10 years ago. Already this year, Mora has finished three triathlons and three half-marathons. He finished 28th overall and fourth in his age group at the Trifitness Seaside Triathlon in Bridgeport last month. Last fall, he ran the New York City Marathon.
"I'm just a normal guy,'' Mora said. "I'm not a super guy who goes out expecting to win. I'm just a guy who goes out there and does it." One reason he participates in area events is the friendships he has developed with other recreational athletes, many of whom called on him after they learned of his accident in Stamford. "I enjoy the people and the friends I have made,'' Mora said. "I had 30 or 40 friends who were calling me on a daily basis to see how I was doing."
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