FOR many of us, a serious accident while riding a bike might deter us from getting back on.
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Minda Murray is not one of those people.
In September last year, Murray came crashing down during a training run in Melbourne.
It was a fall which left her with six broken vertebrae and a serious concussion.
She would face seven weeks in a full neck and back brace.
“Completing the rehab was definitely one of the biggest challenges that I have faced,” Murray said.
“When you have something you love taken away from you it makes you more determined to get back to where you were.
“I was actually back on the ergo bike within three weeks of my injury – nothing was going to keep me away from cycling.”
By March, Murray finished her first road race since the accident.
“On this day six months ago, I broke my neck in too many places and had a concussion from a race. So, to celebrate, I got back on that horse, and did my first race since,” she said in an Instagram post on March 8.
“I got second, but in my mind and my heart I’d won. I still can’t look left very well, but the legs were ok, head was ok and most importantly I had a smile on my face.
“I’ve had a hell of a lot of support from some awesome people in my life.
“My family, my friends, my incredibly smart coach Peta Mullens and the support of a whole team of wonderful humans at Butcher Box Cycling who have inspired me through some of the darker days.
“I’ve learned a lot (and I’m) still learning.
“Today I’m just so happy to be out in the sunshine turning pedals.”
Since then, Murray has decided it was time to hang up her helmet – in a professional sense at least.
“I thought it was the perfect time because I proved to myself, I could get back out on the bike and race,” she said.
“I’ll always be a cyclist and I don’t think I’ll ever lose that part of me.
“It always plays a big part in my life because it’s a good way of keeping healthy for my mind and body.
“And it’s also a good way to connect with the land.”
While her cycling journey might be slowing down, Murray’s passion for her studies is only speeding up.
However, the coronavirus pandemic saw her plans hit a slight bump in the road.
“I was preparing to move to Canberra to study a PHD in aboriginal self determination in Victoria,” Murray said.
“I’ve previously completed a Bachelor of Environmental Science which saw me work as an aboriginal ranger in Moama and that has spurred me on to go and be a voice in my community.
“The move meant I was also going to be doing for some work for the university which was really exciting. It’s hard to be doing some work from home when you haven’t actually been able to meet people.
“But when the campus opens, I will be there.”
With her next step currently on hold, Murray has taken the time to come home to Echuca.
“I can’t remember the last time I came back for an extended period,” she said.
“It has been a great opportunity to get back in touch with the land and I’m really enjoying it.
“So much has changed here and sometimes you don’t actually appreciate those until you see them for yourself.
“Being around family and friends is amazing and I want to be making the most of it.”
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