THREE months after fracturing multiple vertebrae in a mountain bike accident, Dubbo mayor Mathew Dickerson will be back in action this weekend when the Evocities MTB series comes to town.
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Dickerson came down during the Western Sydney leg of the series, and despite not initially thinking the injury was serious, was left with fractured C5, C6 and T9 vertebrae, a slightly strained AC joint in his shoulder, and four stitches in his right ear.
"I just got winded, I couldn't breathe properly. It was really the other person there who pulled up behind me that said 'take it easy'," he said at the time.
"The ambulance staff members were amazed that it was a fractured spine. They said I was in too high spirits and not enough pain for it to be that serious but they followed precautions."
Fast forward to now, and with his doctor giving him the all clear Dickerson is ready to ride again this weekend in the WD40 Dubbo 300, presented by Cook and Cook Financial Services.
"I'm not as fit as I should be and I still have a bit of pain in the shoulder but the doctor has said I'm okay to ride, and as such I think it's essential I ride in the Dubbo race," he said.
"When I came up with the idea for this series I wanted to be active in as many of the events as I could be, and I can't wait to get out there on Sunday and ride.
"The guys from the local club have embraced the series and worked hard to make this event successful so if I can be out on the trails and doing my bit then I will do that."
Dickerson has already had a look at the 15.7km course at Geurie, which has been created by linking the Homestead Trail and the Oaks Flat Trail with a new trail under Scabbins Flat Bridge.
"I went out to Geurie and rode around, not at a fast pace but enough to get a feel for it and It's one of the best trails I've been on," he said.
"There's no big long climbs in it, they're all pretty short and sharp but it presents its own challenges and I think it will be well-received.
"It also has a nice-flowing fast section so there will be sections of that track that allow the riders to speed up but also some challenges along the way."