February 2, 2010
Bob Roll
I'm sure that many of you know by now that Bob Roll was seriously injured in a skiing accident. In the crash Bobke managed to break three ribs and his femur. I've been friends with Bob for twenty-five years now, and have always known him to be a tough dude. I've broken my own fair share of ribs, and would wish that incredibly inconvenient pain on no one but, according to the Blob, breaking a femur takes pain to a whole new level.When I was racing in Belgium, I would always know when my competitors were, shall we say, chemically altered with any number of drugs in the amphetamine category because they could suddenly speak English almost perfectly. Incredibly, some of these jokers managed to speak with so much speed and conviction, I felt like I might even be perched on a bar stool somewhere in Wisconsin, talking with a "regular." Like I said, I have known and called Bobke a friend since the middle 80s. In all of that time, I have never exchanged a fax, email, im, or text message with the guy. Nope, our communication has always happened via telephone and/or the United States Postal Service. This past weekend, however, I got a somewhat cryptic text message. At first I was confused, but when I looked at the top of the screen and saw that "Boob" had sent it, I knew I was either witnessing the start of a new world order, or Bob was high as a kite on pain meds.
After receiving another, more lucid text from my injured pal yesterday, I gave him a call. Ladies and gentlemen, it's okay to relax because the new world order has not happened - Bobke's simply heavily medicated.
All joking aside, my friend Bob is out of commission for a while. I hope you'll join me in wishing him a very speedy recovery. If you choose to comment and send him good wishes, I'll be sure to pass each and every one of them along. Hospital beds can be lonely places.
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29 Responses to “Bob Roll”
Get better soon my man. The cycling world isn’t the same without you.
That’s crazy Bob just entered my mind a bit ago. I was sifting through old videos of mine, One in particular was Fox Racing’s “Chainsmoke”. I had a wee bit of footage in the movie, crashing and breaking a collarbone. Bob helped me get my bike on top of my car in the parking lot at the Welsh Village Norba Nats. My best wishes to you Bob on a speedy recovery.
Get well soon Bob
It should come as no surprise that I am outraged.
Hopefully he will take the manditory time off to do some more writng. He’s the only other ex pro that can churn out a good yarn as well as Parkin. Make more books!
Hey Bob, I recently crashed on a training ride and sustained a severe fracture to my femoral neck. This was two weeks before the NFC Championship game. The pain was, indeed, unbelievable. In spite of it, I realized my crash happened so the bad juju of the New Orleans Saints 3 losses could be erased and they would go on to win the NFC. My crash had a greater cosmic purpose than just teaching me a lesson about taking too many risks. I suppose I took one for the team. You’re the best, Bob. Get well soon and put your money on the Saints in spite of the odds.
All the best to Bobke. I’ve enjoyed his grit on the bike, his two books, his columns and his TV commentary a lot. Best wishes for a sppeedy recovery.
Sorry to hear that news. I broke some ribs last year skiing too but, thankfully, not my femur! If Bobke says it hurts, it must REALLY hurt! Hang in there tough guy.
I hope you have a speedy recovery Bob, I sympathize with your pain. I snapped my femur in half back in 2003, shortly after Beloki broke his. When folks asked about the pain I simply told them I would never wish it on anyone.
Bobke – Heal quick, Versus needs you back quickly. Or at least those of us that watch Versus need you on air to show the human quirkiness of bike racing as only you can.
Boob-ka is one tough mo-fo for sure and has great stories- like the Cactus Cup blood spurter or finding his Tag-Heuer watch after it survived a full season of snow where he lost it. Fons rides high and dry while Boob-ka rides down and durty with the pie plate. Stomppen!
My friends & I will never forget bowling with Bobke in Madison, WI on a snowy night back in December 2005. Get well soon, dear friend.
Bianchi Greg, and the Wednesday Night Bike Ride group
Hey, Bob – I’m sorry to hear the news! Everyone here is sending good vibes and wishing you a speedy recovery from the hurt.
Cheers,
e
Hey Bob, Heal Fast and Strong, is what I always say, even to myself. ( I broke my foot last Feb) Best wishes man. Treat yourself to a trip to Hawaii when you recover. Give yourself something to look forward to. Greg http://ghinrichsen.blogspot.com/
From a guy that just did a compaction test of the pavement with my shoulder and tore the collar bone off the shoulder. Med are nice but man is made to move. Get well soon.
-B
Did the same thing ski racing in MN two years ago Bob. Take care man. Pills are good.
Doctors don’t recommend chasing narcotics with alcohol, but done carefully, it does make things more interesting. Heal well Bobke!
In the pursuit of pain comes happiness.., or something like that.
Hang in there brother.
I’ve been rollin’ with Bobke’s Prayer Stix celeste grips for years and will continue to do so, now with extra thoughts for their namesake. Get well soon, Bob!
Joe, is the title for your sequel book set in stone? “Hair of the Dog (that bit me) in a Hat” might’ve been appropriate for a MTB memoir. I anticipate reading your words nevertheless. I loved your ‘89 Lemond TDF appendix anecdote. I was taking delivery of my still current steed that very day, making the day especially memorable. Ride on respectfully, lest the ground rise up and smite thee.
DUDE!!!!! OUCH!
Bob Roll is one of my favorite shortdurationpersonalsaviors.
Knit yoself back together quickly, Fool!
Yeah,
Recently heard about this. I can only imagine breaking a femur (which I believe is the largest and strongest bone in the body) would be extremely painful. Water cooler talk in town alluded to Roll swearing so loudly you could hear him a was down the mountain…OUCH!
While Bob may be out of commish for some time, I have to say I was pretty sad to hear about another major loss to international cycling this past weekend with the tragic death of Franco Ballerini. A little before my time to see him race, but I know he ran a tight ship with the Squadra Azzura over there. Sounds like he was quite the class act…any good stories Joe?
A good friend of mine also broke his femur in a ski accident a few years back and yes the the whole thing sucks big time but he made a full recovery and is back doing the things he loves the most. So here’s wishing the same to Bobke, hope you’ll be back sooner rather than later.
The boobster and j-man need to get their arses back up to wisconsin…..where some real healing can take place!
Take care Bobke……good ya on the healing.
PS…….your real friends are the ones trying to slip you another waffle while you’re still recovering?
Hey Bob,
If falling out of a tree, chasing an owl in the middle of a snow storm in the Jemez Mountains didn’t kill you, this won’t either.
Hope to see you at the the Tour.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery to one of the most beloved and revered freaks to come from cycling and America. Get well soon, Bob!
My utmost thoughts and prayers are with Bobke. There is no one person who has been more influencial in my love for cycling than Bob Roll. His wit, combined with his insight in professional cycling is absolutely unique and priceless. I’ve always said, given the chance to ride with any one person, Bobke would be my first choice. Yes, even before Lance, though LA would definitely be next. Bobke was Lance’s choice for a riding partner when he began his comeback and that says alot. I’m quite sure Bobke doesn’t even know what he means to this great sport, or how much he is truly loved and admired, so I hope many will send him best wishes and let him know how much he has done for this sport, especially in the States. I read his book “Bobke II” about once a month. Maybe he’ll use his downtime to write, but most importantly, just get healthy and back to doing what only he can do. Bobke, I hope you read this and know you truly are my hero, and many others. You are truly are one of a kind, and when I’m down, all I have to do is read your book or a blog, and I’m renewed. I hope you can find something that lifts you as you do others as you recover. From all I’ve learned about you, I know your as tough as they come and you’ll make a speedy recovery. I don’t know the details of your accident, but I hear there’s a huge surplus of toothpicks hitting the market. If you did hit a tree, my condolences to the tree’s family as well. Please get well soon and know we are all behind you.
Wishing you a fast and speedy recovery. Your book is one of the best I’ve ever read on cycling as well.
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