Hey Gang,

Just wanted to let everyone know that Ricky Orlando had a pretty serious motocross accident a little more than a week ago. Today was the first I'd been able to confirm it, so didn't want to post anything up till I had the facts. I spoke with him directly today, and he was happy to let me share this info with you...

He had a pretty significant get-off at Berthoud and was in ICU for about a week... he's home now and spending most of his time sleeping and resting as most of his injuries will simply take time to heal. He has some broken bones, including a wrist that required surgery, injuries to his ribs and back, as well as some internal injuries.

The good news - he will make a full recovery, and given all he's been thru he was in much better spirits than I would have guessed. The Ricky Orlando Motorcycle School continues to operate as he has many other instructors, but the Ricky led "race classes" will have to wait for a bit...

The bad news - he definitely is going to be off a bike for a while, which includes the first half of the MRA season most likely... Additionally, as a self-employed racer and instructor his health insurance is good, but not "great" and so there will be some pretty significant out-of-pocket expenses coming up here for RO.

I asked Ricky what we could do for him, and typical Ricky, he said "I think I got it pretty well sorted out for now..." but when pressed, he did concede that any well wishes or support (including financial) would be welcome.

That said, at least for the time being, he would prefer NOT to take a bunch of phone calls or visitors right now - because sleeping is probably the most valuable treatment in his recovery at present.

He is on-line frequently and is checking e-mail, etc... so if you want to send a note, or card, or a couple bucks (or all of the above) his way you can do it as follows:

Ricky Orlando
3465 Cottonwood Circle
Frederick, CO 80504

or

you can e-mail him at

rickyorlando@hotmail.com

He plans to be up and at-em as soon as possible, but understands that the recovery will be a slow process. His final words to me on the phone today -

"You haven't seen the last of me yet..."

Atta Boy Ricky!