Long story short, the driver in the left lane drove into the front of my car. I had zero time to react. I was only able to slam on the brakes before the impact, and some part of the dashboard cut through my right kneecap, and I broke a few other bones.

It was a lot like a crash in a bike race, one instant you're rolling along, then you're on the ground. You don't really feel the impact. It's more like a flashbulb going off all over your body. I didn't even think any bones were broken until I tried to move my leg and it didn't work. I reached down to see what was going on and felt a distinct lack of patella.

Of course, one of my first thoughts was, "shit, this is really going to set my training back this season."

The accident was three weeks or so ago. I'm starting to feel relatively good and am itching to get back on the bike. Hopefully I'll start physical therapy pretty soon. I think it will probably be a couple of weeks (at least) before I am able to ride the trainer.

The questions that I have:

• Will my surgically repaired knee work for riding?
  
• How much fitness will I lose with no riding for 4 to 8 weeks?

My first ride on the road this year is going to be sweeeeet. Does anyone have experience with similar injuries? I know Museeuw came back from a shattered knee (though I don't recall how long it took).