Caroline Buchanan's injury year from hell took another twist when she suffered a compound fracture of her finger, spent four days in hospital and had a metal plate inserted to hold it together.
But the silver lining of the dual Olympian having so much time off her bike this year is she's been able to put her energy into other areas, like creating a four-book series she hopes will inspire young children.
Caroline Buchanan will launch her new book series on Friday.Credit:Adam McGrath/HCreations
The good news is the dare to be different theme of the books, which will be launched on Friday, resonates just as much with Buchanan as the young readers after the toughest year of her cycling career.
Buchanan has been ruled out of riding for the rest of the year after her latest injury setback, which she suffered in her BMX freestyle world championship debut in China two weeks ago.
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Buchanan popped her finger back in by herself and then spent four days in hospital in Canberra having surgery and antibiotics because of the risk of infection.
"I didn't realise when I was in China that it was a compound fracture and dislocation," Buchanan said.
"Because it had been exposed in China and I was wearing the same gloves from the Rio Olympics, they just pumped me full of antibiotics.
"It was just one of those freak accidents … and now I'm off the bike for another month. So it's been good to have other things to focus on this year. I got an unexpected trip to Canberra and the launch of the book is great."
Buchanan has been forced to focus on things other than cycling this year. She suffered horrific injuries in a farm accident on New Year's Eve, which included a broken sternum, collapsed lungs and bleeding around her heart.
It has limited to only a handful of races and freestyle riding this year, although she married partner Barry and has been working on her children's book series.
The idea for a book for young girls started when Buchanan was searching for a Christmas present for her niece, Emily, last year but failed to find what she was looking for.
She spoke with publishers, writers and an illustrator to come up with the "Girls Can B" series, with the main character based on her life.
"I'm still a big kid riding a bike," Buchanan laughed. "When I got injured, I sat down and wanted a project to keep me busy. It's about showing girls they can be anything they want to be.
The "Girls Can B" series is expected to have four books.Credit:Adam McGrath/HCreations
"The first book of the series about girls being able to be different, and the second one coming out soon is about girls being brave. The aim is to bring out a four-book series over the next year.
"It's kept something positive for me. I always like to be busy and to be challenged. The book is targeted at girls, but there are no rules. Boys can enjoy it, too."
Buchanan will be at the Cycling Australia awards in Melbourne on Friday, where Canberra duo Michael Matthews and Chloe Hosking are nominated for the male and female athlete of the year prizes.
Buchanan is hoping to start launching her Tokyo Olympic Games campaign next year, but it will depend on her ongoing recovery from the serious injuries at the start of the year and how her finger mends.
Chris Dutton is the sports editor at The Canberra Times.
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