Jeff, don't be down on your mishap and think positive. You enjoy the sport of cycling but recognize the change and ability of yourself. Its still a healthy activity and in time will adapt to a different kind or less combative type of riding. Maybe you'll have to train in a different way but imagine you'll grunt on with competiveness of only yourself.
I guess we could chalk it up to the law of averages. One way or another, injuries are going to happen.
I like to look back and amazes to think from childhood to mid and later years of life, the amount of punishment a body takes from sports activities. And then how the mind pushes us on to repeat. (I'm limiting this to 'sports' as its voluntary and not like an accident or war injury.)
Not going to share my mishaps or scars, but do know the feeling. Dr. Frankenstein and installed hardware is not stopping me from carrying on
Hugh's story's are incredible! Good for him to still get out riding but in a different way. I suppose when the big incidents become life threatening and the mind says enough is enough, most will throttle back.
But then again, look at the Michael Schumacher incident. How does one explain it? Be safe all!