'I felt warm blood pooling around my head - brain fluid was coming out of my nose'

A 68-year-old cyclistfrom north London has spoken out about how two serious accidents within 13 months made him "rethink his life". Stephen Moon, who had been riding bikes "since (he) was five years old" and even taught others to cycle, was left "baffled and embarrassed" after suffering multiple fractures and a brain bleed in two major collisions.

The first incident occurred during the RideLondon 100 event in March 2023, where he sustained multiple fractures, a punctured lung and a broken collarbone. The second accident took place in northern Spain in April 2024 when Stephen hit a bump on a mountain road at high speed, causing him to crash into the road surface.

This resulted in further fractures and a leak of cerebrospinal fluid – the clear, colourless liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord – from his nose. Now, inspired by his friend and personal hero Sir Chris Hoy, the six-time Olympic champion track cyclist, Stephen is preparing to run the New York Marathon.

READ MORE: Big Brother star rushed to hospital for emergency surgery 'screaming in unbearable pain'

READ MORE: 'Underwear I bought from TikTok melted into my skin leaving second degree burns'

Recalling the aftermath of his second accident, he said: "I could feel warm blood pooling around my head," and "Something was running from my nose - later I learned it was cerebrospinal fluid. I felt like I was dreaming, but I wasn't."

The retired CEO of a sports nutrition business, who had worked 60–70 hours a week since he was 16, said both crashes served as a wake-up call. He said: "Life is too short to spend so much time under constant pressure."

Stephen's first brush with disaster occurred during the RideLondon 100 in 2023, when an e-bike rider lost control and knocked another cyclist off their bike. The fallen cyclist landed directly in Stephen's path, causing a collision that left him with 10 broken ribs, three pelvic fractures, two collarbone breaks, and a punctured lung. He spent 12 days in intensive care.

"It was like being stabbed from the inside every time I tried to breathe," he recalled. "I had tubes inserted to drain fluid from my lungs and was in hospital for weeks."

Undeterred by his ordeal, Stephen made a triumphant return to cycling and resumed his active lifestyle. Within a mere three months, he was back on his bike and even travelling abroad for rides.

However, in April 2024, while cycling in northern Spain, tragedy struck once more. Descending a mountain road at speed, he hit a bump and was violently thrown onto the hard surface.

"I could feel blood pooling around my head," he said. "Someone was telling me, 'Stay with me, bro,' but I could barely focus."

Medical examinations revealed that he had fractured bones in 12 places – his collar bone, eight ribs, and his hand in three places. He had also suffered a severe brain bleed, and cerebrospinal fluid was leaking from his nose - a critically serious injury.

"I've been riding on two wheels since I was five years old, and I've taught people to cycle, so to end up in hospital twice in such a short space of time was both baffling and embarrassing," he admitted.

Those consecutive experiences, he revealed, marked a pivotal moment. Stephen withdrew from full-time employment in October 2024 and concentrated on his wellbeing, personal connections, and savouring life in the here and now.

"After the first accident, I decided I was going to be positive and kind to everyone I met, from the hospital staff to the woman delivering my sandwiches," he said. "That mindset has stayed with me ever since."

During his recovery process, Stephen took up running. He commenced training under a coach who specialises in working with veteran athletes, completing three weekly runs alongside two strength-building sessions.

"At my age, recovery is just as important as training, your body tells you when it's ready and when it's not," he said. "Some days I can barely make a few kilometres, and others I run my longest distances yet. Sometimes both can happen on the same day."

Despite one of his knees no longer extending completely, Stephen has adapted to accommodate his physical constraints. "It's amazing what you can achieve with persistence," he said.

He had intended to compete in the 2024 New York City Marathon, but his injuries compelled him to postpone. Now, with his fitness regained, he is gearing up for the 2025 event in November.

"I've survived two major accidents; that makes you tougher than you sometimes feel," he said. "Yes, I get nervous, anyone would, but I focus on what's in front of me rather than worrying about the future."

Stephen is tackling the New York City Marathon as part of the Tour De 4, a charitable endeavour established by Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy to generate funds for cancer research. He initially encountered Sir Chris through professional channels and describes their friendship as an enormous source of motivation.

"They say you should never meet your heroes, but in his case it's absolutely not true," he said. "He's just as genuine and encouraging in person as you'd hope."

Sir Chris's stage four cancer diagnosis has made the occasion even more significant for Stephen.

"Chris has shown incredible courage," he said. "It's a reminder that life can change in an instant, and you have to make the most of every day."

Through his fundraising efforts, Stephen aims to support cancer research and patient assistance.

"I run for Chris, for my family, and for the reminder that every day is a gift," he said.

The two collisions, Stephen noted, have reinforced a straightforward reality: "We spend so much time ruminating on the past or worrying about the future, but the present is what matters. Accidents, challenges, and even running a marathon, all of it has taught me to focus, appreciate, and embrace the moment."

Find Stephen's fundraiser on GoFundMe.