When Dr. James Heerwagen meets patients desperate to heal, so they can return to team athletics and individual sports, he understands. The Lewisville orthopedic surgeon participates in seriously competitive mountain bike races with Team OA, which includes several patients from his practice, Orthopedic Associates. Their jerseys bear the logo "You Fall, We're on Call." "I think it helps me relate to the athletic patients I have by trying to be competitive myself," said Heerwagen. "Mountain biking has been like a mid-life crisis escape for me. I can race and feel like a kid again."
    The OA team won first place in a June race; a 24 hour bike relay held in Erwin Park in McKinney, Texas. Riders took turns in a relay around a rugged 8.1 mile course. The eight rider team included Heerwagen, Sean Deusing, a physical therapist from Denton, and former patients and friends, Phil Horton, Buddy Fitch, Matt Reeder, Doug Hargis and Shane Densmore. The team was able to complete 25 laps in the 24-hour race that began at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 5, and finished at 10 a.m. the next morning. Night racing presented its own special challenges as cyclists used halogen headlight and handlebar lights to navigate root-covered trails. Dr. Heerwagen said all kinds of organizations and bicycle shops sponsor Grande teams for races like the one held in McKinney. "Most teams strive to pick the best riders they can find to ride for them," he said. "People do it for the competition and endurance challenge."
     Like a lot of orthopedists, Heerwagen likes cycling because it doesn't jar knees, hips and other joints. "Even racing is low impact," Heerwagen told the News Connection. "A few of our racers cannot run at all but can still bike really well, with no pain. My past medical assistant of 17 years is 56 years old and still mountain bikes with bilateral artificial knees." The logo on the shirts isn't just for show. Heerwagen takes his medical bag to races and always treats some injuries. Often, he uses tape and splints to patch up teammates and competitors so they can keep going. He can also advise them when broken bones or other serious injuries require a trip to the hospital. Medical expertise also comes in handy in race preparation, hydration and nutrition. Heerwagen said riders use a lot of pre-race and recovery drinks that are loaded with carbs and protein to keep muscles moving 24 hours. "We also use pickle juice, which has a very high salt content, during and between races to prevent muscle cramps," he said.

The News Connection thanks Denise Striker for her contributions to this story.