Pro Mountain Biker Ready To Head Home From Rehab

Dec 7, 2007

The professional mountain biker paralyzed in a racing crash in Colorado this summer is wrapping up her rehab at Craig Hospital and making big strides in her recovery every day.

Tara Llanes will soon be heading home to California. It has been 3 and 1/2 months since the accident that paralyzed her from the waist down.

Video Inside



Llanes is determined to get better.

"The first time my left leg moved in the water, I was almost speechless afterwards," Llanes said. "I just couldn't stop smiling. I knew I felt my muscle go in bed, but when you do it in the pool, you can see how much you can actually move."

She knows there is still much work and rehabilitation to be done.

"Then in the same respect you get so excited about it, then you get out of the pool and you get in the chair and you're wondering why the hell can't you do the same thing," Llanes said. "It hits you again as to what you aren't capable of right now."

She still remains resolved to walk again.

"It doesn't mean I'm going to stop keeping my positive attitude and fighting to make these little guys walk every single day, because they're going to, whether they want to or not, they're going to."

She also renewed her original promise to CBS4's Greg Moody to ride again with him.

--Greg Moody DENVER (CBS4)

Tara Llanes
Road to Recovery Fund
4068 Green Avenue
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
tarallanesroadtorecovery.com
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91 Comments

  • + 14
flag sam111 (Dec 7, 2007 at 14:18)
get well soon.
[Reply]
  • + 13
flag chaseDH3 (Dec 7, 2007 at 14:21)
get well soon mate
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  • + 12
flag shaggypatrick (Dec 7, 2007 at 14:26)
Hope you make a great recovery!
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  • + 13
flag solesy (Dec 7, 2007 at 14:27)
Healing vibes your way
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  • + 11
flag grlscanbiketo (Dec 7, 2007 at 14:32)
get well soon!
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  • + 10
flag cicuta73 (Dec 7, 2007 at 14:35)
hope the best for u, like we say in my country TIRA PARA ARIVA
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  • + 11
flag renb (Dec 7, 2007 at 14:43)
Get well soon!!!!
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  • + 10
flag dm-rider (Dec 7, 2007 at 14:43)
that's what it's all about, keeping a good attitude and never quitting. Best of luck, keep pushing forward!
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  • + 9
flag sorbet (Dec 7, 2007 at 14:51)
Get well cant wait to see her progess in a few months.
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  • + 9
flag streetstyle (Dec 7, 2007 at 15:03)
keep it up and great job pushing it further and further
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  • + 9
flag jptothetree (Dec 7, 2007 at 15:03)
Awesome Tara!!
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  • + 8
flag konaDH2k7 (Dec 7, 2007 at 15:04)
FARE PLAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thts true comitment
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  • + 8
flag hotdogprooo (Dec 7, 2007 at 15:28)
way to go never give up on your hopes and dreams you can do what ever you want to if you just try.
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  • + 10
flag bachmayeah (Dec 7, 2007 at 15:30)
go on tara and get well soon!
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  • + 6
flag comoxdh (Dec 7, 2007 at 15:40)
f*cking Rights! Tara your Awweesoome
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  • + 7
flag focofox37 (Dec 7, 2007 at 15:43)
Well, she got the leg to move! She should be able to walk again. That's awesome news!
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  • + 6
flag atheant (Dec 7, 2007 at 15:45)
thats awesome, keep it up!
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  • + 7
flag kingfisher1 (Dec 7, 2007 at 15:46)
great job for not losing hope.
im sure you will like life much better after such a bad crash!!!!!

good luck and full recovery
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  • + 7
flag mickeydesadist2 (Dec 7, 2007 at 16:01)
best to you ,you're on the single track to recovery and we're all behind you
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  • + 7
flag olynch (Dec 7, 2007 at 16:09)
Increbible, keep it up, then get back on a bike.
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  • + 7
flag shondo (Dec 7, 2007 at 16:09)
Absolutely fantastic will to beat the odds, you go girl!
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  • + 7
flag trialstar111 (Dec 7, 2007 at 16:28)
inspiring! totally amazing! reassured my faith in humanity!
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  • + 6
flag northwestdhdad (Dec 7, 2007 at 16:28)
A holiday inspiration! Go Tara!
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  • + 3
flag freerider4lyfe (Dec 7, 2007 at 16:33)
get well soon ! ! ! its great seeing such a positive attitude, keep up the progress

ps: i know this is a stupid question, but what happened to her ?
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  • + 6
flag nwd1234567isdabomb (Dec 7, 2007 at 16:44)
thats in inspiration to anyone shit happens got to stay positive
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  • + 5
flag pedalpusher06 (Dec 7, 2007 at 16:49)
shes got it!
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  • + 5
flag bcmudrider (Dec 7, 2007 at 16:51)
your an inspriation, get well
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  • + 5
flag bcmudrider (Dec 7, 2007 at 16:51)
inspiration*
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  • + 4
flag admahecha (Dec 7, 2007 at 17:00)
she got the power, get well tara, inspire ourselves!!
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  • + 4
flag MajesticMOOSE (Dec 7, 2007 at 17:04)
Tara, you are an inspiration, I know you will get better, and I KNOW you will ride again. You have my undying respect
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  • + 3
flag ryde222 (Dec 7, 2007 at 17:16)
get well soon!
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  • + 3
flag nerfstar (Dec 7, 2007 at 17:24)
get well soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag jonnydh (Dec 7, 2007 at 17:41)
Best wishes, I'm sure you'll be ripping again soon!
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  • + 3
flag brycebiking101 (Dec 7, 2007 at 17:48)
Keep on gettin better and you will walk again... best of luck
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  • + 3
flag codak (Dec 7, 2007 at 17:48)
wow that is amazing 3 month after being paralyzed you are moving you legs and everything, good job. Hopefully you can get on that bike again!
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  • + 3
flag squrl4 (Dec 7, 2007 at 17:50)
your truly an inspiration Tara!!! get well soon!!!
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  • + 3
flag Ronnoc (Dec 7, 2007 at 18:10)
that blows you cant bike now. Hope you get better soon!
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  • + 3
flag justinmohring007 (Dec 7, 2007 at 18:43)
it really sux u cant bike now ehh. hope u get better


justin mohring
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  • + 3
flag sx-ripper (Dec 7, 2007 at 18:45)
get better soon....we need u to win!
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  • + 2
flag hewymann (Dec 7, 2007 at 19:08)
canadian love goin ur way tara keep on trying dont give up like i did
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  • + 2
flag toolhead (Dec 7, 2007 at 19:17)
yeah tara well see you out on the shore very soon... Good luck!!
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag chainrxn (Dec 7, 2007 at 20:17)
Tara Rocks my socks! Get better soon!
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag blackwolf (Dec 7, 2007 at 20:37)
get better soon tara...good luck and hope to see you on your bike again someday Smile
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag fugazzi (Dec 7, 2007 at 20:42)
Never stop! Never give up! Be a tough cookie! LIVE,LOVE LAUGH. I truly hope you get better soon!
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag oldschoolj (Dec 7, 2007 at 21:07)
definate inspiration Tara! Keep it up! Keep us posted. hugs
[Reply]
  • + 4
flag azonicsteelhead31 (Dec 7, 2007 at 21:45)
get better
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag louis2468routier (Dec 7, 2007 at 21:48)
get well tara!!!! You better start kicking ass on the trails soon!!!! Peace and get well!!!!
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag dirtcrew (Dec 7, 2007 at 23:35)
i really hope u gett better, and things will be deficult for a while but once u get the hang of it ull feel good about urself and make awsome progress , get well soon,
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag bighit91 (Dec 8, 2007 at 1:14)
Get well soon Smile
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag raak (Dec 8, 2007 at 2:02)
I really hope she can re-hab. If anyone can do it, it's her.
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  • + 3
flag szach (Dec 8, 2007 at 4:52)
She will do it! Get well as fast as its possible!
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag frango (Dec 8, 2007 at 5:08)
get well soon, Tara Smile
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag nikienvo (Dec 8, 2007 at 5:27)
HANG ON TARA! COURAGE I HAVE ALWAYS JUST A THOUGHT FOR YOU! KEEP YOUR SMILE!
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag freerideskiandbike (Dec 8, 2007 at 5:37)
see, prayer works!!!keep on praying for her.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag speedy27 (Dec 8, 2007 at 5:49)
Get better soon!
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag nessy (Dec 8, 2007 at 7:33)
It's a big good news. Get well soon.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag iuta (Dec 8, 2007 at 11:01)
get well tara and best of luck too you
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag fortyninepercent (Dec 8, 2007 at 13:56)
hope to see you back on the bike soon!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag mama-dirt (Dec 8, 2007 at 14:16)
Whoa!! fantastic progress and spirit :>Wink You go girl!!!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag loverider (Dec 8, 2007 at 15:32)
get better soon!!!!!!
I hope you dont give up Tara
keep up the good work girl!!!!!!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag loverider (Dec 8, 2007 at 15:35)
life is some times like mtbiking
some uphill and some downhill
just keep up rolin
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag jallan (Dec 8, 2007 at 17:08)
Good luck with the road to recovery, the whole mtb community will be supporting you!
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  • + 1
flag curlxupxandxdle (Dec 8, 2007 at 17:13)
good luck girl =]!
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  • + 1
flag kunami (Dec 8, 2007 at 17:53)
I wish you the best of luck Smile
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  • + 1
flag norcocensored (Dec 8, 2007 at 17:53)
great stuff!!!go tara!!
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  • + 1
flag MrRandom (Dec 8, 2007 at 18:18)
all the best and great luck with the recovery Smile
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  • + 1
flag leann (Dec 8, 2007 at 19:14)
Get well soon \(^o^)/
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag littleman22 (Dec 8, 2007 at 20:19)
WOW thats great that you got your legs moving a little bit, keep it up Tara

great luck with everything
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag jessenickell (Dec 8, 2007 at 21:15)
looks like some good recovering is going on
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag bikerboybobh (Dec 8, 2007 at 22:33)
positive thinking!!!!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Toubsen84 (Dec 9, 2007 at 0:16)
get well soon !!greeting from germany (kassel)
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag dmrjumper (Dec 9, 2007 at 2:12)
hope you get better
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  • + 1
flag opupl (Dec 9, 2007 at 6:54)
great girl Smile sweet Smile
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  • + 1
flag dhcyc (Dec 9, 2007 at 9:32)
of course your gonna be fine, with the approach like that...keep it up and we'll see you on the tracks for sure Smile
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Freeeerider (Dec 9, 2007 at 9:36)
Hope you get well soon. youre recovering good
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  • + 0
flag grlscanbiketo (Dec 9, 2007 at 9:38)
Just watched the video...
Keep up the posititbe attitude!!! You will get better!
best of luck
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag specpat (Dec 9, 2007 at 9:50)
love you tara
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag kean99 (Dec 9, 2007 at 10:30)
truly inspirational
loads of love from the riders around the world!
get well soon!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag dranoel (Dec 9, 2007 at 13:18)
get well soon
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag bikewizz (Dec 9, 2007 at 13:26)
good luck
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag superkat (Dec 9, 2007 at 15:25)
Best of luck and enjoy your Holiday season!
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag gcase (Dec 9, 2007 at 17:25)
well done. she expects to ride again and with her attitude she will
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag newbikesoon (Dec 9, 2007 at 18:48)
wow...i didnt watch the vid the first time i posted but after i watched it i realize that she still owns everyone at the rehab centre at every sport
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  • + 0
flag ecentric (Dec 9, 2007 at 20:11)
Keep up the hard work in rehab. If you can make a donation, even a small one, you should do it. This must be costing her a fortune.
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag lucky49 (Dec 10, 2007 at 5:26)
get well soon !! rehab must be a pain..
Take care and Good luck !!
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag tmxownrsgrp (Dec 10, 2007 at 7:03)
Youre always in our hearts and minds. My family speaks of you often and wishes nothing but strength and clarity of mind for you and your family. May you have holidays filled with love and peace.
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag ibisrox (Dec 10, 2007 at 8:50)
Her attitude is infectious. She will succeed. A true champion all the way!
Merry Christmas Tara!
I hope and pray for your full recovery!
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag SXrider35 (Dec 11, 2007 at 17:45)
some times life throws alot at you and many challenges to overcome I so happy you are making a good recovery.

Get well soon!!!!! and then get back on the saddle and do what you love.
[Reply]
  • - 2
flag danthegun (Dec 12, 2007 at 4:00)
the girl anchor looks like oprah. hehehe
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag doconnor (Dec 14, 2007 at 8:55)
infectious inspiration and courage indeed, what a champion.
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag KristX (May 6, 2008 at 7:25)
i hope you are better now Tara!
[Reply]

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