Bicyclist facing long road of recovery

The day likely started like any other. Bike to work. Work his shift at the Mariott Hotel, and bike home as the sun starts to set.

That is where the story changes.

Dustin Calkins planned to meet a friend in Legion Park and chose to take a shortcut down the canal toward the bike path on Sept. 18 when his bicycle collided with rocks on the hillside. He was ejected from the bike, striking his head and injuring his spine. According to his mother, Betsy Gordon, the grass was too tall to see the rocks. She said he hit the rocks so hard the front wheel of his bike was bent.

She said he was conscious a...