After the Serious Accident

[kajero]

I AM RIDING AGAIN! Slowly but steadily. Today my SO I and rode 6 miles at an average speed of 10 mph. The pain from the accident doesn't seem to bother me on the bike. Funny though, it hurts when I lie down???? We are gradually increasing the mileage every day. Seeing as he is 82 years old, he is quite agreeable to this. He does have an e-bike so it really isn't too tough for him.

I really like my new road bike. Its a 2012 Specialized Ruby Compact size 44. It fits so much better than my hybrid. I guess you don't know how bad a fit is until you get something that fits like a dream. (The LBS took time to make sure it was fit right.) I am thinking of selling the hybrid and buying new one that fits so I can run errands with it. But that is probably a long way off. I am not sure I want to put anything extra on a bike I have to balance. The road bike was expensive as well. I guess I will have to see if I get a bonus next year.

[sookiesue]

That's great! So glad you are finding happiness on the bike again - and a bike that fits well, too! Enjoy, and take care.

[lovelygamer]

I am so happy to hear you are riding again. Keep the pedals going, slow and steady.

[chatnoire]

It sounds like things are slowly coming along for you. That's really great.

I don't have much to add from the bike crashing experience, but possibly my best friend's story will help?

She was thrown from her horse a couple years ago, broke multiple bones, 5 days in the hospital, pins, etc. She was completely unable to use both arms for about 3 weeks, relying on friends for everything (and I mean *everything*). 6 weeks in, she was itching to get back on the horse, and at 12 weeks, they ok'd it for her...and the horse she was riding (a 26 year old school horse) fell....and she broke her arm again.

The second crash affected her so much more than the first. Like you, she was lucky to have awesome insurance, and eventually went on to buy a new horse (the previous ones were school horses and leased horses) - and working with her new horse she was able to get to the point that she felt comfortable riding, walking, doing dressage, trail rides...but she stopped jumping. It just wasn't what she felt comfortable doing. But she *still* spends hours each day at the barn, fussing over her horse.

I hope that you get to the point where you can be ok with the limits you feel you need, but the ability to go to the point that you are comfortable with riding again.

[featuretile]

Hi Kajero,

It was a little too soon for me, but that was the schedule of my group bike camping tour from Napa to Santa Cruz with international guests. I went from the 28 miles I had managed to get up to after the accident to 30-46 miles a day. In 8 days, I rode 242 miles. That does not mean I felt as confident as before. I really tried to keep a distance between me and the other riders. I sagged over the 2 big mountains with steep ascents and descents. I seem to not have as much energy for the climbs, and I really don't feel like going downhill very fast. Basically, it wasn't as much fun as before, but I needed to prove that I could still do it.

I also ride a Ruby Compact 48 and it is very comfortable.

The biggest difference to me seems to be my attitude. Before the accident I was focused on keeping up with the faster riders. Now, I just want to get home safe, and if they pass me, they pass me. Hopefully, it will get more fun again.

[tulip]

I was in a serious accident (broken bike, broken helmet, helicopter ride, etc.) I was back on my bike one month later, and was subsequently hit by a car in a crosswalk (driver on cell phone ran the red light). Fortunately, I was only tapped and was not even knocked down. But it shook me up!

I decided right then and there to get back on my bike and ride because I could. The alternative--fear--was not acceptable to me. This was 9 years ago, by the way.

Two years after the accident, I bought a very nice, quite expensive handmade Luna. I was really hesitant to ride it. It was too nice for me abd I didn't want to wreck it like I did my old bike. But I figured the more I rode it, the less it would cost per ride. So the first ride was $xxxx. The second ride was half that. The more I rode it, the more affordable it became. I needed that justification. I've been riding that bike ever since, and it's still my dream bike.

Give yourself time. Only you can determine what's right for you. Maybe all these stories will help you.