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[emily_in_nc]

Emily I'm feeling afraid of riding again. how did you go back?

You are completely normal, never fear. It definitely took awhile for me. I was unable to ride for several months while my fractures healed. After about two months, I was able to start slowly riding on the trainer. I had my first road ride about 4 months after my crash. I was slow and could only do short distances at first. I was nervous about riding anywhere near others (my crash occurred when I hit my husband's wheel when two large dogs ran out right at me without my seeing them until the last moment). I had residual hip pain on longer rides, which took some of the fun out of riding, but I did manage a hilly 50-mile event 5 months after my crash (Sept. '05).

That's still my longest ride to date, because the following month, my father died in a car accident, and that made me even more fearful of the road and just what could happen out there -- I just felt far too vulnerable on a bike. I didn't ride on the road for about nine months after that, but I did start mountain biking this past June and loved it. I bought a lighter mountain bike and concentrated on that, since I didn't have to worry about dogs or cars. Of course, mountain biking being what it is, I managed to fall several more times as I attempted single track and realized how little I knew about technical bike handling despite years of road riding, but no broken bones (just a few bruises, abrasions, and yet another new helmet!) I did finally get back out on the road a few times later this summer, doing rides up to the 30+ mile range, but I'm certainly not riding like I did prior to my crash -- I used to ride five days a week, and this year I think I rode (on the road) five times total! But each time I felt a little more comfortable.

Sorry I can't be more encouraging. For me, it's a combination of continuing pain issues from my pelvic injuries that you will hopefully not have from any of yours, and definitely some psychological issues. And then there's the fact that getting away from road cycling for awhile allowed me to discover other activities I enjoy a lot too -- hiking, running, kayaking, and of course, mountain biking. Now, instead of forcing myself to road ride in the cold over the winter, which I always endured rather than enjoyed, I'll spend all winter hiking (a much warmer activity!) And who knows what next year will bring? I might get back to road riding, I might not. I just try not to pressure myself too much and go with what feels right to me at the time.

I surely hope you will be back on the road sooner and with less "baggage" than I have. But be gentle with yourself and only do what you are comfortable with. You will find your own time table.

All the best to you!
Emily