Silver, I am happy to hear you are coming along. Yes, it is a slow process, but who is in a hurry anyway.

I wanted to add to the "fear" area. I crashed last year also although not as bad. I ended up with a fractured shoulder and road rash. Like you it was just me and the road. My tire got caught in a groove of bad roadway and down I went.

I felt the need to keep myself in some kind of shape so my husband brought in an old Schwinn exercise bike as I could get on and off of that without using my arm, then I progressed to the mtn bike on my trainer, again, I didn't have to put pressure on my arm to get on and off, then eventually on went the road bike, although I still could not fully reach the handlebars.

Then I felt let me try this outside, BUT I used my mtn bike and took it ever so slowly as I was fearful also. I just went around my small quiet development for about 15 minutes. That was enough for me and it felt good. I did the same the next day but a little longer. I eventually got on my road bike, but ever so slowly. Bottom line I took baby steps. I was out of work for 10 weeks. My goal all season was training for a century ride, but that did not happen, the century that is.

On a better note, I did achieve a century ride this past May.

Going through the winter on the trainer then when weather broke, slowly heading outdoors where I left off last year worked out best for me. Now I am riding better than ever, not as much as fit, but for alertness. My husband kids everyone that they better not ride too close to me because I need lots of space around me.


I hope this adds to help you somewhat along with what all the other ladies have said. Go by your own agenda; there is nothing to rush into.

~ JoAnn