Quote Originally Posted by Jo-n-NY
Emily, if you read this i will say that you are in my thoughts. I remember reading when you got back on the bike and thought, go for it, you will be fine, but that is easier said than done i will admit. I am sure I will think of you my first ride out.
joann
Thanks for your kind thoughts, Joann. I'm with you girl! I truly know how you feel. As I was slooooooowly recovering, like you are now, I was riding my trainer nearly every day - first on my mountain bike for a more upright posture, then finally on my road bike. Before trying a "beginner" club ride, I got out on the road on my mountain bike (with slick tires hubby had installed for using on the trainer), and that gave me a bit more confidence, but that first ride was indeed a bit scary. I kept thinking "don't fall...whatever you do". And I confess, two months later, that thought does still enter my mind occasionally when I ride, but only very occasionally. And I haven't fallen yet! My fear has diminished a HUGE amount as well; it only very occasionally wells up to the surface.

This past weekend we went to the coast and enjoyed two days of riding the flats (what a nice change of pace). There were a few loose dogs, and I got to blast one who started chasing us with my newly acquired air horn (its first use), and it seemed to do the trick (or else we just reached the end of the dog's territory). My heart rate definitely went up then, though!

I'm still not 100% healed and don't know when I will be. Toward the end of longer rides, I get some hip pain, and my hip area is sometimes a bit stiff after a ride, but I am really enjoying being back out on the bike, and have thought many times as I whiz down a hill or along a fun flat section that I was crazy to ever think for a SECOND that I could have given riding up! Ibuprofen is my friend and may be yours for awhile before/after rides as well. But the pain is mild and tolerable, and you may get lucky and not have any at all once you start back riding.

Good luck with the PT. I did my exercises religiously, and I am sure they helped me recover faster. You'll be back...just be patient with yourself and remember that if you take a long view of your cycling career, this is just a small blip on the radar. I've even managed to log 1455 miles for the year, despite not riding for 3.5 months in the prime part of the cycling season. After my accident, I'd changed my goal for the year from 4000 miles to 1500, and thought that the 1500 was a stretch. Now I see that I'll achieve that with ease, and that's a great feeling!

Thanks again for thinking of me, and I'll be thinking of you too - sending many healing wishes your way!

Emily