not again

[solobiker]

Well, after 4 weeks off my bike due to my "tumble" where I bruised my leg bad enough where it hurt just to walk I went out riding again. The ride was going pretty well, although my legs were getting tired after not riding or running for 4 weeks. Plus we were riding at altitude...about 10,000 feet. We did an out and back ride and on our way back my legs were so tired I really didn't have much power left in them. The trail crossed a dirt road that was angled and had a rut in it. I tried to ride up and over it but my legs had nothing left, my front wheel turned abruptly to the left and ....drum roll........ splat I fell on to my left leg. This is the same one that got injured last time too I did not get as hurt as last time although I do have a rather large bruise on my thigh. It is a good thing I am not going home to visit family this summer. They would really wonder about all my bruises.

[bluejellybean]

oh no, glad to hear it wasn't too bad and I hope you're able to get back on the bike soon! Nothing like some battle wounds to show off to the family!

[ivorygorgon]

This probably doesn't speak to highly of my skill, but I fall off almost every time I ride. I get a massage 2x a month (piriformis syndrome) and I always tell my massage therapist, "do not be alarmed!" LOL. I am always afraid she will think my husband beats me. But the bruises are always on my knees, shins and thighs.

[nerdgirl]

Heh, I *always* have bruises and scrapes on my legs and elbows! I don't even need to fall to get them. I just bonk myself on my bike because I'm klutzy sometimes. (Mountain biking is not the ideal sport for a klutz! ) I also get "chain ring tattoos" on my calves (those sting & bleed a surprising amount). However, that being said, I recently got some elbow guards and shin/knee guards and that has helped a lot... though I still get bruised on my calves where the guard doesn't protect! LOL! The protective gear was a necessity simply because a) I was going to Mammoth and they were a must riding the trails there and b) people at my job were kind of horrified by seeing big scabs & bruises on my elbows.

I've endo'd, tipped over, scraped myself riding too close to boulders or foliage... you name it. What I've learned, though, is that even the most advanced bikers fall, so it's not necessarily skill. Somtimes it just happens. I know I fall a lot recently simply because I'm challenging myself more and taking more risks. My own personal philosophy is that in order to improve I need to challenge myself. I've also noticed that a lot of the worst falls tend to happen when you're fatigued.

You might want to look into getting some protective gear for the places you seem to injure the most.

[sundial]

Solobiker, you have a masochistic flair about you.

[Aggie_Ama]

I am always bruising and getting scrapes from the tiniest trees/shrubs/vines. Everyone knows I mountain bike because I tell them so they won't give me an uncomfortable look when I have some purple or green bruise visible. Maybe you need to get a voodoo doll to ward off the bad mojo?

[~J~]

Heh, I *always* have bruises and scrapes on my legs and elbows! I don't even need to fall to get them. I just bonk myself on my bike because I'm klutzy sometimes. (Mountain biking is not the ideal sport for a klutz! )

I'm a klutz too! lol

[indigoiis]

My kid was really upset when I walked in the door the other night covered head to toe with mud, with a big pricker bush scratch on my thigh. "Mom! You need to be more careful!"

[~J~]

Nothing like some battle wounds to show off to the family!

Lol! I'm a newbie and I'm gonna have to agree, my mom keeps telling me to be careful, as if we aren't?! Nobody likes to fall, it just happens