First Crash

[BikeMomma]

BM, I have pair of Shimano SPD pedals on the bike. I forget which model specifically. The right one is now all scratched up of course.

Battle scars! I ride Speedplay Zero's....not sure what the comparison is on pedal clearance between the two, though. The Speedplays were an experiment on my part, and I ended up liking them, so I kept them on. I put them on the Cannondale too, for the trainer sessions I do at work during my lunch hour. So they're working out well for me. I've never tried the Shimano's.

Glad you're doing a tiny bit better. Careful on your commute. Perhaps it will help to loosen up some of the soreness, though. Hope so.

~BikeMomma

[Melody]

Battle scars! I ride Speedplay Zero's....not sure what the comparison is on pedal clearance between the two, though. The Speedplays were an experiment on my part, and I ended up liking them, so I kept them on. I put them on the Cannondale too, for the trainer sessions I do at work during my lunch hour. So they're working out well for me. I've never tried the Shimano's.

My husband rides the Zero's too and he loves them. The clearance is better on them than with the SPDs but my bianchi (still unnamed) which I use for commuting actually came with SPD style pedals so I stuck with them.

Glad you're doing a tiny bit better. Careful on your commute. Perhaps it will help to loosen up some of the soreness, though. Hope so.

Well, it looks like I spoke too soon. I'm hurting more today than I did the first two days. I guess it took time to catch up with me. Because of that I've taken the day off. What really sucks is there's *no* truly comfortable position. Laying down hurts, sitting hurts, standing hurts, etc. :/

Sitting on a chair with nice back support hurts less which is what I'm doing now. I've gotten maybe 5 or 6 hours of sleep but I couldn't deal with it hurting any more, especially since my husband tends to toss and turn... which means he jostles me and it hurts.

*sigh*

I'll be ok that I know. It just hurts at the moment. Plus I want to get back on the bike.

Mel

[slinkedog]

I'm so sorry to hear about your crash! I hope you're feeling better soon! Keep us posted.

[bikerchick68]

OW! yikes... sorry to hear about your crash.... give yourself permission to be off the bike and heal... hope you're much, much better soon...

[bcipam]

Glad you survived. Makes a good "war" story. Be proud of your scrapes and scars.

PS: If you in any way hit your head, you will need to get a new helmet. They are good for one crash, one crash only. Since I crash alot, I always have spares. I buy them when on sale just in case.

[BikeMomma]

Well, it looks like I spoke too soon. I'm hurting more today than I did the first two days. I guess it took time to catch up with me. Because of that I've taken the day off. What really sucks is there's *no* truly comfortable position. Laying down hurts, sitting hurts, standing hurts, etc. :/

Sitting on a chair with nice back support hurts less which is what I'm doing now. I've gotten maybe 5 or 6 hours of sleep but I couldn't deal with it hurting any more, especially since my husband tends to toss and turn... which means he jostles me and it hurts.

*sigh*

I'll be ok that I know. It just hurts at the moment. Plus I want to get back on the bike.

Darn! I was sure hoping you were doing better. Hmm....perhaps a doc visit would be appropriate, to rule out anything serious? I think I would go at this point, since you're not seeing improvement after a few days. Bikerchick is right, too....you should take it easy -- give it time. Sucks to be off the bike, I know (I heard that sigh loud & clear!), but the alternative could be worse.
~BM

[RoadRaven]

How are you doing Melody - this was over a week ago, right?

Trust everything is healing up well

Can I just put on my "home-nurse" hat and say arnica... take it internally or smear a cream on the uncut bruised bits (never put on open wounds)

It is the best thing to assist in the healing of bruises...

[Brandi]

I second that. I had some tendon soreness for a long time a friend suggested arnica. Love it! you can take it internally?

[RoadRaven]

Yes, you can Brandi...

If I could have only one thing in our first aid kit it would be arnica...

Arnica externally...
(but never on broken skin)

Arnica cream... to rub gently on bruises, sprains and aching joints/ligaments/tendons.

Arnica oil... to massage into tired sore leg muscles and backs.


Arnica internally...
(every few hours initially to work on internal bruising, hard to get at bruising or tired sore muscles - even after a vomiting bug to help those retching abs recover)

Arnica pillues... (they're tiny pills a bit bigger than a pin head) cause they seem sweet and young children will eat them easily, or will dissolve quickly under the tongue if someone doesn't want to eat/swallow

Arnica pills... small chewable tablets

Arnica drops... 15 virtually tasteless drops in a some water (though I have dropped straight on my tongue when no water was available)


Road (wishing I had shares in some arnica company cause I'd make a fortune from my advocacy ) Raven

[Melody]

RoadRaven, I'm healing up ok. I've stayed off the bike this past week to help with healing. I've been using betadine on any surfaces that have been cut/scraped and then applying bacitracin (a combination topical antibiotic) afterwards.

For the bruished/sore ribs where there is no skin breakage I've been using Tiger Balm, which I personally love the smell of (though the DH hates it. heh).

I am still sore but I think I'm ok enough to get on the bike. I'll be trying later when I put Silver on the trainer.

Mel