After the Serious Accident

[featuretile]

I had an accident about 8 weeks ago that I wrote about here. Unfortunately, my medical insurance seems to cover almost nothing and the costs are high.

I had a concussion, facial bruises and a broken finger. I was only in the hospital one night, so glad I did not have worse injuries. They never told me in the hospital how fatigued I would be for the first few weeks (because of the head injury). A friend of mine who is a PT told me that the fatigue was normal, and that there is also something called 'physical depression'. It eventually goes away.

After 4 weeks, I started riding my trainer again. After 6 weeks and the finger knit together, I went out for my first ride. I went down to the Monterey bike path so I would not have to deal with traffic at all. That went well, and I have worked up to 28 miles and feeling ok. I still find myself going down hill slower, not drafting anyone and looking at the ground a lot. My accident was caused by road debris, not a car.

I did 2 things to make me feel safer and have one to go. I went and got a bike fit because someone at my club said that not only could that make you more comfortable, but could also make bike handling better. I had not done it before because my bike was not uncomfortable. The fitter is a lovely women who owns a shop. She also suggested that I get 700/25 tires and fill them to 95psi instead of the 700/23 tires that I had and would fill to 110psi. The road conditions here in my county are really crappy and this would help. Saturday I am going to a bike handling skills clinic.

I have gotten in so much better shape from cycling, have so many cycling friends and go on cycling trips, that I can't imagine giving it up. That does not mean that I am totally comfortable now. I was amazed how much strength you can lose in 6 weeks. I don't remember the accident because I was briefly unconscious, so I don't have bad memories playing in my head. Still, I would have preferred to skip the concussion.

Please give yourself some time - you may still be in the time of physical depression.

[kajero]

A friend of mine who is a PT told me that the fatigue was normal, and that there is also something called 'physical depression'. It eventually goes away.

Saturday I am going to a bike handling skills clinic.

I have gotten in so much better shape from cycling, have so many cycling friends and go on cycling trips, that I can't imagine giving it up. That does not mean that I am totally comfortable now. I was amazed how much strength you can lose in 6 weeks. I don't remember the accident because I was briefly unconscious, so I don't have bad memories playing in my head. Still, I would have preferred to skip the concussion.

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I was wondering wny I was so tired all the time. Also, I can understand myself a littlle better once you mentioned something called 'physical depression'. I have been really feel down, maybe this is part of it.

I have looked for a bike handling skills clinic in our area, but haven't been able to find one. I am not sure what happened at my accident seeing as I was unconscious. I have had heard several different scenarios, most of them different.

I also have so many friends as a result of my cycling. I don't know if I will continue to go with them on group rides, though. I guess that decision will be made when I can ride again.

We did buy a trainer and my old bike is on it. I see the doctor on Wednesday and will see when he says I can use it. If I can handle that comfortablly,I may think about riding again.

Thank you so much for your insight. I wish you the best