My doctor....mumble grumble mumble

[emily_in_nc]

Glad you found some options, Catrin! Unfortunately, sometimes injuries do require adaptations. I am not sure I'll ever be able to do full centuries or touring again since fracturing my pelvis (though I am game to try both -- training will determine whether my body can handle it). But I've learned to be thankful for what I can do, which is still way more than most folks are even willing to try. Right?!

[Catrin]

Glad you found some options, Catrin! Unfortunately, sometimes injuries do require adaptations. I am not sure I'll ever be able to do full centuries or touring again since fracturing my pelvis (though I am game to try both -- training will determine whether my body can handle it). But I've learned to be thankful for what I can do, which is still way more than most folks are even willing to try. Right?!

I agree entirely. I knew last spring when I got back on the mtb after my injury last October that there was a chance that I would need to do this, but I wanted to try. I tried to break that vicious skill/injury cycle but it didn't improve and the fun isn't worth a possible permanent injury. What's the definition of insanity? Keep doing things the same way and expecting a different outcome. Perhaps in another year I will try it again, we shall see. Now I just need to find a riding buddy for remote gravel road riding

[jessmarimba]

This is going to be an odd and somewhat random suggestion...but perhaps you can spend a day or so with a bike clinician learning "how" to fall? Perhaps in one of those trampoline-gyms, or something? Most people instinctively tense up when they fall (which would exacerbate any whiplash effect), not to mention throw their arms out for protection (BIG no-no!). I remember in college gymnastics, I spent almost as much time on the tumble-track learning how to fall out of failing stunts as I did learning to do them correctly.

Now, with my bike wreck, I was in WAY over my head speed-wise so the training didn't do much good, but with the number of times I've fallen roller-skating, ice-skating, snowboarding, skiing, gymnastics, cycling, etc...never even come close to a broken wrist. The last descending mountain bike clinic I went to, our instructor demonstrated falling a few times (basically just threw himself at the ground) and was completely unhurt. Just a thought.

[Irulan]

my concern is, why falling so much? Once you've been through a skills clinic or two, the incident of falls should be signification reduced. At least, it was for me and many of the gals I ride with. Unless it is a "go big or go home" kind of thing.

[Catrin]

I smell a new bike...

No, no new bike. Some modifications to my mountain bike will be in place by spring however

my concern is, why falling so much? Once you've been through a skills clinic or two, the incident of falls should be signification reduced. At least, it was for me and many of the gals I ride with. Unless it is a "go big or go home" kind of thing.

I know...at least part of it is conditioning by crashing/injuring myself so often - I second guess myself which makes it more likely to fall. It's simply become a vicious cycle that needs to stop before I do serious damage to my cervical or thoracic spine. I did crash far fewer times this year, but in all but one crash (the endo) I wound up off the bike for a month or more due to one injury or another (even though I was able to ride off the trail each time, thankfully). Because of the crashes and recover period I just can't stay on the bike long enough to get better

If/when my neck improves than I may reconsider, but right now this just isn't a good combination with my cervical spine as it is. I may simply just not be a good candidate for single-track at this stage of my life. It really makes really me sad to type that, but I have to consider that.