Getting back on the bike after injury

[mr_tony]

Ok so long story short I’m keen to get back on my mtb but somewhat terrified I’m going to bust myself up again. But can’t seem to get the confidence to ride anything other than flat trails. 3 major injuries in last 4 years not doing anything particularly complex (broken humerous, elbow, wrist and major ankle surgery)

I’m wondering if it’s just a bad idea and I’m now just too old and fragile for this stuff. I’m nearly 50, I seem to break bones tripping over so maybe I should just stick to walking and sell the bike..

Anyone else been through this kind of stuff? How did you get the confidence back to get on the bike again without thinking it’s going to kill you?

[ukbabz]

I'm a bit younger than you (late 30's) but have broken my elbow and snapped my ACJ on a couple of MTB rides over the years. Each time I've found it quick tricky on the technical stuff and still not as (over)confident as I was before. I've just tried to slowly increase the difficulty of what I ride on, sticking to dry rides to start with and slowly building up.

[trails]

Risk vs reward is a tough one as you get older (I'm 52) but if you stop pushing you will start aging quickly...what about a session with Tony at UK Bike Skills, or similar?

[bobbo89]

What trails said. I also don't want to sound condescending but you may have ideas beyond your skillset and so maybe pull it back a bit and think twice before you hit certain stuff.

I'm 35 and occasionally have to remind myself that I'm not a 21 year old on a DH bike anymore and so hold myself back a bit. Still get carried away every now and again though which happened at Ard Rock last month. First stage I was riding blind but trying like hell which meant I hit a huge compression flat out and came off...

[mr_tony]

No offence taken. Some context might be useful. Just beginning to think my bones are made of glass..

I’m 50. Never done jumps bike parks group rides etc. I just ride the local woods. Nothing technical, just gravel roads and footpaths few roots and a bit of gravel. Probably barely break 20mph at full pelt. Not particularly fit but not fat.

The worst injury I’ve had (the ankle) was on a static bike so certainly not technique or ambition related lol. The others were low speed, just bloody painful..

[Robertb]

Why not try a different discipline… gravel biking, say. Still pushing on the trails but less technical, more speed.

Something new to learn.

[defblade]

Might be worth getting your bone density checked. I know there's an element of luck involved in any crash, but I'm over 50 and going OTB hard just gave me a nasty bruise... sounds like breakages are a pattern for you, and that may have an underlying cause.

[mr_tony]

EmailAddress said:

Gravel bikes are for old boys who've given up on life and decided to spend in the carbon shop instead of the watch emporium.

lol. Carbon is for cars in my world. If I can snap bones this easily I think I’d go through carbon frames way too fast, and given I weigh nearly 90kg saving a kilo on the frame is pretty pointless.

Seriously though, most recent accident could be bone density. I’m on meds for an unidentified inflationary issue and am on additional meds to counteract the potential bone density reduction side effects of the first meds but who knows maybe they aren’t actually working..

As per one if the other posts above, yes, it’s kind of now you start to realise you’re not invincible. And despite living a relatively healthy life stuff just does happen you can’t control..

[trails]

mr_tony said:

No offence taken. Some context might be useful. Just beginning to think my bones are made of glass..

I’m 50. Never done jumps bike parks group rides etc. I just ride the local woods. Nothing technical, just gravel roads and footpaths few roots and a bit of gravel. Probably barely break 20mph at full pelt. Not particularly fit but not fat.

The worst injury I’ve had (the ankle) was on a static bike so certainly not technique or ambition related lol. The others were low speed, just bloody painful..

Sounds like you should just get out there again, it is hard to get back on a bike after a big injury...just be gentle with yourself and build back up.

But I would seriously consider a visit to Tony if you are struggling, time and money well spent if you really do want to get back in the saddle

https://ukbikeskills.co.uk/

[mr_tony]

Thanks for the advice folks. Will face the fear and get out for a very slow loop later today on the flat and hope I survive.