A forced lay off
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
A forced lay off
Due to an accident on the local mountain bike trail that resulted in a broken wrist. I will not be able to ride a bike for 6 weeks. The big question is how much will this set me back as far as condition and endurance goes. I'm a 57 year old that hadn't rode a bike 42 years prior to last year. Since then I've been on the bike 5 to 6 days a week. I really don't want to start over.
#2
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oh man, that stinks! best of luck. my Wife broke her wrist crashing her bike then needed carpal tunnel release surgery on the same hand. but a year later she was riding again! be a good patient
#3
Senior Member
Bad news. Hope you heal quickly. How about a trainer? Like a fluid rear wheel one.
#4
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It will come back sooner than you think. I am going to assume you can't bare any weight on it, so a stationary bike won't be an option. Could you still run? Or will the vibration not feel great? Might be a good way to retain some of your cardio. I broke my ankle in June which really put a damper on things. My best advice would be to watch your diet a bit more closely. I forgot about that when I was posted up on the couch for 3 months.
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Walk, walk, walk. If you are a runner then do that. Walking is a form of cardio so keep in mind how much calories you were using bicycling and try to replace them with your walking/running. WannaGetGood has very good advice about watching your eating if you really can't replace all the exercise calories. Depression can be a part of an incident like this so some counseling with a nutritionist or therapist might help your general demeanor. I'm 66 and sold my last true MTB a couple of years ago because I acknowledged the inherent dangers of MTB activity and decided to stick to gravel and road riding. All bicycling has danger but MTB heightens this risk to a degree. Good luck with your healing process.
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As others have said do other forms of cardio.
Also if you have a gym, good time to put in some leg workouts like hack squats and leg curls
This year, I've lost 2 months to a torn finger tendon, 3 months to cracked ribs and now been off for 2 weeks with grade 3 strain on my lower back. Gained about 10 pounds and can't wait to get on a bike. ugh, I hear you, heal up soon
Also if you have a gym, good time to put in some leg workouts like hack squats and leg curls
This year, I've lost 2 months to a torn finger tendon, 3 months to cracked ribs and now been off for 2 weeks with grade 3 strain on my lower back. Gained about 10 pounds and can't wait to get on a bike. ugh, I hear you, heal up soon
#7
Non omnino gravis
Broke the 5th metacarpal in my right hand two years ago. Was not about to get off the bike for 6+ weeks. Bolted the bike into the trainer, put in ~500 miles on Zwift. Built a "bench" that rest over the handlebars so I could rest my forearms on it.
People suggesting walking, etc... I don't think have lived with a break in an extremity. The weight of the cast almost drove me mad. I still don't have full strength back in the hand. So OP-- I truly feel your pain.
People suggesting walking, etc... I don't think have lived with a break in an extremity. The weight of the cast almost drove me mad. I still don't have full strength back in the hand. So OP-- I truly feel your pain.
#8
Full Member
Sorry to hear about your injury. I wish you a speedy recovery. Hit the treadmill at the local Gym. Work on HIIT (high intensity interval training). That will help you keep in shape.
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the suggestions. I think I'll be walking a lot the next month or so. First destination will be the place were the accident occurred.