First ride since breaking both arms (and new bike pics)

Jamey

Some of you might remember that I broke both of my arms (elbows) back in June on the London to Brighton. I've been going through physio for a couple of months now and I'm nowhere near recovered yet (still unable to straighten either arm) but I got my new bike yesterday thanks to my employers Cycle2Work scheme and I couldn't resist taking it out today.

First, a photo (click it for a bigger version):



I know it's nowhere near as flashy as some of the out-and-out racing bike you see on here but I love it to pieces and when it comes to all-year-round, all-weather commuting bikes I don't think you can get anything sexier tbh. I'm definitely very happy with it.

And so, the ride itself...

After I broke my arms and I was off work I tried to get exercise by walking about twelve miles per day. This was back when we did actually have a brief spell of nice weather and I'd always see cyclists going past me and be madly jealous because I had no idea when I'd be back on a bike.

Then when I started work again (still unable to cycle) I'd get caught up in public transport delays and wish I was biking in instead of being stuck on a train or bus.

All this time I've been dreaming of what it would be like to get back in the saddle, longing for the day to come.

The reality was a bit more down-to-earth... It was hard work, especially on my arms, and doing it on an unfamiliar bike (my old one was a hybrid with flat bars and a completely different riding position) was a bit of a challenge.

My back aches. the Tricross requires a lot more leaning forward than I'm used to and because I can't straighten my arms very much that causes me to lean further forward still. I had to keep stopping to stand up and arch my back to try to undo the pain.

My arms are shaky as hell. I've got next to no strength in them at all and it feels horrible.

But worst of all is the one thing I didn't think would happen - I've lost some of my confidence. I was constantly aware that one tiny mistake could cost me so much and it made me ride differently. Throughout everything I've been so eager to get straight back on a bike I really never thought this would happen and I hate it. I hope it returns soon.

Anyway the next step is the journey to work Monday morning. I'm pretty sure I'll have to keep pausing to straighten my back like today and I've no idea if I'll be able to ride home again but hey, at least I've got things to work towards I guess. Life's dull without goals.

brownbosh

Hope you never hurt yourself again but did you consider riding a turbo trainer whilst you were cast to keep a bit of muscle memory/fitness and conmfidence?

TheMightyHet

Best of luck Jamey I'm sure you'll get your confidence back! I'm new to the forum how did you come break both your arms? Looks a nice bike anyhow I've got an Hybrid at the moment.

toshmund

Best of luck mate! Lovely looking bike - hope you can keep the weight of the panniers down for a while

downfader

That is a loverly bike! :P Bike porn infact

Just take things slow and patient, I'm sure you'll get there

Jamey

Thanks guys.

This morning was my first commute to work since the accident.

Felt a bit better than the ride two days ago. The confidence was a little higher, back pain was a little less (but ask me again on Friday) and overall a bit more enjoyable.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

Must confess that after coming across these in the season sale at www.hargrovescycles.co.uk ; I am strangely drawn to this Tricross bike (even more so when there is money off)!

The only negative thing that seems to come up on the Tricross Sport is that the brakes are often reported as being a bit pants (judder).

doog442

ive got one of them beasties

looks sexier without the mud guards (however mine go on next weekend-this weeks meant to be sunny)

Your injury sounds really painful and all credit to you for having the confidence to get on a bike!

Ive been commuting since May and the amount of accidents you hear about is horrific( Im presuming yours was bike related)..not only on these forums but the only two seasoned cyclists i know at work have both been knocked off, both had broken shoulders, one chap may never ride again after suffering multiple injuries in a head on at junction.(driver cut corner didnt see cyclist due to sun), in my previous job a colleague (keen cyclist) was knocked off and suffered a broken hip

The worrying thing about my commute and it was demonstrated today by the weather, is that i cycle straight east into the sun on the way in to work and the opposite on way home. The traffic behind me is facing the rising / setting sun and i know how motorists vision can be seriously effected by a sun low in the sky, hence i welcome cloud cover.

Jamey

NitrousOxide wrote:

The only negative thing that seems to come up on the Tricross Sport is that the brakes are often reported as being a bit pants (judder).

I heard that too but I think that was back when they used to have calipers (or cantilevers, I get confused between the two because I've never had a bike with either type) but now the Tricross has V brakes and the ones on mine work just fine apart from a little bit of squealing but I'll be putting some Kool Stop Salmon pads on once the stock ones wear out (about two weeks, the way I go through brakes) and that should hopefully sort it.