Fifty Plus (50+) - Good news, Bad news

Went to doctor today he says my fractured shoulder is healing fine, thats the good news. I asked him if I could take a bike ride Saturday on my birthday, he said you are kidding right. I said no I am serious, he told me no riding for three months from injury date, so no riding until August 22. This is going to be a long summer!

That is a bummer, try walking. I broke both arms a couple of years ago and with rehab was off the bike for six months. With both arms in plaster about the only thing I could do is walk. Bike accidents suck, if your lucky you just end up screaming when you take a shower, if your unlucky it can be a life changing event. For me I still can't completely straigthen my right arm and both elbows get tired after long rides. I still keep riding though.

The other good news is you'll learn the virtue of patience.
The othe bad news is you'll have to be patient to do it.

Do you own a trainer? If you can set it up outside for some fresh experince. Although not the same as actually riding, this will keep your legs and cardio in shape.

Patience is the key to recovery, but who has that.

I had a knee injury a few years ago (rock climbing accident). I could do no serious biking for two years.
I used a stationary bike for spinning (no load) and eventually started walking going up to 12 miles/day in 3 hours. I am in good shape now. I love biking but there are other forms of exercise.

That's a bummer.........August will be here before too long though. Maybe you can spend some time "planning routes" or rehab rides that you will do come August.......

Let me tell you of my story... 7/4/2003 I had a bad fall and fractured my collarbone. Doctor told me no activity for 3 - 4 months. Well he didn't mean spin class or trainer did he? In 3 months I did a century. Felt fine, no worries. This last November I had to have reconstructive surgery on the same collarbone. Story is the fracture never healed. It was a non-union. I now have a plate and 6 screws. I was off the bike, and trainer and spin class for 4 months. Learned my lesson!!!! Rest and take it easy. Walk or hike to stay in shape.

Sorry to hear that BCI, I went and signed up for therapy today and will do whatever they want
to recover from this. My frustration level is high but the desire to overcome this is higher, I will stay
off my trainer for awhile yet. I think I will start walking again.

I agree with the spinning classes or a trainer, zero impact so no bouncing of the shoulder nor chance to accidently go to ground. I've had more broken bones from cycling than from playing football, basketball and baseball combined. The wait can be a killer. Just remember there are two kinds of cyclist; those who just crashed and those who will crash.

"Lord - just give me the strength to rest" is a prayer I say Often.

Hang in there!!!!

+1 to the post that recommends walking. When my neck was operated on, the doctor insisted that I walk a couple of miles every day to circulate the spinal fluids and blood. If your doctor ok's the trainer, that's a good idea too.

I spent 30 minutes on the trainer yesterday and it felt great, no pain in shoulder and no jolting so will work up from there. I just want to maintain until I get back on the road.

I spent 30 minutes on the trainer yesterday and it felt great, no pain in shoulder and no jolting so will work up from there. I just want to maintain until I get back on the road.

That's good news!

I spent 30 minutes on the trainer yesterday and it felt great, no pain in shoulder and no jolting so will work up from there. I just want to maintain until I get back on the road.

+1!! That's a great sign!!

I spent 30 minutes on the trainer yesterday and it felt great, no pain in shoulder and no jolting so will work up from there. I just want to maintain until I get back on the road.

I noticed a bias against trainers on this forum. My experience is that trainers allow a focused form of training. For instance: HR compared to Cadence and Speed. I have tried to do the same biking on trails. Other factors enter such as wind and other bikers. I know that that is the real world.
For optimising your performance in a controlled environment, there is the trainer.

Listen to the Doc and, at 22, you will most likely heal up good as new. Enjoy it while you got it. After 50, recovering from injuries usually doesn't include 'good as new'. There is aways some deficit, loss of strength or range of motion, or chronic residual pain/soreness. The long, slow, downhill slide has its bad points. bk

I noticed a bias against trainers on this forum. My experience is that trainers allow a focused form of training. For instance: HR compared to Cadence and Speed. I have tried to do the same biking on trails. Other factors enter such as wind and other bikers. I know that that is the real world.
For optimising your performance in a controlled environment, there is the trainer.

Normally trainers suck :( . I don't need focused training enough to endure a trainer if there is any way to get out and ride. But when the alternative is not to ride a bike at all, trainers are a wonderful thing :) . Get on that sucker and ride, ride, ride :D .