"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Crash Recovery

I would like to have some ideas/ advise about returning to riding after a bad crash. I did not break the leg but do have severe contusions and bone bruising from my foot to my knee. This happened this past Saturday and I want to return to riding as quickly as possible. Should I wait a few weeks? What has worked for others. Shouls I consider some kind of physical therapy before?

Any and all advise welcome. I tried to post a pic but the file was too big.

Jamie :)

Drpete is probably gonna tell you to take it easy, and he's probably right That said...

In the fall I fell out of a lofted bed and landed on my heel bruising the bone crazy bad. Like couldn't walk for a couple of weeks bad. I didn't want to lose time riding since it was the middle of base 1, so I wadded up a sock and put it under my heel when I'd go biking. It hurt, but with the extra cushioning it was tolerable.

As long as there was no joint injury, I would just get on the bike and see how it feels. Go for an easy spin in small gears. If it hurts worse, take a few days off. If not, ride a little further and a little harder each day.

So sorry to hear about your wreck, I wish I could help...we need DrPete

To quote my PT "if it hurts, stop"

Where does it hurt?


Resize the pic!

I had a pretty bad crash last summer, hit a dip on a corner, knocked the wind out of me and scared the **** out of my teammates. for a second I thought my hip bone went through my skin. my doctor told me a week later that I bruised a lung.

that could've been my win, I was off the front and full of adrenaline. I was so hopped up that I went on my regular mashfest the next day. it HURT—everytime I got off the saddle my torso hurt so much I thought my teeth would fall off. anyways, I think I was peaked and did not regret spending that time on the bike, even when I found out later I probably shouldn't have.

Where does it hurt, every where.

Hope I done this right.

The fellas insurance co. has accepted the liability to get things going. Bike vs pick up results. I deff. used up one of my lives on this one!

Thats gonna be a scar.

Jamie :)

Holy freaking crap.

Rest/ice/compression/elevation/ibuprofen/jack daniels is what you need :eek:

I really didn't want to see that. ice might be too late but ibuprofen does wonders.

Wow. I would definitely take some time off. Are you sure nothing is broken?

I really didn't want to see that. ice might be too late but ibuprofen does wonders.

Ice and massage done even weeks after an initial injury can do wonders. Elevate the limb, and massage towards the core. You can essentially 'massage out' stubborn bruising like he's got over a period of days/weeks.

:eek:

The Ortho doc said he did not see any breaks, just shook his head, but majour bone bruising . I have bruises like this all on my right side, head to toe. Bruised sturnum, ribs, shoulder, arm, face, hip and hand.

I seen my reg doc testerday and she just cringed in pain. And yes it does hurt and I'm one lucky rider.

Jamie :)

I really didn't want to see that. ice might be too late but ibuprofen does wonders.


Hell with ibuprofen...get the Dilaudid.

Hell with ibuprofen...get the Dilaudid.

ibuprofen is for swelling, jack daniels is for pain.

ibuprofen is for swelling, jack daniels is for pain.


Ibuprofen and Jack Daniels...great combo for the stomach.

ugh. The last time I saw a purple color that deep on someone's skin was on a cadaver.




Where does it hurt, every where.

Hope I done this right.

The fellas insurance co. has accepted the liability to get things going. Bike vs pick up results. I deff. used up one of my lives on this one!

Thats gonna be a scar.

Jamie :)

When I get that brused up the Dr. usually wants me to take it easy so I do not throw a blood clot into the main veins.

Holy cr@p. Dude, take it easy! You've got the rest of your life as a cyclist to build fitness. Enjoy your time off and do some things you don't normally get a chance to because of training. I would say if you get on the bike now you're just going to slow down the healing process.

Take some time off the bike for sure and stay off your feet if possible.

Where does it hurt?


Resize the pic!

+1 make it smaller

WOW.....uhhh.... what is the size of your normal leg!? There must be a lot of swelling.


PLEASE don't take advice from internet people. Go see a Doc. or 2! You need time off, and they will tell you the proper amount and directions.



Hope you feel better, that looks gnarly!

If you're suing the guy, don't ride outside for at least a couple weeks (stick to a trainer) especially if they know you're an avid cyclist....never know when an insurance company might have a PI check up on you.

So Jamie, is a carbon bike in your future???

Take it easy for a couple of weeks to make sure everything is alright. There is plenty of time left this year to get your races in. We're looking forward to seeing you back out there, but not until you know you are alright.

BTW, I've been bragging about you and your amazing weight loss to anyone that would listen. You are definitely a success story.

Yep, my leg is still quite swollen and very very sensative. Taking a few weeks off is a good idea. I did get up and walk after being hit and yes it did hurt, but it seems to hurt worse now and I am going to go back to the Ortho doc taday. I left work early Wed, did not work yesterday and am not going to go in today.

LowCel So Jamie, is a carbon bike in your future??? To be honest, I have looked at some carbon bikes and replacements. I have been told that carbon generally is not as responsive as alluminium or Titanium, any truth to this. I have been looking at the same brand ( Specialized ) as the Allez has done me well. I do like the Carbon Allez.

I ride a 32 if I remember correctly.

Lowcell, my goal weight is 150 / 160 , I did get to 218 before winter got here from 250+ in one year of riding.

The next big thing for riding that I am going to get is a trainer.

Jamie :)

To be honest, I have looked at some carbon bikes and replacements. I have been told that carbon generally is not as responsive as alluminium or Titanium, any truth to this. I have been looking at the same brand ( Specialized ) as the Allez has done me well. I do like the Carbon Allez.

Everbody has their own opions about the different materials. I absolutely love my titanium IF and have no intentions of ever getting rid of it. There is just something about having a custom bike built just for you, hard to beat it. As for not as responsive, I guess it depends on the brand. I have ridden carbon bikes by Giant, Specialized, a couple of others as well and I now own a Fuji. I really enjoyed riding the Giant, wish I would have kept it. I didn't particularly care for the Specialized that I rode, just didn't work for me. That's how bikes go though. What works or doesn't work for one person doesn't mean much when it comes to another rider.


I ride a 32 if I remember correctly.


Sure that wasn't a 52?


The next big thing for riding that I am going to get is a trainer.


Check out the Cyclops Fluid2 trainer. I have been using mine for a year now and feel that I get a better workout on it than I do actually riding on the road.

Your right 52.

I have looked at those 'Cyclops Fluid2 trainer', that is the one that I want.

The Allez was the first road bike that I have riden extensively, and once I found the sweet spot for me I could ride all day.

Jamie :)