"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Crashed today, fractured clavicle, what's next ??

Suffered one of my more serious accidents after racing for 2 years. Crashed today in a training race, broke my left collarbone into three, cracked my helmet and had some pavement souvenirs on my body. I touched wheels with the rider in front of me as we went into a sharp corner. Maybe its my fault, maybe its not. Luckily, no one else was taken down in the crash (except me) as it happened mid-pack. After the race, I drove 90 miles back home straight to the ER (thanks for automatic transmissions). Got X-rayed, tetanus shots and a 'lecture' from the physician for driving that far and went home with a sling.

Kinda bummed out as this happened early in the season and will be missing some of the races I have planned. I am sure some of you folks have experienced collarbone injuries as this is pretty common for cyclists. Thoughts on how long is recovery (doctor said 6-8 weeks), when to expect as far as being able to race, tips/how to continue to train while immobile ? I wish I could write better with more specifics about what happened but its difficult typing only with one right hand. Thanks in advance.

Ouch. Sorry to hear that, man.

--Steve

>>Crashed today, fractured clavicle, what's next ??<<

Advil. LOTS of Advil. Sorry dude. Hope you feel better.

Realistically, you if you are serious about racing, you will be on the training inside of a week (no hands). You could be racing as early as four weeks depending on severity and separation of the fracture. Take care of it in the early stages (read: NOW) and you wont suffer too much of a setback.

If there was quite a bit of separation it may be a while longer. Realize that in three to four weeks while it will probably be functionally stable, it will not be healed and could easily be rebroken with another fall, so be careful.

Im so sorry!
I really hope you heal well, dont make the mistake to go back too soon because you miss it!

I have no intentions of being a Tyler Hamilton riding with a broken collar bone. After thinking about it some more, there is no urgency to get back on the road. Just glad that racing/riding is not my profession and time should be my friend. Yup, will rest the whole week. Probably get on the trainer and just spinning in a week.
Not so much worried about the pain but just the thought of not riding my bike for a while is what gets me. I guess thats my real injury.

I don't post much, but I read the forums a lot. Lots of good people here and info to be learned/gotten. Thanks to all.

Sorry to hear. Get well and take time to heal properly.

I have no intentions of being a Tyler Hamilton riding with a broken collar bone. After thinking about it some more, there is no urgency to get back on the road. Just glad that racing/riding is not my profession and time should be my friend. Yup, will rest the whole week. Probably get on the trainer and just spinning in a week.
Not so much worried about the pain but just the thought of not riding my bike for a while is what gets me. I guess thats my real injury.

I don't post much, but I read the forums a lot. Lots of good people here and info to be learned/gotten. Thanks to all.
I hear ya, I had an injury last yeah right when summer started, It was the toughest thing, Not the injury but not being able to be active.
looks like recovery time is not too bad for you?
you should be back on time for summer :)

How's the bike?

How's the bike?

My first thought with a clavicle and five broken ribs last year!! Aiyah, oh no.

I hear ya, I had an injury last yeah right when summer started, It was the toughest thing, Not the injury but not being able to be active.
looks like recovery time is not too bad for you?
you should be back on time for summer :)

Maybe its a 'good' thing that it happened early in the season. Like what you said, summer is still yet to come but as you know summer may be short in NH. You are right, its more of a mental thing right now.


How's the bike?

Totally forgot about it. I still have the bike outside on the roof rack and we are supposed to get 1-3" of snow tonight. Bike is OK. That is what I like about a titanium bike. No need to worry about paint and finish. Just the usual nameplate damage on both shifters. Mavic OP wheels are OK. Front needs truing.

How's the bike?

Really. Get the priorities straight here. Flesh heals. Shimano doesn't.

Ouch! Man, I'm sorry to hear that. As others have said, take it easy and be smart and you will come back strong.

Hincapie missed only a day last year, IIRC, getting on the trainer as soon as possible.

Sorry to hear about your crash and injury. Here's to a speedy recovery. I will tell you that the hardest thing for me these last few weeks has been the mental aspect of not being able to ride. Though I have returned to riding this week and am loving every mile of it.

As for me , I took the bike to the shop first before driving myself to the ER. ;)

Jamie

Wish you a speedy recovery. I shattered it 5 years ago and needed lots of time to heal and then needed surgery again last year, but mine was fubared. Just take it easy and get used to sleeping while sitting up b/c you'll be doing it for a little while.

Maybe its a 'good' thing that it happened early in the season. Like what you said, summer is still yet to come but as you know summer may be short in NH. You are right, its more of a mental thing right now.
well there is never nothing positive about being injured except for the fact that it reminds us just how much we want something.
Bf is good to keep you still in the loop of things while you recover :)