Fifty Plus (50+) - Back Riding After A Year Of Recuperation

This evening I took my first ride in over a year!

Last year I broke my left kneecap. I managed to avoid surgery so far, but when the kneecap knitted back together, the broken-off piece didn't line up perfectly with the remaining part - there's a kind of ridge against the bones of the main knee joint where the two pieces meet, quite visible on an x-ray.

My orthopedic doctor says not to worry. If it gives me trouble he'll just open it up, chisel off the offending piece, re-attach all the ligaments, then sew me back up.

I keep telling him it doesn't bother me a bit!

Anyway, it took this long for it to feel good enough to ride.

So last night after work I lubed my chain and put a drop of oil on all the derailleur pivot points, pumped up the tires, and Proofhided my B17. Tonight after work I topped up the tires and went for a short 3 or 4 mile ride.

Felt pretty good - I'd have gone farther but I forgot to bring my water bottles, and was getting thirsty.

Not much, I know, but it's a start.

Congrats on getting back in the saddle. A year is a long time to be off and it will take time to get back in riding shape. Don't rush it just enjoy the freedom. I'm with you, the "open up and chisel" option sounds like something to avoid if possible.

Keep up the riding & congrats on your recovery to date!
Don't do too much too fast & you should be all good. It is a blast to get out & ride this time of year, perfect timing by you.

I am happy you are able to ride again.

Congratulations on getting back on the bike. A few miles in this heat wave is wonderful.....can't wait for the cooler weather.

Way to go! I had a bad cycling accident last December and was in a wheelchair for 8 weeks. The first few times on the bike were difficult, but I'll hit around 80 miles or so this week. I'm slower and a lot more cautious, but its coming along.

You will be surprised at how quickly you come back. Just take it easy at first and listen to your body.

Welcome back. It must have felt great to be on a bike again after such a long spell.

Shattered the Kneecap 40 years ago but recovery was pretty fast. I was in the Marines at the time and they don't like sick people.

40 years on and I still have problems---at times. Not often but standing for hours- inactivity for a couple of hours and I don't run. Good job I found cycling 20 years ago or I would be Laid up by now.

Give the knee a bit of consideration for a while and it should recover. Cycling is the best cure for me so keep it up.

So how did the bike feel after a years rest?

Good for you. If the fragment causes enough problems to keep you off the bike you should consider getting it filed down.

The bike felt great! No problems at all.

I bought a pair of those kneepads that skateboarders, roller-bladers, and mountain-bikers wear that have a hard kneepad with a kind of socket in it where the kneecap fits. My LBS recommended it, and I showed it to my Doctor, who approved. The only thing that worries me is, if I should fall again, with my kneecap fitted in that socket, if the stupid kneepad twists around the side of my knee it'll just rip the kneecap off! Oh well,, I guess that's another way to solve the problem.

I was concerned that the kneepad would be restrictive and might chafe, but so far so good.

I plan on a much longer ride this weekend. We'll see how it goes then.

ride on

I sometimes worry that if I was forced into an extended layoff that I might not ever get back into riding. Posts like yours help me keep a healthier perspective. Thanks for sharing and congrats on getting back out there.

Great that you are able to get back to doing what you want.

You are on your way.

Congrats on your return, and well done.

Did 21 miles today. Nice middle-chainring ride - stayed on the flats. Not trying to set any speed records - maybe averaged 9 - 10 mph. Legs felt good. Guess I'm on my way!

Good going. :thumb:
I'm also starting a comeback after a much shorter layoff. Seems like I'm always coming back from one thing or another. Must be part of the aging process.