MadDog1999

Hi,
I recently started playing rugby in January but I am totally scared of all the I juries so I want to quit. I also realised I only like watching rugby, not playing it. But I want to give up playing it and the problem is is that I just started and my parents will think I can't keep an interest and probably won't allow me buy a racing bike. What can I say to them to convince them? And also what will say to them and the coach that I want to quit rugby? I think it is simply too dangerous for me. Help please.

Thanks for all your help.

bikemig 

Cycling is a sport you can do deep into life. Rugby is great. I played it in college. Some people play it into middle age but it gets tougher the older you get. Cycling you can do for much longer.

You won't be able to enjoy rugby if you're scared of getting hurt. You just need to be upfront about this with your parents and coach.

fietsbob

I recommend finding a Bike Shop and going Inside , and talking to them.

They will be there after you Buy a Bike to keep it working properly..

They have made them more complicated to fix & adjust while making the shifting, etc. work easier.

MadDog1999

Is it possible to race and still play rugby?

longbeachgary

For your answer just look at the difference in body types of pro racers and pro rugby players. Bike racers are usually skinny guys and rugby players are big burly guys.

gregf83 

Yes, of course. There are many levels of bike racing for those with varying abilities. You might not be competitive with skinny climbers on a hill climb but there are certainly cycling categories and races where bigger riders can excel.

MadDog1999

I know, I see where you are coming from. It's just now I have to talk to my parents and also the coach so I feel anxious about this. Oh and it's amateur rugby so I'm not that big and I'm skinny. But it's about time I take up what I always liked, cycling.

Hyperventilate

I played rugby for 12 years and at the age of 43 I am really feeling the pain of old injuries. My wrists, knees and lower neck are all bad. I've had 3 operations in the past 8 years in a attempt to repair the damage, with little luck. My hearing is busted from to many knocks to the noggin and I've got a permanent "zoom" sound to accompany it.

And I only played during my years at school.

MadDog1999

I am definitely going to quit playing because I feel way safer and enjoy cycling 100 times more than rugby. I just needed to open my eyes a bit more about rugby

imi

I played Rugby at school for five years. I was a full back, small, quick, fearless at tackling, but in my last year at 16 y/o the "big" guys started filling out and getting really powerful.
Had I continued to play I think I would have eventually seen serious injuries. As a kid I could shake it off.

Young... and wise!

edit: If you want a team sport as well, I would recommend looking into Ultimate Frisbee. Fast, fun, and no contact

AlexCyclistRoch

Here in the US, there is a lot of talk about how the numerous collisions in American football leads to permanent brain damage. ANY collision hard enough to leave you disoriented has already caused damage to your brain, and there is no way to reverse this. I can't imagine rugby is very much less dangerous.

rydabent

I cycle on my bents in rugby shorts. They are about $15 at Scheels sport stores. They work just fine, since I dont need shorts with a dead goat skin in them to protect me from my bike.

gif4445

My recommendation would be to finish out your Rugby season. Finish what you start. It doesn't make you a bad person if you quit, but if you stick it out, you will feel better and more confident about yourself. But like they say, what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. Unless it really does kill you.

MichaelW

In the long run, rugby will probably injure you too much. There are no old men still playing rugby and only a few in their 40's. Cycling carries an injury risk but if you are careful you can avoid most of it.
Many cyclists are people who hate contact sports and are not built for the impact. Getting hurt by bigger, heavier, tougher guys soon stops being fun.
If you don't like rugby and prefer cycling you are not a minority.

Korina

Be straightforward with your parents. If you're as young as you sound, you're still figuring out who you are and what you like; the rugby was a successful experiment, because now you know that you prefer to watch. Your mum might even be relieved.

When you start bicycling, I'd suggest starting with a lower cost bike, either new or used, and start another experiment, and see if you really want to race, or discover you prefer enduro, or touring, or mountain biking, or just tooling around. If you do love it, you can sell the starter bike and upgrade as your family can afford it. Good luck, and ride your own ride, whatever that turns out to be. HTH.

BlazingPedals

Let's not confuse cycling with racing. You can be a life-long cyclist, and never race.

Gerryattrick

You do realise that if you give up rugby for racing cycling you are going to have to stop drinking beer and develop a liking for cappuccinos.

The activities are not mutually exclusive, if you like them both play both, I assume you're young enough to cope with the exercise. You've only been playing rugby for three months, if you don't like it stop playing and find something you prefer.

MadDog1999

I don't like beer anyways and I love cappuccino anyway so all sorted there.

Gerryattrick

Not even Guinness? You've no future in rugby.

MadDog1999

I am just scared to talk to my parents. What will I say to them? They are not easy to talk to. What's the best way to convince them and when would probably be the best time?

imi

Send them a link to this thread?

How is your coach? Maybe talk to him first, and if he is any kind of coach worth his salt, he will put you as a person before you as a player. Then he should back you up and give you advice.

MadDog1999

I don't think they like me being on forums.

imi

What is the worst that's going to happen if you just honestly and openly tell your parents that you want to quit rugby and start cycling?

imi

Or write them a letter...

MadDog1999

But my mom usually gets cranky and dad never really is that supportive. But they both kept telling me about rugby injuries so maybe they would be delighted I don't know.