gholt

I dislocated my shoulder and got a few cracks in my upper arm from MTB accident, and I was wondering if after my shoulder heals a bit if it would be advisable to ride one handed. Wonder if anyone has tried it.

It may be just a really crazzzzy idea. But, I thought I would ask if anyone has done this. I just need to ride to clear my head.

fietsbob

try holding close to the stem , steer from the saddle.. weight shifts..

you can Manage like that.. but advisable, ? got a Doctor to ask? case by case is beyond my scope..

Not an MD..

Number400

I never stopped riding with a shoulder dislocation and broken collarbone. I was ok except when climbing. I found that if I used my bad side hand to grip my jersey jsut above my right pectoral muscle, that I could climb seated without too much discomfort. It took some healing time to be able to stand and pedal. A danger is if you need to brake suddenly, it will hurt. I did a race 15 days after the injury but only because I felt strong enough to be able to race safely and not be a hazard.

Big thing is that you don't want to fall on your bad side for awhile, so be cautious and don't ride if you really cannot handle the bike well enough.

wphamilton

It probably is a crazy idea. I did it last year, with my left hand just touching the bar with no weight (broken collarbone), but I accepted the risk of re-injuring it if I had to grab the bar for control, or happen to lose control and crash. I used my beater bike with bigger tires and less aggressive riding position, slow and calm. Still there were random sudden pains to deal with without affecting control. It didn't impede the healing process any. If nothing goes wrong, cycling is low impact and not really a problem for this - except for the potential of sudden shock on the bones, or a crash. The bone doctor said no, emphatically no.

I suggest spinning for a bit on a stationary bike first to see how you're reacting to it.

Leisesturm

I don't think you have to be an MD. Think about the number of times you save it during a ride because you have another hand handy. It's not a good idea. Even if it doesn't endanger the healing of the present injury, all bets are off if the o.p. falls off and lands on his head in traffic, because one of his arms was in a sling.

H

ill.clyde

Probably not the best idea ... spinning on a trainer is a better idea if you need miles.

That said, I was at a road race earlier this summer and watched a guy with one arm race. He ended up in a break away and finished third in his class that day.

gholt

Probably a bad idea since my arm is in an imobilizer. So the arm is hitched to the side of my body. I crack the arm bone in a few places at the top of the shoulder. It aches all the time. I don't need surgery right now, but depending on how the cracks heal, I may. He did suggest riding a stationary bike.

I just hate putting my bike on a trainer. I guess that is better than riding a stationary bike. But, riding like you suggest. I think I could do it but my ride to work is ~ 20 miles each way. Maybe I should ride my wife's beach crusier type bike around the neighborhood instead of trying to ride to work, until it is healed substantially more.

ill.clyde

Trainer miles > no miles at all

Sucks, but you're risking re-injury or further injury from another fall or crash.

bent-not-broken

About 5 years ago I broke my wrist and commuted 5 miles each way in a cast. I could rest it on the handle bar for balance if needed. It depends on how far and how challenging the commute is. 20 miles is too far in my opinion.

Leebo

Which brake will you grab when you need to stop quickly?

gholt

My left is the broken one. So, right if I need to stop fast. I've decided that it would not be good to ride my road bike as it has the brifters, and that would put me in not a good position if I need to stop. so, it would have to be either my stumpjumper, or my trek 6500. I could move the brake lever closer to the stem, but, that could create some problems too.

ThermionicScott 

Oh, c'mon, don't be a wuss!

onehandman

I ride everyday of my life with 1 hand(I am missing my left). Ride on!!!

DXchulo

Do you use a special brake/shifter setup? I've seen a guy with 1 arm riding around here a lot and I've wondered about that.

onehandman

I personally don't need a customer set up. I am fortunate to have just past my wrist. I can use full function of my front brake and shifter on both my road and mountain bike. I may eventually set up customer brake on my road bike because a mountain bike brake style is easier for me to pull.

joyota

Only reason I wouldn't ride would be because I wouldn't be able to indicate that I'm stopping.

justme23

ThermionicScott 

Fiorenzo Magni broke his clavicle during a race, and instead of quitting, rigged a piece of innertube to his handlebar so he could use his teeth to take weight off the injured side.

Axiom

Lately I've been riding with no hands because of the severe pain caused by carpel tunnel. It's not safe, but I've had experience riding without hands at speeds of up to 18mph while still being able to steer with my hip/torso.

wphamilton

Except that riding like that, he hit a ditch on a descent and got even more broken up. Tough as he was, but maybe not something we'd want to emulate.