5 or 6 years ago I was recovering from an accident that broke both of my elbows. The mental trauma far exceeded the physical injury. I can remember driving down to the Katy parking lot, assembling our Screamer tandem to ride, and loading it back into the car because my anxiety was too great for me to ride. I watched some yahoo in blue jeans and no helmet hop onto his POS Roadmaster bike and pedal off without a worry in the world. How I envied him.

It's been a couple of bouts with two different psychologists now but I think that I'm about 90% back. This morning I hopped onto my recumbent and coasted down to the Katy for a casual ride. Riding is no longer the big deal it was following my accident. I wore ordinary cargo shorts and a t-shirt (I did wear a helmet and shoes with cleats). It occurred to me that I've become that guy who I envied 5 years ago. I didn't even get frightened or upset when a red minivan passed me in my lane while I was signaling to make a left turn into my condo complex. I just gave her a full five finger "Hello!" wave.

The good thing about really dark down times is that, if you can get past them, regular life seems much rosier.

Life is not about getting knocked down, given we cannot avoids that at times. Life is about getting up and moving forward.

So, great job RG!

Glad to hear you're "back".
When the doc cleared me after my car-bike accident in 2014 I jumped on the bike and took off. I just avoid the area where the accident happened.

Glad to hear you've made it back. As mentioned above, it's not so much what happens that defines us, but how we deal with it. Good work.

Sounds like life is good now that you're back on the bike feeling the breeze in your face!

As I was reading your post I also thought maybe there's something to riding a "POS Roadmaster bike and pedal off without a worry in the world".

This one makes me smile, its nice to read the positive post. I well remember your posts when the mental aspect was taking its toll on you, RG.

Congratulations on working your way out of that dark place.

Bill

Well done - but you're not nearly done.

Persistence is the best tool in the toolbox. Way to fight it off and break free.

Awesome, keep improving!

Glad you are back. Congratulations on your persistence to return to cycling.

go, Go, GO!

What psychological/motivational tools did you find most effective in getting you to feel comfortable on the bike again?
Whenever I have an accident, I say to myself "I'm good for the next ten years". You'll probably never have another accident.