First off hi everybody!!! Lurker turned forum member here.


Broke my wrist doing my main sport (inline speedskating) and was wondering how long I should stay off my road bike. I have seen top cyclists both road and MTN bike start riding during the first week of the break and I have seen (most) wait till the cast is off. There is a century ride coming up in 4 weeks and chances are I will still be in this cast. I can easly move my fingers and thumb so breaking/shifting wont be an issue just the pain from road vibration and risk of further injury.

How long does it really take a bone to heal? My doc isnt telling me to stay off the skates and bike but I am worried that the bone might break free again delaying my recovery...... Worst case I have a good indoor trainer and a few Spinervals DVDs so all isnt lost.

Any MDs care to comment?

See if you can borrow a recumbent for the century. There wouldn't be any road vibration on your hands like there would be on a road bike. I can't imagine trying to ride 100 miles in a cast.

Without your history and a copy of the x-ray it is impossible for anyone on this forum to tell you how long your bone will take to heal/fuse and whether it is safe to ride a bike.

I'm not an MD, but bone will generally start to knit around 3 weeks after an injury (several cracked ribs taught me that). Note that that it is *not* strong after that time, merely fairly rigid.

I have known people who cut off their casts to race motocross. I've also know people who did that and now have permanent issues with the legs.

It's not safe to be on the bike with a cast, and you're risking further injury. Don't do it.

Or, you may apply my alternative metric, which I like to call, "How stupid would I feel if <x> happened?"

My sentiments exactly.