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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

144.0. "UNUSUAL REQUEST" by ANT::WOLOCH () Mon Sep 08 1986 21:09


If this message doesn't belong here, Mr. Moderator please delete it.
I have an unusual problem and I'm hoping someone can help me.  I love
bicycling.  I used to ride my bicycle to work, (Worcester to Marlboro)
and I'd ride alot on weekends.  I was involved in a bicycle accident
in June, and I haven't been able to get back on the bicycle since the 
accident.  
Briefly, I was riding my bicycle up a VERY steep hill.  There was a
girl riding her bicycle down the hill at a very fast speed.  SHE WAS
ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD!  I tried to get out of her way, but I
didn't have very good control, because as it was, it was a stuggle to
get UP the hill.  She crashed into me.  I got a SEVERELY fractured nose,
(Yeah, I landed on my NOSE)a smashed up thumb and lots of aches and pains.
She landed on top of ME, so she was ok.
My bicycle didn't fare too well either.  Well, I'm feeling better, but
I'll be going in for MORE surgery (my nose) the end of this month.

My problem is this:  I can't get back on the saddle!!  I keep picturing
the accident.

I'm looking for someone that lives in the Worcester area to join me for
a bicycle ride.  I would consider it a major triumph to be able to
ride outside my driveway, but the first time out I don't think I can
do it on my own.  So, is there anyone that would be willing to help
me???

Also, has anyone else been through an experience similar to this???

I'd appreciate ANY comments.

Thanks,
Nancy
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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144.1Some ThoughtsJETSAM::HANAUERMike...Bicycle~For~Ice~CreamTue Sep 09 1986 12:4812
Can't personally help since I live in Lexington, unless you would like
to cycle closer to there; am sure you will hear from many other Digits.
But, a couple of thoughts... 

I have a good friend who had a serious accident and had the same fears
you have.  She did conquer them and, I'm sure, would be glad to talk
to you.  Send me mail if you wish more info. 

Also, a short club ride may help.  Sometimes riding with other people 
can keep your mind off of the physical and psychological hurts.

	Mike
144.2Offer of helpEUREKA::REG_BBicycle break-dancerTue Sep 09 1986 13:5627
    
    	I've just been through some of this myself.  It was always a
    *thing* with my father when we were kids that if we fell from something
    or hurt ourselves on something the best thing was to get right back
    on and do it before we lost our nerve for it.  Just over a month
    ago I crashed, tried to ride home, but the ambulance crew pretty
    much insisted on hauling me off for a hospital check - broken shoulder.
    The doctor said six weeks of no biking, I think it was my father's
    words that got me back on a bike within a day and a half; foolish
    in some ways ?, maybe, but wise in others.
    
    	I don't understand the psychology of it in formal terms, but
    the longer you avoid it the worse it seems to become, then there
    is a turn-around point and restarting can become easier again. 
    It seems that the trick is to convince yourself that you're ready
    to try again, *right now*, and you don't want to miss out any longer.
    Also, remember that the circumstances of the mishap have an essentially
    zero probability of ever happening again, or convince yourself that
    you now know what to do if it ever did happen again.
    
    	I'd be pleased to talk with you more about this, somehow I think
    that may help more than the actual first ride.  I could ride out
    Worcester way some time next week-end, even the doctor says I'll
    be ready to ride again by then :-)
    
    	Reg
    
144.3APOLLO::DEHAHNTue Sep 09 1986 14:2312
    
    I've been there dozens of times, having crashed while racing or
    training over the years. Once you get a few rides under your belt
    you'll forget all about the pain.
    
    I live in Oxford, south of Worcester, and my favorite riding time
    is the fall. Give a call if you want a partner or two or six...
    
    Chris
    237-3451
    
    
144.4SUPER::CONNELLWed Sep 10 1986 14:4713
    
    RE: .3 and .0
    
    I saw Chris DeHahn in one of the worst bike crashes I've ever seen
    in 5 years of racing.  As he said, he overcame it and got back on
    the bike.  
    
    I understand the difficulty.  Here's one idea...  Since I started
    wearing a helmet on all training rides, it has increased my confidence,
    and I think I ride better as a result.  Do you always wear a helmet?
    
    Chuck
    
144.5Bike today!TOPCAT::LOMBARDI canoe, canoe?Wed Sep 10 1986 20:2626
    Looks like some really great advice in the previous replies. I'll
    second the getting back on just as soon as you're physically able.
    
    I've had auto, bicycle, and motorcycle crashes. The latter was the
    worst. My partner was killed, but he was such an avid (and good)
    motorcyclist, and had taught me the lesson that saved my life that
    day, that I got back on my own cycle as soon as it was brought back
    from Canada, AND my mind had accepted it. He would have wanted me
    to get back on too.
    
    Visions will go through your head repeatedly, of the accident, but
    my feeling is that it is part of the "healing process", and for
    me, I healed faster having it brought to mind daily, than I would
    have sitting at home thinking about it.
    
    Riding on the wrong side of the road... My biggest pet peeve when
    bicycling. I'm an ex-schoolteacher and always taught correct riding
    patterns to my students. I've so often considered talking with school
    systems about stressing good riding (and walking) habits. A big
    percentage of kids don't know right from wrong.
    
    Good riding to you! Biking is too much fun and too good for you
    to fear.
       
    Lyn 
   
144.6Remount when your gut says toJETSAM::HANAUERMike...Bicycle~to~Ice~CreamThu Sep 11 1986 13:0312
Don't always agree with advice to get back on the bike immediatly.

If your gut is saying that you are not ready, consider that advice.
And if you do get on and you find that you are very anxious, 
definately get off and wait a while.  If you're having trouble weeks 
or months later, you may need some external help.

The person I mentioned in .1 waited weeks before re-mounting.  She may 
have been better off for that.

	Mike

144.7How about a wind trainer first?BLUES::HATCHERTue Sep 23 1986 20:557
    Why not try a wind trainer for a while? This might ease you into
    it slowly allowing you to get the feel of the bike without actually
    going out on the road.
    
    Bob