Courage; does it return? For all crashees

[PaulB]

Have you ever had a nasty crash on the two-wheeled machine you pedal? Not a bad one with bones and stuff, just a nasty one leaving you bleeding, limping and sore. If you have, did it affect your riding soon afterwards?

I'll tell you why I ask; I have never had a fall at speed before but the day I rode with that Brit who won the Tour de France, I can't think of his name but he's a Paul Weller wannabe, I crashed at around 20 mph at the 46 mile mark. Along with the injuries, it was predicted I'd suffer shock but I haven't and refuse to. But on the bike today, I noticed I was braking earlier and descending much slower and more carefully than for a very long time, almost like I'm a novice again.

To those sages of the forum who have crashed at speed, did you get your courage back or do you notice you still ride more cautiously than you did before the incident?

Love to hear any experiences on this.

 

[dellzeqq]

I don't think there are any rules. I've crashed a few times, and, after the most serious crash (hit from behind by a car doing 55mph, left for dead beside the road) I got back on the bike while my jaw was still wired shut, and went berserk for about nine months, before getting clobbered at right angles by a taxi. After that.....a chill set in, and, eventually I put the bike aside for seven years.

My most recent A+Eworthy crash had me on crutches for nine weeks, and I started riding the day I put the crutches aside - and things were as they ever were.

I wonder if age has anything to do with it? You're not as young as you were (if you'll pardon the freedom of speech). Maybe we all get shaken up a little more easily as time goes by.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I crashed an MTB at speed a few years ago. Cracked ribs, concussion, broken ankle

I can honestly say it shook me for a long time afterwards, and sometimes I feel it still does.

Crashing when I was younger was just something that happended, you'd bounce, pick yourself up and crack on, but as I'm ageing I'm more aware that healing takes longer and I definitely don't bounce as well as I used too, despite the extra padding

So that's me, once fearless, now more reserved. I'll still hit 40 - 45 mph on the descents, but that's my terminal velocity these days, and I make damned sure of it.

 

[martint235]

I've had a few crashes over the years. I'd say I definitely lose confidence for a while. I had two similar offs in two weeks in April this year (over the bars, once a cyclist down in front of me, once a pedestrian stepping out). I'd say it took about 2 months to be back to riding the way I was before the crashes. You start off a little more tentative but as the days go by and nothing happens, things return to normal naturally. Don't worry about it and don't rush it is my advice.

 

[fossyant]

Main thing is you are back in the bike. Takes a while to settle down. I was jumpy as hell for a few months after getting knocked off, but was back on the bike straight away.

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk 2

 

[avsd]

I crashed on 3rd July - dislocated collarbone/torn ligaments. Back on bike this month, a little slower and more cautious but last Sunday (26th Aug) I had the best ride of this year - sunshinse, quiet roads, good group from the club and fabulous scenary. Reminded me why I love cycling. It will take a few months before I am back to full strenght but as the saying goes sh*t happens I am just getting on with it.

 

[PaulB]

I think the main surprise were the circumstances of the crash. We were on a flattish stretch and rounded a bend when we hit a long-ish patch of grit/dried cow-shoot at the entrance to a farm-gate. Now I've come across this sort of thing loads of time before but I hit it at what must have been an awkward angle and my wheel wobbled and became uncontrollable. As I stood there awaiting the pick-up vehicle, at least a hundred riders went over, across and around the same patch and a few did wobble while others shouted back a warning to their group that there was a patch of grit. I'd done around 3,000 miles in the six months leading up to the event and had very few incidents of any note prior to that so I was certainly bike-fit so that was what continues to bother me. Of course, what's much worse is the fact I was unable to finish the thing I'd been looking forward to for so long.

 

[classic33]

You'll get it back. Have you ridden the same stretch of road that the accident happenned on yet. If not that may be all you need to get it back.

I'd say at present your not willing to accept the fact that neither you nor your bike will perform as they did before the crash.

 

[Cubist]

Have you ever had a nasty crash on the two-wheeled machine you pedal? Not a bad one with bones and stuff, just a nasty one leaving you bleeding, limping and sore. If you have, did it affect your riding soon afterwards?

I'll tell you why I ask; I have never had a fall at speed before but the day I rode with that Brit who won the Tour de France, I can't think of his name but he's a Paul Weller wannabe, I crashed at around 20 mph at the 46 mile mark. Along with the injuries, it was predicted I'd suffer shock but I haven't and refuse to. But on the bike today, I noticed I was braking earlier and descending much slower and more carefully than for a very long time, almost like I'm a novice again.

To those sages of the forum who have crashed at speed, did you get your courage back or do you notice you still ride more cautiously than you did before the incident?

Love to hear any experiences on this.

I had a couple in the space of two months. Both left me sore, bruised, but worst of all scared of steep loose rocky descents. Not much cop if you live in the Pennines. I got it back by altering the bike and forcing myself to ride the scary stuff. It took several months, and I made all the excuses under the sun, but a year or so later I've got it back. I'd hate to be back there though, literally unable to ride down anything steep, even hardpack chutes at Sherwood or Dalby. Local bridleways were out, and it ruined a trip to Scotland.

 

[PpPete]

Maybe there's a bit missing from my brane. As soon as I'm physically able, I'm back in the saddle and no difference in my riding.
Similar used to apply to my rock-climbing.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I can't remember my 'best' crash (Les Gets - it involved a helicopter taking me to hospital, and an expensive credit card bill for a wrecked hire mtb) but I expect to fall off off-road. If you're not crashing you're not trying hard enough and all that. I crashed heavily in Wales, off-road, last week but knew at some point in a three day off-road tour with my (lack of) riding style it was inev itable at some point. Back on, tally-ho, jobsagoodun.

After my last serious off, in April, having thanked my lucky stars, I was riding a bike again before the staples came out of my scalp but found I had mislaid my mojo for a bit. Nevertheless, with a little perseverance, I was delighting in full-on 'brakes is for only for stopping' full-tilt road downhills a few weeks later to cries of "Someone restrain that man!"

 

[PaulB]

I wonder if age has anything to do with it? You're not as young as you were (if you'll pardon the freedom of speech). Maybe we all get shaken up a little more easily as time goes by.

Do you know I find that SO offensive. I am younger than I was, actually, since I have no compunction in lying about my age. I'm a mere 27 years* old.


* And a few irrelevant months.

 

[GetAGrip]

I don't think there are any rules. I've crashed a few times, and, after the most serious crash (hit from behind by a car doing 55mph, left for dead beside the road) I got back on the bike while my jaw was still wired shut, and went berserk for about nine months, before getting clobbered at right angles by a taxi. After that.....a chill set in, and, eventually I put the bike aside for seven years.

My most recent A+Eworthy crash had me on crutches for nine weeks, and I started riding the day I put the crutches aside - and things were as they ever were.

I wonder if age has anything to do with it? You're not as young as you were (if you'll pardon the freedom of speech). Maybe we all get shaken up a little more easily as time goes by.

We don't bounce as well either!

 

[PaulB]

Today's was alright. My fastest speed was slower than normal but it was very windy. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/217382406

 

[asterix]

To those sages of the forum who have crashed at speed, did you get your courage back or do you notice you still ride more cautiously than you did before the incident?

All my crashes were low speed. I take care not to cycle slowly wherever possible now.