- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
- Messages
- 4,781
Ms. Missy,
I wanted to tell you why I'm not cycling. I believe you are going to be great. As an experienced cyclist thtat crashed a number of times I know that desire to be back on that bicycle.
By the time I could ride even a little after my accident my skill level had dropped signifcantly. I had been riding with a pretty aggressive large group solidly in the B Group. On days where we didn't take the bridge in the first 7-8 miles I could hang with the A group for a good 15 miles or so and then coast and drop back to the B group to finish. I also had a dual suspension mountain bike which I loved to ride the trails during the winter when the winds and temps were just not as much fun to road ride in. I did try to return but I was discouraged by my lack of ability to stay on the bike for a long time. My from the base of my shoulder blade down to the top of my hip bone would fall asleep (that was the feeling) and then burn. My strength in my right arm had weaken and I was uncomfortable in the drops. I did ride my mountain bike some on the road but still had issues with comfort for anything where I was over the handlebards for an extended period. I finally decided to focus on rebuilding the strenght in my right arm and really focused on spinning to keep my cardio up. It will never be equal to 70 mile rides but Body Pump, some Yoga and Spinning distract me.
Additionally, in our area the roads we covered had become increasingly more and more popluated with drivers that frankly had very little respect for riders. Running us off the roads and a rider in my group was hit by a teenager early one morning when she was returning from a night on the town, he was killed. I say this becuase my decision to sell my beloved custom Serrotta road bike and ultimately my dual suspension Cannondale Scalpel mountain bike was not only about my ability to recover fully in the time I thought was reasonable (which was probably stretching it) but I also found I was jumpy when I was out with my DH just focued on rebuilding so not even in a group, and as you know.. when you are jumpy in a pace line it's not good for anyone. I couldn't hold the line any longer, I was distracted by the traffic and fearful. I'd lost my edge and my determination.
So a long story to post but please don't be discouraged by me tossing in the towel. I did find alternatives to long distance cycling. I will say none that I loved as much and I'm about 10 lbs. heavier.. because nothing burns calories like a 70 mile ride and I LOVE food.. and I'm only sad about it when my friends head to North Carolina which we did every year to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway. That was always a fun trip! One last point.. I'm older too and as you know when you are older it's harder to rebound. You are going to be fine.. you want to return and you still have that strong passion!!!
Hugs!!!
I wanted to tell you why I'm not cycling. I believe you are going to be great. As an experienced cyclist thtat crashed a number of times I know that desire to be back on that bicycle.
By the time I could ride even a little after my accident my skill level had dropped signifcantly. I had been riding with a pretty aggressive large group solidly in the B Group. On days where we didn't take the bridge in the first 7-8 miles I could hang with the A group for a good 15 miles or so and then coast and drop back to the B group to finish. I also had a dual suspension mountain bike which I loved to ride the trails during the winter when the winds and temps were just not as much fun to road ride in. I did try to return but I was discouraged by my lack of ability to stay on the bike for a long time. My from the base of my shoulder blade down to the top of my hip bone would fall asleep (that was the feeling) and then burn. My strength in my right arm had weaken and I was uncomfortable in the drops. I did ride my mountain bike some on the road but still had issues with comfort for anything where I was over the handlebards for an extended period. I finally decided to focus on rebuilding the strenght in my right arm and really focused on spinning to keep my cardio up. It will never be equal to 70 mile rides but Body Pump, some Yoga and Spinning distract me.
Additionally, in our area the roads we covered had become increasingly more and more popluated with drivers that frankly had very little respect for riders. Running us off the roads and a rider in my group was hit by a teenager early one morning when she was returning from a night on the town, he was killed. I say this becuase my decision to sell my beloved custom Serrotta road bike and ultimately my dual suspension Cannondale Scalpel mountain bike was not only about my ability to recover fully in the time I thought was reasonable (which was probably stretching it) but I also found I was jumpy when I was out with my DH just focued on rebuilding so not even in a group, and as you know.. when you are jumpy in a pace line it's not good for anyone. I couldn't hold the line any longer, I was distracted by the traffic and fearful. I'd lost my edge and my determination.
So a long story to post but please don't be discouraged by me tossing in the towel. I did find alternatives to long distance cycling. I will say none that I loved as much and I'm about 10 lbs. heavier.. because nothing burns calories like a 70 mile ride and I LOVE food.. and I'm only sad about it when my friends head to North Carolina which we did every year to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway. That was always a fun trip! One last point.. I'm older too and as you know when you are older it's harder to rebound. You are going to be fine.. you want to return and you still have that strong passion!!!
Hugs!!!