Broke shoulder bone; no riding for six weeks

[CrazyChrisVT]

Well ,sort of... it's been 3 weeks after breaking by clavicle, and things are doing well. As well as can be expected, that is.

I've been out for a "bike roll" 3 times now, nothing major just some super slow rolling with my left hand on the brakes. I have the seat adjusted so both feet are flat on the ground when I am seated. Gotta ride or go crazy. That's been great but I have to take it super easy (duh).

But yesterday I just couldn't take it anymore. So I got out my 24" uni (cheapo Sun with 2.5" nevegal (spelling?) tire and a KH seat), and actually rode back and forth across my back lawn a few times.

It was Great!

I found that I could ride OK, despite my handle hand (right) being in a sling. I was able to easily keep my upper body fairly rigid, even when stepping off. I had trouble using my left hand on the KH handle, so I ended up waving it around for balance. Before my injury, one of the things I was practicing was riding with both hands clasped behind my back, so I'm sure that helped.

I was psyched that my leg and back strength was still there, and hadn't atrophied during the past 3 weeks.

But I think I'll keep the rides short and sweet, on grass, until I get word from the Doctor (2nd xrays this thursday!).

I'm so happy to be "riding" again, albeit small rides. I'm constantly amazed at how many people, who know I unicycle, automatically think I was injured on a unicycle! Mountain biking is _way_ more dangerous, unless you count crazy MUNI stuff. Even then, you don't have handlebars etc in the way.

[CrazyChrisVT]

Oh and I forgot to say that I can't free mount without moving around too much, so I just static mount against something, and I'm off!

[underdog]

Originally Posted by cathwood

in real life I live by the motto that if it takes longer to prepare a meal that to eat it, it isn't worth the bother

Ah, words to live by.

[tomblackwood]

Originally Posted by gkmac

I haven't needed those bitter painkillers for a few days now.

That is good to hear. Please know that it is dangerous to hold onto unconsumed painkillers, but also quite dangerous for a layperson to attempt disposal of the medications.

I am a Harper-certified pharmaceutical disposition professional, and I will professionally dispose of your unused prescription the next time I'm in the UK to ride with you guys. Until then, keep it secret, and keep it safe.

TB

[gkmac]

It's week five of my six week involuntary riding-quarantine period, and the shoulder is much better. I have "accidentally" managed to raise my right arm to nearly 90 degrees.

Somehow I've been very good at keeping off my unis, but withdrawal symptoms have shot up since the arrival of my Schlumpf geared 29er a few days ago. I've idled it countless times holding onto the kitchen worktop with my other hand to check the brake pad alignment, and yesterday I rode it in the miniscule back garden (three revolutions from the back of the house and I meet the back fence).

I think I can ride on pavement again, but muni will still require arm swinging beyond the comfort zone which could prolong recovery. Also I cannot support weight with the arm, so aided mounting with a wall on my right hand side is out of the question too.

The official word on returning to riding will come in a week when I see a physiotherapist to gain further exercises, as well having another x-ray the week after. Already I'm starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel.