bigbang said:Hello fellow cyclists.
I need your help big time to get motivated.
I haven't been on a decent ride for years and have stacked on the weight (about 30 kg's)
I've got the gear (Pinarello road bike,Giant mountain Bike) but haven't got the inspiration.
About 4 years ago I was regularly doing 80 to 100 km rides and even did a 220km ride and loved it.
Then I broke my ankle (not cycling related) and missed 6 months on the bike. I've also had a knee reconstruction about two years ago that still creaks and groans.I've tried on a few occasions to get back into it but my body hurts everytime. This puts me off because I don't like pain. My mind then starts telling me "its going to hurt" and the vicious cycle continues(excuse the pun).
The areas that hurt the most are my hands and feet, closely followed by back,bum,legs,shoulders and neck.
My Pinarello seemed to be a perfect fit before I broke my ankle and now it just seems like a medieval torture machine.
I'm sure its just a matter of taking baby steps to get back into it but the thought of the "pain" puts me off.
I would really appreciate anyones comments and words of encouragement because I know once I get over the "pain" barrier I'll end up loving the sport like I did 4 years ago.
One final question. How critical is it to get the correct handle bar stem length to prevent hand pain. Is a centimetre either way going to stop my hands from hurting.
🙁
Congratulations bigbang! you've motivated a lurker to post for the first time! 😄 I broke my ankle 4 years ago, and my elbow 2 years ago. Coming back from the ankle injury was far worse than the elbow. I am 33 years old, and parts are starting to creak. I found that my body now requires a thorough stretching and warm-up unless I want to feel pain later.
I used to play volleyball weekly with a club in my hometown when I broke my ankle. When I got the cast off (I had broken a weight-bearing bone in my ankle so no walking boot for me!), I still needed crutches for a month. After ditching the crutches, I still limped noticeably for 3 months. I limped in the mornings, until the ankle warmed up for almost a year.
I had expected to come right back and pick up where I left off. No way, Jose'! I got really bummed out while I was on crutches, and not being able to walk at all, put on 30lbs in 2 months! :eek:
In desperation, I began walking in the mornings. I felt really silly. It was a complete mindset change for me. I was an avid volleyball player at that time. I had always loved the vertical part of volleyball, and now I couldn't even get off the ground. I kept walking every morning, 1-3 miles. I started with one 3/4 mile loop, then over the months, kept adding another loop, until I was walking 4 loops (3 miles).
After six months of walking, I could (after warming up) run with agility and control again. I feel for you! A broken ankle is a vicious injury to come back from. I would work on strengthening that ankle. Start walking short distances. Dull aching pain is expected. Sharp pain is not. Stop if that happens. Once you get your ankle stronger, it won't complain at riding the bike.
Good luck!
*edit* I wish I could give you some encouraging words about cycling, but I'm a newbie at it! You know more about it than I do. Broken ankles, I do know about! Cycling, I'm still learning!
