What is your IPM ratio?
What is your Injury per Mile ratio, or how many bike related injuries have you sustained verses how many miles have you ridden?
My cycling friends think that I’m too analytical and shouldn’t ask such questions. They tell me to quit thinking and just ride. It could be that I’m over analytical but I really think my question at least deserves some thought.
I got back into cycling nearly 3 years ago. From one standpoint it has been one of the healthiest things I’ve ever done. I am getting more exercise than I ever have. I feel better, sleep better, am less of a grouch, have fewer headaches, eat better, am considerably less stressed out, etc. etc. etc. I’m hooked! When I see people cycling who are in their 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s it gives me confidence that I’m doing the right thing and gives me hope that I too can be cycling when I’m there age (I’m in my early 40’s). But then I think about some of the injuries I’ve received and have to wonder if I keep going at the rate that I am if I’ll even be able to cycle in the next few years.
As I write this I’m off my bike recovering from a separated shoulder. I got it while mountain biking. As a matter of fact all of my cycling related injuries have been from mountain biking. A year ago while riding my mountain bike I seriously injured my knee and as a consequence I now continue to have some troubles with it as well. Prior to that I had lost count of the sprains, bruises, and lacerations I received while on my mountain bike.
While I’ve been mountain biking for nearly 3 years I’ve only owned a road bike for just over a year now. In the nearly 4500 miles I’ve ridden the road bike the worst injury I’ve received was mild sunburn when I forgot to put on sun block one day. When I think about wanting to be able to happily ride my bike into my 80’s it’s obvious to me that it’s not going to happen on my mountain bike.
At the risk of jinxing myself (knock on wood and all those other superstitious things) I’d say that so far my IPM on the road bike is not too bad and if it stays that way I can see myself cycling into old age. On the other hand I’m way too embarrassed to admit what my IPM is for the mountain bike. When I think about it I realize that I need to make some changes in the way I ride. I either need to slow way down, work on my skills, get a better rabbit’s foot or maybe even stay off the mountain bike all together. I'm actually thinking about the latter!
Am I being too analytical or do I need to just get back on the proverbial horse and ride? Anybody have any constructive advice? Anybody have any similar experiences?