Recovery 2

It’s been a while since I have updated my blog but not much has really changed in what I can do. I have now had what I hope to be my last appointment with the consultant. According the X-ray’s the fracture has healed to the point where it is in one piece. However it is still fragile and not impact resistant meaning I still can’t ride my bike.


At my first physio session I was given a few basic exercises I could do daily to help build muscles to support my back. I was also given the all clear to start swimming and riding on the turbo trainer. Unfortunately, before I had had the chance to do any of these things I got the flu which lead to a week of lying in bed feeling terrible. I didn’t eat more than 2 slices of toast in 3 days and by the time I got home for Christmas I had lost nearly 2 stone from my pre accident weight. I didn’t take my turbo home for Christmas so even though I started to feel better I couldn’t really do much. I went to the gym once but spent the rest of the time doing very little. To make the Christmas period even less fun, Emma had the flu followed by sinusitis so we could not really go anywhere or do anything.


Since I have been back in Oxford I have started my prescribed exercises on a daily basis. I set my turbo up on the first day back but noticed the crank arm was bent from the collision so it knocked the chainstay on every revolution. My LBS measured the bike up and informed me the whole back end is out of alignment by at least 10mm. After bending the crank back into shape I now have the bike set up in the kitchen. I started with 10 minute low resistance spins and have now moved up to 15 minute sessions with a slightly higher resistance.


At my latest check-up with the consultant I was told everything was on track for a full recovery so I am still aiming for a return to (gentle) mountain biking in early march. I have had my brace off since Monday and my mobility had improved quite a bit. I can move fairly freely, drive and do most things for myself. I still feel pain in my back if I stand or walk around for too long, and I still need to get up and walk around to stop my back muscles tiring. I get a sharp pain at the fracture site when twisting which apparently is due to my vertebrae having moved slightly so they are not properly aligned together. Apparently this is to be expected and should subside as the bones settle into their new positions.


It’s a very exciting time to be part of this team. We have 3 new riders soon to be announced and a whole host of new sponsors. With pronghorn becoming more involved this season it is really starting to feel like we could be a serious outfit this season. Most of the team are meeting up in North Wales this weekend for some socializing and hard riding and I am feeling very left out by missing it! I can’t wait to get back to racing and being part of it all again but it is now not too far away and I can start planning and preparing.