Struggling to get back on bike after a crash

lizzylad84 · 06-06-2025 06:28PM #1

Hi all

Last April I was I. A very very bad (almost fatal crash) while racing.

I've barely had the urge to look at my bike since, and I feel like I've lost the desire to return to the sport.

Now i know theres no "one size fits all rule" but im just wondering if anyone has ever been in similar position? If so, how did you get ba k on the bike

realdanbreen · 06-06-2025 06:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058415206/struggling-to-get-back-on-bike-after-a-crash

Did you collide with other cyclists or was it an accident with a vehicle.

at1withmyself · 06-06-2025 07:45PM

Could you try some greenways and just some casual easy riding to try ease back into it?

alentejo · 06-06-2025 07:52PM

You mention cycling as a sport.

You should forget about the sport element of it and try to enjoy it, possibly on a nice sunny day on a greenway!

lizzylad84 · 06-06-2025 08:10PM

I was racing when the accident happened. Ridwr in front hit a pot hole, I hit him. Travelling at approx 50kmph. Spent 10 days in icu in hospital. 6 months to get back to work due to brain bleed, along with broken shoulder and fractured back

dahat · 06-06-2025 08:48PM

Would it be worth speaking to a professional about fears of going back on the bike?

lizzylad84 · 06-06-2025 09:28PM

I have done already, but I definitely think another chat would help. Maybe life's trying to tell me that I've had a good few years cycling, had so e good tines but to take up a new hobby

Luxman · 06-06-2025 09:39PM

In a slightly different boat to you, but have been off the bike for 9 months due to illness , am trying to get back to it and I would love to say I found the silver bullet, but I haven't. I did find the warm weather more welcoming but group spins at the minute are not suitable for me. I used to do a lot of solo spins so this wasn't a factor, ie the social aspect to it. I still make excuses not to bother to go out, so it's a mental hurdle to get over. Someone told me once (they used to love running) so without deciding to actually go out, they would put on their runners and then the sequence would follow, this worked a bit for me, getting dressed (bibs and faff) meant I was somewhat committed to the follow on step (shoes, water bottle, Garmin, etc), you get the idea. Hope you are on the mend and find your mojo once more.

fat bloke · 06-06-2025 10:17PM

Jesus. That's rough. I've a neighbour had a bad smash in a race and he's been a long time getting back pedalling but he's getting there.

Me personally I used to be mad for motorcycling but a bad crash blunted my interest in it. Tried a few times to rekindle the flame but it just didn't do it for me anymore and I don't particularly miss it.

Like the previous poster I've had a rough 9 months on/off the road bike with illness. I'm nowhere near my previous abilities and won't be racing at all for a long time. But when I do get on the bike for just slow gentle spins I still love it and derive a lot of mindfulness and enjoyment from it, which keeps me at it. If I stopped enjoying it then I think I'd put it aside and seek that enjoyment from something else.

So I guess it's probably worth trying to find the spark again, but ultimately if it's not doing it for you any more, then don't be afraid to move on either and try something else. There'll come a day for every single one of us when we'll have to hang the bike up. Maybe it's just going happen to you a bit earlier than you thought. Best of luck either way.

Large bottle small glass · 06-06-2025 10:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123521576#Comment_123521576

I regularly ride with a former very well known racing cyclist who had a major crash over 30 years ago when he was in his prime.

He never really got back at the racing properly.

However know he enjoys being on a bike more than anyone I know; does bike packing, gravel riding etc etc. A pure pleasure to ride with.

His balance and control on the bike is on a different level to anyone I've ridden with but his brain and body never forgot the crash and he had to leave it go; you might have to as well.

You can get back riding again but you may or may not have to leave the racing go. Your loved ones are probably going to find it even harder to leave you back at it.

Some therapist are going to be better than others at helping you get over the trauma and shock of a severe incident. I know there is special therapies but your professional is going to have to guide you. (There is interesting research around MDMA and talk therapy in treating PTSD which might develop, don't ask me how I know that 😁)

The rational part of your brain might want to get back on bike but the other parts of your brain might still need a bit of help processing the idea.

Best of luck, cycling is generally very safe, hope you get back at it.

JIdontknow · 06-06-2025 10:36PM

Have you asked yourself why you don’t want to get back on the bike? Is it fear, is it lack of fitness and ability after so long out, the fear of failure as opposed to genuine fear of the accident? Do you mind me asking, would you have many years left cycling at the level you were at if you went back? The reason I’m asking is the brain is a strong but strange thing and it can manifest different scenarios and with sports stars it makes them ask the question is the juice worth the squeeze anymore. Personally, and I don’t know you at all but whatever you decide do it with no regrets. Maybe get back on the bike gradually in a casual spin just down around the locality if they’re a bike lane and take it from there and build it up and see if the spark is there, as opposed to park it up and then a few months or years down the line think I should have given it another go. Only you know this, if the hunger is still there but it’s being inhibited by fear, etc. maybe I’m talking bollocks though!!

magicbastarder · 06-06-2025 11:23PM

i've no well of experience to draw on in dealing with an issue like that; but i'm curious where was the balance for you between cycling and competing? i.e. which drove which?

one thing i would say is there's no shame in losing an interest like cycling given the experience you've had. the main thing would be finding something else to provide that fulfilment if cycling can't provide it any more.

Aurelian · 06-06-2025 11:38PM

Remember you don't have to if you don't really want to.

I had no problem coming back from crashes but after 10 years of racing in various disciplines I was a little burnt out. Someone suggested I take a month off training. That was 5 years ago and I've barely been on the bike since. I've gone from 5 times a week to 10 times a year!

I just go out now when the weather is nice or a friend wants to. I can just enjoy it now and it's not all consuming so I've taken up other sports.

Dont be afraid of not training and racing. You can cycle whenever the mood takes you!

lizzylad84 · 07-06-2025 02:46PM

Cheers folks.

I'm content with not racing. I known of two former club mates that had very very serious accidents and ended in wheelchairs and I suppose on some level I'm sort of afford that that could have happened me, and if I crash again would it happen to me.

II'll Give the coffee group at a more sedate pase and distance a go at some stage.

magicbastarder · 07-06-2025 02:50PM

i am usually wary of suggesting things that worked for me; but i've mentioned before here that i set out to cycle every (non-urban) road in north county dublin. i found that was a good motivator to get out on the bike, is it possible that you could set yourself a similar challenge?

lizzylad84 · 07-06-2025 03:16PM

I do have a favourite coffee shop that u could aim to get back to.

Maybe set a date in my mind and aim to cycle to that coffee shop by or on that date

Struggling to get back on bike after a crash

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