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2014-10-24 9:49 PM

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Subject: Aero Fears
I came off my bike in Feb with a broken collar bone. I was out for about 3 months and then I really struggled to get back on the bike. I wasn't a confident rider to start with - as I only learnt to ride in my mid 40s.

I feel like I am starting from scratch...drinking on the bike, climbing out of the saddle and all that stuff. I was really pleased when I first started riding in aero on my tri bars....but now I just get struck with fear that I'll lose control of the bike....

I know its probably just a matter of time....but any tips? Have others struggled the same way and where you able to overcome the fear...?

I know its all in the head as I have already spent heaps of time in the saddle on my tri bars....


2014-10-24 10:41 PM
in reply to: getfitfast

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Subject: RE: Aero Fears
Two words.

DROP BARS
2014-10-24 11:19 PM
in reply to: getfitfast

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Subject: RE: Aero Fears
Just take your time getting your confidence back. It will come. And it does feel a bit like starting over! That is completely normal.

Broken collarbone is terrible, sorry that happened to you! I loved going fast on descents, until I crashed and broke my collarbone on one. A large branch actually fell from the tree canopy above, and landed in front of me, making me crash. Thankfully, I was not going full speed because I was approaching a turn. I hate to think what crashing full speed would be like.

When I first got back on the bike, I was afraid on even little descents, and shadows of tree branches made me flinch. The flinching lasted maybe six months. I am just now a year later starting to really enjoy descents again, tho I don't think I'll ever be the speed demon that I once was.

Good luck!
2014-10-25 1:00 AM
in reply to: getfitfast

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Subject: RE: Aero Fears
It is trainer season after all!
You have all winter to practice drinking and doing standing/big gear climbs. Just keep spinning and every workout, do these as drills. During rest intervals, try to keep the bike as steady as possible by pedaling as smooth as possible....then reach and grab the bottle, take a sip and put it back. Do that a bunch and always pay attention to the shifting of the bike underneath you. You'll be able to feel when you do it buttery smooth and that skill will translate back onto the road in the spring.
2014-10-25 4:43 AM
in reply to: dfroelich

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Subject: RE: Aero Fears
Originally posted by dfroelich

It is trainer season after all!
You have all winter to practice drinking and doing standing/big gear climbs. Just keep spinning and every workout, do these as drills. During rest intervals, try to keep the bike as steady as possible by pedaling as smooth as possible....then reach and grab the bottle, take a sip and put it back. Do that a bunch and always pay attention to the shifting of the bike underneath you. You'll be able to feel when you do it buttery smooth and that skill will translate back onto the road in the spring.


I hear you...but we are heading into summer down here in Oz. My goal is to do my first IM next Dec so I have time to do exactly as you say. Even after 4 years of riding, I have never got comfortable enough to think I control the bike....time to shift my attitude....
2014-10-25 8:54 AM
in reply to: getfitfast

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Subject: RE: Aero Fears
I came off my bike in July. I smashed the hell out of my left side.
Broken clavicle, 16 fractured ribs, pierced lung. The whole shebang.. But my helmet saved my life.

That said, I haven't been in a pool, on my bike or run since.

I am a little gun shy getting back on my bike for some reason.

I've been riding competitively for 15 years. It was my first crash.

I was going to start with a spin class to get my legs back then if it's still dry roads, maybe by December I can go for a ride.


2014-10-25 10:58 AM
in reply to: getfitfast

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Subject: RE: Aero Fears
I hear you on being timid! I think it's completely natural!

My front tire blew on a decent during a charity ride - luckily I was able to get the bike into the dirt shoulder before I went down. Severely strained right shoulder and sore knee - but luckily that was all the damage. That was over 4 months ago.

Ever since then I have ridden outside a total of 1 time (on my road bike in aero position). The rest of the time has been spent on the trainer. I teach spin so am on the bike at least 2-4 times per week, but the outdoor weekend rides were gone and replaced by a 1.5-2.5 hour rides on the trainer.

Now getting the itch to get back outside again on a regular basis. Weather here is getting nice (Arizona) and the mornings are amazing. Still quite gun shy about getting out on the real roads, in aero position etc. But, I'm hoping to do an IM next year so will need to eventually.

I'd say start with some easy rides that are relatively free from traffic, practice getting in and out of aero and getting use to the movements, body position etc. Then build up. I'm hoping to find some friends to ride with too. Most of my rides are solo but I'd feel better if there was someone with me. It can also help get you out the door if you are wavering.

Hope you have healed up! I think once you get in a regular routine, it would be as difficult. Now I just need to take that advice as well!

Good luck!
2014-10-25 12:53 PM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: Aero Fears

What you're describing is totally normal.

13 months ago ago on 9/29/13 I crashed going far too fast into corner on a wet day and broke my collarbone. I had a comminuted fracture (basically I turned 3/4" of bone into fragments) requiring a 5" titanium plate, 8 screws, 9 weeks in sling.  Three months after the crash I got back on the horse and went for my first outside ride.

I've discovered in the 10 months since that I have had to overcome a heightened awareness of anything that could result in a crash. I wouldn't call it fear per se but overly-cautious and over-aware of the risk of crashing in fairly minor situations.  Like getting a water bottle, or turning my head to look over my shoulder, or going between posts on the trail.  That last one I was downright afraid of for months after almost crashing into one in February.  I had to repeat "chill out chill out chill out" in my head as I went between posts that I've gone through literally a hundred times.

It is a matter of time to overcome this. Go slow. Build back up to your normal riding patterns. You can do it.



Edited by brucemorgan 2014-10-25 12:55 PM
2014-10-26 10:53 AM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: Aero Fears
Originally posted by louamerica

I came off my bike in July. I smashed the hell out of my left side.
Broken clavicle, 16 fractured ribs, pierced lung. The whole shebang.. But my helmet saved my life.

That said, I haven't been in a pool, on my bike or run since.

I am a little gun shy getting back on my bike for some reason.

I've been riding competitively for 15 years. It was my first crash.

I was going to start with a spin class to get my legs back then if it's still dry roads, maybe by December I can go for a ride.


Oh man, sorry to hear it. I started with riding in an upright position on the trainer (because holding the handlebars hurt). That was a good core workout too. Good luck in your comeback. It's better to be a little gun shy now...don't get out on the road too soon (listen to your doctor!!). My collarbone broke a 2nd time at the edge of the plate because I did too much too soon (mountain biking and swimming and riding in aerobars at 5 weeks after surgery because I felt awesome then! ). That was dumb, and sucked worse than the original fracture, because it went undiagnosed for a while, and the PT guy was manipulating my shoulder, and I was crying, and they thought I was just being a wimp. I wasn't. We triathletes know pain. lol.

Best wishes for speedy recovery!

Edited by keyone 2014-10-26 10:55 AM
2014-10-26 1:45 PM
in reply to: keyone

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Subject: RE: Aero Fears
Originally posted by keyone

Originally posted by louamerica



Best wishes for speedy recovery!



Hey thanks !
2014-10-26 7:59 PM
in reply to: getfitfast

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Subject: RE: Aero Fears
Clearly a number of us are in the same boat. I have a HIM in two weeks and my goal is just to finish ... just like my first race 4 years ago.
I definitely practice on the drop bars... and focus more on skills for a while rather than anything else...

Good luck to all the others recovering...


2014-10-26 8:09 PM
in reply to: #5062836


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Subject: RE: Aero Fears
i too had a crash in aero bars that i probably could have avoided on a road bike. it took awhile to get comfortable again, but just keep riding. go places where it is not likely you will run into trouble. start with large parking lots empty on a sunday morn, and ride around, paved trails, etc. best way to overcome is get out and do, but start by doing in safer spots
2014-10-27 4:48 AM
in reply to: Raansnel

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Subject: RE: Aero Fears
I'm in a similar situation. In August a car tapped my back wheel, sending me straight over my aero bars and onto my head. My head took the impact, and it was sliced open (helmet cracked down the side). I left the hospital with staples all down the side of my head and a complex concussion. Lots of bruises and nasty road rash. Symptoms of concussion lasted 5 weeks. I was told not to ride outside again for 3 months and to minimize risk of second head injury. The worst part of it is that I have lost nearly 3 hours of memory. I woke up in a helicopter being life flighted to a trauma center. I felt rather traumatized for a while, and even as the rawness of the trauma is fading, I know I have a host of fears to face when it's time to hit the roads again. I'm not ready.

Honestly, I haven't even been motivated to cycle on my trainer. I've just been running as it's the only thing I feel like doing, which is very strange for me because I have worked diligently at this sport the last 4 years. I will ask a friend to ride with me when it's time to get back outside.

I hope you heal up soon and are able to slowly conquer your fears. I'm sure it's very normal after a wreck. You will gain courage the more you ride outside again.
2014-10-27 6:48 PM
in reply to: jarvy01

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Subject: RE: Aero Fears
Originally posted by jarvy01

I'm in a similar situation. In August a car tapped my back wheel, sending me straight over my aero bars and onto my head. My head took the impact, and it was sliced open (helmet cracked down the side). I left the hospital with staples all down the side of my head and a complex concussion. Lots of bruises and nasty road rash. Symptoms of concussion lasted 5 weeks. I was told not to ride outside again for 3 months and to minimize risk of second head injury. The worst part of it is that I have lost nearly 3 hours of memory. I woke up in a helicopter being life flighted to a trauma center. I felt rather traumatized for a while, and even as the rawness of the trauma is fading, I know I have a host of fears to face when it's time to hit the roads again. I'm not ready.

Honestly, I haven't even been motivated to cycle on my trainer. I've just been running as it's the only thing I feel like doing, which is very strange for me because I have worked diligently at this sport the last 4 years. I will ask a friend to ride with me when it's time to get back outside.

I hope you heal up soon and are able to slowly conquer your fears. I'm sure it's very normal after a wreck. You will gain courage the more you ride outside again.


Oh my, that sounds scarey. Glad you are okay, and good luck getting back out there!
2014-10-28 1:27 PM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: Aero Fears
Originally posted by jarvy01

I'm in a similar situation. In August a car tapped my back wheel, sending me straight over my aero bars and onto my head. My head took the impact, and it was sliced open (helmet cracked down the side). I left the hospital with staples all down the side of my head and a complex concussion. Lots of bruises and nasty road rash. Symptoms of concussion lasted 5 weeks. I was told not to ride outside again for 3 months and to minimize risk of second head injury. The worst part of it is that I have lost nearly 3 hours of memory. I woke up in a helicopter being life flighted to a trauma center. I felt rather traumatized for a while, and even as the rawness of the trauma is fading, I know I have a host of fears to face when it's time to hit the roads again. I'm not ready.

Honestly, I haven't even been motivated to cycle on my trainer. I've just been running as it's the only thing I feel like doing, which is very strange for me because I have worked diligently at this sport the last 4 years. I will ask a friend to ride with me when it's time to get back outside.

I hope you heal up soon and are able to slowly conquer your fears. I'm sure it's very normal after a wreck. You will gain courage the more you ride outside again.


Did the driver at least stop ? Are you suing the driver for reckless endangerment ? Can you subpoena the phone records ?

Edited by louamerica 2014-10-28 1:28 PM
2014-10-28 1:35 PM
in reply to: getfitfast

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Subject: RE: Aero Fears

If you have a mountain bike or a hybrid (or if you can borrow one), maybe just start out by going to the park and riding around in the grass.  As  you gain more confidence, find some hills in the park or snake through some trees to build up your handling confidence.



2015-04-11 10:46 AM
in reply to: brucemorgan


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Subject: RE: Aero Fears
I am about to get some direction on the surgery I am going to have soon. I obliterated my collar bone a few days ago. I am wondering, what the down side of the surgery was. Do you have all the feeling back in your chest? does you collar bone look normal now?

This is actually my 4th breaking a collar bone, two on the left and two on the right. This time is by far the worst. I just want to get back on the bike as soon as possible. Did you see a Trauma Ortho?

Any feedback would be great for me. Thank you.
2015-04-12 8:18 AM
in reply to: rkesteloot

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Subject: RE: Aero Fears
Originally posted by rkesteloot

I am about to get some direction on the surgery I am going to have soon. I obliterated my collar bone a few days ago. I am wondering, what the down side of the surgery was. Do you have all the feeling back in your chest? does you collar bone look normal now?

- no, the collarbone doesn't look that weird, just a small bump at the break site and a giant scar.
- I have nerve damage down the front of my shoulder. It seems to be subsiding now. But it was weird for a bit.
- the PT. To get rotation back was great.

This is actually my 4th breaking a collar bone, two on the left and two on the right. This time is by far the worst. I just want to get back on the bike as soon as possible. Did you see a Trauma Ortho?

- no, just a regular surgeon associated with my hospital of choice.


Any feedback would be great for me. Thank you.
2015-04-12 11:08 AM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: Aero Fears

Originally posted by rkesteloot I am about to get some direction on the surgery I am going to have soon. I obliterated my collar bone a few days ago. I am wondering, what the down side of the surgery was. Do you have all the feeling back in your chest? does you collar bone look normal now? This is actually my 4th breaking a collar bone, two on the left and two on the right. This time is by far the worst. I just want to get back on the bike as soon as possible. Did you see a Trauma Ortho? Any feedback would be great for me. Thank you.

After my break in Sept 2013, the surgeon installed a several inches long titanium plate with 8 screws. Work like this is always done by specialists; not sure what you mean by "trauma ortho".  My doctor had background in the military where he was a flight surgeon for the Marines, worked on SEALs, worked on football players and other athletes. Biography hereYou want a doctor that knows he's working on an athlete who wants to get back 100% athletic joint function, not get something off the top shelf normal people function but swim 2.4 miles Ironman athlete function.  My doctor has signed photos all over his walls of football players, pilots, even a guy crossing IM Canada finish line, all with "thanks Doc!" type signatures.

My collarbone looks normal to other people, but I can feel the plate under the skin. I can feel bumps and ridges of the screws. The upper left of my chest tooks months to feel normal; for a long time it was "weird".  The best way to describe it was a feeling like there was a large patch of duct tape on my chest.  I could feel pressure but it was duller than normal. 

I race IM distance, and it took me a long time to recover to the necessary training volumes.  I cancelled my Nov 2013 IM Arizona race (still wearing a sling), then my March 2014 Los Cabo race (couldn't possibly train for the swimming). I did race IM Arizona in Nov 2014 and did fine (1:25 swim which is my usual sort of time). 

I feel I'm back 100% athletically.  I'm just as slow as I've always been swimming. :-)  The collarbone injury is behind me.  I'm training for IM Boulder now.



Edited by brucemorgan 2015-04-12 11:14 AM
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