Injuries suck…but they’re part of our sport, and whatever the injury, riders still crave getting back on the bike. Can injuries be justified, or rather, can they make us better people? I think so. Just look at our mountain bike community, full of awesome people! Dealing with injuries makes us grow-up, and this article explores that growth, from the physical, to the mental, to the spiritual.
| Having to temporarily give up what I loved most forced me to grow in ways I never otherwise would have - both outside sport and even with riding. - Kris Holm |
Well used crutches.
The Physical:
Humans tend to navigate in life by avoiding pain and seeking pleasure. Not in mountain biking. The two live closely together. This may be part of the attraction, knowing pain could be just around the next corner. We’re animals. We still have that primal animalistic energy within us, so at a physical level the closer we can flirt with pain while avoiding it the more pleasure we’ll experience. If someone says “you’re killin-it”; they’re no longer referring to the hunt of killing an animal, it’s now you overcoming the challenge of a trail with style and feasting instead on glory. Mountain biking wakes us up, makes us feel alive, that is, until we get taken out, and pain seeks its due respect through injury. How we deal with an injury is crucial, it’s an opportunity.
| I love it when someone says I'm 'riding like a beast' or that I'm 'attacking the trail like an animal'. The truth is they are on the mark more than they ever could know...I'm always tapping into the ancient system of 'fight or flight'. - Stacy Kohut |
Stacy Kohut fighting hard for his flight
The Mental:
An injury prevents us from releasing our physical energy which is a HUGE challenge for athletes. What do we do with that energy? It needs to be taken control of and directed, otherwise it will direct you; and if your mind fights the reality of your physical affliction, you’ll suffer. Thich Nhat Hanh often says: “
Pain is mandatory, suffering is optional”. Embracing and fully accepting the injury will expose mental health and growth opportunities.
| I was trying to get ready to race Crankworx and I wanted to heal faster than my body would let me. - Sarah Leishman |
Early in my career I tore my ACL, it made my world small. No more trials shows or filming videos, I was trapped in a body that couldn’t ride, it was my bike skills that gave me comfort in the world, riding was how I communicated. While injured I tried to keep my mind occupied by doing weird things like plucking hair off my legs with tweezers, but eventually I did learn to face the injury and thus began the initial roots of a relationship with my mind.
| The unknown: As a racer, my life has been structured around racing and training, I always have a set training schedule and goals to accomplish. Without being able to plan, schedule or set goals for myself I've felt lost. - Catherine Vipond |
That’s the mixed blessing of physical injury, there is no other way to deal with it than to go through it. Many challenges in life can be avoided or bypassed, but not your physical health. No matter how desperate your mind is to ride, your injury calls just as loud, and the only healthy way forward is to further integrate your body and mind.
| You learn about yourself and get time to work more with your head. - Mislav Mironovic |
When I was in my mid twenties I began dealing with a recurring bulged disc, I knew something had to change in my riding style if I wanted to keep progressing as an athlete. I had to face the truth that my mind often used my body for egoic gain, so I quit big drops to flat and refined my technique to be smoother–mind and body working together for goals beyond just reputation. A big breakthrough for yoga practitioners is when they develop a conscious relationship with the muscles they’re stretching, rather than fighting and forcing a tight muscle to loosen; this conscious relationship allows the muscle to relax and thus lengthen, it takes practice, and recovering from injuries provides rich opportunity for this deeper body mind awareness to grow.
| So at that point I just surrendered to it and it has been one of the easiest recoveries I've ever had actually. - Bryn Atkinson |
The Spiritual:At the moment of injury I’ve had the thought: “
Oh my God I’m not invincible” or “
I’m such an idiot”. Injuries show us that we’re mortal, and if you go deeper, that our bodies are slowly breaking down toward an eventual death. Wrestling with our own fragility and mortality can give us a strength that is much more potent than any ballsy physical expression; embracing not only injury but our impermanence seems to make one feel more alive. Those I know who have had long term effects from an injury seem quite wise, they’ve had to deal with harsh physical constraints, and are forced to contemplate the deeper meaning of their existence.
| Struggling with life changes it could / would bring, knowing career path would likely have to change immediately...It made me who I am today. Adversity builds character & strength. - Darren Butler |
As I transition away from being a full time pro, I am left with lingering neck and back issues, along with knees that are great candidates for arthritis. It forces me to consider what is of ultimate concern, or in other words my spiritual intelligence (SQ). Cindy Wigglesworth teaches about SQ and describes it as: “
…the ability to behave with wisdom and compassion while maintaining inner and outer peace regardless of the situation.” Though my ability to live by these words far from common, I do credit the SQ I do have to the ups and downs of my 20 year riding career. Living through injury, wrestling with mind, contemplating existence, and actively working to integrate all three is liberating, and I find doing so loops back to an expanded capacity to enjoy each ride.
What injuries have you or are you dealing with? How do they require you to grow? Please share in the comments! To further explore your own growth through injury, I'll recommend these books because they influenced me in a good way:
For the Physical I recommend:
Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan MillmanFor the Mental I recommend:
Flow by Mihaly CsikszentmihalyiFor the Spiritual I recommend:
The LIfe We Are Given by Michael Murphy and George Leonard
Ryan Leech is sponsored by Norco Bicycles, Ryders Eyewear, Kenda, and RockShox. He performs trials shows at select special events and schools. Intimate with the benefits of yoga for a thriving pro career, he got certified to teach and just released a new Yoga for Cyclists Video and offers yoga and mountain bike workshops around the country. As a Professional Integral Coach™, he works privately with people, such as pro athletes, during transition to help them discover what’s next more quickly and with less suffering. Subscribe to the new ProVisions PodcastThe ProVisions Article Series:ProVisions #1: Are you Crazy?ProVisions #2: On a Crash Course?ProVisions #3: Free Your FreeridingProVisions #4: I Am the TrailProVisions #5: Strava Unbound
How do they require me to grow? Well. I want my spinal cord to grow, so I can ride again, haha!
But as shit as it is, you have to learn to grow up pretty quick and start taking control of your life after a spinal injury.
Yeah im cut as all that I cant ride, but you have to learn to enjoy other things, hanging out with mates at the skatepark, races, and being around riding mates etc. You gotta just keep punching through, still keeping my passion for the sport alive in me, just fulfilling it in different ways.
I'm pretty confident of riding again at some stage in the future, just gotta have a good time waiting
Knowing now that although it'll be a few months before I can even think about riding again seems like a blessing. I'm truly sorry for your injury, and I do believe you'll walk again. The body is an amazing thing
Glad to know you are on the mend
Man I was the same when It first happened. Wanted to stay clear of bikes for a long time. Then a couple of days later I was asked if I was gonna sell my bike. Heeeelll no! Haha!
I just can't bring myself to do it, love the steed too much. Sometimes I say I'm keeping it as motivation
But yeah dude I'm stoked to hear you are back riding. Best thing I have heard in ages! What Asia rating were you btw?
Yeah I'm working towards it man, they are just pricey buggers haha! Il get there though, fingers crossed.
You are brave, man. Hold tight until med tech catches up.
Check out this thing to help with the physio therapy. It moves fluid through you legs and keeps certain muscles from disapeering: gizmodo.com/5894489/segway+style-device-for-paraplegics-puts-wheelchairs-to-shame
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-Woody-Ditch-the-Stick/188475757868689?fref=ts
Bikes are an elegant expression of man's ingenuity and a great tool to explore inner and outer landscapes, scrape away the hubris and expose our character. Any cyclist, any discipline gets my attention. Hang in.
sport in my mid-twenties having already successfully destroying one of my knees. I have had plenty of other pretty terrible injuries, one last year that put me out of work and in a wheelchair for half the year. But... after years of battling with not only the physical, chronic pain, but almost more significant, the mental and emotional tribulations associated with biophysical symptoms of withdrawal from physical activity as well as feeling a loss of identity, I have learned to look at things differently. One thing that really helped me was the practice of mindfulness. I signed up for a Stress Reduction Mindfulness Meditation class a few years back as a last resort effort to address my chronic pain and it really helped me shift my perception on things. I would highly recommend it to others who are dealing with any kind of injury, recovery, or stress. Thank you for your book recommendations. I am going to check them out. And thanks again for the article. I always enjoy your posts.
1. Shock- "WTF was that!!
2. Denial- "its not that bad", "I can ride this out"
3. Anger- "f#@k you and the horse you rode in on!"
4. Bargaining- "if I only didn't ride that day","I can ride tomorrow- I'll just rest for the next few days"
5. Depression- "bike magazine- I can't even look at you right now", "I have zero energy to do anything"
6. Acceptance- "everything happens for a reason"
Its important to know that these stages are organic and we can bounce back and forth between them. What we learn while working through them will make us stronger, more insightful, and appreciative of life's ups ans downs.
Great and timely article Ryan- Thanks
We Mt Biker's face the risk of injuries every time we get on our bikes and need to be at peace with the potential of a crash/injury. And I think we can do a better job trying to protect ourselves while riding. There is a fine line between protection/armor and feeling free on our bikes. This is a personal decision that we should all reconsider how much we want to try to mitigate potential injuries. But nothing is 100%.
I am also a freeride skier, but most of my injuries are from biking. Currently rehab'n from ACL surgery. Popped it at Whistler going up an easy jump transition I hit a thousand times before. The prior spring I fractured scapula and prior fall broke my tibula. Now I'm out for ski season, but will be good for the start of next bike season.
Mentally...the rehab is the toughest thing. I try to focus on small rehab goals, but most importantly I still stay connected to the sport. If it is shuttling buddies, rebuilding my whips or daydreaming about pinkbike videos. It creates mental strength and keeps me moving forward and not looking back...
Here's to all of my Brothers & Sisters out there...Stay strong and find new levels to your passions!
I think the biggest thing for people around my age (late teens, I'm 17) is that we feel so invincible. Most of us are too young to have dealt with massive injuries and with all the "extreme" activities that some of us tale part in not being injured is something we just take for granted.
Eventually it catches up with you. One simple mistake van have disastrous consequences. Personally, I felt exactly like the invincibility I discussed above. I Longboard, mountain bike, wrestle, wakeboard, and do just about anything I can that I see as fun or exciting.
It caught up with me eventually and I dislocated my right shoulder.
The worst part of the invincibility is that painful injury just doesn't humiliate you, a month of pain and then you're back at it. That's the way I saw it.
6 months later it turns out that I have a Hill–Sachs lesion, an injury resulting from shoulder dislocation that basically damages the bone and cartilage around the shoulder socket. Now I spend multiple weeks or months away from all the activities I love.
Despite all this, the pain I went through and of leaving the things I love behind, will I continue to do everything that I love? Yes. Once you get hooked you can't let go.
Like most mountain bikers I've suffered many a broken bones and scares in thirty or so years I've been riding bikes, But by far though suffering two broken necks in my time riding would possibly make some people think twice about carrying on, given the fact I'm not a pro rider, I just love riding off road.
Even I was brought to tears the first time it happened, whilst lying in hospital with my head strapped down to a hard bed board so that two shattered neck vertebrae didn't puncher my spinal cord if I moved??? I realised then how lucky I was, though I had to wait five days like that morphed right up!!! until the best spinal surgeon the NHS have in the UK could come back from his hols to operate and reconstruct my bones with my part of my hip bone and titanium plate and screws!!!!!
He is a SAINT in my book, and thank god for the NHS. But he was also very surprised to see me seven years later when I fractured another neck vertebrae and ended up in hospital again!!!!
But as I told him I just can't stop biking its in my blood!!!!.
So much so I still continue to ride, build/create lines in my local forest for myself and others to ride down at Triscombe dh trails Somerset, UK.
So guys and girls if you are injured and can come back from it, do so, but take your time and heal strong. For those who can't just keep strong, the human body and mind is stronger than many of us give it credit for most of the time.
I tried fighting that on my own, refusing to stop biking, I first gave it some 4 months through last winter, just to find out it doesn't hold in place when the spring invited me to ride the Shore. A few dislocations later, I realised I'll not fix it by riding, so I started working out the rotator muscles and generally strenghten the shoulder, but when I finally got my confidence back, got back to respectable speed, I had a small-ish but high speed crash and when I felt the shoulder dislocating once again, I lost a huge part of my motivation and hope, and nearly broke down crying. Not because of the physical pain, but I finally realised it's never gonna be like before, and I might never ride with the same confidence as last summer.
Now with the winter coming, I am breaking through my resistance to doctors (partly for the reason I'm not canadian, and have no idea how does the insurance stuff work), and I'm working on getting my lazy arse over to the hospital to do anything possible to stabilize the shoulder, which I suppose might be tricky after 11 dislocations (in total, all in last 14 months).
Compared to some, it might be a minor injury, but even though I was pretty much a beginner last year, I could pull off respectable time down a trail in the park, or hit nearly any jump or steep Cypress style trail, while now, during the few days I rode between my dislocations I have struggled to stay on the bike, and the mind and ego just don't know how to deal with that.
Just had to cry out anyway, hopefully I'll get fixed and back to ripping this place in the spring! I just have no idea, how will I convince my mind to deal with not riding until then :-(
I have been using this, which adds some comfort and protection:
www.btosports.com/p/EVSSB04
BUT, and I know this is not what you want to hear, you NEED surgery on that shoulder - you have some major instability. Every time you displocate, and with the whole instability you have now, you are doing murder to the glenoid cartilage. Cartilage damage is permanent, so surgery won't cure that, but it will get your shoulder stable and stop ongoing tearing.
What happens if you don't? 5, 10, or 15 years down the road you are looking at some major osteoarthritis, guaranteed. If you think unstable shoulder is not fun, try living with osteoarthritis of the whole freaking shoulder. The chronic pain will seriously degrade your quality of life. Do what the doctors say! You will thank them later.
The surgery will most likely be arthroscopic, where they go in and try to reattach the torn labrum, or tighten anything else that might be lose in there. Meanwhile: STOP FREAKING DISLOCATING IT!!!!!!!
Just been to the surgeon last week after a bunch of X-Rays(got a really good service at Northlands clinic in Whistler, getting me to the surgeon in a week's time).
However, after being looked at by the orthopedist (Dr. Douglas at Sea to Sky ortho), apparently my labrum isn't torn at all. He offered me to have a look into the shoulder but he gave me enough confidence saying that's not what I need, and after doing some tests with my shoulder(it is actually quite surprisingly strong and mobile), he ordered an MRI for me to confirm his hypothesis and instructed me to seek a physiotherapist with a list of instructions.
Also followed that by the "STOP DISLOCATING" advice, however, he perfectly explained the problem to me and what's going on in my shoulder, so I'll see the physio this week and see where it goes now.
In any case, glad to hear you are seeking the proper care. Best of luck with the recovery. Maybe you don't need any surgery after all. That would be ideal, of course.
In my own case, I haven't had a dislocation recurrence yet, and my surgeon said I don't to have a surgery just yet, but she said that if I ever dislocate it again, I have bought myself a surgery. My MRI is coming up this month, and keeping fingers crossed that I am lucky and the labrum tear is not major. The inject a die in my shoulder before the MRI to better see the cartilage.
By the way, do you have a shoulder "DISLOCATION" or a "SEPARATION"? Just wondering, because they are two different beasts.
However, the doctor took my arm, and pushed it in various positions, with my body in various positions either. The shoulder felt completely stable and confident, and no pain at all from within the joint, where the labrum is usually torn (I don't know if it should hurt, however, in such extreme positions it would apparently usually dislocate with the labrum torn). The mobility is really close to the other shoulder as well, I'd say the same as before, disregarding the mental block I developed.
Also, in my case the first problem was a subluxation of the shoulder, with the first complete dislocation happenning a month later with nearly no efforts, which supposedly isn't the way it usually goes. On that first actual dislocation I had to go to a clinic for a reduction, and though they did X-Ray me before the reduction, they apparently only saved the X-Ray once it was reduced, which could hint a bit more about the state of the shoulder.
The other thing pointing at the labrum being intact(or not torn at least) is, all my body joints are quite loose, so I'm susceptible to dislocations.
I'll have to wait for the MRI, they said it'll likely take about 4 months However, I'll see a physiotherapist on monday (already slacked for a week, need to put my sh*t together, dammit!), and hope they can help me teach the shoulder to stabilize.
Too much trail building, not enough rest and recovery.
The nerve pain was something I had never felt before, while the mental and emotional growth has been incredible. 1 month after surgery and my foot is responding again Rehab is slow, but I'm out of pain, sleeping, walking and starting to get strong again. I will return to biking a stronger person mind and body.
Of all the injuries I've been through, this has been by far the most challenging and in turn, the most rewarding.
Healing energy to all. Stay positive.
I thought several times that it had healed well enough to ride again but I just ended up putting myself back even further. It's been massively frustrating because I generally feel in rude health but I just know I can't risk riding anything aggressive or I will risk long term damage. I want to race DH and/or Enduro next year so I need to use the winter to get fully back in action.
It weird I can go running, sprint fine, light XC riding is ok as well. As soon as I do any kind of pumping with my legs......manuals, popping stuff, aggressive DH stuff, my leg just feels super weak and I can't ride without considerable pain.
Just been doing lots of physio, Nordic Hamstring Curls, exercise ball stuff and some light weights.
Hopefully i'll be back by spring time.
my ex had a family friend who was in a comma for months, broken back, neck, other broken bones, other issues on life support from a downhill accident, unfortunately never got the chance to meet the man after his recovery due to my gf of the time becoming my ex but still. what happened to him was a real eye opener. people who this Armour is "not cool" really need to sit and read these inspiration storys and realize the risks we take for this awesome sport
Right side: Concussion, dislocated shoulder.
Biggest thing I found was to get the head in a good place first. After I dislocated my ankle/broke my femur I didn't ride a mountain bike in 11 months. Once I recovered physically I worked my way up to riding hard again, needed to make sure I was not only physically fit to ride again but that I was ready for whatever could happen off road, most specifically getting hurt again. This all coming from someone who is in no way a particularly good rider
As for recovery , if you are strong you will recover faster and I had been training for Big Mountain Enduro all summer. I was back on the bike 6 weeks out of surgery. A good physical therapist is priceless.
My Advice
1. Get the proper protection for your riding level, if in doubt, buy it and wear it.
2. Remember to check your ego every once in awhile, before you do it the hard way with broken bones.
That being said I really do feel lucky because:
1. It's winter
2. My back, neck, & head are good
3. My community is amazing and will keep me entertained
4. By spring I'll be riding dirt and jumping by summer
5. I finally have an excuse to learn to play the drums
6. I'm getting pretty good at crutch coaching!
Thanks for the inspiration everyone!
i love ridding my bike and cant think my self without it!
This crash happened about a fortnight before a new bike build; which is now sitting complete and untouched in my workshop However it keeps things positive mentally every time I look at it.
Might be riding again as normal by spring, but I hope for something sooner.
You can prepare by doing everything to avoid it as well as things that will help you recover whenever your time comes. Things like working on skills will help prevent a crash. Working on strength (things like upper body and shoulder stabilization muscles) can help you narrowly avoid the crash. (i.e. having the strength to react quickly, recover from a botch), avoid more serious injury, or recover from injury faster. Wearing pads and protection can help, but they can't prevent everything. And learn to make wise decisions about what to hit, and what to ride around based on your mindset, experience and the conditions.
It will happen at some point, but the more you can do to prevent a crash, prevent a crash from being worse than it could be, and to reduce your healing time will all help.
My current list includes: Avulsion fracture (R ankle), broken humorous (R arm), tendon ligament tear (R elbow), torn fascia (L forearm), Chipped elbow (L arm), and numerous flesh wounds.
Tore my meniscous lechion,and Bursitous in my knee ,had arthroscope on right knee. now have torn acl on right side knee,and left knee gives out cause overuse from limping.
8 months ago i dislocated right Shoulder So bad that lots of health pros have never seen this Damage,I Stripped every ligiment and tendon off the humerous,my friend tried 2x to set it in the trail -He said bite on this stick,i passed out both times.Had one surgery,now another one scheduled for Full fusion to bone.So now i can not lift my arm in front of my body ,And after all this is fixed inc the acl i think in both legs i do not know if i want to ride anymore ? Too much Pain,but I will be able to maybe if i want in 2015 . Oh i forgot i got 6 Gravity bikes/1 ht . Have not sold nothing.The only riding ive done is Concrete skate bowl 1time on the bmx. . My medical file is looking like a phone book from a small town .But im an old guy now so maybe its time to retire.But I will still Dig Trail Or ride soon Big shout out to All those Soldiers who are nursing injuries.
Ryan, as always I appreciate your insight and wisdom. Off the bike for much of last summer/fall with an eye/vision issue. Been using your yoga series for several months now, and am noticing both a better awareness of my mind/body connection, and better balance as I get back on the bike. Trials last Friday night was quite successful, balance lines worked phenomenally. Cool stuff.
For all the young bucks, this sport isn't as harmless as you think,,take it easy if you don't feel good about it.