Video: Rehab with Griz

Dec 21, 2012 at 23:32
by Dark Timbers  
Views: 19,785    Faves: 183    Comments: 11


"Nothing is impossible. We filmed this edit a few days after my two year anniversary from double shattered hips and smashing my sciatic nerve via femur at National Champs in 2010," says featured rider Sean "Griz" McClendon. "Near-death caused a time of doubt about ever riding downhill again. Last year we launched Re[HAB] and the edit inspired riders in a way I never imagined. Some told me it inspired them to push through their self-doubts and initiated their return to two-wheels. Inspiration is a two way street and since then, it has become my life's mission to return to downhill mountain biking. This journey has been an empowering nightmare but the worst is behind us and the future promises that the sky is the limit."

Author Info:
darktimbers avatar

Member since Dec 12, 2009
10 articles

54 Comments
  • 146 0
 Inspiring,the fact he can ride again should be reward enough. Simple things can sometimes be the most satisfying. I'm riding again after 10 years, after a shattered L4-5 and ruptured spleen. I may not be the fastest guy down the hills anymore, but I bet I am one of the happiest.
  • 21 0
 I'd give that comment 10 upvotes if I could, congrats buddy!
  • 2 2
 Damn how'd you do that?
  • 13 0
 I'm coming off of a surgery from a broken collar bone and people ask why I still bike and my only response is it hurts to break something but it hurts worse to be away from what you love
  • 5 0
 i broke my wrist when i was 17,now i'm 47,i gave up,but when i turn 22 i woke up,then i blow both knee';s at 24 in BMX,i gave up again,but i saw my friend MIKE BUFF on TV raceing down hill mania,i woke up at 29,every one was say why now, i said why not,turn pro 32,the one thing we HAMAN's have is the WILL and if you got that LIFE is your's to make,so do not stop you fall get back on that IRON HORSE AND RIDE FOR LIFE YOU ONLY GET ONE AND ITS YOURS.
  • 6 0
 Very inspiring words.
Gone done this year in Livigno and broke th 3,4,5,6 and my sternum. The hardest thing was to stay in bed when outside the sun was shining. .
Three and a half months later i was finally back on the bike and it was worth waiting every day.
Many people asked why i wanted to comeback and there was only one answear : "Could you imagine a life without a passion?"
  • 2 0
 sorry i ment down. ..
  • 3 0
 Enforc3r,ride on brother keep it 5th gear pinned till the wheels fly off.
  • 2 0
 Thanks Martinezorlando!! Of course i will ride on^^
I'm not skilled in anything else than riding. I have no choice Big Grin
  • 2 0
 oriion, you are a warrior. Respect.
  • 15 1
 Being injured makes you realize how much we just take our bodies for granted. The healthy human body is an amazing instrument, we want it to still be functional when we get older in life. When you are injured badly being healthy seems so desirable yet so far away. Remember that feeling, hold onto it for when you are healthy again, and let it inspire you to be safe and ride within limits. We only live once, but we only get one body.
  • 2 1
 amen
  • 2 0
 So true man!!!
  • 2 0
 Protour- for once I totally agree with you! The thought of not being able to run around the backyard with your (future) kids or do simple daily chores really puts riding into perspective. A serious injury makes you realize what you're putting on the line, and appreciate those limits. People would look at me funny if they knew how much I was smiling under my helmet, even just cruising down an easy trail. So I can only imagine how Sean feels getting back to this level!!!
  • 1 0
 Protour, the human body is an amazing instrument when it's healthy - and even more amazing when it's traumatized. The fact is, the body wants to live and will do anything to adapt provided the mind allows adaptation... or limitation. Human life is a short affair and it's best to live out doing what we love. I'm happy to say in my return to the downhill bike, I've been riding within my physical limits, but my mind demands more. It's this harmony of mental demand that causes my body to react, heal and progress. thank you all for taking the time to view this edit, happy trails and never say die.
  • 1 0
 darktimbers,its maine streamer like PROTOUR that no naathing aabout life,all they do is type bull and hide,cant show there face,like me orlando martinez and darkt.,sorry d ,but this dude just hates can't find a picture of him on any two wheel's,and back too real life you must live not sit an get old,y are we here,to live 5th gear piinnned,not to hide,but too inbrace the up and the down,live and let live,and PROTOUR i don't hate you but if don't play do not hate,.
  • 5 0
 Vey nice.. Great to see one of my go to trails getting shredded on Pink Bike! I'd say you've made a spectacular recovery after seeing that- many of those features are gnarlier than they appear on video, and obviously carring great speed through some of those hectic sections.. well done!
  • 2 0
 This guy is so smooth and fluid he makes the world cup section look easy. The memorial at the top always gives me a reality check.
  • 1 1
 What is the memorial all about?
  • 2 0
 A mountain biker died on that trail. Apparently he was riding by himself and was found down.
  • 4 0
 well done getting back on the bike. I had a really bad crash a few years ago and Ive still got The Fear. I doubt I'll ever be back up to speed again so I can appreciate how much youve put into riding like this. stay safe
  • 2 0
 Thanks for the amazing inspiration! I shattered my pelvis into 5 pieces and broke my femur in mid September. My foot is paralyzed from the sciatic nerve trauma. Everyday I struggle to even get out of bed. Working out and doing physical therapy is the only thing I do now. I stare at my bike and count the days I have been away. My wife does not want me to ride aggressive downhill anymore. But I can't stop. I won't stop. I will be back. And she will understand. I enjoyed watching the log balance and hip strengthening part of the video, I will be definitely be making one of those. Keep up the great riding and never let anything stop your pursuit for happiness and adereneline.
  • 2 0
 Thank you for being open to the inspiration. I understand your frustration with the paralyzed foot... was your sciatic nerve severed or just bruised? My foot is still weak and limited but improving every week. Understand the role of expectation - if you believe you will heal, you will heal. Some hints for your nerve regeneration: scar tissue is non-conductive (neurons will not pass through scar tissue) destroy scar tissue or it will destroy you, b-vitamins are rocket fuel for nerves (we are what we eat) and finally, be patient. Nerves demand time, no way around it. Best of luck in your journey, hope your wife understands when you're pinned again Smile
  • 2 0
 Good for you Sean, a lot of hard work and tears went into your recovery, and it's paying off. Maybe I'm getting old, but given the long road back he had to make, I'd probably begin to scale it back significantly. You can't live in fear, but it's foolish not to be cautious either....
  • 1 0
 Thank you and yes the hard work is paying off. Fear is a double edge sword. On one hand it's an instinct that can keep us alive and on the other, fear robs many from the human experience. For those who believe that nothing is impossible opens the door to anything being possible. A life of limitation is no life for me. My caution comes in my preparation. The same reason Aaron Gwin is winning World Cups is the reason I can ride downhill again at "vet speed" pace. It's about understanding and dedicating your life to the artless art.
  • 1 0
 Well spoken, sir. Good luck to you in everything you set your sights on, and I agree that life is best lived outside of one's comfort zone. My heart agrees with your sentiments, now if I could just get my head to believe it too.
  • 3 0
 I am glad that your journey ends and a new one begins back on your bike! Never Stop !
  • 1 0
 I can't wait until my rehab is at that point. It gives me something to work back up to. BTW I like the Bongo Board part. never thought of using a wooden stick to mimic handlebars on a bike, very smart.
  • 1 0
 Great vid. Dug the training, thinking of adding techs to my rountie. Crazy to think someone can recover from an injury like that. Mass props and power forward man! Love me some Santigold.
  • 1 0
 Feel free to incorporate balance to your routine. If you really want to learn some stuff, go buy a membership at www.rynopowergym.com and learn from the boss that shared knowledge with me (and got Aaron Gwin to his winning ways) it'll be the best $10 you ever spent.
  • 1 0
 Injury is a big part of this sport. Awesome to see him conquer that adversity and get back to shredding. He's a good dude to keep in mind next time you crash hard, get up, and get back at it. Much respect for Sean!
  • 1 0
 Hey Sean, welcome back, thanks for the cool video of Anderson and for building the Pv dirt jumps, we were out there Saturday with J. Sharp, hope to see you around, let me know if you need a shuttle buddy
  • 2 0
 Those balance boards are so fucking fun. Sport within itself haha. Good to see people recover like that!
  • 3 0
 Riding is the best rehab!
  • 1 0
 injury can teach you alot my injury wasnt exactly the worst i only snapped the tendons in my hand but i was still out for a year and it showed me how riding matters to me.
  • 1 0
 Wonderful stuff! Good to see injured riders back on two wheels trail-smashing! Salute
  • 1 0
 Man I remember reading about that- was it his femur and pelvis? Stoked he's back and ripping!
  • 1 0
 Slag, to bring you up to speed - my crash in 2010 resulted in shattered hip sockets (bi-lateral acetabular fractures) and my right femur blasted through my pelvis making its way to my sciatic nerve. The surgeon said my sciatic nerve had a perfect dent from the ball of the femur... luckily the nerve was not severed. Oh, my left collar bone snapped too... but who's counts that?
  • 1 0
 Wow man that is fucked up- really glad you decided to come back and keep riding your looking solid!! Take care big man and we shall see you on the trails!
  • 2 0
 Good stuff Griz. Stoked to you you back on the bike and ripping buddy!
  • 2 0
 can´t believe he drank that
  • 1 0
 I love videos like this, if you are not inspired by seeing these stories, then something is wrong with you!
  • 1 0
 anyone notice that his left leg is way jacked compared to his right lol sick edit though, makes me wish it was summer.....
  • 1 0
 Thank you captain obvious. Crazy leg is my stick, left leg is my stump. When your femur blasts through your pelvis and makes love to your sciatic nerve, loss of feeling and control occurs... followed by complete atrophy. It's a long road to get it back. We wish it was summer too.
  • 1 0
 yeah i liked "Nothing is impossible'' and good luck for the future!
  • 1 0
 That was rad to see. Griz you are the man!
  • 1 0
 This shake -.- ... Great to see someone with so much passion!
  • 1 0
 Fast as hell, but that white helmet looks awful.
  • 1 0
 Those trails look amazing!!!!!
  • 2 0
 That is definitely Anderson Truck Trail in Alpine, CA. only 1 mile from my house! I cant downhill like that on those trails without having those injuries.
  • 1 0
 Was that the steg???????







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