Big Thanks to my rescuers – Porridgepot

that’s great news man, hope you heal soon. 👍

Heal quickly from another 74yr old ‘daft’ solo rider. Last year on a fast Yorkshire moor descent that ended badly with a OTB crash & separated collar bone (thought I’d broken it!) but this time had a mate luckily. He rang ambulance & controller said to stay & wait for a paramedic even though we were a mile from any road. Strapped up with a bit of gas/air so walked to road. Odd cyclist & walkers all offered any assistance if required. Back out on moors 8 weeks later. Still ride 95% solo 3 or 4 times a week but am aware of consequences!!

I love this thread on every level and phew – thankfully the trusty steed was undamaged 😉
I certainly hope that I am still getting out at 74! certainly puts my whingeing and moaning into perspective. Thanks OP

Glad you are a ok as you can be. Great to hear you are still going to be getting out. I hope i am doing that when i get to 74

Did you come out with that immortal line ?. ” Is my Bike OK ??? ”

Glad its not too serious and you’re on the mend 🙂

@pennine   Good to hear I’m not alone and glad that things worked out OK for you in the end and that you’re back on the road (I mean trail).

@dyna-ti   Got to be honest, I don’t think I did. Normally when I have an ‘off’ it’s my first thought but last Sunday my mind was somewhere else.

And my continued thanks for all the good wishes and nice comments.

I just realised this thread is the TOTW. When I originally posted I hadn’t expected that. There was a lot of emotion in me at the time which I just needed to express in writing. You folk are definitely helping me with that.

Best thread I have read in ages, kudos @masterdabber and the folks who helped you
I am 66 today and get out a couple of times a week on my Stumpjumper. A lot of solo rides since the pandemic started so taking care on the gnar, letting someone know where you are going and using a tracker if possible (I have been using Whatsapp linked to my wife’s phone) is all good advice.
Hope you are out and about on your bike again by springtime.
Don’t know if you ski/snowboard as well (?), but in France you get a free lift pass at 75, something to aim for, it’s certainly on my bucket list 🙂

You will heal just nicely in time for the early new year. I am sure you will make it a good one! My guidance as someone who has had a few serious offs – is listen to the medical advice for good recovery!

Only just read this.
So pleased you will be back to full fitness soon.
My intention is to ride until I can no longer get my leg over (oh err missus).
A doctor once said to me, they would rather deal with injuries from physical activities than having to deal with strokes, heart attacks and long term illnesses brought on by inactivity.

Thanks yet again..I know I keep saying that but I feel I must respond with everyone beiing so kind.

@Bunnyhop   I can well understand your doctor’s comments. Well, I would wouldn’t I.

I do feel that having been active over most of my 74 years has greatly helped me in my overall condition.

Very serious kayak racing up to my early 20’s. Girlfriend (and then wife) a quality 400/800 metre runner who I then trained with after my retirement from competitive kayaking. Rugby over the winter months, cycling with the family. etc.

A period of relative inactivity due to work and extensive travelling…which I then recognised my decline and got back into exercise to correct the decline.

So… I’m hoping that this background will give me the best chance of a full and successful recovery.

Cheers All

Like many others, I hope I’ll still be riding the good stuff in my 70s. Glad to hear you’re on the mend and respect to all that pitched in to help.

When are you planning on going back to ride the same route and bury any lingering demons?

Like many others, I hope I’ll still be riding the good stuff in my 70s. Glad to hear you’re on the mend and respect to all that pitched in to help.

When are you planning on going back to ride the same route and bury any lingering demons?

Thanks @wordnumb

You ask a very good question and one I keep thinking about.

At the moment I’m looking at all of this in small stages (dare I say steps). My mobility is very limited and I need crutches to move about. I’m living downstairs and sleeping is not something I look forward to.

However,I am gradually improving and the first stage I want to acheive is to be able to walk with crutches, then be able to go and down the stairs. So riding a bike is definitely a little while away. My big hope is that riding even very gently will become a possibility.

As to riding the trail that “got me” again….. I don’t know. It’s trail that until a few months ago I had looked at, then left it for another day. Then, eventually, I decided to try it. It went well and I did it again the same day.Since then I’ve ridden a number of times without problem until it “got me”. The particular section that I crashed on was one of the bits I’d originally been nervous about. It’s steep, rutted rooty slope/drop in that is gradually getting more stepped by roots as time goes on.

My feeling at the moment is that I must change my riding. I want to continue riding trails but restrict that to ones that I feel comfortable about and not keep trying to take on more challenging ones. I’m thinking that I would like to ride more actual routes not keep looking for actual trails….sort of more XC.

I want to retain my health, mobilty and freedom. A repeat of what has just happened is not recommended. I don’t want to put my wife through what I’m curently putting her through (our 49th wedding anniversary today) ….and she has been great…even promised me a new bike once I’m well enough to ride. Also my son who has been just great.

Another long ramble from me….sorry,I’ve got time on my hands