Collarbone redux

[ODB]

I've gone and done it again. Was riding Santiago Truck Trail on Saturday and climbed the first little piece of side action on the way up. Coming down the other side I let the brakes go toward the bottom, but completely forgot about the sharp G-out where the side trail meets back up with the main line. Got bucked off the bike at high speed, sending me flying a good distance and crashing down hard on my head and left shoulder. I immediately felt that "hot" feeling in the collarbone. Not good. Mind you, this is the same c-bone that I broke two and half years ago and had to be fixed with a plate and screws. Some super-nice riders I had just met that day gave me a lift back to my car (big thanks yet again, guys, if you're reading this), which was all the way back at the Whiting Ranch trailhead. Drove myself to urgent care and, well, the x-ray says it all:



The bone snapped right at the end of section that was already screwed together. The ER doc says it looks like the screw hole was the weak point that gave way. Another surgery (and lengthy recovery) is pretty much a certainty. Gonna try to see my orthopedic surgeon soon as possible this week and see what he has to say.

In the meantime, I'm giving serious thought to whether it's time to hang up the Sidis and try something new. Not trolling for sympathy or appeals of "You'll be back; you're just bummed," but this is the first time in my nearly 20 years of mountain biking i've ever considered a dirt-free future. I still love the sport, but I just don't know whether the toll it takes on my body and my family (my 5-year-old girl cried yesterday when she found out about the injury) is worth it all at this stage of my life. Guess I'll have lots of time this summer to do some soul searching.

[jsigone]

Sucks man, hope you heal well.

[dstepper]

Ouch, yes that picture does say it all...

Dean

[RacinJason]

ouch !!! Get well soon I have been there it hurts.

[JoeTruth]

Injuries suck but you know how I feel. Bummed for you, bro.

[J_Sims]

SUX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but it could have been worse

[Happy_Gilmore]

That's a serious X-ray, healing vibes

[shudder]

Maybe just flirt with the idea for a while of easing up a bit rather than going dirt-free. Just take it easy so that you can still be out there in the dirt having some good times. Sure you may not go for the big hucks and stuff, but maybe you'll be able to be trailside when down the line your now 5-yr-old starts flying around. Just a thought. Heal up.

- shud

[Diamondback]

Yo, after my 2nd C-bone breakage in 2005 I too considered sayin f-you mountain biking, where's my bowling ball?
But by then I really chalked up some $$$ in the sport and decided and developed PSMB (pussy style mountain biking).

Yes PSMB. Join the club.
1. ride more fireroad & easier ST and no stretchers to the ER
2. ride slower on technical ST and walk sections you think you will wipe out on so you won't break a bone.
3. get laughed at by the guys in armor and see one of them get hauled away next week on the ambulance
4. be able to drink beer and pizza after every ride
5. no more taking off work for injuries, daughters crying.

[CalEpic]

Sorry to see this Toby. Hope you heal quickly and that you end up missing the dirt rather than being disgusted with it.

C

[grandpa]

So bummed to hear about this Toby. Hope you heal soon.
I also hope this isn't the end of your riding days.....because if it is you will truly be missed out on the trails

[Keith B]

At the end of the day you'll get all the 'Bro's telling you you'll heal up fast and to get back out there but the reality is its your body and a few hours of fun now is possibly going to cost you more in the future. Hope you heal fast and take it easy man!

[OpusKat]

Nice X-ray bro. Did you actually bend the plate? Your wife asked me to encourage you to pursue a safer activity like sky-diving.

Being Toby's brother, I have the laundry list of injuries he has incured since birth. My favorite though is breaking his arm on a giant teeter-totter constructed from a 4X4 and a saw-horse. His friend that was on the other end actually crapped his pants when he saw the broken arm hanging. Nice.

Love you bro.

[gray]

Originally Posted by OpusKat

His friend that was on the other end actually crapped his pants when he saw the broken arm hanging. Nice.

I just had the most awesome visual.

[ODB]

Originally Posted by OpusKat

Nice X-ray bro. Did you actually bend the plate? Your wife asked me to encourage you to pursue a safer activity like sky-diving.

Being Toby's brother, I have the laundry list of injuries he has incured since birth. My favorite though is breaking his arm on a giant teeter-totter constructed from a 4X4 and a saw-horse. His friend that was on the other end actually crapped his pants when he saw the broken arm hanging. Nice.

Love you bro.

Sam was always such a little bitch.

[JoeTruth]

I can top that. While playing hide the pickle @ Honey Bear Lodge last summer, he...uhh....oh wait. I'll PM you the details. It was pretty graphic!

Originally Posted by OpusKat

Being Toby's brother, I have the laundry list of injuries he has incured since birth. My favorite though is breaking his arm on a giant teeter-totter constructed from a 4X4 and a saw-horse. His friend that was on the other end actually crapped his pants when he saw the broken arm hanging.

[MV Rider]

ODB

Don't stop riding, just remember the lay of the land when you ride. If you don't know the terrain, take it easy.

[OTHRIDER]

That's a nasty looking break Heal quickly!

About the only thing worse than scaring your youngster with biking injuries is seeing your youngster getting injured while biking (see KidA)

Originally Posted by Diamondback

......decided and developed PSMB (pussy style mountain biking).

I officially declare myself a charter member.

[Schecky]

Take your time Toby and heal well. That's a evil pic. Don't stop riding!

[Good_ol'_slappy]

Hey Toby...that sucks man. Give it some time, you'll want to be out there again.