Conference noted::bicycle

Can't personally help since I live in Lexington, unless you would like
to cycle closer to there; am sure you will hear from many other Digits.
But, a couple of thoughts... 

I have a good friend who had a serious accident and had the same fears
you have.  She did conquer them and, I'm sure, would be glad to talk
to you.  Send me mail if you wish more info. 

Also, a short club ride may help.  Sometimes riding with other people 
can keep your mind off of the physical and psychological hurts.

	Mike

    
    	I've just been through some of this myself.  It was always a
    *thing* with my father when we were kids that if we fell from something
    or hurt ourselves on something the best thing was to get right back
    on and do it before we lost our nerve for it.  Just over a month
    ago I crashed, tried to ride home, but the ambulance crew pretty
    much insisted on hauling me off for a hospital check - broken shoulder.
    The doctor said six weeks of no biking, I think it was my father's
    words that got me back on a bike within a day and a half; foolish
    in some ways ?, maybe, but wise in others.
    
    	I don't understand the psychology of it in formal terms, but
    the longer you avoid it the worse it seems to become, then there
    is a turn-around point and restarting can become easier again. 
    It seems that the trick is to convince yourself that you're ready
    to try again, *right now*, and you don't want to miss out any longer.
    Also, remember that the circumstances of the mishap have an essentially
    zero probability of ever happening again, or convince yourself that
    you now know what to do if it ever did happen again.
    
    	I'd be pleased to talk with you more about this, somehow I think
    that may help more than the actual first ride.  I could ride out
    Worcester way some time next week-end, even the doctor says I'll
    be ready to ride again by then :-)
    
    	Reg
    

    
    I've been there dozens of times, having crashed while racing or
    training over the years. Once you get a few rides under your belt
    you'll forget all about the pain.
    
    I live in Oxford, south of Worcester, and my favorite riding time
    is the fall. Give a call if you want a partner or two or six...
    
    Chris
    237-3451
    
    

    
    RE: .3 and .0
    
    I saw Chris DeHahn in one of the worst bike crashes I've ever seen
    in 5 years of racing.  As he said, he overcame it and got back on
    the bike.  
    
    I understand the difficulty.  Here's one idea...  Since I started
    wearing a helmet on all training rides, it has increased my confidence,
    and I think I ride better as a result.  Do you always wear a helmet?
    
    Chuck
    

    Looks like some really great advice in the previous replies. I'll
    second the getting back on just as soon as you're physically able.
    
    I've had auto, bicycle, and motorcycle crashes. The latter was the
    worst. My partner was killed, but he was such an avid (and good)
    motorcyclist, and had taught me the lesson that saved my life that
    day, that I got back on my own cycle as soon as it was brought back
    from Canada, AND my mind had accepted it. He would have wanted me
    to get back on too.
    
    Visions will go through your head repeatedly, of the accident, but
    my feeling is that it is part of the "healing process", and for
    me, I healed faster having it brought to mind daily, than I would
    have sitting at home thinking about it.
    
    Riding on the wrong side of the road... My biggest pet peeve when
    bicycling. I'm an ex-schoolteacher and always taught correct riding
    patterns to my students. I've so often considered talking with school
    systems about stressing good riding (and walking) habits. A big
    percentage of kids don't know right from wrong.
    
    Good riding to you! Biking is too much fun and too good for you
    to fear.
       
    Lyn 
   

Don't always agree with advice to get back on the bike immediatly.

If your gut is saying that you are not ready, consider that advice.
And if you do get on and you find that you are very anxious, 
definately get off and wait a while.  If you're having trouble weeks 
or months later, you may need some external help.

The person I mentioned in .1 waited weeks before re-mounting.  She may 
have been better off for that.

	Mike

    Why not try a wind trainer for a while? This might ease you into
    it slowly allowing you to get the feel of the bike without actually
    going out on the road.
    
    Bob