No more training wheels!

[scoober]

This past Saturday the rain stopped and the sun came out, one month and one day exactly post ACL op so it was definitely time to take my first ride off the trainer and out of the garage.

It was a flat Woodinville-Redmond-Woodinville out-and-back on the Sammamish river trail. Its a perfect trail for easy rides... seems like it was meant for rehab. I was feeling good, managed to average 16mph over 12mi. Stiff headwind on the way back was killing me.

I was feeling really speedy given my state, then I got passed by a local rider who rides an upright traditional bike with only one leg. Perfect spin. :eek:

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

props man...that has to feel good. coming up on a month post-op for me as well, looking forward to reporting the same.

[Arnold Babar]

ditto...I'm feeling great, but am askeeerd to go outside and ride. Did some aqua therapy today,though. If you guys get the chance to use a pool, I highly recommend it.

[Snow Ranger]

Nice.

For Some reason my Doc told me he didn't want me on a bike for 3 months wtf? hmm as soon as I am able spin the cranks I am riding with or without Dr.s approval. Before my surgery my wife and I had one car, I used to commute to work about 99% of the time but when my Doc told me the three month thing I went out and bought a car. Damn I prolly could have made it a month without...

[altagirl]

I know after my first surgery my doc said something similar - he wanted me to wait several months because of the risk of putting a foot down suddenly and risking the graft. This doc seems a little less conservative. I honestly haven't even asked about riding a regular (non-stationary) bike yet because I hate road riding here (Utah drivers scare the hell out of me in a car, let alone on a bike). If we went on a trip to Moab, I think I'd take my XC bike and ride some gravel/paved roads down there though.

Sounds like you guys have better places to ride though! Have fun!

[Snow Ranger]

Yeah Utah drivers are scary. I work very close to a Truck Driving School which adds even more danger to my commute. Anyway, I have been pouring over maps of the St. George, Moab, San Rafael Swell, Green River and Comb Wash areas for good dirt roads that I can possible ride. I never in a million years thought I would be doing that but I can't wait.

[altagirl]

In Moab, I figure I can just ride Sand Flats or Kane Creek - hell you could ride that all the way out to Hurrah Pass or even farther (though there's some loose crap mid-way to Chicken Corners). Or even the road through Castle Valley is sounding fun right about now...

[scoober]

My PT is actually encouraging singletrack once I am comfortable. He says the slight balance changes and movement about the bike is great for inducing some functional balance and exercise to the new graft. I am not so comfortable with that yet though, and I am restricted to a seated position on the bike for a while, which makes hills tough. I hate the granny gear.

[Arnold Babar]

:cussing: My docs are telling me not to risk it. :rolleyes: Of course New England weather means lots of sand on the road, crazy drivers, and very unpredictable off-road conditions. But I want to ride my bike dammit! I'm thinking about defying the advice, but I keep thinking of the scorn I'd get when I do a re-tear after hitting sand or an ice chunk. I keep rotating my bikes on the stand, tweaking them, cleaning them, they're all so...clean. It's depressing.

[scoober]

I rode again tonight, same ride.

I am definitely not riding on roads, I am not ready by any means to ride aggressively in traffic. (I can't even stand and sprint.) In fact, the trailhead is only 2 miles from my house and I have been driving my bike to it. I feel like a total beater and geek for doing so, but I'm just not ready to hack it on the mean streets of suburbia.

I see my PT next week so hopefully he can assess whether it is safe to stand on the pedals yet. Then we can take it up a notch.