Getting back on the bike… practice & patience

I’ve been focused on recovering from surgical repairs to reclaim mobility. Two new hips and a replaced knee, after three surgeries in five months. A much-needed reset.

It took a lot of discipline to regain balance and strength, especially the knee which remains stubbornly stiff. The hours of stationary bike rehab and all the squats and lunges have helped, and I feel that I’ll come back stronger than I’d been in years.

My first rides back felt great but exposed where my rehab efforts needed to shift towards different angles and quick twitch type exercises to regain confidence. I’ll continue to develop my fitness routine and increase my balance and agility. Being patient has always been difficult for me, I always seem to want faster pace, more endurance, better technique. I believe there are no shortcuts. Riders must practice for progress.

The trials bike has been a key tool to sharpen skills without much risk or need for miles of trail. It increases rider awareness, balance, and control. I’m looking forward to joining the trials circuit and seeing old friends.

I plan to race a few enduros this season too. The schedule seems to align with some of my favorite venues to ride. Signing up for the series seemed to re-ignite my discipline to cross train.

While I may be fired up to compete, the real joy is spending a day riding with friends riding sweet trails and continually looking for the next new section to ride. Cheers to throttle therapy!