I was having sooo much fun. Two weeks ago camping at Laguna Meadows with friends. Late Saturday easy ride around the meadows before dinner, planning to hit Noble Sunday morning. We were just cruising along, heading back to camp from the Noble junction, and I just couldn't resist adding some adrenaline as the trail wound gradually downhill thru the trees. Clicked off some gears until I was topped out in the middle ring -- pretty damn fast & fun, for me. An S-turn downhill with some rocks & roots, leveled the pedals, floated thru it, and resumed pedaling. Next thing I knew I was slammed hard on the ground. Usually I feel & remember going thru the air in a crash, but not this time. Got the bike off me, got up as my friends rode up, seemed okay except a sore wrist. Even enjoyed the remainder of the ride back and kept some flow going. but the wrist was so swollen and sore next day, no Noble ride.
I knew I should get it x-rayed, but I really couldn't detect any broken bones. Not like when I had a distal radius fracture in the same wrist several years ago! But I finally got it x-rayed two days ago -- scaphoid fractured clear thru, but not displaced. I've got a temp fiberglas splint now; will see the ortho next week for a real cast. I'm getting too old for this sh*t. You break easier and heal slower. But you still have the same craving for fun. Gotta learn to be more judicious in bringin' on the excitement.
Oh yeah, what happened: So I walked back up the trail about 20' and found one lonely embedded rock sticking up about 5" with the top freshly scraped. I had struck my pedal and been pole-vaulted over the high-side. Bruises, chainring punctures, scrapes, and the damn wrist...


Reading the previous scaphoid fracture thread is not encouraging, and neither is the internet info. But hoping I caught it in time and got it immobilized before affecting the healing and blood flow.
So I will be seriously missing the riding, but on the other hand, it's a good opportunity for hiking, visiting friends, reading, drinking a little scotch... my wife thinks a rest will be good for my overall health anyway.
Hope to see you on the local trails. I'll be the guy with a cast walking!

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Thus, if we are to understand the world, we should live somewhere between judgement and amazement — Alfredo Lopez Austin

Aw man, thats a bummer!! I went otb on my dirt bike in a soft corner out in the dez, and put my hands out to break my fall and ended up breaking my scaphoid and bending my wrist back in an abnormal way!!! I fell your pain brother. Dont ignore the physical therapy! Help out the recovery time to get back in the saddle.

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:)>

Damn, one less old guy on the trails (I like company). Hope you heal up quickly and well.

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A bicycle is a splendid thing.
~Ernest Hemingway

That sucks Old Dog! Hopefully this one will heal quick since it's not displaced. I know how you feel having had four broken bones in the last 12 months!

I know exactly how shocking that pedal strike business can be too. I was hammering home on a group ride into the setting sun. It blinded me just enough so I missed a rock just like your attacker. Bam, I was tossed on my side before I even knew anything happened. Luckily, just bruised my ribs, but it was a painful month with no rides.

Heal up!

I fell your pain.

Young mind, old body parts; those that are original and not reconstructed anyway.

Much more cautious than I used to be, which is why I'm thinking I need to learn better technique rather than my customary trial and fall method.

Heal up. Single malt is a great way to pass the down time, and a highly recommended therapeutic (or you just don't have the right orthopod).

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Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy. ~Milan Kundera

heal up good! ( i know better than to say soon with that type of fx)

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http://www.rowdystyle.blogspot.com

"action is the best response to misfortune"

No walking on it and you should be fine!

Heal up quick!

Heal up soon Dan. Good luck!

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I want my Mtb!!!!

sorry to hear that Dan. hope you're feeling better soon!

Dan sorry to hear about that. Enjoy the time off. That scotch sounds like a good idea! See you in a few weeks.

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"We'll ride it until they pave it."

-Big Clyde

Sucks, sorry to hear. I hope your off time passes quickly.

Given the number of wrist injuries, maybe it is time to create some sort of wrist protection?

We have:
- Helmets for our heads
- Pads for our shins, knees, forearms and elbows
- Glasses for our eyes

(For the crazier ones out there)
- EVS type braces for our necks
- Back and spine protectors to keep us walking

Yet one of the more common, sidelining injuries is the broken wrist. Is this the common cold of mountain biking? Easy to diagnose, nearly impossible to avoid?

How many more of us will meet Old Dog's fate? Any ideas besides hiding at home and not riding?

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The world does not revolve around you but your actions impact us all!

Eek. Dan, I'm so sorry! Passing along quick healing vibes in your direction. I also had a pretty hard pedal strike up there last weekend. All sorts of little hidden stickers up there.

Sorry to hear the bad news, brother. Nick(hncreature) biffed last weekend and sustained another concussion (he's good at those) and broken rib. Needless to say, he's out for a while too. Get well!

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Seriously?

healing vibes to you

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~I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.
~Nothing from nothing is nothing.
~I'm allowed to be a pussy because I have one!