firecracker22

Sponsoring Member
Oct 23, 2000
3,213
0
Well, I did it again. I can’t believe it. I just want to sit down and cry.

So much for being “back in the saddle.” Apparently I cannot seem to get on the bike without injuring myself. I didn’t burn half a tank before I looped out. It wasn’t a bad crash and I didn’t land hard . . . but I did land on my left leg and my knee popped and folded under me. So now I’m out for another couple months. I am really, really frustrated and disappointed. I felt great riding and my knee didn’t bother me at all . . . until I landed on it. The new bars and shock spring worked great.

It wasn’t a bad crash and it wasn’t a gnarly trail . . . wide enough for a jeep and just full of rocks. Kinda rough but not as technical as some other stuff I’ve done. We were halfway up the mountain and poor HondaXRguy had to hike down the trail, stash my bike in the weeds, ride me down on his bike, and take my truck back up to get the bike. There was no way I could stand much less ride. It was a long day. At least I got some riding in before I crashed.

It might be worse than before. The pain certainly was. It swelled more and I had to keep snacks and water beside my bed so I could take more ibuprofen at night when I woke up since I couldn’t even sleep from the pain. It hurts clear down into my foot. I can hobble around ok now though it is still quite sore. I have been, once again, borrowing a vehicle with an automatic tranny from Steve so I can drive to work. I get to drive a lifted Chevy ( :think ) shortbox pickup.

So here’s a big thank-you to HondaXRguy and MXP1mp for their help and patience. Thanks, guys.

I’ll know tomorrow what the doc says about my knee. I doubt I’ll be riding any time soon. :(
 

XRpredator

AssClown SuperPowers
Damn Yankees
Aug 2, 2000
13,504
19
Well, that just plain sucks.:(

I feel for you. Get that man to dote on you during your downtime, now!;)

Maybe a switch back to the more controllable power of a 4-stroke is in order? :p
 

firecracker22

Sponsoring Member
Oct 23, 2000
3,213
0
Originally posted by XRpredator
Maybe a switch back to the more controllable power of a 4-stroke is in order? :p

Now you sound like my boss! I am more determined than ever to master this stupid machine. I WILL learn how to ride. I just want to scream though—it feels like I’m destined not to ride. I have never wanted anything more than I want to be a good rider and I just can’t seem to make any progress.

Fourstrokes. Bah, humbug. I can’t give in and let everyone say “I told you so!”

Steve was wonderful. He made breakfast for me and went out to start the truck for me. He is installing a stereo in my truck in the meantime. He has been so sweet.
 

smb_racing

Master of None
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Jul 31, 2000
2,082
0
well that's just terrible, have you looked into knee braces perhaps? get well soon.
 

Girlrider

Member
Sep 1, 2000
313
0
Firecracker,

You can be a good rider but you have to remember that it will take time. Patience is a virtue and you might just be rushing things. A 4-stroke is not the answer especially now because they are making them with so much power. Learning technique is of most importance. Once you master that then you begin to add speed. Also remember that every great rider has and will continue to suffer injuries. It is just part of the game. Like the old saying, "you are either a motorcycle rider who has had a broken collarbone or who is just waiting until he breaks it." Mine was this year so maybe that is done. My hero just tore her ACL at 41 riding. It just happens. Take time to really heal, then take time to learn so things before you go full-throttle.

Don't give in!

Nicole
 

firecracker22

Sponsoring Member
Oct 23, 2000
3,213
0
I was wearing knee braces when I crashed. I don’t know if it’s time to spend more on braces or if my knee is so bad that it really doesn’t matter. I will ask my doc and see what my insurance can do for me tomorrow.

It’s just so depressing! I can’t stop crashing until I get better, and I can’t get better if I can’t ride, and I can’t ride if I keep crashing! There are a ton of events I wanted to do this fall and now I can’t. I am in pain like I haven’t experienced before. The 6 weeks I just spent off the bike was bad enough and now I’ll have to do it again. I can’t seem to make any progress.
 
Last edited:

XRpredator

AssClown SuperPowers
Damn Yankees
Aug 2, 2000
13,504
19
Originally posted by firecracker22
. . . I can’t stop crashing until I get better, and I can’t get better if I can’t ride, and I can’t ride if I keep crashing!
Ah, the vicious cycle of a dirt biker's life . . .:(

I wouldn't say "I told you so" if you came back to the good side of the Force ;) But then, I'm not your boss. They do say that 4-strokes are all they do, though, because they figure that's all we'll have before long.

I hope this doesn't keep you from coming over late October. The doc will probably give you a sheet of exercises and tell you (like they told me) "Start these yesterday!"
 

CNM

Sponsoring Member
Dec 28, 1999
359
0
Oh man, sorry to hear that. I hope you feel better soon. Let us know what the doc says. Best wishes!
 

BikeDstroyer

Member
Jun 30, 2001
164
0
Well that just plain SUCKS!!

What kind of knee brace were you wearing? I hope you and Steve will still come out to the WORCS race in Roseburg, OR even if you don't get to ride.

Take it easy.
 

firecracker22

Sponsoring Member
Oct 23, 2000
3,213
0
I have the EVS RS-6 braces. I bought one when I bought my new bike, before I knew much about the Asterisk, and then was able to buy a second one for very, very cheap. If I hadn’t already had the one, I may have purchased the Asterisk but it wasn’t financially intelligent. I will check with my doctor to see if she recommends any one kind of brace, or if at this point a brace would help at all. I didn’t really land hard but it just caved in under me and I couldn’t even get up without help. We’ll also see if my insurance would help out at all.

I think we are still planning on going, so I’ll see you there!
 

Hondaxrguy

Member
May 17, 2001
573
0
Ice that knee and let us all know what the doc says. It was probably just too early to be out on that kinda terrain. It's not very forgiving. You made it up more than half way, you were literally only 15-20 ft from the top. Don't kid yourself. That stuff wasn't the least bit easy. Talk to ya soon I hope.

Jeremy
 

KiwiBird

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Jan 30, 2000
2,385
0
Sorry to hear the news Firecracker. I have hurt myself very seriously on a few occassions and have experienced firsthand the depression/frustration you are experiencing. It took me 6 months to recover from my ACL/MCL knee injury and I was pretty scared when I did ride again.

My advice, FWIW, is to buy the good braces, get your knee checked and do physical therapy (insist on it!) until the knee feels strong(er) again. Ride easy trails when you return until your confidence is back up.

Remember how long you will be riding in your life - I have been riding for 27 years and have had a total of 2 years off in that time due to injuries (not all dirt bikes). The longest I was off was for a knee injury, even my broken hip was only for 14 weeks. I want to ride for another 40 years or until I die, whichever comes first.

I know it is NOW,NOW,NOW that concerns you but think of how many more years you have, take a deep breath and try to rationalize the long term pleasure even if at the expense of the right now.

Keep your chin up

Kiwi
 

yzguy15

Sprayin tha game
N. Texas SP
Oct 27, 2000
1,271
0
I'd recommend throwing something. It seems to help when I get pissed off. The last time I got mad I ended up with an indention in my wall from throwing fingernaill clippers (first thing I saw). However, I wouldn't recommend throwing something that's valuable, like a computer monitor for instance, and make sure you do it in an unobvious place. ;)

Anyways, I know what you mean. Crashing truly does suck, especially when you get hurt. You will get better and you won't always crash. Just keep your head up.
 

MACE

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Nov 13, 1999
441
0
Don't feck around with cheap braces. Get CTi2s.

Give Susan a call. You remind me of how she used to be (and she uses CTi2s). I think she would be a good mentor. She works out rigorously and has cut her injuries to nil. She has really made up for average talent and below average physical strength through desire, dedication and execution.

Let it heal completely - if it will heal completely. The goal is to ride until you're sixty. If you don't let it heal it will get chronically bad and you'll have to ride a quad!.

Demand a rigorous rehab program and work your butt off. I had a knee injury that was treated by the college football team doctors and have no lasting effects because I worked it hard. I have a crippled ankle because I had a lazy doctor and didn't have the fortitude to demand he set me up with a proper program. Don't be a sissy wimp.

See you on the trail next spring, Toots!
 

bbbom

~SPONSOR~
Aug 13, 1999
2,092
0
Sorry to hear about the repeat injury FC22!

Maybe you need to stick to the east side trails, we don't beat you up over here!

Like KiwiTweety & MACE said, Toots (I like that one ;)) take the time to build your physical strength. That is your best protection and also will help your riding. Trust me, I wouldn't be out on my bike if I didn't take working out seriously. In any sport, the stronger you are, the less the chance of injury and it is easier to work on technique and skills when you aren't getting tired. Besides, it's fun to hear the youngsters marvel at your buffness!
:cool:
 

dirtbikedad

Member
Mar 24, 2001
110
0
Sorry about the knee, I know almost exactly how you feel. I broke my should Labor Day so I'm "Sidelined" as well.

I guess we won't see eachother at the 1st Annual Idaho Extreme ride this weekend. Maybe another time.

Good luck with recovery.

Jerry
 

OnAnySunday

Big Pig
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Nov 20, 2000
997
3
lost in the deserts of NM
Firecracker, sorry to hear about your crash.

When you recover, maybe you should consider some trials experience.
No, i'm not trying to be a wise guy. :think
But it sounds like you are trying to go too fast too soon.
Riding trials will help you with controlling the bike.
<jedi master voice on>
You must learn controll first young grasshopper. the power of the force will then flow though you. feel the force. be one with the force.
THEN let it RIP!!!
<jedi master voice off>

Hope you get well soon. :)
 

firecracker22

Sponsoring Member
Oct 23, 2000
3,213
0
Thank you all. I am very disappointed in myself. I try so hard and I was really concentrating that day on my position and having some success, due perhaps to the narrower bars and softer shock spring. I was trying really hard to stay loose on the bike and keep the front end light over the rocks but it just got away from me. I was tired and should have rested. My own fault.

I just got back from my doc, a general practicioner, who took some xrays and referred me to an ortho specialist. So no news for sure; all she said was that my patella was moved over (?) and there was so much fluid they may have to drain it. She didn’t think it would require surgery but that’s for the ortho to decide. Either way, I still don’t know anything for sure.
 

BikeDstroyer

Member
Jun 30, 2001
164
0
Hope everything comes out alright. Don't be so hard on yourself. Let us know what the ortho says.

P.S. don't try so hard....just have fun when you are able to get back on the bike.
 

txvintage

Sponsoring Member
Apr 20, 2001
661
0
As weird as it may sound, you will feel like a new person after getting it drained. Just don't watch and think happy fun thoughts while they do it. You will especially like it if they inject it afterwards. I have it done a couple of times a year at least, and the before and after comparison is dramatic.

Here's hoping they don't have to go in, it's not much fun. On the other hand, everyone who is saying to strengthen the joint is dead on.

Good luck and don't give in!
 

Fe_princess

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Sep 7, 2001
519
0
bad knee, bad

Hey Firecracker, so sorry to hear that news. Hopefully your ortho will have some, at least, good news. Thoughts of a quick recovery, denise
 

Tree

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Aug 26, 2000
547
0
Sorry to hear about your crash and injury. Hopefully it seems worse than it is. If it is just fluid on your knee you wont be out very long. Back in my football playing days I recieved a blow to my knee and it instantly swelled up really bad. It was painful and hard to move. After a few days of trying to reduce the swelling with just ice theropy the team doctor decided to drain it and I felt immediate relief. The motion started to come back and I even ended up playing the next week. As long as you don't have any ligament damage you should be back to riding sooner than you think. Keep us informed on what the ortho says. I hope its good news.
 

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