I have been off the bike since April 28th when I raced the Mooch Madness mtn bike race. I threw out my back real bad and have been trying to nurse it back to health.

Last week on Friday I was in excruciating pain whenever I sat or got up from a chair, not to mention trying to put on socks. Super frustrating as I had some good fitness.

I can't put my finger on a single cause. Basically, on the 28th I found Mooch Madness to be SUPER rocky. LOTS of rock gardens and climbing. It definitely stressed my back, but I didn't think much of it. I had a deep tissue massage that afternoon (a mistake!) and caught a cold which meant I was coughing for the next few days. I had a sore back for a few days but on Wednesday the pain went from dull to sharp. I went to the acupuncturist and chiropractor who usually fix me right up but instead when I woke up Friday I could barely move. Holy Crap. 

Back in 1988 I crushed a vertebrae and have managed chronic back aches for many years, but I haven't felt this level of pain in well over 15 years. I forgot how bad it can get. I know that Bruce, Jim and a few others have had pretty debilitating back pain in the past few years. Respect.

I started feeling a little better every day since Friday. Maybe it was the anti-inflammatory meds, the epsom salt baths, the back exercises/stretches, or the continued acupuncture and chiropractic. It's no longer debilitating, but I am not near 100%. I am hoping to get some easy rides in later this week if it does not make things worse. 

Jim Nelson turned me on to the McKenzie method and the Sarno book. My brother, who has had some recent back issues, turned me on to Goodman's foundation training. I am hoping these exercises help me heal, but maybe it just makes me feel like I am doing something. Ironically I had been hitting the gym and doing yoga weekly this Spring and had better core strength this season than in a long time. Oh well

I am hoping that I am on the mend and will be trying to regain fitness in the next few weeks, but I don't have a clear diagnosis yet as doc was only willing to do an x-ray at this point. Keep your fingers crossed. 

That sounds super frustrating and quite painful. There is always a desire to find a culprit with these things but short of a crash it's maddeningly difficult to pinpoint one thing. It sounds like you're doing all the right things now and trending in the right direction. Hang in there, and be patient. Far, far better to come back at 100% in slightly more time than to press ahead too early and set yourself, back behind.

A good Friend of mine made this Doc on Sarno , probably won't help your back , buts its worth a watch , 
http://alltheragedoc.com/

Oh man, I'm sorry to hear it.  10 months after my disc bulged, I still have "heat" down my left leg and in my foot.  An MRI was able to pinpoint the bulge and swelling nerves.  While exercise helps, core work, staying positive, and resting, I think kudos go to the white blood cells chomping away at unwanted tissue, and that simply takes time.
It was definitely some of the worst pain I've had, causing me to pass out at times because I was hyperventilating.  And it's not the height of the pain, but the fact that it's prolonged, just kind of hangs out like a co-dependent friend, forcing me to focus only on that.
It is possible, of course, to make it worse, and that little voice in your head will tell you what's right and what's not.  But because you are in shape, you're probably feeling it a lot less - believe it or not.
My surgeon said it wasn't enough for surgery, I needed to lose control of my bladder for that, and I thought about pissing myself in his office, but I was wearing my favorite sweatpants. . .  Studies show that after 6 months, those with surgery, and those who simply exercise, are at the same levels of pain and movement, so hang in there.
Whenever I think about being forced off the bike, I always go and look up the race results for Sebaj Adele, who upgraded to Cat 3 this year or last, and is now 62.  Can't race now, you can race next year, or next.
Heal up!
https://legacy.usacycling.org/results/index.php?compid=186677

That really sucks, Patrick. Reminds a bit of my back issues after my crash at NoHo CX, not much to add, fitness will come back once you are able to train again, meanwhile, patience, take good care, and heal up. 

About to go back to freelancing again... and NYC have the crappiest individual health care ever!
Any freelancer here? 
What health insurance you guys have? Oscar seems to be the "cheapest" and pretty much dont cover anything lol 

I barely go to the doc unless I break something anyways... but I hate not having NYU as my hospital again

I can't imagine something that hurts so bad you choose to wet yourself. Thats... impressive.

Kevin Man said:

About to go back to freelancing again... and NYC have the crappiest individual health care ever!
Any freelancer here? 
What health insurance you guys have? Oscar seems to be the "cheapest" and pretty much dont cover anything lol 

I barely go to the doc unless I break something anyways... but I hate not having NYU as my hospital again

I'm a freelancer, but I get insurance through my wife's company.

Have you checked out Freelancers Union?  While I'm skeptical of the organization as a whole, they're a big enough presence that their information might be valuable.

@PatrickGrehan sorry to hear about your back. I'm glad you're going through the right process and you're feeling better. I threw out my back as well, but I don't think it's as severe as yours. I wish I could say that I threw it out training hard, but it appears as though the culprit was my 2 yr old son. We went on a hike in the Poconos and he wanted me to carry him on my shoulders. It's amazing how much little people can hurt adults .

Hi. I injured my knee a few weeks ago while playing basketball. I have done PT and been diligent with stretches and strenghtening. I was able to swim as well. While still feeling a little pain, I hope to resume training next week or the following. So  where do you restart? Do you redo a whole base cycle especially since I still will have to do some strenghtening or can you restart your training where you left it off? Thanks for your advice. 

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good cycling-sensitive PT in Manhattan? I've been having some lower back pain lately (not sure if it's work or bike related) and I'd like to not have said pain anymore.

Remy Forgues said:

Hi. I injured my knee a few weeks ago while playing basketball. I have done PT and been diligent with stretches and strenghtening. I was able to swim as well. While still feeling a little pain, I hope to resume training next week or the following. So  where do you restart? Do you redo a whole base cycle especially since I still will have to do some strenghtening or can you restart your training where you left it off? Thanks for your advice. 

Generally, I start easy riding.  First, indoors for a ride or two, then outdoors, for an hour or so.  I might alternate between hour rides outside and half hour rides inside for the first week. Then all outdoors for the second week, with one or two longer rides at the end where you might ride hard for some of the time.

Once you've ridden two weeks without pain, I'd suggest just picking up where you left off.  

Nathaniel Picard Busky said:

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good cycling-sensitive PT in Manhattan? I've been having some lower back pain lately (not sure if it's work or bike related) and I'd like to not have said pain anymore.

Have you considered just starting core exercises?  Like doing planks?  And then stretching or foam rolling after rides?

The guy who writes coaching stuff for VeloNews recently recommended doing a two-minute plank, plus some time on side planks.  He believes it is good for warding off lower back pain and improving on bike performance.

mugwump said:

Nathaniel Picard Busky said:

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good cycling-sensitive PT in Manhattan? I've been having some lower back pain lately (not sure if it's work or bike related) and I'd like to not have said pain anymore.

Have you considered just starting core exercises?  Like doing planks?  And then stretching or foam rolling after rides?

The guy who writes coaching stuff for VeloNews recently recommended doing a two-minute plank, plus some time on side planks.  He believes it is good for warding off lower back pain and improving on bike performance.

Fortunately/unfortunately I have been doing all of the above and am still dealing with the issues. Hoping that a pro can figure out exactly what's going on and give me better exercises/stretches than the ones I know.

Well here is one new thing to add to the terrors of mass start races...

https://twitter.com/resultsboy/status/1135344929776001026

OMG. NO.

Exactly. Gah!

A few weeks ago I was in  an accident with a yellow taxi! I’ve been hit by a car door before doing a regular commute, but it was nothing like seeing a car come toward you. 
I got hit Turning through a two way intersection. There was a lot of street closures that day due to the aids walk so I had to detour from RSD (riverside drive) to Amsterdam going south east! Luckily, there were a good amount of police officers there to take the report after I got hit. I manage to get up- but my rear wheel was ruined! I was checked on by the officers and the passenger that was in the car but nothing from the cab driver. I’m good today- but very cautious! 

Good grief... glad you're ok @HamedaMckenzie

Glad it wasn't more serious @HamedaMckenzie

Very scary. Glad it's only a bike wheel damaged.

Commuting by bike in NYC is such cluster f&*& and we all are glad that you are doing OK.

Glad to hear you're alright! Be *extra* safe!

Jules said:

Well here is one new thing to add to the terrors of mass start races...

https://twitter.com/resultsboy/status/1135344929776001026

When I first saw this, I thought it was a joke.  Someone photoshopped the images.  But no, it's real.

Here's another pic, taken from Colin's GoPro:

and an article in CyclingWeekly.
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/cyclist-hospitalised-impaled-thru-axel-lever-crash-426085

Thank you everyone 

HamedaMckenzie said:

A few weeks ago I was in  an accident with a yellow taxi! ... I manage to get up- but my rear wheel was ruined! I was checked on by the officers and the passenger that was in the car but nothing from the cab driver. I’m good today- but very cautious! 

Did they pay for your damages?  Cab companies are notorious for trying to skip out on paying damages, but usually pay out once you've proven you're not going away without them responding.

mugwump said:

HamedaMckenzie said:

A few weeks ago I was in  an accident with a yellow taxi! ... I manage to get up- but my rear wheel was ruined! I was checked on by the officers and the passenger that was in the car but nothing from the cab driver. I’m good today- but very cautious! 

Did they pay for your damages?  Cab companies are notorious for trying to skip out on paying damages, but usually pay out once you've proven you're not going away without them responding.

I’m working on that now. 

Saturday was an absolutely stunning day with 56 great miles of riding up over Piermont.  At around mile 52, after crossing back into Manhattan, I took a corner a little hot!  Was just north of NY Presbyterian / Columbia University on 170th where they closed the bike lane on Fort Washington Ave and had a detour.  Took the left turn too fast and didn't see the gravel until too late.  Resulted in 4 stitches on the main gash and some fun road rash.  Thank you to @GregoryDonovan and the rest of the fellas for the support home.  

Warning: Gory pictures below!
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^Post Shower (waiting for a western omelette at the corner bodega)


Hope to yank the stitches out Monday and be back on the bike next week.  Enjoy!

EP

yikes, glad you are on the mend Erik. Also western omelettes make everything better!

I passed that intersection earlier with @Bruce van-Schalkwyk & in my opinion there wasn't enough signage for safe passage for cyclists (nor a flagman to help with lack of signage). 

Something to think about: https://patch.com/new-york/east-village/bike-lanes-construction-sites-will-now-be-safer 

@ErikPfiffner I hope you heal up quickly.