Could tandem mtb save my Trans Bavians?

[NixM]

This is probably just the oxycodon in my system combined with bitter disappointment but yesterday I had a crazy idea.

 

I had a front wheel washout in the mud last weekend which resulted in a fractured radius. The first thought I had after seeing my clearly broken wrist was how could happen 4 weeks before the trans bavians? I am the fittest I have ever been and we have trained so hard for the last 6 months. I cried not from pain but disappointment.

 

My radius now has a titanium plate in it and the cast is coming off in a week.

 

I am very aware of the medical risks of falling again on a 4 week old fracture. I know at 4 weeks there is no way I would be able to hold a handlebar for 230km.

 

Would it be possible to sit on the back of a tandem and hold on with one hand?

 

How difficult is it to get used to riding a tandem?

 

What tandem would be needed to survive the trans bavians?

 

Does anyone have a tandem they are wanting to sell / rent for the weekend of the 12 August?

 

Am I being crazy?

[dave303e]

From what I hear it is not a hugely technical route...

And with than in mind- What I would do( this is not a suggestion merely what I would do)

 

Carry on training on indoor trainer with focus on recovery and nutrition to aid healing of wrist. Wrap handlebar on the injured side in foam to reduce vibration, get hold of a skateboarding or MX wrist brace and go race, race point to point and decide on the fly, stop if it is sore carry on if it is ok, ride within limits especially on the descents and if a fall occurs eat dirt properly and body slam instead of putting hand out.

 

But again this is what I would do(and I am a dumb@ss at the best of times) not a suggestion for you.

 

You can spot someone who has fallen put out an arm and broken a wrist before, roasties on chin, nipples and knees but never another broken wrist...

 

Also I have been beaten in a motorcycle enduro by someone 6 weeks after he broke collarbone and had plate put in.

 

Just understand if you do crash and bend that plate it is going to take twice as long to heal and them removing the bent plate will likely hurt more that breaking it.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Eina, Nix! Not nice! And yes, probably the oxy, but Dave's advice is solid. Though I wouldn't tandem it as then you have the possibility of affecting someone else's race as well. 

 

See how it goes, don't pull out just yet. Wrap the bar properly, wrist brace and take your nutrition seriously so that your recovery is as swift as possible. 

 

Good luck!!! 

 

PS: Your other half needs to step up, now... slave status invoked, eh?

[Long Wheel Base]

Kev Benky rode the Munga with a recently broken wrist. I am not sure how fresh the break was (But I think it was a bit older than your case). He rode with a wrist guard of sorts and had to change choice of bikes.

WRT tandem, Sitting on the back of the tandem would obviously not require the use of the wrist much but when you stand you would still need it. You would definitely have to ride it AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE from ASAP to get used to it. I have done a lot of tandem riding in my life and last year decided to do kremetart with a buddy. We did  one 100 odd km easy ride before and it was fine. BUT then come race day it was a different story, With my normal stoker we stand a lot. with my buddy we didn't stand as much and stage 3 and 4 my backside and lower back where giving me big issues. Luckily the stages are short and rule number 5 is my favorite. So basically if you go tandem then get as many miles as you can in the saddle with the captain.

[NicoBoshoff]

Crazy idea - ask your doctor.

[NicoBoshoff]

I see this more and more and recognise it in myself.

 

People resort to the Hub or other peers for confirmation / approval of what they know deep inside is actually a bad idea.  It's like the negotiation part of mourning.

 

Just as you doctor if it's ok.  Not the Hub.

[NixM]

I am a doctor i know the risks. I want to know if I accept the risk would it be possible to finish.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I am a doctor i know the risks. I want to know if I accept the risk would it be possible to finish.

IMO it'd depend entirely upon the degree of recovery / healing at the point of the race itself, and your ability to overcome any pain and / or discomfort. But then you know that already

[Wannabe]

Crazy idea - ask your doctor.

 

Nix is a Dr. 

 

Edit: Saw she replied already.

[NicoBoshoff]

I am a doctor i know the risks. I want to know if I accept the risk would it be possible to finish.

Fair enough. 

 

Point to consider though is that even on a tandem you're still aiding in balance and steering and I don't know how safe you're going to be one-handing it when the leverage collector comes knocking.  Especially when the one arm doing all the heavy lifting hasn't been trained to do it all.

[NicoBoshoff]

Nix is a Dr. 

 

Edit: Saw she replied already.

Ja, look, that's all good and well. In a strange way it makes me think my point is even more valid, if only as a general observation of the obsessive nature of sports enthusiasts.  You know the risks, which aren't minimal, could have long term consequences for your riding and general functioning, yet it's being debated whether to do it anyways?  

 

It's one thing if you're a pro rider and missing the race means the difference in a paycheck, but it amazes me how often we go ride injured and sick because "Vok, this might be the last time I ever get to ride a bike."  There'll be another race next year vs screw this up and you'll not ride a bike again.

[NixM]

 

 

Point to consider though is that even on a tandem you're still aiding in balance and steering and I don't know how safe you're going to be one-handing it when the leverage collector comes knocking. Especially when the one arm doing all the heavy lifting hasn't been trained to do it all.

 

This is my concern. We have never ridden a tandem before. Now to do it with a broken arm for 230km could be difficult. Also like Myles says if I need yo pull out my partner is also out.

[Odinson]

Is some boring gravel grind really worth risking serious further injury to your wrist? You could decide to enter and take it easy, but still wash out on the first corner and land on your wrist. **** happens. 

 

Ultimately, it's your wrist and no one here has any right to tell you to race or not race. Either way, good luck, Nix. 

[Shebeen]

Nix is a doctor, but I think I know her long enough to realise how stubborn she is too!

 

My suggestion is to keep your fitness on a trainer and adjust to something else. Doing it on a tandem with a wobbly wrist would probably not be nearly as much fun as you imagined, You also sit with the risk of a crash really creating long term issues.

 

There are loads of events and you can always do something that will still make it worthwhile a month or two later.

 

plus, I'm almost 100% certain that transbaviaans will be there in 2018.

[Hairy]

I am a doctor i know the risks. I want to know if I accept the risk would it be possible to finish.

Some of those descents, are not technical, but at the speeds you are moving the vibrations through the bars over time will hurt you.

 

I had a wrist that was messed up before, got to the point where I could not even push a trolley over mild vibrations or I would be in a world of pain.

 

Did a roadie road safety on the back of a tandem, it was fine as I could keep the weight off the bars, but realistically it would not have been a good idea if we had traveled on mild good condition gravel roads.

 

Those river/stream crossing on the TB could also catch you out.

 

Skip the event, ride on a trainer and keep your strength simmering away for the "next big ride" whatever that may be.

[Sepia]

Learning to ride a tandem.

Learning to ride off road on a tandem

Learning to ride a tandem one handed

Learning to ride a tandem with a bust wrist.

 

Tomorrow is another day. 

(My take on the situation)