Bones or Bicycles?
I have posed this question to several people before and wanted to throw it out there for all of you to consider. As someone with extensive experience in this area I feel as though I am somewhat of an expert on the topic. It’s always interesting for me to hear the responses of why to this simply question, "Which would you rather break - bones or bicycles?"
Now some of you may have your gut knee-jerk response already blurted out, but you should take more time to gather your thoughts. This is not a clear black and white issue, but rather important to look at the big picture of where you are in life. Some will always say "bicycle" because they’re either too vain to see their body mangled, too afraid to suffer the pain, or simply too loaded with cash that buying a new bike doesn’t matter. Others will say "bones" because they cannot imagine suffering a broken bike, or they have health insurance that covers all medical expenses but not money for a new bike, or maybe, just maybe deep down they love suffering physical pain.
Really, there’s a plethora of reasons and combinations thereof as to why we would choose one or the other at any given time. Just realize that circumstances surrounding you prior to one or the other happening will impact your ability to "enjoy" or "suffer" the fate even more. In other words, you must set yourselves up for success!
As for me, well, I have been down the road of all four of these options. Sadly, what's worse is that I’ve broken more bones than bicycles. I have even suffered the worst fate imaginable in one accident as I had multiple broken bones and a broken bicycle! I have experience dealing with not only orthopedic surgeons but also plastic surgeons, and then of course there are insurance settlement adjusters as well as medical center lawyers. Rack up a $70,000 bill and the phone does not stop ringing!
Spring 2008 marks the 10th year of calling myself a cyclist. The first four years went by without a hitch, but these last six years I have paid the price. My list includes five total broken bones and four broken bicycles. The bones include an open fracture tibula and fibula, a broken clavicle and two broken elbows. There’s a good chance that’s worth at least five to eight years less time on this Earth! I have broken two Cannondale and two Look bicycles. In fact this Spring marks the beginning of a new frame for me. This year I decided to go with a Scott Speedster aluminum frame loaded with Dura Ace. This bad boy has to get me through at least two years, but my current bone structure has to last a lifetime!
Below I have weighed the pros and cons of each option. I am sure I have left off some worthy mentions, but these are what jump out to me after my experiences…..
Bones – Pros
Great, my bike is not broken!
Time to rest up, and usually means you should eat more for recovery
Bones usually heal up nicely, supposedly stronger
If you have health insurance then out of pocket costs are low
Downtime allows you to finish to-do list, but depending on bones you broke
Allows family, friends and strangers to pamper you, ie stronger relationships
You have a great story to tell
Can always get a copy of the x-ray for special framing
Bones – Cons
Broken bones are painful!
Missed training and missed racing
Could require surgery and hospital time
Sometimes requires missed work and loss of income
May mean crutches, wheelchair, casts
Ugly scars and bodily disfigurements for life
Bones can take 6 weeks to 6 months to heal
No health insurance can be costly. Ouch!
Sleeping at night is difficult and usually on your back
Completing simple chores or tasks are difficult or impossible
Mental anguish suffered can be worse than bone pain
If you have no special caregivers, ouch again!
Bicycles – Pros
Great, no broken bones!
Sweet, I get to get a new bike!
Again, another great story to tell
Some parts may be still be usable on new bike
Bike manufacturer may have crash replacement deal
Replacement bike comes quickly, so downtime is minimal (hence need for 2 bikes!)
Let’s face it, there are very few positives to breaking your bike.
Bicycles – Cons
Damn, my bike is broke!
Uh oh, I cannot afford a new bike.
Likely means missed training or racing
Have to get refit and setup on a new bike
The only pampering received is from the bicycle sales person
Replacement cost is high, unless insurance settlement is involved
Mental anguish of seeing your bike broken and missing riding is too much to bear
At the end of it all it’s important to note that bones heal and bicycles can be replaced. What’s most important is that you’re healthy and do not suffer any serious or permanent injuries. Cycling is a dangerous leisure activity and even more so for serious racers, but we all love it too much to set it aside over the potential anguish it may bring us. Ride on!
So I am curious, which would you choose and why?
Now some of you may have your gut knee-jerk response already blurted out, but you should take more time to gather your thoughts. This is not a clear black and white issue, but rather important to look at the big picture of where you are in life. Some will always say "bicycle" because they’re either too vain to see their body mangled, too afraid to suffer the pain, or simply too loaded with cash that buying a new bike doesn’t matter. Others will say "bones" because they cannot imagine suffering a broken bike, or they have health insurance that covers all medical expenses but not money for a new bike, or maybe, just maybe deep down they love suffering physical pain.
Really, there’s a plethora of reasons and combinations thereof as to why we would choose one or the other at any given time. Just realize that circumstances surrounding you prior to one or the other happening will impact your ability to "enjoy" or "suffer" the fate even more. In other words, you must set yourselves up for success!
As for me, well, I have been down the road of all four of these options. Sadly, what's worse is that I’ve broken more bones than bicycles. I have even suffered the worst fate imaginable in one accident as I had multiple broken bones and a broken bicycle! I have experience dealing with not only orthopedic surgeons but also plastic surgeons, and then of course there are insurance settlement adjusters as well as medical center lawyers. Rack up a $70,000 bill and the phone does not stop ringing!
Spring 2008 marks the 10th year of calling myself a cyclist. The first four years went by without a hitch, but these last six years I have paid the price. My list includes five total broken bones and four broken bicycles. The bones include an open fracture tibula and fibula, a broken clavicle and two broken elbows. There’s a good chance that’s worth at least five to eight years less time on this Earth! I have broken two Cannondale and two Look bicycles. In fact this Spring marks the beginning of a new frame for me. This year I decided to go with a Scott Speedster aluminum frame loaded with Dura Ace. This bad boy has to get me through at least two years, but my current bone structure has to last a lifetime!
Below I have weighed the pros and cons of each option. I am sure I have left off some worthy mentions, but these are what jump out to me after my experiences…..
Bones – Pros
Great, my bike is not broken!
Time to rest up, and usually means you should eat more for recovery
Bones usually heal up nicely, supposedly stronger
If you have health insurance then out of pocket costs are low
Downtime allows you to finish to-do list, but depending on bones you broke
Allows family, friends and strangers to pamper you, ie stronger relationships
You have a great story to tell
Can always get a copy of the x-ray for special framing
Bones – Cons
Broken bones are painful!
Missed training and missed racing
Could require surgery and hospital time
Sometimes requires missed work and loss of income
May mean crutches, wheelchair, casts
Ugly scars and bodily disfigurements for life
Bones can take 6 weeks to 6 months to heal
No health insurance can be costly. Ouch!
Sleeping at night is difficult and usually on your back
Completing simple chores or tasks are difficult or impossible
Mental anguish suffered can be worse than bone pain
If you have no special caregivers, ouch again!
Bicycles – Pros
Great, no broken bones!
Sweet, I get to get a new bike!
Again, another great story to tell
Some parts may be still be usable on new bike
Bike manufacturer may have crash replacement deal
Replacement bike comes quickly, so downtime is minimal (hence need for 2 bikes!)
Let’s face it, there are very few positives to breaking your bike.
Bicycles – Cons
Damn, my bike is broke!
Uh oh, I cannot afford a new bike.
Likely means missed training or racing
Have to get refit and setup on a new bike
The only pampering received is from the bicycle sales person
Replacement cost is high, unless insurance settlement is involved
Mental anguish of seeing your bike broken and missing riding is too much to bear
At the end of it all it’s important to note that bones heal and bicycles can be replaced. What’s most important is that you’re healthy and do not suffer any serious or permanent injuries. Cycling is a dangerous leisure activity and even more so for serious racers, but we all love it too much to set it aside over the potential anguish it may bring us. Ride on!
So I am curious, which would you choose and why?
posted by NashvilleCyclist.com at 4/11/2008 12:48:00 AM
7 Comments:
Interesting post, but really, what more is there to say on this subject? You've pretty much covered it all.
Having never broken a bone (knock on wood) but two bikes I am going to go with bones for now. Its the health insurance...nobody (insurance or manufactuer)stepped up to replace my cracked frame last year or the one I drove into my garage a few years back.
Well, I have to say bones are more important!!!!
I have seen the Cumberland Cycling team riding without helmets and this provides not a very professional image and doesn`t show responsibility
I'd like to know when and where you saw the helmetless CT riders. I'm on the team and can't imagine anyone of my teammates doing that. It could be you saw someone wearing a CT jersey they bought in the store.
cumberland university or cumberland transit?
It would be helpful to know which team you're talking about, and it would be nice to be provided more specifics to that team's leadership. Randomly saying you saw someone not wearing a helmet isn't as constructive as providing every detail possible, ie name/place/date.
Either way, you are right, not wearing a helmet is irresponsible and sends a bad image that's not representative of the team they ride for. This is one no-no when ratting someone out is actually ok.
i know a couple of people who need a life
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