On September 14th, everything changed.
One moment I was out on the road doing something I loved; the next, I was dealing with injuries, restrictions, fear, and the uncertainty that comes with recovering from a cycling accident. Like many riders, I had relied on outdoor miles for stress relief, fitness, and a sense of identity. Losing that – even temporarily – felt overwhelming.
What surprised me most, though, was the role Zwift would play in helping me rebuild my strength, confidence, and routine.
Returning to the Bike — Carefully
Riding in Erg mode to manage intensity
In the early weeks after the accident, I wasn’t sure when I’d be allowed to ride again. Once my physician and physical therapist gave the green light to begin low-intensity training, I knew the safest place to start wasn’t on the roads – it was inside, with Zwift.
For my rehab team, the controlled environment was a major advantage. No balance hazards. No traffic. No sudden braking. No risk of hitting a pothole (unless you count the ones on Cobbled Climbs). It gave me a platform where the only variable was my own power output.
Zwift allowed me to:
- Keep a strictly aerobic, low-wattage range when required
- Incrementally build time in the saddle
- Track changes in power and endurance with precision
- Manage intensity using Erg mode and structured workouts
- Ride consistently without worrying about weather or terrain
That stability gave me the reassurance I needed to focus on healing instead of what-ifs.
From Short Spins to Stronger Efforts
At first, my rides were short – 20 to 30 minutes – focused entirely on light spinning (well, I’m still a masher) and loosening up. Riding every day was actually encouraged because the intensity was so low. Zwift became part of my daily rehab routine: part workout, part meditation, part rebuilding.
As I progressed, my physio gradually expanded the plan:
- Longer rides: first 45 minutes, eventually pushing toward an hour
- Higher-intensity short rides: allowing me to test cadence, control, and targeted power
- Reintroducing efforts: like a 30-minute ride averaging 2.7 w/kg, which felt like a breakthrough. I chose Scotland After Party for this as it allowed me to do efforts.
Seeing those numbers come back on the screen helped me trust my body again. Zwift’s data gave me objective proof that I wasn’t as limited as I feared.
No Restrictions — and What That Meant Mentally
At my follow-up appointment, my ortho told me something I had been hoping for: no restrictions. The words sat with me. They felt liberating, exciting, and – if I’m honest – a little intimidating. I was a little nervous about trusting my body after multiple injuries, but I was also ready to put in the work and regain my fitness.
Zwift made the transition manageable. Instead of jumping into long outdoor rides, which were off limits, I used the platform to:
- Test my endurance safely
- Slowly increase total weekly volume by 10-15%
- Rebuild my muscular resilience
- Reintroduce climbs, sprints, and threshold intervals
- Regain confidence before facing real-world variables
Zwift gave me a structured, safe progression that matched exactly where my recovery was.
The Emotional Side of Virtual Riding During Rehab
The physical side of recovery is one thing. But the emotional storm after a crash is its own challenge. Fear. Frustration. Loss of routine. Losing fitness. Even questioning whether you’ll ever feel like “you” on the bike again.
Zwift helped bridge that gap, and with each ride, I felt more confident in my abilities.
There’s something uniquely healing about moving your legs in a familiar cadence, even if the scenery is virtual. The digital rides, the community chat, the route badges, the gamified accomplishments – they gave me small wins every day. And small wins are exactly what you need when the big picture feels uncertain.
Looking Ahead — Stronger Than Before
Before the accident, my FTP was 254. Watching myself gradually push pace and duration on Zwift has helped me feel not only like I’m returning to that level, but that I might come back even stronger. I’m back to leading my rides with Team Giant, and I led my first post-accident 100k!
I’ve learned that rehabilitation isn’t just about regaining fitness; it’s about rebuilding confidence and reconnecting with the joy of movement. Zwift gave me a way to stay consistent, stay safe, and stay motivated when I needed it most.
If there’s one thing I’d share with any athlete rehabbing after injury, it’s this: Zwift meets you exactly where you are—and helps you get where you want to go.
What About You?
Got a rehab story where Zwift played a role? Got questions? Share below!
I completely agree with your article, I was knocked off 20th August, fractured skull and nose, after a couple of weeks I jumped on Zwift, it gave me the motivation I needed to return to cycling, I found banded group rides good, I was someone who wasn’t keen on Zwift when it was free, I have just claimed level 100, I have made the decision not to return to outdoor riding until spring 2026, Zwift should suffice until then.
Oh my gosh! Im glad you were able to start riding again; movement helps so much toward rehabilitation! Congratulations on level 100! I plan on riding outside in the spring as well, just watch out for those motorists!
The crash and resurrection story of a 66-year-old bikeaholic: On 10 July 2016, I was hit by a car from behind while riding my road bike. I woke up from a coma after five days. During surgery, my almost completely severed tongue and half-severed upper lip were successfully reattached so well that today there is almost no sign of the injury. After waking up, I quickly realised that, as a heavy smoker, I had been given a free pass to quit, and at the same time decided to give up any alcohol as well. After being discharged from the hospital, I underwent several months of careful rehabilitation training on my indoor bike, then slowly worked my way up to cycling in the wild. After about a year, I regained full confidence in the sport on the road, in the mountains and in the forest. In the meantime, I lost almost 20 kilos and improved my FTP to 328 watts at a weight of 81 kg and a height of 198 cm.
I’m amazed at how many people have been hit, undergo rehabilitation, and get back out there! Kudos to you for sticking with it everything and improving yourself in the process!
Your story and these comments make me grateful that I am happy doing Zwift only for exercise and not needing to go outside! I’ve heard far too many horror stories of bike crashes, and my rollerblade crash a few years back that hospitalized me for two weeks taught me that taking physical risks is not really worth it. I can still race and have just as much fun on Zwift! Though it costs a fortune haha.
Getting hit by a car was definitely no fun….0 stars, do not recommend! 😅 I would still like to ride outside as crazy as that sounds, but I totally understand why people abstain from doing so. Miles are miles, indoor or outdoor.
I crashed in 2017 when an SUV pulled out in front of me. Wacked my head, broke a finger and had unstable fractures in 3 vertebrae. I couldn’t walk without a cane but my first ride on Zwift was within 2 months of the accident. It has been 8 years, I walk just fine but I am still trying to regain the leg strength that I have lost. It is coming back, but very slowly. I have been out on the road twice since the accident and the thought of riding outdoors makes me ill. I doubt I will ever ride outdoors again. Zwift has been a lifeline.
I’m so sorry this happened to you, and I’m sure you’ll only continue to improve. Zwift is amazing for sure!
I was hit in July 2023 while doing a bicycle grocery errand and that broke my tibial plateau at the knee. Once cleared, I hopped onto my KICKR BIKE pogoing off of the crutches and pedaled on Zwift at half my FTP or less using one leg to spin out my swollen knee, which I couldn’t push with at all. It helped me recover my tibia very well. I can’t say the same about everything else, though – I’m glad that I can ride and walk again.
Oh gosh! I’m glad you recovered and you can ride and walk again! I still have effusion on my left knee, but being active helps it. I know we’re all thankful that we can move and push ourselves!
I’m glad you’re recovering well, as well. I have titanium in my tibia and am missing part of my meniscus, but those pedals still rotate. I loved riding with you on the Giant rides on the off chance I was inside then. I’m glad to see you back.
When I heard about your incident, my heart sank. You’ve been there for a lot of Zwifters, and we’re happy to be there for you.
The community helps the recovery!
Glad those pedals are still rotating! I think I remember you joining the Giant rides; join anytime you want! I try to be positive in the community if I can; there’s so much negativity in the world nowadays! And the community definitely helps with the recovery, especially speaking with others that have gone through similar experiences.
Whitney! So happy to see you share your story here. I saw your post the day you were struck by a car and my heart sank. We often become somewhat jaded by our daily routine and can lose sight of how wonderful it is just to be able to *have* a daily routine.
Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for your persistence. Thank you for reminding us to be thankful for what we get to do on a regular basis. All the best for your continued return to full strength 🤜🏻🤛🏻
Tris, it’s true we can become jaded but our routines for sure! Ironically, I was feeling plateaued (and actually complained about it) when I had my accident. I’m so thankful I’m able to have that routine again, as I know many others are as well. I remember my husband telling me “Well, you now have a new challenge; get yourself back in shape again!” 😅 I hope this helps others that might be struggling to get back on the bike.
Whitney,
Thanks for sharing your story! So sorry you were in a position to tell it (I wish you were not injured).
As a coach, one thing I’ve noticed about training for injury recovery or coming back from a health crisis is that athletes tend to stigmatize themselves with negative self-image when training outdoors/in the public eye. They don’t give themselves grace to ‘come back’ when other folx are watching IRL. As you mention, do you ever feel like ‘you’ again?
Zwift provides a unique space for folx to train while in recovery and doing therapy, as their mobility reduction is not on ‘display’ as it would be in real life. The incremental gains and badges mentioned are part of the wins, but the ability to recover or come back without being judged for being injured or health-compromised is critical to maintaining the positive outlook needed to get back to being ‘you’. Additionally, any accommodations you need to be on the bike are possible, along with ensuring the route options are not limited in any way (i.e., I have a friend who is recovering from shoulder surgery, who rigged up a harness on a pull-up rack to support her as she rides indoors; that can’t be done outside). You just need time at your prescribed pace to achieve your recovery.
Athletes, whether injured or health-compromised, are athletes. They have the heart/drive to get back to being themselves, but they need a space to work those increments in, encouragement, and still stay tied to the community without their current abilities being disregarded. Whether you were a national star or a weekend warrior on the return to full strength or just recovering fitness, Zwift provides that space.
It is vital that coaches and athletes both see the benefits in the platform and utilize it as Whitney has. When medical guidance, a background in training, and Zwift are combined, it is fun and therapeutic; there are not many times you can put those two words together.
I would love to see another article covering Whitney’s approach to sleep and recovery while training to return from an injury or health crisis.
Thanks for commenting, and I’m lucky to be able to tell it, so I don’t mind sharing my story. My trauma doctor had told me my type of accident kills 9 out of 10 cyclists (head on collision). It’s hard coming back from injuries, and it’s so nice to see others sharing similar experiences. I work cohesively with my physio, my doctor, and my behavioral therapist. And yes, it’s hard to feel like “you” again. Trauma affects the neurobiology of the brain; it will always be there, but there are things we can do that help. I, like many others on here, am very grateful for Zwift and its ability to help support rehabilitation.
Thanks for sharing your story. I’ve been Zwifing since 2016 – just after Watopia opened. Great for Colorado winters and days when life just did not allow a productive outside ride. In 2022 after breaking my femur in a slow speed fall, I was laid up for a few weeks. As anyone recovering from a leg injury, knee replacement etc will tell you, we remember that first pedal revolution. Wow, what an accomplishment! 🙂 Unlike the old days on a static trainer staring at the wall, we now have a great and fun world in Zwift! Like you, I eventually worked up to the point where I could go outside. Now I’m back to my regular riding routine of 60/40 outdoor/indoor year around.
I hate you had an injury but glad you healed from it. Our winters are cold, though we don’t get much snow anymore, but with short days, it makes it hard to ride outside. I’m looking forward to getting outside again as crazy as that sounds. And yes, that first pedal stroke feels great! We joined Zwift in 2020 and fell in love with it! Been hooked, and thankful, since!
Amazing story and thank you for sharing so eloquently! I was sideswiped from behind spring of 2025 and luckily only walked away with an injured rotator cuff and some cuts/bruises. Zwift has been huge with keeping me fit while I couldn’t trust my shoulder for real-world bike handling, and just like you, having an easy and in-home option to ride and keep fit.
So great that you healed up! My accident was this year as well; I got lucky my fractures didn’t need surgery, though I’m now waiting on teeth implants. Like you, I’m happy getting my winter miles on Zwift where I know I won’t be susceptible to re-injury if I were outside.
Modern turbo trainers and apps have completely transformed indoor riding over the last ~10 years.
I wish they had been around and/or I’d been aware of them in 2014 after my RTA, heck I was oblivious to Strava until late 2016 and didn’t do much riding at all for almost three years!😱
But I got my first Turbo around Xmas ’17 and it was great for winter training, when the weather was lousy, or I was time limited.
Then my second turbo became my cycling lifeline all year round after long covid hit my fitness, stamina and general health for six.
Grabbing an ebike bargain this year enabled me to get back out into the lanes/hills I used to love riding, with some wonderful motor help, until autumnal weather eventually turned up.
Just as I was settling in to my old routine of autumn/winter on the turbo, the second one broke and I’m now on my third unit.
May your journey to cycling fitness recovery continue both on the turbo and outdoors when you’re ready.
Yeah, the trainers have totally transformed indoor riding for sure. I’m trying to convert a few friends but they’re still in the mindset of how the older trainers, aka spin bikes, were. I know they’d love it if they gave it a chance.
Thank you for sharing your story. I enjoy the chat during ‘just for fun’ group rides, new jerseys, new challenges, and lots of forum buzz. Maybe Zwift can get a group ride together for you, so we can all ride together. Or if you pick an event or Fondo where we all can join.
I remember Monica (wife or Eric) Schlange getting a ride together to the top of the radio tower a few years ago. She made it and lots of us joined in and gathered at the top for a few photos. It was great fun helping her reach her goal.
I do love the new routes, challenges, group rides, etc. That’s what makes Zwift so fun; always something to do! No need for the group ride though, but I appreciate the offer! I’m back to leading my rides with Team Giant, and I’m looking forward to racing again now that I feel I can do it. It’s definitely been an ordeal, but trying to turn a negative into a positive.
Thank you for sharing your story and glad to hear you are on the path to recovery!
I ‘dusted’ my wrist in a gravel race a few years ago. Between two surgeries that left me with a partially fused joint, I spent about 9 months mostly unable to ride outdoors. Losing fitness was one thing, but I wasn’t prepared for the loss of one of my main social activities. Zwift gave me a way to connect while also filling my needs for movement and competition. I was on the trainer (in aero bars per doctor’s orders) within a few days of the surgeries. Not sure how I would have coped without Zwift and Discord.
One key for me was to get my basement pain cave optimized—I setup a sprayer hose to go with a ratcheting bottle cage next to the sink so I could easily fill and clean bottles. Got everything I could on smart plugs and automation. I was glad to have wireless shifting on my bike so I could put a set up blips on my extension to shift one handed. I even learned a cool party trick of swapping out cassettes one handed.
I can totally understand with the wrist injury. My ulnar styloid was fractured, and when I started back riding I had to wear my brace. I’m hope you’re doing better now! It’s amazing how quickly we adapt when injured!
It takes time whether it is because of an incident like yours or dealing with the aftermath of being sick. You’re right that Zwift can help you return to a sense of normalcy and get you back to where you once were or at least to closer to it.
This is so true! I figured it’ll take around a year to feel normal again; getting my teeth implants, no more swelling around injured sites, etc.
I enjoyed that read. Nice work indeed and great to see you back on it.
Aww thanks! I’m glad to be back it as well….and grateful!
I was knocked off my Brompton in Feb-19. Dislocated shoulder, broken humerus, and some nerve damage that I’ve never fully healed from. I had a rotator cuff repair and two nerve decompression surgeries.
I was signed up to do Etape du Tour that year, which was only 5 weeks after nerve surgery 1. Without Zwift, I don’t think I’d have made it round. The first sessions post rotator cuff repair were in a sling and massively awkward. In later sessions I had to physically place my left hand on the bars as I couldn’t move my arm far enough by itself! It’s safe to say my surgeon wasn’t 100% happy with me doing the Etape, but we agreed that I was a grown up and it was my own decision. He then signed the medical certificate!
Zwift is worth every penny in those situations. I got out onto closed circuits as soon as I had a bit of strength on my arm, and then back onto the road when I felt ready. It was those hours and hours of turbo trainer work that got me through the mountains though.
Shoulders and knees are the most complicated joints in the human body. Nerve damage takes a long time to go away, and sometimes it still lingers. It’s awesome that Zwift got you through those tough times and you were able to accomplish your goal!
Well my story goes back to 2/87 my friend and mentor was hit and killed 3 weeks before his race at IMNZ , I took his place did the race with 3 weeks prep and brought back finishing medal back to his family and began riding indoors . Another friend hit and killed in 2011 , both here in Florida . 1 month ago a female pro triathlete serious hit . And had close calls in 2022 at IMFL and 2023 local sprint triathlons, 2024 local sprint duathlons . And had seen enough
Now since 12/23 , year 2 on Zwift 500+ races later , level 100 in 18 months , ranked top 20 60+ and top 100 in the world and new journey , new path . Will ride few times per month , but on bike trail to just enjoy nature , not to train .
I have learned by losing friends that I cannot trust my 1 life to 100% of drivers for a bike ride on the open road , the price is to high to pay . Zwift saves my life , daily . But 1 size does not fit all .But at 68 yrs young, riding 13,000 miles in 2025 and going from a 1987 wind trainer to a Garmin Neo T-2 . Do not miss riding outdoors .
Sounds like you got it figured out and Zwift has helped you tremendously!
🤗 Welcome back Whip!
Thanks Max! I think I’m ready to start racing again.
Had a big crash in August this year, broke shoulder in 4 pieces and had to be re-attached through a plate and screws, initially I even couldn’t reach the bars so couldn’t ride at all and leaving my shoulder/arm hanging there was painful. Only after 2 months I could start riding again – half of October’ 25… since then rode couple times per week. But still not motivated enough to do “hours” again on trainer. The shoulder is still getting painful after 45 minutes. So it becomes painful and also there’s no goal… I got to level 68 on Zwift, what does it matter to get to level 70,80,…there’s no free shifters anymore at level 80. I need to renew my subscription in January, but am not feeling it. Be aware before the crash I was easily riding 4 times a week, I was an avid cyclist.
While I couldn’t ride I was looking for this great Zwift community? Where is it? I don’t have facebook, maye it’s that? There’s not much to read on Reddit,…
So would be great to get the mojo back, it’s now 4 months after the crash and still not highly motivated. If anyone has some good tips to get back into things… would be highly appreciated. Maybe somebody had the same experience after a crash?
Well, my crash was September of this year. I had several fractures; maxilla, missing/chipped teeth, fractured C4-5 and L3-4 spinous processes, fractured ribs 9-11 on left side, fractured left ulnar styloid, and fractured right ankle. I was sedentary for 5.5 weeks, until I was allowed to do anything. My best advice would be to get with a good physiotherapist, which is what I did the following week after I was discharged.
Thank you for sharing and congratulations on your rehab.
August 8th, 2024. Slipped and fell, sliding down 2 stairs, and I broke my tibia and fibula, and dislocated my ankle badly. During PT, my therapist put me on a bike to get warmed up for the session. I enjoyed it and picked up an under-desk bike to use at home. I thought I would pedal during work, but it just didn’t quite work that way. It came with a trial of Zwift, which I started on December 28th, and I was hooked. Like you, progression from a point of having lost fitness (and a lower base to start, to boot). Enjoyed the gamification, the easy rewards, the data on progression. I outgrew the under-desk by April and got a used Schwinn IC4. 50-week streak now and looking forward to the Rapha Festive 500 to celebrate my first year of Zwift. Outdoor biking is the goal for 2025.
Zwift helped save my mobility, improved my health, saved my sanity through an otherwise tough year, and gave me a thing to look forward to, and occasionally to structure around.
Ride On!
That’s so awesome! I’m looking forward to Rapha as well (I got sick last year). I’ve noticed my physio hasn’t had to do much work on my ankle because riding has helped with the mobility. We still do a ton of stabilization exercises, but they’ve not had to manually loosen any tightness. When I herniated my L4 disc in 2022, my physio had me on the bike within two weeks. Took forever for that sciatic pain to dissipate, but Zwift helped. Unfortunately, not my first time rehabbing through injury 😜 Zwift is also good for mental therapy too! Keeps me sane as well! 😂
re:mental therapy: True that. It’s been a HARD year to be a federal civil servant, and Zwift has helped keep that evened out as well. My C6 and C7 were compressed by an attempt to lift my mom when she fell after having a knee replacement. That rehab was my first, and a revelation into how many small things and little movements we take for granted until we can’t do them anymore. 🤯
So glad you are back in 1 piece Trauma Llama!! Missed riding with you on the normal Giant rides. Can relate to going through range of emotions of not being able to ride after my knee injury and reconstruction a year ago. Loss of routine is a huge part of our identities as cyclists, especially seeing all our friends rides on Strava.
Being in one piece is always good news 😂 and yes, you’re correct in your assessment of being inured, seeing all of your friends riding, and not being able to do anything. Knee injuries are sketchy, most complicated joint), but I’m glad you recovered!
Knee arthritis eventually ended my running. No accident. I just stepped towards the end of a training run, and then I could barely walk. I started turning the knee next day on Zwift with my orthopedist’s approval. I still couldn’t walk well, but I could ride almost immediately. Nothing hard at first, but I was pushing things up the Radio Tower soon enough! And the very stationary Tacx Bike helped a lot! Nothing like what you went through, but riding keeps me from going totally loopy.
I‘m a former runner as well; my L4 disc doesn’t like running after two surgeries so I switched to cycling full time. I completely understand! Cycling is great for knee issues as it helps with the mobility of that joint. So glad you enjoy Zwift and you’re able to still continue being active!
Similar story here – I was hit by a car on 10 August and I broke 6 ribs and my scapula. The thoracic doctors wanted me to do light exercise (walking) for the ribs so that I didn’t get lung issues, but that made the shoulder sore so once I could safely get onto the bike it was much easier to spin my legs while sitting upright on the turbo with my arm in a sling. I increased the time/effort very gradually as I started to feel stronger, and group rides kept me sane because I could chat to people a bit at a time when I wasn’t going out to do much other stuff. I’m now back to riding outside (and actually my physio prefers me to go outside because it works the arm a bit harder to make it stronger) but I might need surgery on my shoulder next year because it isn’t properly healed so there may be another period of dedicated zwifting on the horizon!
I’m sorry you got hit, but glad you’re still able to ride! I couldn’t do much until the boot came off my ankle; riding with a wrist brace was weird, and I happy to ditch that thing. It’s awesome you’re riding outside again as well, and I’m hoping you don’t need shoulder surgery, but if you do, you have good ole Zwift. I recently got my new bike and tested it around our neighborhood, I’m ready to ride outside come spring and longer days.
I was hit on July 23, 2024, broken pelvis was no fun. Sadly, I didn’t know about Zwift that time, so I had to return to biking slowly using Garmin Edge 540 connected to a trainer in the gym. It was the same routine – first 30 min spins and slowly adding more. At the beginning of March 2025, I returned to a real bike, but found out about zwift in the meantime and bought Zwift Ride soon after that. Now enjoying biking as much as in the summer, even if everything is frozen outside.
Ouch on the broken pelvis! Glad you healed up and found out about Zwift! I’ve been on it for five years now since I stopped running in the winter months (my lower back can’t handle it). I love using the platform for training, or just riding around. Check out the dancing dog in Neokyo 😂 I hope you have many safe miles in 2026!
You’re an inspiration to us all Whitney! Way to stay positive and look at the bright side of things. Best wishes on your full recovery! See you out there!
Aww thanks John! I hope it helps others! Reading other people’s accidents and seeing them come back is an inspiration as well!
With a fractured pelvis, broken collarbone and 4 ribs as well as sever skin rashes I had to wait several weeks before being released on my indoor bike. Zwift helped me regain progressively my strength and motivation. I strongly encourage anyone to use indoor biking as a physical and mental therapy to help you at regaining your energy level and motivation. I was an early adopter of Zwift in 2015 but didn’t really use it until a first road crash with a broken collarbone and few ribs. I was using a computrainer connected to a PC. As soon as Wahoo trainer came out I bought a Kickr Core and soon after replaced it with Kickr Pro. Last year I built a rocking and sliding platform which changed my riding experience for the better.
So glad you’re still riding! Those injuries are awful as well! I recommend using Zwift for rehab too, and as well as training. Working with a physical therapist is a huge help too, in order to regain strength and mobility. It’s amazing what our bodies can do!
I was hit from behind whilst riding my bike with a group of riders. The vehicle was travelling at 95km/hour. I had extensive injuries. A broken sternum, a broken sacrum, 7 broken bones in my back. A broken right arm. My nose was de-gloved from my face. A pneumothorax. My iliac artery was severed. This obviously nearly killed me, so I was airlifted to the closest hospital. This was ‘plugged’. I also had a bleed on my brain. I Also have damaged ligaments in my left knee. This happened on 10th May. I spent over a month in hospital. I had to wear a brace for my back 24/7 for about 2 months. I started back on the bike via zwift. I had no intention of riding outside at the time. However after riding a bike for over 40 years, the outside riding was calling. I have ridden a few times outside, but the majority of the time is still zwift. It’s SAFE.
Oh my gosh; your injuries sound horrendous! I’m so glad you healed up and are riding; the human body is an amazingly resilient organism! Like you, the outside does call; I think we like to feel like children again, with the wind in our hair, and feeling the sun on our skin. It’s a wonderful feeling! Again, I’m so glad you’re able to ride; so happy that joy wasn’t taken from you.
Whitney, like someone said before; watching the video of your crash just made my heart stop. Not because I had been hit as well but actually seeing you get hit headon was terrifying. Glad you are on the mend. I was broadsided from the right side by a minivan back in 2016 and woke up in the local ER 45 minutes later. If I hadn’t been wearing a helmet I prolly wouldn’t be around now. The outer shell was broken, as were my glasses and left temple area of my head. I must have instinctively held out my left had but the force was too much. Basically my left radius was driven up thru my wrist like a jack hammer. Left shoulder took some trama as well before the elbow buckled and I started to flip over. Since i was clipped in, my bike followed bruising my inner legs. My left side suffered road rash from head to toe. Doc said I shattered almost 50 shards of bone on my radius along with the 50 stiches to mend the injury. I still have the plates and pins in my hand/wrist area. I still can’t get used to the inner burning pain I get from washing dishes because of the heat the plates create from the hot water. I had to be air lifted in a helicopter and taken to a specialist 50 miles away. Via the use of an ultra-sound I got to watch the doctor genty pull my radius out of my wrist thru some medieval technique. Wrist Rehab definitely wasn’t pleasant. As in your picture, I started out riding on my indoor trainer sitting up and once i got the Ok I slowly worked my way back to the normal position. Ever since, I honestly suffer from PTSD every time I ride outside now. 90% of my rding is now indoors on Zwift. I did develop some lower back pain once all the medication wore off weeks later but I am Ok now. Looking forward to seeing you on Zwift in 2026! Take Care
Ouch, your wreck sounds awful too! With the wrist, I think we instinctively reach out to catch ourselves. I remember right up to the collision, then waking up on the asphalt. I think my wrist injury was just the way I landed, as my left knee took a hard hit too. I wish motorists would be more accountable and respectful, but that’s a long shot. I’m so glad we have Zwift, but I know when the days get longer, the outside will call again.
@Whitney Stidham do you have a follow up article planned on how you are doing now and any other interesting info ?
I suppose I could a f/u article if Zwift insider would be interested in that.