Ruptured my spleen in February on an under rotated footplant 360, almost died in the way to the hospital. Been taking it easy since getting cleared in August. I legit almost quit especially after seeing the fear in my wife’s eyes at the hospital right before I passed out and also when I woke up and realized I almost never saw my little boy again. Something keeps pulling me back to the sport I’ve done for the past 24 years…..What’s the saying? “They can’t put it in you and they can’t take it out of you”
When I got hurt I was riding 2-3 days a week and was terrified to miss a session, then I’m forced off the bike for 6-7 months. When I finally rode again I was terrified I would not still have the ability I had pre injury. Luckily things came back pretty fast, then I knew it was a mental battle. I found taking my time and only riding when it felt right really helped.
Fast forward to now and the feeling is coming back, I’m excited to ride again , but I’m also realizing the goal is different not and that is to just stay healthy and competent on a bike until my 14 month old son decides if he wants to ride or not. He loves watching me ride already so I think the wife and I are screwed.
BMX is cool and I know someday it will end, I just want it to be on my terms, weather that’s 4 years from now or 20 years from now.
I am glad to be back on the bike and getting sideways, even if it’s not at the level I once was. Have fun cuz it’s fun.
Back at it, this is for anyone dealing with an injury.
byu/Roost635 inbmx
by Roost635
1 Comment
welcome back brotha, spot looks dope af, think you got room for a couple more booters 😉
Regarding the physical health aspect, I’ve had some tough conversations with my wife and my mom. I ruptured my spleen racing bmx when I was 8. I’m 30 now. So when anyone brings up the physical aspect, I just say, “if I was going to quit, I would have done it when I ruptured my spleen when I was 8.” At this point, I’ve been on bmx bikes for 25 years. It is integral to my identity and necessary for my physical and mental well being. All of my friends are riders.
So, okay, maybe we’re a little older now and the risks are more calculated and less frequent. I’ve met a lot of bmx lifers. They’re all cool af and I totally expect to be that random 50 something year old dude mixing it up with the youth on a friday evening at the local.
Hell, half the time I drive out to the trails I think about the fact I’m more likely to die during the drive there than while riding.