My ACL Tear and Recovery
An Ode to Mountain Biking
Back when I tore my ACL and determined I needed surgery, I made an important decision. Instead of taking an available slot in fall of 2006, I opted to delay the operation until spring 2007. My rationale? I wanted to be ready for the 2007-2008 snowboarding season. I also figured it was easier to sit on my ass during a Toronto summer than a Toronto winter; the idea of being cooped up inside all winter did not appeal to me, especially when everyone else would be snowboarding. Besides, at least I could entertain myself on patios and the like over the summer.
Fast forward to spring of 2007, and one thing I didn’t \ expect was the OK from the doctors to bike, bike, bike. In fact, the only things I can really do are bikes and weights. So I’ve been taking the biking more seriously recently; last night I did 30k on my low-end Trek hardtail mountain bike (similar to the one pictured above). I’ve also upgraded the seat, seat post and added a nifty onboard computer in anticipation of longer rides. So far I’ve done mostly road and dirt trail riding, but with the Don Valley Trail nestled in downtown Toronto I think I’ll be doing some more technical, harder mountain biking soon.
I would also love to give downhill mountain biking a shot this summer, but I’m not sure I’ll have time. As ski areas turn more and more into four-season resorts, this is becoming a big moneymaker for them. Blue Mountain features downhill MTB but the map indicates the runs are more or less like the ski runs, which means each one will be relatively short. At Whistler, on the other hand, the more technical downhill trails start near the top of Whistler mountain, which can lead to what look to be some pretty insane rides:
That’s nuts. No way my little Trek hardtail could handle that. Also, I’m pretty sure I got that song on a Max Graham CD somewhere.
I’ve actually been toying with mountain biking as a permanent category here on Highly Obsessed, because a) I’m willing to bet a good chunk of our readership is into MTB over the summer and b) no matter how much I write and think about snowboarding, there’s less conversational fodder and fewer people looking to read about it. Traffic and interest seem to take a huge dive every summer. Some mountain biking content here and there might help generate some consistency.
Discussion
4 comments for “An Ode to Mountain Biking”
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Aye, I am indeed both a reader and a mountain biker. Coming from Texas… we call usually call it ‘off road biking’ as we don’t really have mountains. Still, there’s a very active community in both DFW and Austin. There are also some very nice trails all over both areas.
Having just moved to Colorado (little more than 2 weeks ago) I’m excited about taking my full suspension out on some of the local runs. I’m nervous though, I don’t want to go it alone… in case I hurt myself.
Anyway, back to the point, I am keen on the mountain biking =D
Like DFW we have lots of non-mountain, single-track riding. I’m DYING to get to somewhere like Whistler or Colorado to do some full-suspension mountain biking. I think I will try that next year once the knee is fully recovered.
Thanks for the comment!
Cheers,
–adam
hey i partially tore my left acl last week and i live for snowboarding. The doctor told me about an hour ago that a surgery would hamper this season. i was wondering how your winter went before you got your surgery. If you could possibly email me at i would really appreciate it. I’m desperate for advice on how your knee held up and how it feels now thanks man
Hey Ryan, sorry to hear about that.
What I’m about to tell you was based on MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE — with a pretty bad ACL tear — so don’t take it as official medical advice.
However —
I did spend a full season snowboarding with a torn ACL. I did it with the assistance of a kick-ass brace and some common sense. The ‘common sense’ component was namely nothing insane (lots of freeriding, very few jumps) and everything worked out quite well.
That said, having the surgery done was also one of the best things I ever did. But I tried to schedule it so that I’d be ready to go for the 2007-2008 winter (I’m about to enter my eighth month now).
Good luck!
–adam