Thanks everyone for the well wishes, hopefully will bounce back stronger 
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What a terrible accident. Wishing you a good recovery.
The video of the accident is hard to watch. Wishing you a speedy recovery!!
I have question and please put me in my place if I am out of line.
I was watching the video a couple times again trying to make sense of it. I understand that the moto driver may not have been paying attention to oncoming traffic as he may have been looking to his right. However, he was on the on coming traffic side for a good 3-4 seconds before the crash. Did you not see him (possibly taking a drink)? Or saw him and froze? I am imagining the decision making would have to be quick if you did see him, but throwing yourself off the road to avoid a head on collision would have been best.
To be honest I don’t remember anything from the crash so couldn’t really say. I remember making conscious decisions to stick to the right. Looking at the video it’s not a long time to realise and pick that Moto out of the others going down the centre. Going head on means any contact is going to be catastrophic
Does anyone who’s experienced similar (ie a serious crash) know how long the muscular pain and stiffness may last? Starting to ponder which future IM I can sety sights on 
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Well that’s a good sign!
What are the doctors saying about the back injury?
I was hit by a car head on many years ago, but my injuries were more psychological than physical. I stopped riding for years.
They don’t think it will require surgery at the moment, bit they want to do an x-ray at today so they can compare how it looks in a week or so and make sure nothings changed.
Luckily it came out the blue and I don’t remember anything, so hopefully the psychological impacts won’t be too bad!
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I’d expect doctors/physios to like swimming for recovery. Then non load bearing and safe indoor bike - so the right forum for that 
. Longest wait should be until running and outdoor cycling only a while after full recovery. As you really wouldn’t want another bike crash on top.
All/any of which would be occasional and active recovery while your body focusses on repair. I’d expect a lot of internal repair going on that you can’t feel, so fastest way back would be a very cautious return to training.
Have they talked to you about concussion?
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Hi there,
what a tragic accident but it sounds like things are getting better for you, I’m glad to read that. I wish you a speedy recovery.
A pickup driver coming from the other direction hit me while I was going at 60kph. I was very very lucky and didn’t break anything but it was very scary. I had stiffness for a few days and the pain seemed to move around to a different part of my body pretty much every day. In my case I don’t think the pain went on more than a week.
Psychologically I kept replaying it in my mind. Also, I had headaches for weeks.
It helped me gain confidence to get back on the bike as early as possible in a controlled environment. Obviously follow doctors advice; consult sport doctors if you can.
It will get better. Try to relax and take care of yourself and think of something else, read a novel.
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I am very glad to be reading your replies and positiveness here. I passed the scene ~10 mins after it occurred and it was a shocking sight.
I hope for your speedy recovery.
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I have never been on a serious crash like yours. The fact you are looking for the next race is a good sign. Your body might tell you otherwise once everything settles. As hard as it may be, I would really consider taking your time to fully recover. I know its hard to just stop thinking about not training, but if you want to get back to it stronger, you need to give yourself a chance to heal properly! Best of luck!
Nice is in a couple of weeks
Seriously though, it wouldn’t be the worst idea to consider 2023 done, recover fully and come back next year.
I’m a surgeon. It really depends on your broken back. It sounds like what’s broken is either the transverse or spinous processes of the vertebrae. Although those don’t require surgery and are benign, it’s still a bone that requires healing and all bones take about 6-8 weeks to heal. Along with that comes plenty of inflammation and there are contusions that you’re not even aware of because it’s being masked by pain in other areas. I would follow the advice of your doctors there who have all the data in front of them. But my guess is that you should be able to get back to training in 6-8 weeks. Ironically, probably biking will be the easiest to get back to since swimming will require more motion from your back.
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I’m not planning on being about next year, planning a year long cycle tour so keen to get another one actually ticked off, late August or September might be more realistic
Thanks for the advice, definitely going to take it super easy and wait till I’m properly healed, back injuries ain’t nothing to mess around with, don’t want something to linger round for life!
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Wales sold out I think, Barcelona or Cascais could be easy ish travel options
I’d just be sketching ideas though for a few months not committing to anything
I’m so sorry this happened to you. I was hit from behind 7 years ago and had a broken back that was treated non-surgically as well. I was in a brace for 8 weeks on bed rest and then was allowed to return to very light activity based on tolerance. I would definitely recommend getting in with a good sports PT ASAP and when looking for a new bike, consider one that gives you a lot of flexibility in position as you get back to it - you likely will need to start a bit higher up than you are used to due to the stiffness that sets in during healing. Happy to chat more offline if I can be of any help. Being away from the sport you love sucks, but you will come back stronger!
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Morning all, another update fro me. Slept well and in an okay mood this morning, although the seriousness of the situation is becoming apparent 
. Been for a little walk with the physio and a support thing this morning, so good to get out of bed and a bit of movement! Still waiting on an update/decision re my thoracic spine fracture.
I definitely think I want to do another IM when I can and not let all the training go to waste. Going to put the ol’ brain on a slightly lower pedestal and let my body take the lead and let me know when it’s ready, easier said than done.
Thanks for everyone’s support, it means a lot 
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It will take time to come back, and we’ll still be here, slogging the hours every week, whenever that is. 
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