I should’ve carried a four-leaf clover, knocked on wood, or at least had my lucky rabbit’s foot with me on my enduro ride just after writing “Zen and the Art of Bailing” in the May issue of Motorcycle Mojo. In typical Emily fashion, I found a way to forget all my own advice while riding the Kove 450 Rally on slick-rock in spectacular Utah. My fall happened on a series of small steps leading up a rock face, which resulted in breaking a small bone in my hand and dislocating another. 

It happened in a split-second: I thought I was fine, but adrenaline and embarrassment took over and I quickly picked up the bike and continued riding, I could instantly feel the tingles in my hand, and the slight feeling of nausea took over as my nerves told me that I had messed up. 

It took all of 10 minutes for me to finally speak up to the group and let them know that I needed to make my way back to the truck because the pain had worsened. My friend offered to help me and we split off from the group to find the quickest and easiest route back. Riding down each rock face and ledge offered a new level of pain.

The crash was completely my fault. And I don’t think it was because I didn’t perform the skill needed to stay upright effectively. No, I overthought it. I had watched others go up, and I even had one successful run up the rock face before I took a second go at it. 

I circled at the bottom looking at the steps, waiting for others to go until I was the only rider left. I was so focused on how to get up the daunting feature that I had lost focus on every other aspect of riding: the uphill approach, the speed I was going, my body position and what my engine was doing. I overthought it to my detriment. 

When I arrived home from the trip, I went to the hospital and was given a splint for my hand, limiting my ability to move the broken bone and preventing me from riding for a few weeks. I was angry with myself. After all, my riding and training throughout the winter preparing for the spring trials competitions had been completely ruined by overthinking.  

The mental recovery can be tougher than the physical recovery after an accident. The mental impact of an accident can also haunt you for years. For me, the incidents that have haunted me have been twice hitting deer while riding. Now, every time I spot a deer near the road while riding, I tense up, stare and try to analyze what the deer might do. I inevitably always lose focus on riding. It’s not just a physical injury that’s caused when you crash — often, it’s more of a mental scar that can affect you long after your body has healed. 

I made a conscious decision to do the best I could to heal up. I ate healthier, went to the gym every day — well, almost every day — and took Sofi on numerous dog walks. Staying healthy and having increased blood flow can help speed up your recovery time. Even minor injuries can cause big setbacks if they’re not treated right. 

I’ll admit I’m well-trained in the field of searching Google for my ailments, but I’ve learned the hard way that Google doesn’t often know what’s best. It’s always worthwhile to see a doctor or physiotherapist if you’re looking for guidance on how to heal quickly.

One thing I didn’t account for was how much my social life is now directly connected to riding bikes. Without the ability to ride, I found new struggles in trying to stay social. I realized how important it was to communicate with my friends even though normally we’d catch up while on the bikes, so I attended one of the trials events, not to ride and compete but to see everyone and watch them ride. 

After five weeks, I’m back on the bike at a mellow pace with a wrist splint, but at least I’m riding. If you find yourself injured this riding season, remember to take care of yourself inside and out. Eat healthy, keep a positive mindset, and stretch and exercise if you can. I always find it valuable to check in on yourself. Is the pain any different? Is your movement or mobility improving? These are especially useful once riding again, take a mental note if you have any strain or pain, and see if adjusting your position helps at all. Lastly, remember to take small steps getting back on the bike, take it easy, and enjoy just being back at back on two wheels.