Rock Bottom and Back again - Mike Metzger Recovery

Posted: Feb 16, 2009

As a rider we are all subject to injury, it's just part of the game. It's a price many of us have paid, but a small price to pay when riding develops into more than just a hobby, and becomes a lifestyle. I am not just writing this story to explain and inform you of my injury and road to recovery, but to also explain the trial and tribulations that I know the majority of riders have experienced in their journey to push themselves to the limit, all for the sake of becoming the best rider we know that we can be. I know that tons of riders have been in this situation, and some have had it much worse, and while our injuries may vary, we all have one thing in common. We have all had to over come the obstacles of not only the physical aspect of our injuries, but also the mental element of them. This is a synopsis of my story over coming both.

As you may have heard, I had to sit out the 2008 season due to a major crash in early 2008. While riding a trail with some Transition buddies I tried a sketchy rock roll that as it turned out, was very wet and slick. I ended up realizing just how slick the rock was after it was too late. I couldn’t slow down, I knew my tires would slide out if I even feathered the brakes. I came out of the line way too hot into a run out full of trees. I was able to avoid the first one, but that compromised my control over the bike and sent me football tackle style in to the next. I felt, and heard, the right side of my body snapping, collapsing and giving into the stubborn tree. I found myself lying on the ground with excruciating back and shoulder pains while also having difficulty breathing. After some time of lying on the ground I was finally able to get up and with my right arm hanging at my side walk the 3 miles down the trail to the car.


After a visit to the ER I learned that I have what is called a “floating shoulder,” which is when all the bone structure that holds your shoulder and arm in place has been broken. This was by far the worst injury I have ever sustained. Now almost a year later, hours of rehabilitation, and tons of obstacles to over come I am finally back on the bike and feeling close to 100%.

I am not just writing this story to explain and inform you of my injury and road to recovery, but to also explain the trial and tribulations that I know the majority of riders have experienced in their journey to push themselves to the limit, all for the sake of becoming the best rider we know that we can be. I know that tons of riders have been in this situation, and some have had it much worse, and while our injuries may vary, we all have one thing in common. We have all had to over come the obstacles of not only the physical aspect of our injuries, but also the mental element of them. This is a synopsis of my story over coming both.
In order to fully recover from the crash it took months and months of physical therapy, stationary biking, stretching, and more. I was driven to get back to where I had been before the incident. The one thing that I was truly focused on was a drop I had built before I wrecked my shoulder. It was a solid 25ft vertical by 20ft out. I wanted to get a great shot of a superman off this drop, and my plans were put on hold after the crash in early March.


But with hard work and a strong focus I was able to fully recover and start pushing myself again. Since it is now winter the riding isn’t exactly great, we have been forced to drive 2+ hours to the nearest indoor skate park, or the Colonnade, an freeride park under the freeway, in order to get our fix of riding. I was working at getting back to where I had left off and all the while thinking about this drop.






Luckily after a couple months of horrible weather and weeks of flooding we were given a beak and the sun started to come out. I saw we had a week of decent weather so it was time to cowboy up and see what I could do. Called up Brad Walton and had him come out to clean the drop up, and get it ready to shoot. Finally on January 20th, 11 months after my injury I found myself looking over 25ft down and 20ft out to the tranny that I had been preparing for all this time. I took one run in and then new it was now or never. I asked Brad if he was ready, once I got the okay, I looked down to the landing one last time from the top. The run in was a blur, but I distinctively remember looking down once I was off the lip and thinking “Holly Sh#t.” I came down like a bomb but the Blindside took it like a champ and I rode away. Getting the first run out of the way felt awesome, but I knew I wouldn’t be happy until I had accomplished what I had set out to do over 11 months ago. The landing was much harsher than I had anticipated, I knew the tricks weren’t going to be easy, but I kept strong and focused on what I had set out to do. After really getting a feel for the drop and throwing some variations off it I decided it was time.


I pictured in my head the execution of taking off, stretching out behind the bike, and pulling it back and finding pedals before impact. The first attempt was a feeble one, the feet came off, but didn’t float back as far as I needed. Last try, all or nothing, I came into the lip and as soon as I had left I floated the feet back and I remember looking at the transition through my pedals and thinking this is it, get back on! The bike was getting rowdy on me and floating to the right, but I was able to snag pedals, smoothly land, and cleanly ride down the run out.


It was a great feeling, and needless to say I slept like a baby that night. I feel like I am back, and can't wait to keep progressing my riding to see what I can do this upcoming season. I would like to give a huge thanks to Transition Bikes, Brad Walton, Kyle Young and my girlfriend Shannon, for helping me that day! To the riders who find themselves down and out, never lose focus. I hope this story will motivate and inspire you to keep pushing and working to get back on the bike and on the trails where you belong.

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-Mike Metzger