I broke my collarbone (twice) and learned that cycling expects people to 'spring back' far too quickly

"Two weeks? I was back on the bike within 48 hours" was the response when Adam Jones got back on the bike after a break - why do cyclists expect an instant comeback?

Image of Adam Jones time trialling, with collarbone break xray
(Image credit: AnnabelleMayPhotography/NHS XRay)

For years I thought that breaking a collarbone was a cycling rite of passage. Something emphasised every season on Eurosport when a crash occurs and Carlton Kirby yells "Oh, my life!" for the umpteenth time and Sean Kelly responds with his signature, doleful "Yesss, well…" before a wincing rider touches his shoulder gingerly, prompting a qualifying: "Looks like a collarbone…". While other injuries are available, as Kirby might suggest, they just don’t quite seem as, er, cyclingy.   

DeeJay100 Gran Fondo

Adam having finished the  DeeJay100 Gran Fondo with a broken collarbone

(Image credit: Adam Jones)

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