Long Road To Recovery: Lewis Buchanan Injury Update #2

It’s only been two months since we last spoke to Lewis Buchanan, but for a racer that’s laid up injured, two months is an agonizingly slow period of time. Having frustratingly watched the EWS circus roll into and out of Ireland, Lewis is now fully motivated on his recovery and finally back on a bike, all be it the turbo trainer:

So far recovery has been tough, but things seem to be happening reasonably quickly which is good. Literally a couple of days after we last spoke I got my cast cut off but was still supported with a sling which I was in for a short while until I got some reasonable movement back in my shoulder and arm. I am now back in to a bit of a regime with training and things are going in the right direction.

As soon as I got my cast off it was really time to begin trying to get mobility back & the elbow specialist I am seeing suggested I get moving it. Working with my physio and trainer I’m now getting into a schedule which is nice and has kept me disciplined, this includes specific HR zones and time on the turbo trainer, & now having the stages power meters partner with BMC Enduro team has given me and my trainer and good data to work with. I have been going out hiking & I have hand, elbow & shoulder exercises that I do everyday as much as possible between activities. Even things such as making dinner & tying my shoelaces I class as rehab. I was in the best shape of my life before this injury so I feel that has helped me through the recovery and plays a part agonizingly why I’m still in good shape. The general movement in my arm is improving quite a lot. I now have full mobility back in my shoulder and full mobility back in my hand, fingers and wrist after not being able to move any of it a couple weeks ago which is a huge improvement. My elbow movement is improving but it’s still early days and it’s baby steps at this stage on that part.

Surprisingly watching the rest of the EWS field in Ireland wasn’t as painful as I thought it would be. I actually watched the race live online studying the stage times and watching helmet cams and videos etc so I could soak in as much information as possible and apply it when I’m back riding/racing. After showing what I could do at the first two rounds in South America with zero EWS race experience & actually learning a little bit about the race craft at those rounds, I really had my eyes set on a podium in Ireland… Keeping to my program and seeing little improvements is motivating for me mentally and physically. After my results at the first two rounds it motivates me also to return in 2017 and get in that top 5 as I think I could have achieved that already this year by now if I wasn’t injured.

The team have been awesome. Right from the day I crashed I had 100% of their support and backing. We have great partners with Elite Cycling for turbo trainers, Polar Global for Heart rate, and now Stages power meters. I got all the gear I need from these great companies to help me and BMC hooked me up with a road bike for when I return to the road. Looking to next year, nothing is concrete as I only signed a one year contract but I really enjoy the team and the bike rips.

My focus is switched completely to 2017, I will not return to racing at all this year. My focus is on the big picture and that’s round 1 of the Enduro World Series in 2017. I am striving to be 100% for round 1 and I have all the right people around me to give me the greatest chance of showing up ready & I really look forward to getting stuck in and mixing it up. I will be showing face at the final two round of the Enduro World Series this year so be sure to come chat if you are attending those rounds!

I’m only just over 2 months since surgery so it’s still early days. I have personal goals in my head when I’d like to be back on the road as I know how hard I’m working. I have no lingering frustration, it was an unfortunate crash and you can’t go back and change the outcome. It’s part of the sport. All I can do is focus on getting back strong, and back to racing and being competitive.

Missed part one? Long Road To Recovery: Lewis Buchanan Injury Update #1

Keep up to date with Lewis Buchanan’s recovery with more regular updates on his Facebook Page.

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Words: Lewis Buchanan Photos: Ross Bell / Innes Graham