How I Conquered My Fear: First Motorcycle Ride After Breaking My Ribs! 

After 40 years of motorcyling I succumbed to a serious off and broke 2 vertibrea in my lower back. The wife did suggest that I should reconsider my passion. Nope. I went out and bought a bigger, faster bike (a CBF1000). Good to see you back Saffy. Never give in. Never surrender.

I was knocked off my bike in 2008 by a lady BMW car driver, I suffered a broken and heavily lacerated ankle and broke some ribs. I was in hospital for two weeks before they could operate and it took 8 further weeks to get the cast off. As soon as i healed i was back on my bike but having trouble changing gear i had to buy a cruiser to help me. Never give up and now at 75 I'm still riding.

Small steps Saffy... going from previous videos, you'll be back on it in no time ! Big respect 🙌🙌

You need a Sh#t Happens sticker. You made a boo boo it happens to the best of us. You are alive and thats the main thing don't let fear hold you back from enjoyment. You are doing great Saffy. 😊

I've had bad anxiety for 15 years to the point where I cannot go far from home, 20 mins at most on the bike before heading back, you've done a thousand times better in this video than I could ever do, I hope this spring I can get that little bit further each day 👊🏻 good work 👏

I really needed to hear this. My passion was long distance hiking. I had thruhiked the Appalachian Trail in 21 and was planning my next big adventure. During my morning run a truck hit me and knocked me unconscious for 3 hours. When I woke up I was in incredible pain and had a broken rib (I know what you mean about not being able to breathe) among other injuries. Long story short I won't be long distance hiking anymore or paying my bills with my sculptures anymore, due to the accident. That old me is dead and I have to adapt, not because i'm strong but because I have no other choice. I found your channel because I'm thinking of moto camping to fill that giant hole that a careless driver made in my life. Little did I know I'd get motocamping tips as well as motivation to stop feeling sorry for myself, adapt and be better than I was before. Thank you

When you get frustrated just remember the joy you had and where you were in your abilities before the accident ( which was mostly just a freak occurrence)and have confidence that you will not only get that confidence again, but you will get there with the knowledge you can get through whatever the open road throws at you. I had a serious accident in my 20s, but I got back in the saddle as soon as I could and now at 68 I'm still riding and enjoying it more than ever and with more confidence than ever as well. You got this my young friend. Keep on keeping on.

Glad you're back.Thank you for sharing your challenges. Thank you for sharing your general awesomeness. Atitude is everything - keep going awith and you'll be there sooner than you might imagine.

I had my first ride last week after I came off on gravel last year spraining my wrist and thumb. Like you it took a lot of mental energy to ride again as I was so nervous. I managed a two hour ride with no incident except for an aching wrist. Riding is something I love and will not give it up, good on you for pushing through your apprehension. Ride safe. Paul

Back in the saddle! Can't believe you chose a mud track to get your nerve back , crazy woman hahahaha. Love it! Keep them revs up Saffy and ride safe! 🙂

Many years ago I had a motorcycle accident which resulted in the loss of my right arm , I made thee gest of my new situation but thought I'd never ride a bike again but then around 9 years ago I became aware of bikes with auto clutches . It was a big step but I've been riding now for years and it feels great , well done you , keep going it will be worth it .

I think you are an amazing young lady, and even a little bit crazy 😂 for attempting some off road on your first time back on the bike. I totally empathise with the anxiety. Look after your mental health as well as your physical. It's great to see you back on the bike Saffy. You should be super proud. Baby steps. ❤🤗

Been there, done that! As a teenager fifty years’ ago I was but a few weeks into my motorcycling life when I suddenly had a loss of confidence as I approached a bend on a Welsh mountain road. I destroyed a fence, startled some sheep and, like you, broke ribs - only two in my case. I then had to ride the bike very slowly back to my home in the Midlands. It took me ages to get my confidence back but I am so glad that I did because I’ve had a wonderful riding life since then… and I’ve not had another crash since! I’m still riding now (though my bikes are much bigger and posher than I had back then), taking trips across the UK, Europe and the USA. And you will do the same, I’m sure of that. Just take things slowly but surely for the time being, rebuild your confidence one step at a time. And don’t be taking any more extreme rides in bad weather until you’re mentally up to it again. You’ll get there Saffy, you have such a great character, so fear not, happy rides will come again.

Green laning with damaged ribs,You must be mad! Great to see you out on your bike again and trying to get back into your stride 👍👍.

Saffy, I am very glad to see you have recovered enuf to try riding again...... Well done!!!! However, I am very surprised you picked such a crappy muddy rough road with where you apparently stalled the engine & had to restart it many times. It was bad enuf riding in the rain but at least the road was smooth and there was not too much traffic. Hopefully you will have better weather and better roads ahead for many more safe miles of riding. Hang in there and be safe.

I'm glad you're back on your wheels. And to hear your smile. Your strong spirit is as impressive as your beauty. I love you.❤

Saffy you did a great job coming back and getting on the horse i get it i had a bad motorcycle accident and i have anxiety . Getting back is tough ur scared !! Keep going Saffy okay i look up too you i love your little giggle take ur time and have fun !!!!

Well done you in getting back on a bike. I know people who haven't. Take it easy and steady. When I went to Mongolia in 2015z I had a big off on a road In Russia. So bad that my tracker showed no movement for 10 minutes. I spoke to a friend in Ireland and I don't recall the telephone call or anything. In fact I booked into a hotel and slept all night without being aware that they were seriously concerned about me. When I finally checked my Shark helmet, it had a crack inside. It got home with me as a reminder. I used the now Garmin inReach and friends were looking out for me. Some times not knowing is better. My point is, you did bloody well and you pushed yourself. It is sometimes too easy to just give up

Good job toughing it out Saffy. I was waiting for the starter or battery to add more stress to the "first time back" ride. Take care, stay well and may all you adventures be blessed.

Glad to see you're back on the bike again. It's always nerve racking after you've been hurt. Your accident wasn't a big off, it was a combination of travel weariness & a loss of concentration & focus & it was sheer bad luck you got injured instead of giggling at yourself so its an easy lesson. I do, however wish you'd get some proper off road tuition (instead of the 'trail days' you've shown us in previous videos) if you're going to take these trails. I worry for you when I see you take to the slippy stuff but don't ride the bike the way you need to for those conditions. Stay safe, stay crazy & may your adventures continue.

I know I’m going to get shot down by this, but a very strange way of getting your confidence back, would it not been easier to gradually break yourself in? Dropping yourself in the deep end springs to mind,

Learn from everything. February '23 I had pneumonia and sneezed. I thought I had broken a rib but separated a rib which takes longer to heal. 13 weeks later and it was supposed to be healed. I was cut off by an e-bike while in a right turn and nailed the breaks. Over I went and when I hit the ground I felt the now familiar pop. Another 13 weeks, cancelled plans and a lot of continuous grumpiness, back on the bike. You will never forget that feeling and will recognise it if it ever happens again. Good to see you back on.

Well done Saffy. Over the 50+ years I've been riding I've had to wrestle with that fear a few times and oddly the greatest help I've had on those journeys, I always think of my bike as an extension of me. To me it's every bit as animat as a horse would be. Like you I always name my bikes, but they also have a title so to speak. They are my dragon and I am the dragon rider. It's building that connection to your dragon and the environment you're together riding through that will get you closest to the " ZONE", as athletes & racers like to call it. That's where you find your Zen, when you're at your best, when you become one with your dragon and both together fearless. Don't ride alone, ride together with your dragon and together you can conquer anything. PS, they inhale oxygen and exhale fire, horses don't, but dragons do !.

Good to see you back on a bike,and on green lanes, remember small steps your confidence is slowly coming back, don't rush it though.....ride safe girl❤

I'm struggling to get back on after an accident. I'm giving excuses all the time. It's frustrating but I will do it this weekend. I've decided, no matter what happens.

You had me worried for awhile but you pushed through your nerves and proved to yourself and us just what a trooper you really are ,there are people out there who wouldn’t have got back onto a motorcycle after what you went through so power to your elbow and a massive pat on your back well done saffy keep up the good work we would have lost a very talented person from our little family of biker’s if you had given up so once again I’m so glad your a hero to yourself .

I love it....Saffy"s back in the saddle. One day at a time, you got this.

Beautiful, and what a great bike to get back to it on!

Your anxiety is very understandable. Take small steps. On the scary uphill, you did make it yourself unnecessary difficult however. Remember Saffy, rev the engine to a constant 3000 to 4000 rpm, and then modulate the power with the clutch. Don’t use the throttle to modulate the power but use the clutch for that, while using the throttle to keep the revs high and constant. This way, the bike won’t stall on you. Do this also for riding technical terrain offroad and even for crawling speed technical riding on the street (like u-turns). I meant to write this just as some friendly advice. People often brake ribs when a bike stalls on a hill and the bike slides backwards, so you had me worried there.

Most riders including myself go through periods of time where self-confidence eludes them. In my experience, it's important to build confidence slowly by tackling something that's not too challenging. When I started riding off road I got a small light bike (Kawasaki 230) to develop my skills and confidence. Mindset is important and it goes along with skill. With a bit more gas and practice, you will get there!

Saffy, thanks for sharing this. The fear is real, but it doesn’t need to control us. It is brave to be this vulnerable online and I commend you for sharing the feelings and the panic. These events in life don’t define us unless we let them. What does define the “new you” if how you challenge the fear and when you push through. In the 80’s I rock climbed and had a bit of a fall in the Ardeche Gorge which left me hanging upside down with my foot stuck in a crack over 100 feet in the air. To say the least I lost it in that moment. Whilst I didn’t break anything I lost my confidence (which also combined with suffering from a fear of heights anyway) & kind of took the wind out of my sails for rock climbing. I managed to climb for a number of years afterwards, but the sheer joy of climbing never really came back to what it had been. As a new rider I find myself incredibly nervous and aware of what could go wrong, but as I get up to speed that joy is there and overcomes the fear. I’ve been over twice now - first time I was blown off the bike in Halfords car park, - I was pushed by the wind and took my hand off the front break and the bike came off the stand. The 2nd in a bend that was far tighter than I thought. Hit the breaks a little and the back went out. Under 15mph so no problem. Surprisingly the falls haven’t knocked me at all, just taken as a learning experience and learning to trust how the gear does its job. Your accident wasn’t a riding fault, it wasn’t a loss of concentration, and it won’t stop you riding. Hang in there and keep pushing through. Again thanks for sharing….

Well done on getting back on the bike and trying those lanes. For me having the music on made hearing your dialogue difficult especially where you were also providing the on bike audio so three separate audio feeds. Small point and again great you are back on what I consider a great bike as i have one !

Re Himalayan! Nice! I have a 2018 model, and I found it to be one of the easiest (although a bit slow) bikes to ride. Nice to see you back on a bike after your injury. Time to build up the confidence again. You are doing awesome! Cheers!

I was shouting at you to get the revs up Saffy and then you stood up and went for it. I had an off in 2008 on a CBR 600RR. Broke lots of bits of me, test rode another bike three days after the cast came of my leg. It hurt like hell but I did it and I have been riding since, It's changed my riding style but I still enjoy it. It will get better and what you did is s good starting point. Well done Saffy x.

Great job!. I know this is way after the fact, but since I'm relatively new to your channel, I can't help but say what a great job you've done! Ride safe Saffron!

Nice to see you "back in the saddle". You are a fighter💕

Saffron you consistently impress me with your ethic and determination, you produce quality videos of life, without gilding the lily or convenient editing, your battles with anxiety will fade into memory just like the first day of your Norway challenge, until next week 😘

Welcome back, hope you are all well and mended. By the way, I almost had a similar mishap when pulling over into a layby, I rove too close to the muddy edge of a slight bank, the wheel slipped and over I went in slow motion. Stupidly I tried to counteract the weight of the bike and before I knew what happened my left foot was trapped by the rear pannier against the bank and I was unable to move my foot or lift the bike. Luckily I did not break the ankle and the layby was in sight of other traffic. I was able to flag down the next vehicle and three young guys lifted the bike of me and commented how heavy the bike was. I was lucky. BTW my phone was in the rear pannier which I could not reach. Could hve been much worse as it was on Dartmoor in the late afternoon. Keep well!

Hey Saffy! Good job, glad you worked up to it. I hit a deer last year, and it took a bit to get back on the iron horse. Thinking about all the good times and adventures won out thank God. You grow when you push yourself and face what's uncomfortable 🙂 ❤ You are very courageous and uplifting!

Did you get your bike back from Norway 🇳🇴 I think you would benefit from trails riding course Saffy. Learning clutch control by feathering the clutch helps balance and momentum, this prevents the bike from stalling which usually results in loss of balance. Keeping fit is very important for confidence. You need plenty of press ups, some weight training and practice, practice, practice. Let those ribs heal first. I think your very brave .

You got through it, you didn't give in and you did the right thing in the end. It will be easier next time. Full marks for sharing this. Well done!

Good on you for getting back on! It can be very difficult. I was the same after my motorcycle accident. I broke my back and compressed my L2 after a car pulled out in a rush and didn't see me coming. Luckily it isn't causing any issues for the moment but may in future. I spent 3 months with an upper body brace on. 3 months learning to be without the brace again, and a further 3 months before my first ride, and returning to work. 12 months in full before I was taking on normal(ish) tasks at work again. It was safe to say I was not having a comfortable time when I rode again. I was back on my 125 which I had decided to keep stored after getting my XV535, and every car that pulled out scared the crap out of me. A few mental issues grew during this time, and still linger in varying ways to this day. It did teach me a lot about being prepared for those situations though, and hopefully it will never happen again. Keep at it, the confidence will come back, just don't give up!

👏 slow and steady you’ll get there. When ever I hear a royal Enfield the tick over sounds so sloooow. Maybe just me 😂

I had an accident last year that wasnt my fault and i didnt do a single thing wrong. I had no bike for 3 months and when i got back on it i had to ride 70 odd miles in the pissing wind and rain down mainly country and coastal roads alone. I suffered ptsd and whiplash/ sensitivity issues in my back that im still healing from nearly a year later. Im 24 and i tried my first longer ride yesterday of 168 miles and i felt like i was gonna break in 2 but i did it. But this made me feel it all again abit but im proud of you sticking to it and doing it. I related to those mental battles you where fighting and i hope that you get yourself back on the road again. Just remember to not be too hard on yourself!

I've had to conquer fears after traumatic events too, but this reminds me of a different experience in my life. When I quit smoking, I knew that having a beer at the local pub would be incredibly difficult. So I set out to intentionally conquer that. I went, and as soon as it started really getting to me, in less than one whole drink, I paid and left. I went back again another time, and managed to make it through one drink, but wanted a cigarette so bad, I once again left. The third time, I managed to have a couple drinks, and it wasn't so bad, but I'm not a huge drinker, so I left without it really bothering me. After that, I never had an issue, and managed to disassociate drinking with smoking. Ironically, quitting smoking is what led to me getting my first motorcycle. It's perfectly okay and rational that it took a few attempts for your brain to realize that you'd be okay. I think this all just proves how awesome and amazing you are.

Fair play for going green laneing in winter when you're trying to rebuild your confidence! I've had a few offs on the road and track and had some injuries (nothing like broken ribs), but I think I would have waited until nicer weather and stayed on the roads. You've got grit!

Good for you, Saffy. You remind me of myself, and once the negativity sets in, it seems there’s no end in sight, but you did it, well done. Sometimes it’s the hardest thing to get back on after a big off, but it’s the best thing to do. Keep it up 👍

There was no better Bike than the Himalaya, the same has got me back into Biking as a Senior, confidence is returning and I'm getting better, I was with you and felt every moment. Given I'm fit.. I'd certainly not knowingly have tackled that track as you did and as yet I've to try somewhere like that track.. as with your usual self you'd persevered and overcome, the biggest step is forward in making the way back, well done, onwards and upwards. Take care and stay safe.

Just remember the accident was caused by the gust of wind, not your biking ability. It’s all still there, you just have to keep going and find it again. You have conquered a bumpy, muddy road so it looks like you are just about there. I,m looking forward to your return to Norway to bike back south again. 👍

Oh Saffy, I understand the fear. I came off some ice 2 years ago and I'm still sometimes a little nervous going round corners in the wet even. It gets better with time, keep going 💪

Just abit of advice from an old biker with 48 years under my belt. On those green lanes all you needed to do is put more revs on and control the acceleration with the clutch. It’s called feathering the clutch but just means let clutch out till required movement then pull it in again to control the power. Sorry if I sound preachy! Not having enough revs makes the bike jerk and the engine fail, will makes you fall off!

Well done lady, hope to see you at the ABR Festival this year. It will help with your confidence off and on road. Stay strong and keep going.

Glad you're on the mend. But Saffy, PLEASE PLEASE go do an off-road training course. You'll be amazed at the confidence you will get just from some basic training.

I agree with everything you said other than you’re a little less courageous. I think you’re now more courageous than ever before! Never stop being vulnerable and honest with yourself. You should be supremely proud, I know we all are!

You did great, you’ll just keep getting better and better. Been riding my whole life, such a wonderful way to enjoy life.👍

Hope your ribs are feeling better.we have all missed your weekly videos and your travels.take it steady and stay safe ❤

Well done. Good to see you back on the bike. You are doing so much more than those watching from the couch.

That was more tractor noise than I want to hear in one day. Good job perceiving. Got to keep on keepn’ on.

Genuinely feeling the anxiety coming out of my PC, my heart was in my mouth for you! Well done on your evolution, so courageous!

It's hard - getting over post crash anxiety - and just takes miles and time. It can be hard for non riders to understand because even for people who normally have no anxiety those first few rides after a major accident are terrifying on a very primal level that is neither rational nor controllable. Regardless, good to see you back on two feet - and two wheels!

Well done you. Proud of you Saffy. Don't think I would have tackled those lanes so soon. 👍

Amazing effort, and well done for confronting that fear head on - that takes guts.

Keep at it. It may take some time to get over the mental barrier, but I'm sure it'll come in time. On the very last ride of my first year riding, I lowsided my bike while moving out of a parking lot. Granted I was going slow and fully geared up and so suffered no injuries, but the bike was all scratched up on the left side and needed new replacement fairings. Point is, that really shot my confidence for the longest time after that. For the first half of the next riding season, I was afraid to lean the bike and do anything more than just simple straight line riding. Eventually though, I was able to build my confidence back over time, but did take a few months. It was a cold 5 degree day that day I dumped it in the lot, so I blamed the cold tires. To this day (5-6 years later) I don't think I've completely overcome my mental block from that event. While I'm confident enough to ride the bike just fine, I am still extremely apprehensive about riding when temps get low and the tires haven't had a chance to warm up.

Well done saffy. you can do this! I was once told the resons we fall is so we can learn to pick ourselves back up and when a bone breaks it heals stronger than it was. Your strong girl keep going 💪.

Yay back on the road again well done. We all fall off our bikes but as long as try to get back to riding again you've succeeded. You might be someone that can get back on straight away, you might some one has to take their time it really doesn't matter. As you as you try that's all that matters and clearly you tried .(we have the video proof now😂😂😂) so keep going saffy p.us it was to hear your laugh ❤❤❤

Hi Saffy glad you are back on riding, in a situation like this when you are on an off-road trail give it more throttle and work with the clutch. Keep it up :)

Someone here must know Saffron. Can you sit her down and explain, with pictures if neccessary that motorbiking doesn thave to take place in the rain, or off road! 😁😁 Mate, just wait for a sunny weekend and ride up to pen-y-pass and back or something for the first ride after a crash.

The hardest ride is the first one after a get-off. Glad to see you back!

Loosing confidence after a scare is hard to get over and get confidence back, main thing is don’t be hard on yourself , after all,you do what you do best,when you have a knock back and get and out there and doing it,that’s much more than many would do, well done 👏

Yeah, riding a muddy and slippery tractor path is a very Saffy'ish way to recover after a bike accident. Just a tad of Saffy'ish madness to control the situation! You're a winner! 🍾🥂

That was an Epic video... Emotional! Keep going Saffy 🙂👍

Howay lass, happy you're finally alright

Good for you, just keep going, no matter what, a stumbling block is just a stepping stone you tripped over 👍

MASSIVE well done Saffy 😂👏👏👏 it's easy for people to be critical, but unless you've had a bad accident, you can't begin to understand how hard it must be to get back on a bike. I count myself lucky not to understand how difficult it must be as I've been lucky

Saffy❤ hey lass your back on a bike ,good for you ,take it easy lass ,little bit at a time ye ,take care 🍀🙏🍀,well done lass x

The best way to conquer your fears is to face it. I rode home for an hour with a cracked lower vertebrae in my back, a detached muscle in my arm and a serious concussion. Once the adrenalin wore off I was in a lot of pain but I was honestly more worried about the bike.

Guess who's back, back again, Saffys back, tell a friend

Well done, I'm so done with riding in the rain. I just got the shivers and shakes just watching.😂.

Saffy, so the journey restarts. How far are you into the healing, feeling no pain side of things ? Have you fully recovered from your painfully fall or are you still in pain ? It is nice to see you on the bike and making rides to get back your confidence and skill, I wonder how long it will take before you are 100% confident on the bike again. Good luck and will enjoy watching your progress.

That was INTENSE 😮 Well done 👍💪

I felt the fear in every bump you took. That you kept going forward was very courageous!

Saffron=indomitable spirit.

You will get there in the end. Just take it easy & when suffering anxiety ,chill out get yourself together take a few breaths & ease back in to it at your own pace . Day by day ,bit by bit ,you will regain your confidence there is no rush , hopefully you will have many years of motorcycling yet to come . 👍

Great to see you riding again, Saffy. Your confidence will improve in time and you're doing the right thing by taking it easy. I've just bought an Himalayan and although it's slow it's characterful. A good mild mannered bike to rebuild your confidence after breaking your ribs. Hope you're fully recovered now at least physically.

Welcome back. And we were worrying without reasons. You seem to be a fitness sensation 😃. Keep inspiring.

Good on ya Saffy 👍 fractured ribs are painful getting back in the saddle is progress 👍you go girl 🤘,I'm six weeks in to my little spill(fractured ribs) taking me bike for MOT this week 😮🙄 you've insured me 🙏🤘🤗

Well done you Saffy! 👍👍

Glad you're ok Saffy just take your time you'll get there ❤

Absolutely Love all your sound effects . That you make while riding ❤❤ ... thats all I will say for now hahaa🔥🔥🔥❤️🌹

I lost all patience with GoPro that in a fit of rage, I threw it against a wall after it failing or corrupting data too many times, now use Insta and DJI cameras and not had any issues of overheating, data corruption etc... Glad to see you battling on Saffy, well done.

Well done saffron so pleased you feel better and are back on your bike your a star babe

Well done and in awful weather too. Good effort. What phone mount do you use as I am having an awful time with quad lock as in phone keeps falling off?

I hope your recovering is going well. Watching this video, I think you need better clutch control (it's not just about clutch). From all the motorcycle skills, this is one of the most important.

Great to se you back on a bike, you go girl.

My first major crash I broke 3 ribs. I stopped riding for a year after that. The anxiety is real! Well done for facing your fears. Happy riding!

Well done you, it's not easy getting back in the saddle after a fall. I recently broke my collarbone falling off my bike. Shit happens through our own stupidity, which is how we learn or maybe that's just me!

Glad to see you back. Recovery from major injuries takes time. DAMHIK

great to see you on a bike again its a hard thing to over come for sure but keep at it you can do it

Don’t ever quite you can do it 🙏🙏

Good on you Saffy getting back on takes quite a bit, unfortunately it gets easier the more it happens 😂 always a plus.