Back in December 2024, I made a post about a lack of talent on my part leading to a serious injury. I was ejected from my e-mountain bike on a local trail, snapping my femur and having to be rescued. That story is HERE . In a more recent similar vein, Steve Hoswell, fellow moto-blogger from across the pond in Sydney; had a major accident on his bike. His harrowing and inspirational story is HERE . There was a lot of light-hearted banter about our accidents but underneath it all; it could have been so much worse.
The common thread is that ordinary activities can easily lead to adverse consequences and those consequences can take a serious amount of time to recover from. They also have a significant impact on those around us. However, events like this can also lead to positive outcomes during and after recovery - better health and fitness in both Steve's and my instances, not to mention intangible mental benefits.
My recovery led to some unforeseen circumstances. Sharing them may be of benefit to others, not just umm.... mature folk like me.
After surgery, I was contacted by the senior nurse in charge of the fracture clinic at our major regional base hospital, some 160 km away from where we live. Kerry and I hit it off straight away with an amusing discussion as to why a 77 year old would choose mountain biking as a pastime. She was super-helpful, talking about rehab options for the older person and also mentioned a condition called osteoporosis - something I'd heard of but knew nothing about. It's a medical condition in which bones become brittle and fragile, typically as a result of hormonal changes or deficiency of calcium or vitamin D. Older people are particularly susceptible to the condition. It's normally associated with females, yet 1in 3 males can end up with it. Kerry then offered me the opportunity for an osteoporosis test at a closer provincial hospital. This consisted of a series of low-powered X-rays taking less than half an hour, so I thought "Why not?"
At the end of the tests, I was shocked to find that I did indeed have a degree of osteoporosis which may well have contributed to the broken femur. Prior to the accident, I always thought I was in good nick, especially for my age. Kerry then outlined treatment options which were surprisingly straightforward, including an exercise regime to strengthen bones and muscles. After discussing it with my GP, medication was started, followed by 3 sessions a week at our local gym. The exercises started last June and have continued since then because they're both enjoyable and good for me. A recent blood test has shown that the treatment is working, I feel great and can look forward to the years ahead.
There has been one recent development though, which came from left field. Osteoporosis NZ, responsible for promoting bone health asked me whether I'd talk about my story as an aid to others who might find themselves in similar circumstances. The following narrative is the draft I wrote for them. It was well-received and I think it will appear in their publications before long. Also, they recently arranged for me to be interviewed by a journalist from a national media and lifestyle magazine. The article will be published any time now. Let's hope that it will spark a bit of interest about osteoporosis and encourage people to get checked at an appropriate time.
A Surprise Diagnosis – Living With Osteoporosis
By Geoff James
I'm a 78‑year‑old retired professional engineer living on the
My wife suggested we buy a classic car to enjoy together, which we duly did, and to keep fit I purchased an e‑mountain bike to explore the Coromandel’s off‑road trails. When someone has to give up a lifelong passion, it’s important to have a fallback interest to keep both mind and body in good shape. Mountain biking has been a lot of fun, and I even lost over 12 kg in the process. Not bad at all. Unfortunately, a notable error in judgment was still to come.
Late in 2024, Karma decided to intervene. I had recently recovered from knee‑replacement surgery after years of sporting abuse and had only been back on the bike for a couple of weeks. One late‑afternoon ride saw me tackling a challenging trail near home. A combination of loose clay “marbles” and a previously undiagnosed lack of rider talent proved my undoing. I was ejected from the bike and landed in an undignified heap.
I knew I was in serious trouble from the way my right leg flopped about, not
to mention the excruciating pain. It was obvious I’d broken my femur. I always
carry a phone, so my first action was to call my wife. I wasn’t expecting tea
and sympathy, but the telling‑off I received firmly put me in my place as an
old idiot who should know better. She then called an ambulance, and with the
help of several locals — including my GP and one of his medical team — I was
moved off the trail and taken to
When questioned by the hospital team about the cause of the accident, their tone was much the same as my wife’s, although far more diplomatic. After surgery to pin my femur and beginning rehabilitation, I was contacted by the Waikato Fracture Liaison Service. Given my age and the nature of the injury, I was offered a bone‑density scan. The scan confirmed osteoporosis — quite a shock, given how active and fit I thought I was.
However, the support, care, and clear information from the Fracture Liaison Service and my GP removed any fear of the unknown. After discussing options, I began weekly Fosamax tablets. They’ve been easy to manage — a glass of water and staying upright for half an hour afterwards — and I now attend the local gym three times a week for strength and cardio work. It has become an enjoyable and effective routine.
A recent blood test shows the treatment is working, and I can look to the future with optimism. I’m back cycling with no ill effects, although I’ve been banned by my wife — on pain of death — from riding on challenging goat tracks. I can live with flat gravel and road riding.
Some reflections
In the past, I’ve clearly minimised the disparity between my mental and physical age, despite the occasional family comment to this effect. This event has reminded me that taking everyday precautions is long overdue. Avoiding or modifying certain activities is now properly — well, mostly — thought through. No more climbing on the roof, and ladder work is now a matter of negotiation with my wife. Taking personal responsibility for maintaining health and fitness appropriate to my age has become a priority.
Had I not had the accident, my osteoporosis would have remained undiagnosed. My situation isn’t unique — many older New Zealanders discover osteoporosis only after a fracture. Earlier access to bone‑density scans could prevent similar cases and reduce long‑term healthcare costs.
I’m deeply grateful to everyone in the health service who supported me. Without them, the osteoporosis would have gone unnoticed, and a future incident could have had far more serious consequences. A massive thank‑you to all involved.
