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September 30, 2009 - 9:56am
Bicycles
HI everyone.
It's been a long timsince I last visited.
But this forum has never been forgotten.
Does anyone here ride bicycles?
I really want to.
I am 62 and walking is the only sport I can do which doesn't cause me pains. But, it's boring...
I am looking for well suspensioned (front wheel & chair) bike.
Well, even a table seat causes me pains near my tail bone but there are flexi seats with a grove at the right place so I am sure I'll manage.
Since I am 157 cm, I'd like to know if "flat foot bikes" (forward pedals) which allow having both feet on the ground AND straighten legs while pedaling, is good for one's back?
Opinions differ. Some say that regular placed pedals reduces the weight burden off the rider back.
What say you?
BTW, I like back-pedalling-brakes. Is it true that back-pedalling-brakes-bikes do not have suspension?
Thank you.
Yona
_____________
RA - since early 2005
C5-C7 fusion followed successful C6 Corpectomy, done by a NS July 2007.
New pains & findings, summer 2008:
L1-L2 bulging disk
L4-L5 herniated disk pressing the dural sac & nerve root at the interlaminar foramen (this is probably the reason for my sciatic pain)
L5-S1 bulging disk
Preneural foraminal cystic-like structures at both sides of S2.
Also, degenerated D7-D11 vertebraes with osteophytes and changes in the facet joints.
Decided not to accept Ortho surgeon recommendation to do L4-L5 disk Coblation.
Bone density - more than OK for my age, inspite of prednisone taken for the RA.
Have quitted other RA meds but not pain killers.
Pains I suffer from are related ALSO to fibromyalgia & sciatica.
Can't do Yoga or Pilates (pains...) walking is fine but I want to ride bicycles.
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Yona,
Hey girl, you are doing well, as you my sporting prowess has diminished over time and as everyone here, what I could do now just a distant memory of my previous self, walking any distance is now for me not an option and cycling has been my saviour to some sanity and that feeling of doing something and dream.
It is suggested that some flections or bend in the leg is preferable that a true straight leg if that is possible. Straight legs put more tension into your central spine and for many laying flat itself with both legs down not possible or without some additional pain.
We have here facilities for people wanting to ride and just adopted a park and cycle scheme, perhaps the best thing is to find what works for you through trial and error and I applaud you effort, my pain is not lessoned by riding and done with my limitation does not make it worse, it as you say is none weight bearing good for the joints and increases our heart rate from my running day when younger which for many is not possible.
Some cycling clubs have very short rides and may be able to provide you with a bike to try and give you the correct support and guidance needed. Our PT was supportive of this and also gave some guidance, when I started riding I set attainable objectives and 2/3 years later I have managed to achieve these, on the days I cannot stand well I use this as a rest day and when I can do more I do so.
Suspension bikes did not work for me and to my surprise I use a hard tail, one with no suspension, which you would think would make things worse. My wife now rides and our shared activity one that we both enjoy doing. I have titanium rods in my spine so this process has taken some considerable effort tenacity and tears at times. I have tried to include this activity more in my overall strategy and psychologically it has helped me feel some progress however small.
Take care, pace well and enjoy it.
John
DDD.1990 Laminectomy, Failed spine fusion, hartshill rectangle RLS. 3 stents
Pain is inevitable, misery is optional. Sternbach et al
Pain is a more terrible lord of mankind than even death itself.
Albert Schweitzer 1953.
“It’s not things that trouble us but the views we take of them” Epitectus
I did a long research. Eventualy I bought: Trek's Pure Deluxe Lowstep
It's geometry allows me to put feet firmly on the ground, without having to leave the saddle.
Pedaling is comfort because I can almost streighen my legs as well.
I'm 157 cm.
Maintenance should be easy because of the internal gearing. 3 gears are enough for me and it also has rear leg breaks.
The bike comes with quite a good seat but I replaced it with a softer one because I have pains around my tail bone.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/bike_path/pure/puredeluxelowstep/
I took my bike out to "our" 1st common ride (previously I tried my son's Becidan which are too heavy & too big for me). It was to Jazz dance class...
I need the dancing for improving my coordination which is quite bad with all these loosing fine tuning of nerves operation.
Starting to dance at 62 is better than never, right?
Anyway, after dancing I rode to the park.
It was an enjoyable ride and I don't have any traumatic feeling from it.
I think I saw my rheumatologist, riding in the same park.
Go figure, with the helmet...
btw, "BICYCLES" OR "BIKE" in Hebrew is a word for a couple, meaning plural.
What is it in English?
In other words, should I say my "bike is" or "my bike are"?
Thanks
Yona
RA - since early 2005
C5-C7 fusion followed successful C6 Corpectomy, done by a NS July 2007.
New pains & findings, summer 2008:
L1-L2 bulging disk
L4-L5 herniated disk pressing the dural sac & nerve root at the interlaminar foramen (this is probably the reason for my sciatic pain)
L5-S1 bulging disk
Preneural foraminal cystic-like structures at both sides of S2.
Also, degenerated D7-D11 vertebraes with osteophytes and changes in the facet joints.
Decided not to accept Ortho surgeon recommendation to do L4-L5 disk Coblation.
Bone density - more than OK for my age, inspite of prednisone taken for the RA.
Have quitted other RA meds but not pain killers.
Pains I suffer from are related ALSO to fibromyalgia & sciatica.
Can't do Yoga or Pilates (pains...) walking is fine but I want to ride bicycles.
Yona,
English is not my native language, but I have been speaking it longer (over 50 years) than anything else, so I attempt an answer:
BIKE or BICYCLE are the singular forms, BIKES and BICYCLES the plural.
If any native English speaker knows better, please, speak up!
Kin
SF Peninsula CA resident
Decompression and L3-S1 fusion with instrumentation, 5/1/08
Single or a couple (in Hebrew. Because it has 2 wheels) I love it!
I take them out whenever I feel like.
Can't wait to share my joy with my drs....
Yona
RA - since early 2005
C5-C7 fusion followed successful C6 Corpectomy, done by a NS July 2007.
New pains & findings, summer 2008:
L1-L2 bulging disk
L4-L5 herniated disk pressing the dural sac & nerve root at the interlaminar foramen (this is probably the reason for my sciatic pain)
L5-S1 bulging disk
Preneural foraminal cystic-like structures at both sides of S2.
Also, degenerated D7-D11 vertebraes with osteophytes and changes in the facet joints.
Decided not to accept Ortho surgeon recommendation to do L4-L5 disk Coblation.
Bone density - more than OK for my age, inspite of prednisone taken for the RA.
Have quitted other RA meds but not pain killers.
Pains I suffer from are related ALSO to fibromyalgia & sciatica.
Can't do Yoga or Pilates (pains...) walking is fine but I want to ride bicycles.
Hi Yona
Kinpin is right
In English we would say ...my bike is, or my bicycle is, either name, depends on choice, bike is just an abbreviation. Bikes and bicycles is only used when there is more then.
TC
Liz
Born with Familial epiphyseal dysplasia
Polio at 4yrs. Osteoarthritis from age 30
Lumber and cervical stenosis from 1995, surgery of decompression lumber L3/L4/5 S1 1996
chronic pain since 6 years of age
Yona
Riding a bike in pian is the same in any language and you have done a great job, you should be proud of what and how you are doing, you doc will be pleased with your new skill and long may it continue.
Take care and enjoy it.
John
DDD.1990 Laminectomy, Failed spine fusion, hartshill rectangle RLS. 3 stents
Pain is inevitable, misery is optional. Sternbach et al
Pain is a more terrible lord of mankind than even death itself.
Albert Schweitzer 1953.
“It’s not things that trouble us but the views we take of them” Epitectus
Yona, what fun everyone is having!!!!
keep riding and have a good time doing it!! you did your homework and it sounds like you have the right ride for your back.. hope it all fits together and you can ride forever!! 
dance class? you are a go getter!!! 
Jenny 
be impeccable with your word..
I think bicycle is the good for exercise. when we ride the bicycle then we can burn lots of fat from our body. So if you wish to loose your weight then you have to ride the bicycle.