Cycling UK Forum

Paulatic wrote: ↑28 Aug 2022, 3:44pm I suffer with bradycardia the fitter I get the worse it is. Stand up, one or two steps and I need something to hang on to. A glass of beer and it’s guaranteed
How do you know it’s Orthostatic Hypotension? Do you wear a BP monitor to discover that?

The symptoms are consistent with orthostatic hypotension and there’s a clear classical known cause

Anyone suffer from orthostatic hypotension after exercise? Symptom is feeling dizzy on standing. Causes are mild dehydration, particularly where bradycardia is present which is common amongst those that exercise regularly. I do frequently, not always, but frequently. As I’ve aged it has become more common.

hercule wrote: ↑26 Aug 2022, 10:09pm

pjclinch wrote: ↑15 Aug 2022, 11:42am

tenbikes wrote: ↑12 Aug 2022, 2:36pm

Is there a UK dealer?

I don't think so. Last pal that got one (a couple of years back, I think) had to import

It looks like you can indeed get Elliptigos in the UK: https://www.elliptigo.co.uk/

I think they have a network of “ambassadors” round the UK to allow you to try them out.

I investigated this possibility when I was sidelined from running; I have cycled for as long as I have run (5 decades) and whilst I love cycling it doesn’t quite do the same thing for me as running. I ended up trying a kick bike/adult scooter which is a much cheaper option and got hooked. In fact it was very helpful in rehabilitating my injury and I’m back running again, but also scooting and also cycling. Allegedly several ultra runners use them for cross training and I can believe them. They were originally designed for cross country skiers to train in the summer and they do give a pretty intense full body workout if you want it.

My Kickbike RaceMax to give you an idea:

1045171C-B5DF-427C-9E83-0276393E50F2.jpeg

What happens when you get to a steep hill on one of these bikes? Riding uphill out of the saddle for any period of time beyond a couple of minutes is extremely hard work, tougher than running or walking uphill.

Ride it?

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Very impressive but you've got a long way to go to challenge Tommy Godwin's record https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-s ... e-17730428
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Utterly remarkable

Just glad I live in a coastal area north of the heat warning zone. Max temperature forecast in the week ahead 22C . Mind you have to suffer persistent wind and rain over the winter

The original heading was intentional a bit ‘bald’ because members here should be aware (or made aware) that some people literally walk out of their front door, wave to the Mrs as they ride off and the next time she sees her husband is during a viewing at the undertakers - that’s just what happened to my acquaintance. This is a serious and normally either ignored or hidden subject, however some people are literally - if unwittingly - killing themselves whilst cycling and being wonderfully fit is not necessarily a protection.

But that could happen to anyone at anytime not necessarily involving cycling or any strenuous physical activity. Could happen driving to the shops, walking the dog, going to the pub.

Clearly light and bright coloured clothing is generally more noticeable and ‘visible’ then dark or dull coloured clothing. I’m sure we can all think of circumstances when that might be the case but as a general rule it is true.

With Pogacar taking the race leads as far as the yellow jersey is concerned is it all over?

mjr wrote: ↑4 Jul 2022, 10:42am Yeah, mixed feelings, but the racers crash often enough to deter people the same, don't they?

And why don't the far worse car crashes shown on TV deter motoring? Horrible video all over the news last night and this morning of a driver at Silverstone looking to be sliding along on his head before flipping over into a razor wire fence.

The answer might be that regular day to day motoring as much as common with Grand Prix racing as regular day to day cycling has with the TDF racing.

I’m at 1,718 miles and 113,373 feet of ascent. So 92 miles down, largely because I’ve recommenced running three days a week as well as cycling.

Happens fairly regularly around my home area too, South Lakeland. Most motorists are considerate and overtake when it’s safe giving me plenty of space. Some are over cautious as you describe, and very occasionally there will be someone who takes a risk.

Why are ‘we’ (and I include myself in that), obsessed with what our max HR might be?

There are many factors that contribute towards performance on the bike of which aerobic capacity and ability to hold a high HR for long periods is only one. The key to improving performance is to know which factor(s) are limiting your performance and try to improve those. If it’s aerobic fitness than training to increase that would be important and then HR, and the ability to maintain a high percentage of maximum would be key. However for someone like me who comes from a running background it’s not aerobic fitness it’s power.

Basically I have decades of running behind me, sometimes competitively, and have a well developed aerobic system. But I don’t have the power that comes from regular cycling over decades. So for me to improve my performance on a bike working on increasing my power would be the key. I must say I rarely bother I just go out and ride to enjoy the experience. Anecdotally I believe my power is increasing slightly just through doing more cycling. I can hold a higher gear for longer and my average speed has crept up a bit. But faced with a tough climb I return to type, low gear, high heart rate, high cadence, as I just don’t have the power to do anything else.

Btw if you want to know your max HR just wear a monitor over several weeks. Ride some very steep hills that challenge you to near your maximum abilities, observe the readings at which your heart rate peaks and it will give you a good idea. Possibly under the extremist of extreme conditions it could be a few beats higher but not much.

And then there’s the skill aspects particularly on routes with lots of bends and rough roads. And holding position on the bike for long periods in an efficient form. And probably loads of others I haven’t mentioned and might not even be aware of.

So my original injury was Thursday 2nd June. It was recovering nicely and on the following Tuesday I was gardening. Light digging, hedge clipping, for a couple of hours without any issues. I then went running in the evening. Big mistake. Everything was fine whilst running but afterwards when cooled off sat at home, the pain was worse than ever. I then visited the Doctor the next day who confirmed bruised or cracked 6th rib, but not complete break.

Today I completed a 52 mile ride with over 4,200 feet of climbing pain free. And today I’ve not taken any painkillers. So I’m thinking my rib was bruised only. I can still feel a dull ache on stretching arms above head and with some movements, but nothing painful. I can even cough with only slight pain (1 out of ten). I might try a short slow run later next week if things continue to improve.

And possibly a relapse and risk of re-injury?