Riding with health issues-(hospital confirmed)

ClappedOut
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Riding with health issues-(hospital confirmed)

Post by ClappedOut »

A bit embarrassing but here goes
Years ago I became ill and admitted to hospital, flat on my back in a hell of state after leaving a situation to fester and not chasing the GP up, I ended up housebound and a prisoner in my own home for months of specialist hospital visits and a carrier bag of tablets a month on prescription. (Everyone enjoyed fine weather- I lost several years to ill health)

I have a leg and hip issue that my shoes altered by orthotics,( so I have not the most suitable shoes and currently would like to avoid hospital visits)
I have a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia among other things and I hate it, I hated it even more when council said years ago I was ineligible for a blue badge Even with a specialist letter-then phoned Recently up and said the criteria had changed and they processed it with information at hand. (I hate being labelled disabled, a bit of assistance occasionally all I need and I try not to use the blue badge unless really really rough as always feel a fraud)

Roll forward and I had a self employed business that my orders evaporated the moment pandemic mentioned as people don’t want you in their homes- we received a small grant from HMRC but it’s a nightmare.

My partner works in child care and GP called and she will not be able to return until her work get a return to work risk assessment ok’d by GP-another nightmare.

So it’s all a bit bleak, however we both find cycling easier than walking long distances.

The situation my partner has a mountain bike and it’s old and ratty but we gave it a going over, she can manage 4-6km slowly and with inhalers, no land speed record but exercise non the less.

I have an audax / club racer type bike on 700 size rims, old as hill but we stripped and serviced it with new tyres and tubes and went over everything.

The problem I have is to be comfortable to ride with seat adjusted correctly, I have mobility issues getting onto bicycle- frustratingly I damaged a new seat with my shoes which I cannot simply go to Asda to get a pair of plimsolls as my shoes altered by hospital.

Over period of time I’m slowly increasing the speed and distance away from home in a circuit locally with my best about 6miles in 30 minutes so I won’t win any prizes for speed.

Apologies for ramble, we cannot afford a bike with a lower crossbar, But a cheap comfortable saddle covered with something more durable than vinyl perhaps a start?

I see that remote adjustment seat posts are available but expensive the ones I have seen.

Sorry a bit long winded and any suggestions welcomed.
Carlton green
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Re: Riding with health issues-(hospital confirmed)

Post by Carlton green »

H’mm, nothing is ever simple. Let’s focus on the later part of your text, difficulty getting your leg over the saddle and no money to get a different bike.

That simplified problem is not an uncommon one raised here. One answer is to lay the bike on the ground, straddle it and the lift the cross bar up - if you have limited mobility then a piece of cord might help with the lifting.

When you can afford and can spot one near enough to you then a mixte frame is the way to go. Even consider riding a Women’s frame so you can step through - if anyone comments then a response mentioning disability should soon shut them up ...
Last edited by Carlton green on 30 May 2020, 12:31pm, edited 1 time in total.
Don’t fret, it’s OK to: ride a simple old bike; ride slowly, walk, rest and admire the view; ride off-road; ride in your raincoat; ride by yourself; ride in the dark; and ride one hundred yards or one hundred miles. Your bike and your choices to suit you.
Cyril Haearn
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Re: Riding with health issues-(hospital confirmed)

Post by Cyril Haearn »

Use a kerb or a step to mount/dismount
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Mike Sales
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Re: Riding with health issues-(hospital confirmed)

Post by Mike Sales »

ClappedOut wrote:(I hate being labelled disabled, a bit of assistance occasionally all I need and I try not to use the blue badge unless really really rough as always feel a fraud)



I am disabled and I think that you ought not to feel ashamed at using whatever help you need and can get.
I know that sometimes because I can ride a bike further than many able-bodied but sedentary people consider possible, I raise eyebrows when using crutches to walk further than a few metres.
Do whatever you need to function best, and if anybody takes exception, then soddem. You are not a fraud.
There is nothing wrong with being disabled and making your life as easy as you can in spite of it.
It's the same the whole world over
It's the poor what gets the blame
It's the rich what gets the pleasure
Isn't it a blooming shame?
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foxyrider
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Re: Riding with health issues-(hospital confirmed)

Post by foxyrider »

As Carlton says, one easy way is to lay the bike down, step over and pull bike up. Mounting from a high kerb may help too.

You mention 'dropper' seat posts, yes they are expensive but there is a cheaper way, a quick release seat post clamp - not ideal but its cheap, you don't need anything other than the clamp to do it and it allows you to either quickly remove/fit the whole saddle seat post or drop it lower in the frame for mounting.

Over the years i've had several health issues that have affected my ability to ride / mount / even walk, its a bugger when you can't support your own weight to swing your good leg over the saddle and my antics to mount have been comical at times - for others to watch. Once i'm on the bike and riding most people wouldn't guess that i have these sporadic issues, i can relate to your 'feeling like a fraud' comment, i can't be disabled, afterall i ride hundreds of miles and walk a fair few which is all others see.

Good luck with your exercising, its not how far or fast you ride, its the fact that you are making some effort thats important.
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Carlton green
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Re: Riding with health issues-(hospital confirmed)

Post by Carlton green »

Mike Sales wrote:
Do whatever you need to function best, and if anybody takes exception, then soddem. You are not a fraud.
There is nothing wrong with being disabled and making your life as easy as you can in spite of it.


He’s right you know, and If there was an applaud button then I would be pressing it.
Don’t fret, it’s OK to: ride a simple old bike; ride slowly, walk, rest and admire the view; ride off-road; ride in your raincoat; ride by yourself; ride in the dark; and ride one hundred yards or one hundred miles. Your bike and your choices to suit you.
ClappedOut
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Re: Riding with health issues-(hospital confirmed)

Post by ClappedOut »

The frame ideas I guess my pride and ego I didn’t want a ladies bike, but your right a ladies or unisex bike would solve some issues.

I have tried the tilt the bike over and it does look Quite bizarre, but holding brake and righting it and mounting seem a lot easier.
Once on the bicycle it’s 14 speed and I can get into all but top gear on flat, and getting faster and further every day.

Thank you for the warm welcome and I was a little apprehensive trying to explain the situation and a 700 x32 road bike, which I find not too heavy and once on it I feel a little more agile.

I watched

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdb7KEc7xJI And the main conclusion was the modern super bike was a superbly crafted machine in right hands, wasted in mine if I could get on it.
However the braking distance surprised me and I haveImage
So a brake upgrade may be in order if people have any budget advice please
Carlton green
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Re: Riding with health issues-(hospital confirmed)

Post by Carlton green »

ClappedOut wrote:The frame ideas I guess my pride and ego I didn’t want a ladies bike, but your right a ladies or unisex bike would solve some issues.

I have tried the tilt the bike over and it does look Quite bizarre, but holding brake and righting it and mounting seem a lot easier.
Once on the bicycle it’s 14 speed and I can get into all but top gear on flat, and getting faster and further every day.

Thank you for the warm welcome and I was a little apprehensive trying to explain the situation and a 700 x32 road bike, which I find not too heavy and once on it I feel a little more agile.

I watched

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdb7KEc7xJI And the main conclusion was the modern super bike was a superbly crafted machine in right hands, wasted in mine if I could get on it.
However the braking distance surprised me and I have .....
So a brake upgrade may be in order if people have any budget advice please


I’ve been thinking about your comments above.

Pride, as they say, comes before a fall so I suggest that you sink your pride and ride what works for you. Deal with the flack (if you actually get any) and get the exercise in. It is a difficult mental adjustment and you might need to be a bit thick skinned but the rewards of exercise and liberty are there waiting for you to enjoy. Whilst thinking of open frames the likes of the Raleigh 20 are cheap, easy to straddle and genderless; their performance is limited but they’re a darn sight better than walking.

I watched about half of the video including the brake test. To be honest the cheaper bike was more than adequate in all respects and performed better than bikes I’ve ridden all over on. If you’re a racing cyclist and have loads of money to spend on your hobby then the carbon framed bike is just what you’re looking for, if you’re a bit more skint and can be satisfied with slightly less performance then pay a tenth of the price and still have loads of fun.

I doubt that there’s much if anything wrong with them but if you’re concerned about your type of brakes and their performance then look at their set up. My brake performance has improved with set-up, maintenance and block selection; moderating your speed and thinking ahead makes you less dependent on high performance brakes too.

Good luck, enjoy and deal with ‘social’ issues if and as they arise.
Don’t fret, it’s OK to: ride a simple old bike; ride slowly, walk, rest and admire the view; ride off-road; ride in your raincoat; ride by yourself; ride in the dark; and ride one hundred yards or one hundred miles. Your bike and your choices to suit you.
nigelnightmare
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Re: Riding with health issues-(hospital confirmed)

Post by nigelnightmare »

I know you have said that money is tight, but have you considered a recumbent trike?
I ride an ICE TRICE Qnt after I broke my neck and have nerve damage that effects my balance.
ClappedOut
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Joined: 30 May 2020, 12:43am

Re: Riding with health issues-(hospital confirmed)

Post by ClappedOut »

nigelnightmare wrote:I know you have said that money is tight, but have you considered a recumbent trike?
I ride an ICE TRICE Qnt after I broke my neck and have nerve damage that effects my balance.


I looked, looked some more and can't find an affordable recumbent, but that looks like a super bit of kit you have and most impressive if I could afford one it looks epic-currently I could possibly half afford a deposit maybe.

I have made some investigations and saddle experiments with YouTube and the GCN channel tips.

I have tinkered with saddle height etc and while Tinkering I have a £12.99 Dunlop ergonomic saddle which I quite like and I saw a lidl MTB race saddle for £7.99 which is £20-27.40 on amazon with both great and awful reviews and narrower to fit and try as cheap.

I have investigated various bike options and I think a second hand Decathlon aluminium gravel bike with rim brakes would suit as depreciation and hopefully lighter - my son desperately wants to ride some places on a his jump bike that I can't go currently as my foot quite unstable and I have fallen on uneven ground so I tend to avoid bridal ways and anything without smooth tarmac.


Quite embarrassed to say a 5-6 mile loop about the limit currently with two bridges as my footwear less than Ideal as heavy and hospital alterations, I did wonder if plimsoll with a arch liner would be any good as a substitute as foot pain the main issue.

Chipping away slowly at the issue and enjoying the exercise.

Thanks for encouragement and advice.
Syd
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Re: Riding with health issues-(hospital confirmed)

Post by Syd »

Firstly, nothing embarrassing about it al all. You are doing the best you can in difficult circumstances and still looking at ways of improving the situation. That deserves kudos.

Security, I do not know how physically restricted you are with regards to getting on a bike. When I first returned to cycling after fracturing my pelvis I struggled to mount my bike and had to lay it at an angle of 45 degrees and more, then step over it then bring it upright until my flexibility returned.
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Re: Riding with health issues-(hospital confirmed)

Post by Vorpal »

ClappedOut wrote:However the braking distance surprised me and I haveImage
So a brake upgrade may be in order if people have any budget advice please

Those brakes can normally be as good as any other rim brakes, but they aren't always set up and adjusted correctly. When they aren't set up and adjusted correctly, they're poor.

Our 'too good to lose' section has a couple of threads on those that you may find useful. The first explains how they work. The second how to set them up correctly.
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=57410
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=33329
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rjb
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Re: Riding with health issues-(hospital confirmed)

Post by rjb »

And with any cantilever brake similar to your picture you must have something that stops the arm linking cable from dropping into the tyre should the main cable break. Either a mudguard or a light reflector bracket would suffice. :wink:
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ClappedOut
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Re: Riding with health issues-(hospital confirmed)

Post by ClappedOut »

Syd wrote:Firstly, nothing embarrassing about it al all. You are doing the best you can in difficult circumstances and still looking at ways of improving the situation. That deserves kudos.

Security, I do not know how physically restricted you are with regards to getting on a bike. When I first returned to cycling after fracturing my pelvis I struggled to mount my bike and had to lay it at an angle of 45 degrees and more, then step over it then bring it upright until my flexibility returned.


I tip bike at a similar angle and then bring the bike upright, ( great tip) I have found the most comfortable seat height by watching GCN etc and experimenting. The seat is high which with limited dexterity tipping the bike makes it easier.
Lower seat height is plain uncomfortable to ride.

The great joy of cycling is getting further than is comfortable to walk :D
ClappedOut
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Re: Riding with health issues-(hospital confirmed)

Post by ClappedOut »

rjb wrote:And with any cantilever brake similar to your picture you must have something that stops the arm linking cable from dropping into the tyre should the main cable break. Either a mudguard or a light reflector bracket would suffice. :wink:


I’m not sure how to multi quote

I agree, I have a mud guard the brakes are 55mm blocks, slim profile I could get 70mm in possibly between fork and rim if strong enough.

I also didn’t like the tyres a Vittoria adventure tech 700c x 32 that didn’t inspire confidence and 10 months and a few hundred miles the tyre looked mint with dimples- the side wall Perished in less than a year, I believe as the tread completely un pliable

to be unpleasantly rigid and perish / damage side wall at 80 psi.

I have swapped to Jack Brown Blue 700c 33.5 and what a difference :D better grip, every bit of tiny grit doesn’t feel like it will spit you off and a lot more comfortable. :mrgreen:

The new seat this afternoon I’m undecided after 4 miles if it is an improvement or not
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