Page 2 of 2
Re: Cycling with EDS
Posted: 28 Dec 2022, 5:18pm
by OpheliaRaven
This is great! Thanks so much.
Vorpal wrote: ↑28 Dec 2022, 4:22pm
Wheels for Wellbeing may be a useful resource? They specialise in helping folks who need accommodations to start or continue cycling, use bikes as mobility aids, etc. They run sessions where people can try different types of pedal cycles, or get assistance with their own.
https://wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/
Re: Cycling with EDS
Posted: 28 Dec 2022, 5:36pm
by 531colin
OpheliaRaven wrote: ↑28 Dec 2022, 12:10pm
A weird one that has bothered me this past year is numbness in my hands. I've tried to adjust the handlebars to keep things in alignment but it still happens.
Also, lower back issues. When I've been out for more than an hour, my lower back will start to seize up and walking becomes difficult for a few days after.
Frequent cause for numb hands is too much weight on the hands.....the cure for this is to move the saddle back.....I know that sounds wrong, but its right!
You should be able to hold your position without propping up your torso on your hands
Balanced position by
531colin, on Flickr
You may need a shorter handlebar stem if you move the saddle back.
As your lower back seizes up, you may need a shorter stem anyway, to reduce the reach to the bars.
Also make sure your saddle is low enough so that when you go over a bump you can take your weight on your feet, so that you are not getting shockwaves from your saddle going up your back over every bump....if you "ride light"....distributing your weight between the contact points (pedals, saddle, bars).... the bike can move under you over the bumps.....a bit like a rocking horse, as first the front, then the back, wheels go over the bump.
Re: Cycling with EDS
Posted: 28 Dec 2022, 6:29pm
by OpheliaRaven
Thank you so much. This is incredibly helpful.
531colin wrote: ↑28 Dec 2022, 5:36pm
OpheliaRaven wrote: ↑28 Dec 2022, 12:10pm
A weird one that has bothered me this past year is numbness in my hands. I've tried to adjust the handlebars to keep things in alignment but it still happens.
Also, lower back issues. When I've been out for more than an hour, my lower back will start to seize up and walking becomes difficult for a few days after.
Frequent cause for numb hands is too much weight on the hands.....the cure for this is to move the saddle back.....I know that sounds wrong, but its right!
You should be able to hold your position without propping up your torso on your hands
Balanced position by
531colin, on Flickr
You may need a shorter handlebar stem if you move the saddle back.
As your lower back seizes up, you may need a shorter stem anyway, to reduce the reach to the bars.
Also make sure your saddle is low enough so that when you go over a bump you can take your weight on your feet, so that you are not getting shockwaves from your saddle going up your back over every bump....if you "ride light"....distributing your weight between the contact points (pedals, saddle, bars).... the bike can move under you over the bumps.....a bit like a rocking horse, as first the front, then the back, wheels go over the bump.
Re: Cycling with EDS
Posted: 29 Dec 2022, 3:27pm
by pwa
I sorted my lower back problem by lowering the saddle a little and moving it forward a tiny bit. I worried that doing that might put my bum on the rear edge of the saddle but in reality I compensated for the new position by not stretching my legs as much. I also got a shorter stem and had the bars a bit higher, all of which made me less stretched out and more comfortable.
Re: Cycling with EDS
Posted: 30 Dec 2022, 9:29am
by 531colin
OpheliaRaven wrote: ↑28 Dec 2022, 6:29pm
Thank you so much. This is incredibly helpful.
..........
No problem....do let us know how you get on.
It occurred to me that there is a useful thread here
viewtopic.php?t=35438 about hand problems ("richardyorkshire" seems to have some professional experience?)
Also, something which is very useful but not very easy to do.....
can you get somebody to video you riding your bike at a "normal" sort of speed for you so that we can "see" you on the bike?
Ideally somebody could stand and pan round while you ride in a circle around them....but this needs a large empty space.
Supermarket car park? Difficult to find a space which isn't used during daylight hours.
I think the video needs posting on you tube then linked here, but I'm the wrong generation!