Triathlon - Alternatives to biking (while injured)

I need some advice about what to do while I can't bike. About 10 days ago, I had a fall on my bike. To make a long story short, I hit the top tube and wound up with a LARGE hematoma on my nether-regions. (When I say large, I mean the size of a jumbo baked potato.) It was a pretty major injury. It's healing, but very slowly. Needless to say I won't be able to sit on a bike for probably another 3 weeks. I've registered to do my first tri ever (a sprint) on July 10th and I really don't want to skip it. I can still swim (if I throw self-consciousness to the wind), and I think I'll be able to start running again in about a week. I feel like I had a pretty good fitness base, so I'm thinking more along the lines of "damage control."

BUT... what can I do to keep my legs in shape for cycling? I think I could do the recumbent bike at the gym. Anything else you can suggest? Thanks.

I've always heard that rollerblading and speed-skating uses much of the same muscles that cycling does. That's why Eric Heiden, a former Olympic medal winning speed skater was able to change sports and become a professional cyclist.

I may never eat another baked potato until I can shake the image from my mind. Good luck on your recovery.

Ouch. Sounds painful.

Given that you can't run either, I'd just spend a bit more time in the pool, but with the extra time spent using the kickboard. YOu don't want to add on so much pool time that you get an overuse injury to your shoulder(s) on top of the rest.

Some guys "back in the day" used to run in the pool with a floatation device around their waist. I never did it (not more than once anyway) because I didn't like the way it felt. But supposedly it is a good low-impact way of getting a leg workout.

I suggest just using the kickboard.

can you ride without sitting down?

Sorry to hear about your injury.
Sounds like you have the right attitude, though, by not letting it put you out of training - good on you.
If you have access to an eliptical trainer or a stairclimber, those can be good workouts that utilize pretty much the same muscles as cycling. The stair climber will definitely help you climbing on the bike.
Good luck, train smart, and please keep us posted.

can you ride without sitting down?
Have you ever tried riding for a few hours without sitting?

Watergirl...sorry to hear that. I think sprokets's inline skating idea is a good one. Here's to your speedy recovery!

how about turning ur seat opposite direction and seating on the edge?

Oh my. I feel for ya girlfriend. All I can say is don't give up on your goal. If you are physically able to ride a bike by tri time, I say go for it. The inline skating idea I think is great. Just remember to fall forward! And wear guards! I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I can't imagine what that kind of injury must be like. I'm sending you good mojo vibes for a quick recovery!!

THanks for the ideas and sympathy. Sitting, even on a chair, is still difficult, so getting on a bike is out of the question - even with the saddle turned, or standing, or whatever. But I bought some zoomers yesterday so I could do more of a leg workout in the pool. I don't have skates, though, but I'm hoping to get to they gym and try some other things (eliptical, climber, etc.) Thanks again.

Water running is what a top coach would tell you (as mentioned). Some report Faster run/bike times after the injury because the legs have finnaly have had a chance to heal. Injury is often (not in your case) a symptom of overtraining.

Hey - thanks all for your input on this. As it turns out, I need to have surgery to resolve the problem. That's happening tomorrow. Hopefully I can get back on the bike before too long and still do my first tri in July. Maybe I won't be as fit as I'd hoped to be, but I'll still be able to do it, at least. <Fingers crossed... >

best of luck. And I strongly recomend the water running, all teh ironpeople, and marathoners on my tri team use it as a after race/injury recoverey tecnique.

The surgery today went well. General anesthesia is a TRIP. I'm hoping for a speedy recovery. My doc said if my incisions heal I can even play in my water polo tournament this coming weekend. Hooray! Thanks for the well-wishes and suggestions. I'll be back in the game before too long.