andyprough

Criticizing him for seeking "medical advice from strangers on the Internet" and then offering an unsolicited and unrelated psych diagnosis - brilliant Dave! You really showed him.

There's also recumbent bikes, which would greatly reduce or eliminate the risk of a fall. Trail riding would be a great start. I think the reason some folks are being argumentative is that we all face the same concern, whether we have a spine condition or not. My next ride in traffic could be my last one - some crazy drunk driver could plow me over and I never have time to see him coming. Or some texting driver could lose control and wipe out the bike lane for a half mile. I use a mirror religiously, and I'm ready to ditch the bike if an out-of-control driver is headed my way.

If you want to see something cool, here's the latest bike helmet technology from Sweden - a $535 neck collar air bag that inflates into a big fluffy helmet in the event of a crash. It's called the "Hövding":

alan s 

Maybe there is a device you could wear that would minimize the risk. I think some football players use one. Wouldn't hurt to check. I love riding my bike, but I'd rather not risk serious injury that would likely happen in a crash. Even something as simple as falling off your bike, which is fairly common.

Dave Cutter

Unlike yourself..... I wasn't aware that I was supposed to "show" him... or anyone else. But... there was no "psych diagnosis". Everyone... within reason.. is totally aware of the grief and/or acceptance processes. But during stressful times it can be easy enough to lose direction. Light hearted reminders are far from anything even nearly like a "diagnosis".

If anything... could be extracted from my post... it was find a doctor you trust. Then take his/her advice.

I took the time to put myself in the OP's place. Being told to give up cycling.... my God that would be a tough one.

SwampDude

This mirror was recommended in a recent thread here, so I think its a popular brand and model. I ride a Trek 7.5FX, so this mirror fits it like a charm.

https://www.mirrycle.com/mountain_mirrycle.php

Now I need something similar for my road bike (Trek Pilot), but Mirrycle doesn't make one for it. I would pay plenty for a mirror with qualities similar to the Mirrycle Mtn bike mirror.

SwampDude

Dave- I wasn't offended by your advice, but I thought I sensed a little sarcasm in your statements. I have read threads where folks seek medical advice, and that was far from my intention. I guess I was looking for psychological tips on how to cope with the risk of cycling. The safest, smartest course for me would be to abandon the bike and become a gym rat. I guess I am grieving to some extent.

My OP was a little strong with the "fear" talk. Apprehension might have been a better term. Surely most of us feel some apprehension about mixing it up with cars and trucks on busy streets.

My doc didn't say "don't cycle any more". He did say he treats accident injuries that would be problematic for my condition; I have degenerative arthritis in my neck that has resulted in pressure on the protective sheath around the spine. The primary symptom is numbness in my thumb and index fingers on both hands. The remedy is a surgical process like Peyton Manning had after he left the Colts. The procedure involves installing a plate and screws to replace damaged parts.

At this point I'm being ultra cautious with the bike until I figure out what to do. If the condition progresses, I may be giving up other stuff or having the surgery. All things considered, I'm still a lucky dude with lots to be thankful for.

Dave Cutter

Thanks I didn't mean to offend. Of course you are grieving... who wouldn't be in your situation. And to a tiny extent... I grieve with you. I do understand. I meant the sarcasm.. to read more like light humor. Sorry.

Apprehension... is only active fear of the future. I am a war vet, former smoker, and asbestos worker. I've always accepted that something was going to kill or disable me. I thank God for each new day. Our strength, health, mental factuality's, life... it's all temporary. We will have much to grieve for in the days ahead. Today... I choose to smile and laugh. And... why shouldn't we all?

When my arthritis was diagnosed/discovered the doctor gave me a print out. That was basically the exact things he said. Months later... when I re-read the written words... I was shocked. The words I had "heard" the doctor say.... mellowed in my memory... where the written words remained dire.

To have the time and means to wile away our time and efforts with hobby's and forums... yes... we are all very lucky.

ClarkinHawaii

Well, that's a kick in the ole crotch--all I have is road bikes. As far as the danger aspect, I'm thinking about having Tshirt printed on the back "IF YOU RUN OVER ME, I'LL BITE YOUR TIRES". Seriously, how we deal with fear is one of the great challenges of life. The Spiritual approach works for me. Yoga meditation which leads to a calm conviction that if I'm doing all I can to live the kind of life I know I should, I will have protection as needed. When I was young and stupid, I was a Marine Corps paratrooper, Navy diver, flew as an artillery spotter in Vietnam, etc., and never gave it a second thought. I think we all become more aware of our physical mortality as we age. That's normal, but if we don't face it and deal with it, it will eat our lunch. PM me if you'd like more info on what works for me.

CbadRider

I cleaned up some of the bickering. Let's not derail the thread with arguing, please.

andyprough

Awesome Dave - thanks for your service to the country, and the most amazing thing any smoker can do is quit. People don't realize that just 15 years after quitting smoking, their risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker’s. That's incredibly inspirational - Two big thumbs way up - I hope you keep riding and smiling for many years to come.

Double0757

I had prostate problems at 44 that got me of the bike for 7 years. Upon a recommendation of a friend I got a new seat with the cut out and that was the remedy. On those 7 years I went from 180lb to 220lb. Tried the gym, with some success, but nothing motivated me like cycling.


I slowly stop living and I started just to live. The things I loved (backpacking, hiking, kayaking) I stoped doing and felt miserable for it. That was until 4 years ago when my friend told me to get the new age seat! In one year I lost 25lb and the next I lost another 10. My current weight is 185 and I'm living life again!


We all have to die some day and I know where I'm going after death, so I'm not afraid! I don't have a death wish and that's why I take precautions when riding (like most of us here). But if that means living for 10 years more or surviving for 30, I'll take the 10 years any day.


As far as the spine arthritis, I ride with some VA veterans that ride recumbents in South Florida with similar conditions! They just take precautions. They are older than me, mid 70's, and are living life, not just surviving.


i hope to be in my mid 80's before I have to quit riding. I know if God bless me with a long life, there is going to be a time when mind or body will fail and I'll have to quit, but that time is not now. I hope you keep riding if you love riding! Let your spine tell you when to quit or when to go to a recumbent, not your doctor, not our fears! Because I know when I stop riding, I'll stop living and start surviving. So, ride on like there is no tomorrow, because there may not be! Double O

jyl

If you are really and justifiably worried about a neck injury, you might look into the Leatt Brace plus a full face BMX type helmet. You can find videos etc to see how it works.

Basically think of the brace as a ring (disk with a hole) that your head fits through. The disk is supported on your upper torso (shoulders, back and chest) so that it cannot tip sideways, backwards or forwards. If an impact tries to compress your neck or force it very far sideways, backwards, or forwards, the lower edge of your full face and securely strapped helmet is stopped by the brace. The force is transferred by the brace to your torso. The result is that even a major impact to your head will not compress or flex your neck very far. Imagine a motorcycle accident when you fly through the air and land on your head.

This sort of device started out with motocross racers, now it is worn by motorcycle road racers, auto racers, and BMX bicycle racers. Other companies now sell similar braces. https://www.danscomp.com/shop-SAFETY...ck+Braces.html

I wore one for a while when I started riding a motorbike. Yes, I was very paranoid. It doesn't restrict your ability to swivel your head and look around. It will prevent you from bending your neck as far as required to ride a road bike in a deep tucked, down in the drops, flat-back position. But for other riding positions it is fine. After all, BMX racers wear them and they are riding super aggressively.

It does look a bit, uh, serious - especially combined with the full face helmet. You won't be the cool, relaxed hipster dude on the bike. But if you are really worred about a neck hyper flex injury, that is what these braces are designed to protect against.

Null66

No one here gets out alive...

Most people in the modern world die of sloth. Most people are too scared to do what they want to do.
I'm trying to die of something else.

Perhaps you've fallen for our current fear based society...
Safer than ever, yet everyone is scared $#1+less.



Was also told that the next time I go down I won't get back up due to neck injuries in '86. Been down more than a few times since.

I have numbness on parts of 2 fingers on right hand and part of left hand goes numb if I don't watch my form likely from getting hit by a car in 2001 on a motorcycle. I stopped for a red light, they did not.

So speaking from experience...

Leebo

I like blinky lights front and rear, day and night.

Dave Cutter

You've hit the nail on the head. It's a constant quandary.... real risk vs societal pressures of perceived risks. What cyclist hasn't heard from sincerely concerned friends/family/co-workers about just how dangerous bicycling is. Or... if you've been cycling long enough.... how many injured cyclists have you known... that no longer ride.

I try to find that elusive balance in my life. Enjoying life as if today is my last day.... yet planning life as if I will live forever. I try to set aside fears... yet not make foolish decisions. Many times... the choices I make are based on my responsibilities to others because of previous commitments (like marriage). And I do this fully aware... I may never know when I was correct or when I was mistaken.

This thread has stayed in my thoughts. The thread makes me think. Whereas I like to believe that my age is merely a number... sometimes I wonder if that is true.

I know why I love cycling. That feeling I get when cycling. Generally after I've warmed up and am moist or completely wet with sweat. When I push myself to "that days" limit. The feeling... the rush.. it hasn't changed in over half a century. I don't know what else I could do to recapture that feeling.

BUT... there are other areas of cycling as a interest and a sport that I also find enjoyable. Like wrenching. And [maybe] I could continue to wrench even if I could no longer ride. Maybe instead of completing a charity ride... I could assist with one. Sure... maybe not a silver lining. But not all that darn shabby ether. And... maybe I might be able to occasionally handle a recumbent trike on a friendly MUP in my old(er) age as well.... its all good.

jyl

The suggestion of trying a recumbent makes good sense too. Or even a recumbent trike.

I've ridden both, enough to appreciate their good qualities (and their bad), but not extensively enough to be any sort of expert. Maybe go over to the recumbent forum and ask about it. Ask how often anyone has hit their head in accidents. Also how they handle traffic and visibility issues.

Null66

I've found the more visible I try to be the more room people seem give me, and the more polite. Though polite is a mixed bag... Some follow me for quite a ways, waiting for perfect time to pass...

But since the traffic backs up, well people being nice, the follow ons tend to pass willy nilly...

TransitBiker

Holy cow. Do you ride with neck ring?

- Andy

Null66

Well, it's true its a number, but a number with implications. I used to bounce fairly well, all things considered... I don't bounce so well anymore. Also healing up is so much slower...

You can age better or worse, but taking good care of yourself can slow aging drastically.

PaulH

You can pull just as many Gs in a car-car collision as in a car-bike collision. If you want to be safe, stay home. If you want a life, go outside, either by bike or car. I think the risk is about the same in either mode.

Null66

TV is the biggest risk of all...

jpatkinson

I don't know who said it, but I remember someone describing luck as preparation + timing. I think the key is to make smart decisions about when and where you cycle.

I commute in an urban environment (2 mi). On my bicycle, I use lights/reflectors, wear a bright yellow jacket, and never assume ANY driver of a motor vehicle can see me. I ring my bell if I am passing a pedestrian. If a bus or large truck is coming up behind, I defer (pull over). Never worth it to play tag with the big boys. If I am running late or if I am tired or I have errands at lunch, I take my Vespa.

What will I NOT do on my bicycle?

I won't (willfully) ride in the rain (too risky on 2 wheels). Rain is rare here, and the roads become super slick (at first). No-one here seems to know how to drive in the rain.

I won't cycle in the country, certainly not on curvy, wooded roads, unless part of a charity ride or fondo or a large group. That is where people aren't paying much attention, where there are no bicycle lanes, where there is a far greater risk of someone "drifting" into me.

J Paul

halcyon100

Sorry to hear about your condition.

I've noticed that I seem to grow a bit more conservative in my approach to cycling as I get older. I think one of the key issues is to work out what you really want to do for yourself and to feel comfortable with it. I got a disc injury in my back awhile back and when I asked about my prognosis to avoid surgery..., the doctor said: "well, it depends on how often you bend over the next 5-10 years." Of course, I bend over cycling... When I didn't bike, I was depressed, overweight, etc. I realized my back issues will be there, whether I bike or not. Cycling may mean that I might need surgery sooner than if I took up swimming, but I am okay with this risk because I love cycling.

Bike commuting is full of "choice-points" about how much risk you want to take. I have one intersection at the end of a bike path, where cars turn left from a highway off-ramp. I get off my bike here, walk my bike across the street and then walk it a block and a half on the sidewalk to get to the next street I need to keep moving south. I don't see many other cyclists doing this - they often jump the curb and pedal quickly and try to make a "hail mary" left turn on the road I walk to. The fact is that I just feel safer walking my bike near this freeway off ramp. I pretty much wear full roadie gear and have a CF bike - most other road bikers are not making the choice I am at this intersection. But, my choice allows me to feel confident and safe and that helps me to keep on riding & commuting. When I tried to ride this intersection on the road, I found that some cars coming off the freeway would stop and gesture to allow me turn left- but this makes me anxious that a car behind the "courteous" stopper would get upset and pass them and then hit me. I was almost hit by a car doing this in the past. So, I minimize risk at this particular intersection. I ride through pretty much all other intersections, but I am making a conservative choice at one of them to keep up my confidence and sense of personal safety.

Some cyclists use mirrors, some have tons of blinky lights, some wear neon colors, some practice their skills on rollers, some do intervals, some only stick to paths, some stick to mtb riding, some only stick to roads, some need clipless pedals, some feel more confident with platform pedals -- all of these are fine-- the more cyclists are out there, the safer it will be for all of us in the end. I think you should do whatever helps you feel more confident.

howeeee

Bicycling is love of my life. The bigger risk for me is not being able to live my life as alive as biking makes me feel. I have been riding in traffic for 55 years, I have 0 fear of getting hit by a car.

If you have a big fear of riding in traffic, you shouldnt ride in traffic.

bragi

I don't think riding a bike is as dangerous as you indicate. Bicycle commuting is more dangerous than staying at home, true. But it's not any more dangerous than driving or walking. Yes, you could get killed while riding your bike to/from work. But, statistically, I'm willing to bet that commuting by bike is way safer than eating bacon on a daily basis. Let's keep things in perspective.

SwampDude

I sincerely appreciate all of the comments. You've provided thoughtful points without labeling me as a 'chicken' or something worse. Again, my OP was a bit strong on the 'fear' and 'constant danger' theme. I do feel riding in traffic can be hazardous to our health, and my spine condition has elevated my consciousness of the risks.

I've been cycling for a very long time...solo rides, group outings, scenic tours, Katy Trail adventure, charity rides, etc.. Age 74 is coming up this summer, and I'm not willing to quit as long as I can still do 30, 40, 50 miles a day without needing a visit by paramedics. I love the sport. It's an important part of my identity.

I'm thinking about the various points of view expresses so far. In the meantime, today I installed a NightRider Lumina (700 lumens) light on the rear rack of one bike. I will be more visible than ever from a considerable distance in daylight, which provides some comfort.

Thanks for chiming in.