Don't want to give up yet
05-08-13, 10:04 AM
#1
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Don't want to give up yet
I'm a retired boomer living in nj who would dearly like to start biking again. I did a lot of it as a kid but now i am very afraid to try again due to fear of falling. I know this might sound trivial but for me it could mean the difference between a life of independence or depending on others. How does one start again? I have a lot of physical issues and i don't want to make them worse. You can't just take a bike to the beach and try on sand so as to protect yourself!! Lol. Besides - i need knee replacement and need to do something to build up the leg strength im going to need to get through this. I get very envious when i see my boomer neighbors take out their 2 wheelers and off they go!
Any feedback would be very welcome.
Any feedback would be very welcome.
05-08-13, 10:08 AM
#2
Hogosha Sekai
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Hi there and welcome aboard! I personally have no experience with recumbent bicycles nor do I know very much about them in general, but it seems to me that perhaps you should look into them? What really came to mind was a recumbent tricycle, falling should be a non issue with one and in my mind they're quite cool, there's an entire forum devoted to the subject here, as well as an age 50+ one should be lots of good info for you in both.
05-08-13, 10:48 AM
#3
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Welcome aboard
In addition to the recumbent trike mentioned above, another possibility would be cruisers that allow both feet to be placed on the ground while at a stop- look for marketing tags such as 'pedal forward' (Trek Pure) or 'flat foot technology' (Electra Townie).
In addition to the recumbent trike mentioned above, another possibility would be cruisers that allow both feet to be placed on the ground while at a stop- look for marketing tags such as 'pedal forward' (Trek Pure) or 'flat foot technology' (Electra Townie).
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05-08-13, 11:03 AM
#4
Galveston County Texas
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Get the knee replaced.
Get a trike.
Have Fun...
Get a trike.
Have Fun...
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
05-08-13, 11:18 AM
#5
You gonna eat that?
I'm in my 50s. I fear falling too. I like riding more.
I'm actually off the bike right now with a broken arm. I fell off the bike while riding with a group. We were in a parking lot and I was talking to someone when I hit a speed bump and lost my grip on the handlebars. Duh. So I'm done with riding for 6 weeks. I can't wait to get back to riding though. In the last 5 years since I've started riding again, I've fallen a few times, maybe once a year. A few scrapes here and there, nothing serious. Even when I broke my arm I was able to ride home (I didn't realize it was broken). So, yeah, once in a great while there are the major injuries. Those are the ones you hear about. But there are lots of minor incidents that seem kind of frightening in concept, but once it happens to you, you think, no big deal.
Ride as fast or slow as you are comfortable. And enjoy.
I'm actually off the bike right now with a broken arm. I fell off the bike while riding with a group. We were in a parking lot and I was talking to someone when I hit a speed bump and lost my grip on the handlebars. Duh. So I'm done with riding for 6 weeks. I can't wait to get back to riding though. In the last 5 years since I've started riding again, I've fallen a few times, maybe once a year. A few scrapes here and there, nothing serious. Even when I broke my arm I was able to ride home (I didn't realize it was broken). So, yeah, once in a great while there are the major injuries. Those are the ones you hear about. But there are lots of minor incidents that seem kind of frightening in concept, but once it happens to you, you think, no big deal.
Ride as fast or slow as you are comfortable. And enjoy.
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I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi 
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
05-08-13, 11:26 AM
#6
Galveston County Texas
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I'm in my 50s. I fear falling too. I like riding more.
I'm actually off the bike right now with a broken arm. I fell off the bike while riding with a group. We were in a parking lot and I was talking to someone when I hit a speed bump and lost my grip on the handlebars. Duh. So I'm done with riding for 6 weeks. I can't wait to get back to riding though. In the last 5 years since I've started riding again, I've fallen a few times, maybe once a year. A few scrapes here and there, nothing serious. Even when I broke my arm I was able to ride home (I didn't realize it was broken). So, yeah, once in a great while there are the major injuries. Those are the ones you hear about. But there are lots of minor incidents that seem kind of frightening in concept, but once it happens to you, you think, no big deal.
Ride as fast or slow as you are comfortable. And enjoy.
I'm actually off the bike right now with a broken arm. I fell off the bike while riding with a group. We were in a parking lot and I was talking to someone when I hit a speed bump and lost my grip on the handlebars. Duh. So I'm done with riding for 6 weeks. I can't wait to get back to riding though. In the last 5 years since I've started riding again, I've fallen a few times, maybe once a year. A few scrapes here and there, nothing serious. Even when I broke my arm I was able to ride home (I didn't realize it was broken). So, yeah, once in a great while there are the major injuries. Those are the ones you hear about. But there are lots of minor incidents that seem kind of frightening in concept, but once it happens to you, you think, no big deal.
Ride as fast or slow as you are comfortable. And enjoy.
Was headed to the red ramp and did not see the car stop.
Black area on left is from the front tire. Went down on my right side. Hip, Knee, and Head.
71 years old. Rode home 5 mi. Rode 100 miles the next day and 40 miles the day after that.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
05-08-13, 03:15 PM
#7
Life is good
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Welcome to Bike Forums. I'm 68 and still love my road bikes.
If you fear falling try a trike. Something like this (there are lots of other brands).
https://www.greenspeed.com.au/
If you fear falling try a trike. Something like this (there are lots of other brands).
https://www.greenspeed.com.au/
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
05-08-13, 04:37 PM
#8
Semper Fi
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Welcome to BF, there are plenty of returnees and those that have had or are having total knee replacement surgery. If balance is a problem follow the advice above and try a trike. There are many different configurations and heights of trikes to choose from. Visit the Recumbent Forum for some ideas about how the recumbents and trikes are used, there are a lot of them out and about. We also have a 50+ Forum that is fantastic and very enjoyable to particpate in, join us there, please.
Bill
Bill
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Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
05-09-13, 09:56 AM
#9
You gonna eat that?
I hit a car stop three weeks ago and my helmet hit the top sharp edge of the car stop.
Was headed to the red ramp and did not see the car stop.
Black area on left is from the front tire. Went down on my right side. Hip, Knee, and Head.
71 years old. Rode home 5 mi. Rode 100 miles the next day and 40 miles the day after that.
Was headed to the red ramp and did not see the car stop.
Black area on left is from the front tire. Went down on my right side. Hip, Knee, and Head.
71 years old. Rode home 5 mi. Rode 100 miles the next day and 40 miles the day after that.
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
05-09-13, 10:11 AM
#10
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Best wishes Lorrie. I hope you will keep us updated on this journey. We have a very friendly and supportive bunch of folks on the 50+ forum. Hope to see you there even if you are too young.
