merziac

The current spate of mishaps including myself albeit at the dragstirp last fall on a motorized version and some of our most venerable members reminds me of something that I thought about during my whole recovery which covered the better part of three months.

Broke my pelvis and also had no surgery or much of anything else along the way, no Ortho consult, just my Primary care Doc and Physical therapy consult with no hands on. Both told me to take it easy and stay off the bike. My Doc is annoyingly non plussed with cycling and was adamant about not riding so I did as he said and didn't ride for about 10 weeks. The pain was huge early on but after about six weeks it was very manageable, still no riding said the doc. Finally around week 9 I had had it, got on the bike and the worst of the remaining pain went away immediately.

If there is a next time I will make the call a lot sooner as now there is lingering pain that I think would be less if I had gotten back on the bike sooner,

Prowler 

thinktubes 

gugie 

I hear you. Soon as I'm able I'm hoping back on the horse.
I had a bad bout of sciatica a few years ago, held off from riding. Started up again with no issues. It only cleared up after an 8 day tour

My PT sez "keep moving, or die"

squirtdad

this is probably appropriate

https://www.bicycling.com/news/a2254...healthy-aging/

gugie 

"An hour and a half a day can be impossible to squeeze in among work, kids, a commute, and all the other obligations of life"

I solved that puzzle 8 years ago - commute by bike. For some reason the past 17 years I've lived about 10 miles from work, even though I've moved twice and changed jobs 4 times. Luckily I've also figured out a good bike commute route, even if it partially involves a train. I know a guy who lives 20 miles from work, he drives halfway to a park and ride with bike in back of car, then rides the rest of the way in.

It doesn't take much longer to ride than to drive. It's a half hour driving, but 50 minutes riding to where I work now. My bike route takes me on a trail short cut. I stopped showering a few years ago when they were remodeling the shower room at work, and found out I really didn't need it. I just wear cycling shorts and my work clothes, then change pants at work. Even in the summer, the mornings are cool enough so I'm not too sweaty when I get to work, and it dries off quickly. Luckily it's not too humid in the PNW. In the evenings I sweat like crazy on the way home, but I just take a shower when I get home.

I've probably posted this routine a dozen times here in the forums, apologies if it's getting boring. I just figure there's someone that might read this and figure they might try it as well.

squirtdad

+1 commuting builds in work out time at little added time cost..... I have had commutes where it was faster to use my bike ...and no matter what how you feel you have to ride home

another good read while we are on this theme
fitness in small steps......like bike commuting
https://www.outsideonline.com/225286...rm=READ%20MORE

gugie 

I drive to work Monday, drive home Friday, and leave my pickup at work in between. This gets around the "what if there's an emergency at home" excuse, and also allows me to run lunchtime errands if needed. If I need to stay late at work, it's a bailout.

As for motivation, I'm almost always feeling up to riding home. It's waking up in the morning early enough to ride in that's hard sometimes. Since my pickup isn't at home, it's the only way to get to work. I've never had a morning that I didn't eventually feel good about riding. Rain, cold, and snow are just challenges to be conquered.

Giacomo 1 

Ummm, riding is also great for a hangover...😰

nlerner

squirtdad

+1 there is no one way to do it, just do it (so I keep telling my self)

USAZorro

This almost makes me wish I didn't work from home.
Never had a broken bone, but riding is definitely therapy for an unhappy back.

noglider 

Riding is therapy for my knees. I was diagnosed with chondromalacia when I was 24, and I'm 57 now. I still haven't had surgery.

It's true for many of us that riding to work is faster than driving to work plus a separate workout. Realizing that is what got me back into bike commuting. Now I live in the city again, and cycling takes the same amount of time as the subway or perhaps more. And driving is not an option.

Sir_Name 

Slightspeed

I fell on the same knee twice on the 2016 Eroica. Damn toeclips and cleats. My knees had survived 67 years with no problems, and now my left knee hurts if I walk more than 50 yards. Riding 50 miles is no problem. Why walk when you can ride?

merziac

Anybody else have a Doc that seems to be indifferent at best about cycling?

beicster 

My doc is just the opposite. He used to ride all over town. I had my 6 month check up yesterday and he congratulated me on riding and said he was glad "that damn bike rack" was getting some use.

merziac

I could only hope for that, had a GI doc that was for about a month, he was head of the dept. and left to work with my old GI doc. go figure.

My Doc now acts like it's a non starter even after telling him that without it I would probably get no other serious workout.

Giacomo 1 

My doc thinks cycling is nuts, but its because where I ride, city streets. He is waiting for me to get doored or worse. I can't really blame him for that, because any mistake has a high price. Riding in a 2ft wide patch of asphalt between moving traffic and parked cars is pretty nuts I guess, but I stay super alert and I say my prayers before every ride.🙏

I told my doc its done wonders for my cholesterol problem! 😁

gugie 

To anyone who has a doc that's against you riding a bike, I say find another doc.

merziac

Well as an MD, he should know that the benefits are sorely needed by many of us, we know the risks, the hypervigilance it takes is also very beneficial for the mind. Millions ride the city streets so the numbers dispute his assertion. I have very little trouble no matter where I ride so done right I don't think it's any more dangerous than many other day to day activities.

Slightspeed

We have a couple of doctors in our club ride group, nurses too. Its comforting having them along. When I banged up my knee, I went to the Kaiser orthopedic doctor, and he came in with arm road rash from a crash. I met him seven years ago when I crashed and broke my arm, and needed a plate and screw upgrade. Recently our club sponsored CPR training for anybody that wanted it. The way I figure, we're not going to get better looking or younger, but we can get, and stay healthier.

merziac

Agreed and more to my point as well. Again, any MD worth his salt would do well to encourage any and all to pursue any reasonable activity that has well documented benefits with cycling at or near the top of the list.

jimmuller 

It's not as risky as sitting home doing nothing physical. But of course you knew that already.

+1 Seek out another opinion.

I asked for a second opinion. He said "You're ugly too."

Road Fan

I guess I have good docs! When I first told my GP I wanted to get back into cycling. She (who rides a hybrid with some power!) recommended an echocardiogram for me, to make sure my heart could handle stress.

My dentist is a cyclist, but only with other dentists (lol!).

My orthopedist (fixed my broken wrist last February) rides tri bikes and races in local events (52 years old!). He said I can get back on the bicycle once my fracture x-rays indicate bones are healed, and if soft tissue pain is not an issue. He just did not want me hurting, nor to be doped up while out on two wheels.