What it takes to keep riding
 

Sadly, I finally had to give up riding my Cannondale road bike. My urologist told me that either I get off the bike saddle (I tried almost all of them) or I would continue having problems with the prostate- my body, my choice. I was in no way going to give up riding, but I also did not like the idea of continuing problems with the prostate thing. S-o-o-o, I decided to hold my nose and try a recumbent trike. Never thought that I would go that route, but here I am. If I want to continue riding, I don't see that there is another choice. BUT to be totally honest, I find that it isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I have always kinda looked down on trike riders as not REAL bikers, but I am finding that I am really enjoying riding once again. It is ALL legs, that's for sure. Very different, but different in a good way I will have to admit. So fellow old gizzers who are out there - keep an open mind to do what you have to do to keep riding.

My neighbor had a Catrike 3-wheeler for a while and let me try riding it a few times. I didn't like how it was 'all-legs' (as you say) but other issues were the width of the thing, the limited viewing (especially turning my head to look left/right/behind), how low it was on a street compared to the height of the cars parked at the curb, and the lack of quick maneuverability since its a three wheeler. I was intrigued with the two-wheeled RAANS line-up but they got bought out by someone else. I'll stick with a standard 2-wheeler for now.

I have a catrike that I have ridden from time to time when I had physical problems with a standard bike.
I'm glad that you are finding it a good replacement for your road bike. I really don't like the trike so much. I don't like being so low to the ground and I especially miss the tactile feel and speed of a road bike swooping around turns.

But if I couldn't manage to ride a diamond frame bike anymore, I would be glad to have the option of a recumbent.

I do wonder about the feel of a 2 wheel recumbent. They might be a little more fun, I guess?

I'm not anti trike but given that there are no bike paths anywhere near me and the rare bike lanes are so full of debris that they are mostly unusable. This makes riding a 3 foot wide trike unpractical for me.

Have you googled "bike saddles without a nose"? I have a friend, a very strong rider, who rode PBP on such a saddle.

I'm in early geezer territory. Don't have a particular problem with doing a trike, nor a recumbent. Though my preference is certainly to have my eyes higher up off the ground than a recumbent, if that's what it takes to keep cycling then I certainly will consider it.

Don't want to go the route of e-bike, but given old injuries that might eventually be the path for me.

There's always gym equipment, too. The various seated cardio stations can get most of the health value, though for that activity it's not outdoors. Can easily do other things outdoors, though. Particularly when cycling can feel a bit rickety and unsafe (due to injuries, balance issues, or whatever), the gym equipment is always an option.

Gotta do what ya gotta do and, as you say, keep an open mind. :thumb:

I've been on 2-wheeled recumbents for years. I consider switching an 'upgrade' that I should have done years earlier. I think the advantage of trikes is that people don't have to re-learn their balance to ride one. The disadvantages are: slow, lower than a lowracer, and hard to carry/transport.

One of my hobbies aside from riding my bikes is finding old bikes to fix up and find room in the garage to keep them. I know that one day I will need to find something more upright to fix up and sadly that will probably coincide with passing along some of the old bikes I can no longer enjoy riding so at least finding room in the garage will become easier too. Mixtes, e-bikes, recumbents, whatever, I don't care. I just hope to be able to fix them and ride them.

Get a new doc!

That is also my advice.

+2

What is the prostate problem? Chronic prostatitis? CPPS?

"New doc" = I was serious, not meaning to be snide.
Perhaps the softer wording should have been, "a second opinion from a different Medical Team of Doctors". When I had urination/enlarged prostate problems and later prostate cancer - a 2nd opinion in each case was different and appreciated. And successful. And with minimal downtime from physical activity following the cancer treatment.

If you are lucky enough to have choices in treatment, explore the options.
Tamsulosin is my friend, twice daily. fwiw.

r.e.bold -- not knowing the dosage, that's interesting since -- * .... the standard, FDA-approved dosage is one capsule once daily. Taking more can cause a sharp drop in blood pressure and increased heart rate. A maximum of 0.8 mg (two capsules) may be prescribed, but it is typically taken at once.... *

Thankfully I was only prescribed Tamsulosin prior to my prostate biopsies and now being 11 years out from cancer treatment I do not require the drug.

[QUOTE=OldTryGuy;23733888]but it is typical .... .... *

Dosage is right, maybe I'm not typical.


You are thinner than I. That's a biggie for BPH issues in a large % of cases (butt, ...I'm not a doctor). 6'1" @ 190#, only 6yrs post that cancer.

To get back on topic -- I agree with the stated goal of riding whatever is necessary to stay active outdoors. I have considered a 2 wheeled recumbent, but never moved on it.

I hear they can be fast.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6044b714e3.jpg
Fast enough for Freddy ...
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...24948f22ea.jpg

Since the OP didn’t reveal his prostate problem, I will relate mine and what solved it. Prior to the 2000s, I rode a saddle without a cutout and had an had a horrible urinary urgency problem. Saw a neurologist that didn’t find any issues. All the blood work was normal. Found out about cutout saddles and it helped a little, but not enough. Finally found a doc who correctly diagnosed my condition as BPH. Was put on Tamsulosin and it helped somewhat but was not a bullseye since there was still a bit of urgency. Then he added Dutasteride and problem solved.

If this is not the OP’s issue, as Rosanna Danna would say, Never Mind.

Roseanne Rosannadanna
BPH
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...313455f2b5.gif

Roseanne Rosannadanna was Gilda Radner's second serial character whose motto was, "It's always something." You're thinking of Emily Litella who said "That's different. Never mind!"

Back to cycling. I know one day I might need a recumbent or trike or something. When that day comes, I'll get what I need. Cycling has good to me all of my life.

;)
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6c193f3f41.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0cd84066c9.gif

Love me some SNL skits.