Bicycles?

Today I was at walmart and happened to look at some bicycles (18 speed) they had and got to wondering if I could still do that. I use to ride them a lot (10 speed) before MS and typically rode 30-40 miles at a time with no problems. I think my biggest concern is my balance problems, but also the leg weakness and fatigue are in the picture as well. On the other hand if I could do this it would mean that I would be getting some exercise ( I have not gotten any in years).

So do any of you with balance, leg, or fatigue problems still ride bicycles?

Dennis

[tingletingle]

Hey Dennis,

Absolutely have the leg weakness and fatigue problems and am proud to say I am able to ride a bike still when I am well.

I recently completed 40klm bike ride in support of MS. I was training on a normal bicycle but then was lucky enough to receive a donated recumbent bike that has you lying down with feet in the air. the recumbent is so much easier on my body.

I am a believer in use it or lose. I couldn't have done the ride last year but with baby steps Dennis, like me, I think you could give it a crack and you'll be amazed at the wellness that comes with it.

Blessings
Alex

[JaneK1975]

Hi Dennis! My leg issues are very mild. I only suffer weakness and discoordination at times, not on a regular basis. For me, riding a bike is my favorite aerobic exercise because it is actually much easier on my legs than running or any other type of cardio. When biking, you are using your legs, but the exercise is very low-impact as compared to running. I find that my legs get a great workout and the distance I am able to ride is very satisfying to me. I also really enjoy being able to feel the wind in my hair ;)

I ride a three-speed. For me, three gears are plenty and the bike is pretty low-maintenance. I have the low gear for hills, the high gear for when I'm riding long distances, and the middle gear for cruising around town.

I would recommend you visit your local bike shops and ask to test ride any bike you might be interested in. That's how I figured out which bike I wanted and I was able to know exactly what I was getting before I spent the money. I also ended up getting a deal because I had returned several times to one of my local shops and ended up building a relationship with the owner. In the end, it was a lot like buying a car.

There are so many types of bikes now that even if you find you don't feel comfortable with a 10-speed these days, there is probably something else that would work for you. I see those recumbent bikes all over town these days.

Best wishes,
Jane

[SarahL2491]

Dennid
I have my bike mounted on a training wheel and ride it inside so don't have the balance problem my r leg gives me, plus weather or time is no longer a problem

[supermum_ms]

Hmmmm i could ride a bike for a little while but once the legs go the brain follows or is it the other way around lol either way i'd be on a bit of a lean, so i'd need training wheels. LOL i have no meat on my butt so thats actually what stopped me riding. We live on an estate with bike trails everywhere, bush to beach and everywhere in between so it was once something we did all the time, I had to stop because it hurts my little bitty touchie lol oh and i was getting abnormally tired lol now we understand the why of it.

My brother rides a 2 wheeler recumbant, has for years and we've talked a lot about the benefits of a recumbant over the standard. I wouldn't recommend the 2wheeler ones because they still require a lot of balance, maybe more because your centre of gravity is very different. The 3 wheeler ones are pretty swish, foot or hand propelled so there are options to suit if you upper body is stronger than the legs.

I do tend to think the repetition of peddling would do me in but a recumbant would probably be my better option if i was still in the mind set to ride, lucky for me i've not missed it one bit lol though i do miss swimming.

Go for it though, you might be better off borrowing a bike for a little while, before spending the dollars, and see how you go :o)

Cheers..........JJ

[teenyturner]

Hi,  I bought a bike, couldn't ride it because I kept falling off due to balance problems and had to sell it.

I found a treadmill that I could hold onto the handles a lot safer but unfortunately the legs don't work now so I sold that too.

Regards

[kwarendorf]

I don't have balance issues but I do have leg issues. The big advantage of bike riding for me is that it is not weight bearing. It takes less toll while providing great exercise.

Kyle