Bike Shopping- day 3- the freak out (long)

[ace]

Hey BadJuju-

Glad you found something that works!

Won't work for me, though. I fell in November (slipped on water in a studio at the gym while doing lunges) and banged the hell out of my knee. It is still pretty inflamed (I know it sounds crazy, but apparently contusions can take months and months to heal), although much improved, so doing too many hills right now just makes it swell up and HURT.

The only thing that has accelerated the healing is these weird chinese medicine patches my acupuncturist gives me- I'm getting some more tomorrow, so hopefully I'll at least be able to ride a bit this weekend.

I think the 40 mile hilly thing is definitely out for this weekend, though.

[stacie]

My initial response was "that's crazy". I waited years before buying my first new bike. I had a couple of used ones first. I thought I had put in the time to deserve a new bike. I shopped for a while and ended up spending alot of money on a custom steel bike. Everyone told me I was crazy and that I would regret it. I did regret it almost immediatly. It was so much money and maybe I should just buy the carbon that everyone else said would be better. I had enough money to buy a really nice bike. When I got my new bike, I felt miserable. It took a couple of fittings to get it just right. Since then, I've never had a bad ride. I cannot begin to tell you the difference in this bike. My only regret is that I waited so long to buy it. So, go for it. But, make sure you really trust and know the person helping with the specs. My friends didn't show up for our ride this morning. I rode 50 with some pretty serious winds. At times I could forget I was even riding. I just feel so at home on my bike. I wish you the same. stacie

[Bad JuJu]

The only thing that has accelerated the healing is these weird chinese medicine patches my acupuncturist gives me.

So, what are these little miracles called, and where can I get some?

[ace]

I got some slight crap for posting about these on the board before, 'cause they're not fda approved- they're chinese herbal medicine. But they're topical, so not a huge risk, and suck the inflammation right outa your knee. You wear one two days, leave it off for two days, put one on for two days, etc. until you've used up three. Don't ice you knee while you're using it. I got it cheaper ($35/patch) from my acupuncturist, but you can get them direct from the manufacturer for more:

http://www.weilab.com/whiteepatch

The large size is appropriate for knees. Feel free to ask if you have questions. They really helped me when nothing else did.

[ace]

Sorry, I meant- you put one on for two days, leave it off for ONE day, put another one on for two days, leave it off for one day, etc. The application is described here:

http://www.weilab.com/whiteepatch-procedure.html

I was impressed by how well they stayed on in the shower, too.

[LadyinWhite]

Hey BadJuju-

Glad you found something that works!

Won't work for me, though. I fell in November (slipped on water in a studio at the gym while doing lunges) and banged the hell out of my knee. It is still pretty inflamed (I know it sounds crazy, but apparently contusions can take months and months to heal), although much improved, so doing too many hills right now just makes it swell up and HURT.

The only thing that has accelerated the healing is these weird chinese medicine patches my acupuncturist gives me- I'm getting some more tomorrow, so hopefully I'll at least be able to ride a bit this weekend.

I think the 40 mile hilly thing is definitely out for this weekend, though.

I second this. I crashed on the bike last fall and am still in knee pain. PT helped a lot but several docs and orthopedists say the same thing. Inflammation. It takes a LONG time and the more you continue to use it (i.e. ride, play tennis), the longer it's going to take to heal. My tennis coach has layed off the lateral movements and the running which has helped and I've used the winter months to baby it (very little riding, 3 hours a week, and all on a trainer, very controlled), plus regular weight training, exercises and stretching. All to get to a point where the pain is no longer excruciating & utterly crippling, but merely annoying and tolerable. (at least I'm off the vicodans now, my kids were starting to call me House)

Good luck with it and really, if you can, try to give it time to heal. I feel for you.

[ace]

Thanks, LadyinWhite- sounds like you can relate.

I am just keeping focused on my big goal (and reward for my suffering), which is a bike trip in Tuscany I'm going on at the end of May. I am planning on being much better by then

I'm glad you reminded me to baby it- I don't care what I do between now and then, but I'm going on that damn trip, come hell or high water. My ortho has said he'll give me a cortisone shot in my knee before the trip if I'm not better by then, but I think I will be....I've been progressively been improving. It's just last weekend I pushed too far with 3 days of riding in a row. Now I know not to do that

Unfortunately, I'm a very experiential learner.

[mimitabby]

I'm glad you reminded me to baby it- I don't care what I do between now and then, but I'm going on that damn trip, come hell or high water. My ortho has said he'll give me a cortisone shot in my knee before the trip if I'm not better by then, but I think I will be....I've been progressively been improving. It's just last weekend I pushed too far with 3 days of riding in a row. Now I know not to do that

Unfortunately, I'm a very experiential learner.

lol. hey, how come you can cuss and I can't.. (whenever i try i get ****** )
I've tried chinese medicine before too. It's always scary to try new / different things.

[ace]

Well, let me know if you need me to swear for you, Mimi, and I'll represent.

Chinese medicine doesn't scare me at all- none of it has ever hurt me. Now for Western medicine, I wish I could say the same. Having had surgery six times (once having a laser drill into the bones in my ear when I was awake), I am definitely much more afraid of the guys with the pills and drills (although I appreciate what they've done for me, painful though it's been).

[momof4greatkids]

Hi all,


I need some reassurance here (or a reality check).

snippage
Now I can afford it (I work hard and make good money, have no dependents) but I feel like maybe that's just too much for a relative biking newbie. I didn't want to get an entry level bike (based partially on advice from this board that I should buy what I could afford and grow into it) I feel like my bike love is an obsession that is just growing.

Amy

I'm just jumping in here to reply to Amy, I haven't read all these posts. But I say GO FOR IT LADY...what are you waiting for? There's nothing holding you back, money isn't a problem. This will be a dream bike you will ride happily and comfortably for years. It will take you to the next level in cycling and your fitness journey.

One thing I've learned from other shopping experiences, especially w/an item you will have for a very long time, is get the best you can afford. Long after you've forgotten how much you paid for your new steed, you will be riding a bike that makes you happy, is reliable and well-fitting.

I hope you get it, you deserve it! And congrats on quitting smoking and for all the achievements you've made in cycling!

Colleen

[ShubieGA]

Hey Ace,

Congrats on quitting smoking! You have definitely earned a great bike - the color sounds great! Don't let folks talk you out of it (unless you are borrowing bucks from them to pay for it). Enjoy!