Can I Really Do This?

[Kris]

I was doing physical therapy for knee pain when I starting riding my bike. That was about 18 months ago. The doctor and the physical therapist said that biking was a great idea. My knees are arthritic, but building up the muscles around them helps a lot. I also wobbled at first, and had to get off and walk the bike to get up the little hill my house is on. Now I can get up the same hill without being in low gear! I feel a lot better, and my knees thank me every day. Last month we went on a bike trip in Europe, and I rode 30 miles every day for a week, and I wasn't exhausted or the slowest in the group! Yay!
I think you've already gotten some great advice from the ladies here. I just want to encourage you to keep getting on the bike and doing what you can, whatever that is. Some days it's hard to get started, and I'd rather make up excuses, but once I get out there, I'm always glad I did.

Kris

[Kano]

When I got to work the other day, a lady was pulling her bike up to the badly placed rack outside our door. She rides a recumbent trike, which, as it turns out has to be a mighty fine choice for her at least for now! On the back, she had a crutch and a kick board, along with her purse and such.

No one -- doctor, PT's -- had suggested this as a way to get strength back, but up until a week ago, she was in a wheel chair after a bad break skiing this past winter. (DH's comment: all this time? will she be ready for ski season? My guess is YES!)

Yup, we can do this!

Karen in Boise

[Starfish]

I forgot to mention in my first reply that I, too, have a bad knee. Had to quit running a LONG time ago, and the knee still bothers me on hikes and stuff. But, I can bike! I ditto all the advice about using low gears to spin easy and really build up slowly. Now, I can handle muscle tension workouts with hard gears, but a couple years ago, they hurt and I couldn't do them.

And, I also ditto what someone said about just grinning, still, on a good ride. Yesterday, I had a great ride, and people driving by must have thought I was nuts, because I just kept breaking out laughing I felt so good, and so happy, to be out there.

[amyelice]

Funny, I was riding my bike yesterday and I must have been smiling because a woman who was parked on the side of the road asked me if I was enjoying myself! I am hooked!!

[Starfish]

Funny, I was riding my bike yesterday and I must have been smiling because a woman who was parked on the side of the road asked me if I was enjoying myself! I am hooked!!

Slight hijack...Amy, your "motto" says Truly Trying. Funny, several people in my life have been finding me Truly Trying for some time now!

[onimity]

Funny, I was riding my bike yesterday and I must have been smiling because a woman who was parked on the side of the road asked me if I was enjoying myself! I am hooked!!

I always know I've been smiling a lot when I come home with bugs in my teeth.

I'm also 'Truly trying' according to those that know me best.

Anne