Will getting clipped in help my knees?

[Bike Goddess]

Well, SDog, I was thinkin that since you were lookin for some kind of monetary profession... fill in the rest!

I always say, find something you love and do that for a living!

[CorsairMac]

Well, SDog, I was thinkin that since you were lookin for some kind of monetary profession... fill in the rest!

I always say, find something you love and do that for a living!

cept I can't seem to find anyone that wants to pay a short,middle-aged, slightly overweight woman (me) to ride my bike!

[spazzdog]

WE could start our own pro racing team... self-supported like a little cottage industry.

Names:

Just Fixin To (JFT) Spinners
Cookie Dough Moms (CDM)
Neener Neener Neener (NNN) Pastya
Martini Mashers


And to bring back around... we'll do it with good heathy knees.

[DirtDiva]

After all, I can drink faster than I can ride.

[nuthatch]

Why don't we work on getting the feds or state govs to let our women's cycling team tour the country sharing the joys and benefits of cycling to America's youth - it would reduce our health care costs, reduce type 2 diabetes in the young, provide an economic boost for the cycling industry, strengthen the cycling lobby's efforts to encourage communities to make themselves more cycle-friendly, etc. Everyone's a winner. Part of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Hmmm, perhaps Martini Mashers would need to be reconsidered....

Along the knee question theme - do any of you Glucosamine/MSM users experience any stomach problems when you take it? I tried it for about a week and had to quit because my reflux and IBS got so bad. Any alternate forms of it around that address that problem? I've got bad-ish knees and want to protect what knee health I've got. I can't imagine life without cycling! In fact, I'm hoping I'm out riding a bike when I keel over at 95.

[RoadRaven]

I absolutely recommend glucosamine too, but sorry nuthatch, I don't know of alternatives... although I do remember hearing of an arthritis study conducted somewhere in the States (LOL, that REALLY narrows it down) where people due for a hip replacement (as in chronic, top of the operating list) were given a tablespoon of powdered chicken cartilage in a glass of orange juice for three months and less than 5% still needed an operation or had any pain at all... dunno if that product has been developed or marketed in the States - haven't seen it here.

I find that hill riding (going up) makes my knees work hard, and I never do two days of hills (for hills, read the upward inclines that make you work, whther they are mountains or hillocks) in a row - give your knees time to recover.

As you ride more, you develop the muscles around your knees, and they give support and help protect...

As you ride more, you begin to lose weight, and having lost my first half stone, I feel easier climbing hills, I mean, thats half a stone I don't need to drag along with me!

And I have def found cleats on my pedals/shoes help
- going up because I can pull a little...
- going along a straight because I have better momentum and both legs seem to do less work for the same effort, if that makes sense...

Take it easy and be patient... hopefully your body will strengthen to supportt those joints and riding will be a joy...

[joyrider]

Nuthatch - I find the glucosamine/chondroitin supplement I take makes me queasy if I don't take it on a full stomach OR if I try to take it at the same time I take my vitamins, fish oil, etc. Ick. But I don't have reflux issues... Wondering, though, if maybe taking the supplements in the form of a powder mixed with liquid or a smoothie (Trader Joe's carries something called "Joint Powder") would be easier on you? Maybe not hang out in your stomach causing trouble for too long? Also, the bottle I have says to take up to three a day and I take only one. Trying to seek the minimum level, you know!
I'm also assuming some weight loss will help with me. I use the semi truck vs. Porsche analogy - it's not that the Porsche's greater power makes it zip up the hills faster than the truck, it's just that it's carrying A LOT LESS CARGO!