Starting again after BC

[Shouva]

After bi-lateral release of knee tendons in 1991 at age 40 began riding for therapy. Most rides were 30 to 50 miles. Stopped riding in 1997. Breast cancer with bad reaction to chemo left me with neuropathy throughout my body. Severely reduced ability to stand and walk for 4 years. Gained 40 lbs, lost muscle, and shrank in height. Determined now to regain as much health as possible. Want to return to riding (loved it before).

My 54cm Trek 1420 road/touring bike stand over is now way too tall for me. I've visited local bike shops trying to figure out what I should now buy. I'm afraid riding in the drops may aggravate the nerve damage in my wrists and hands, but know that having different hand position options is good. My butt hurts just sitting at a desk for more than 1 1/2 hrs. I'm also unstable standing on one foot and fear mounting a bike with a standard top bar. I sure would look stupid falling over just trying to get on a bike. A local shop asked me to stradle a bike for sizing and I said...."That's OK. I just looking right now." I wanted to go to a curb and mount from that added height advantage. Telling that to the salesman would have sounded really dumb.
I want something in a road/ touring configuration with the ability to add paniers, even if they just carry food and a sweater.

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions on bike configurations, seats, and bike shorts etc. I read the posting regarding us menopausal women's thininng tissue issue with great interest too. Does any member of this forum have experience with neuropathy pain issues and how to deal with them?

Thank you in advance for any help.

Shouva

[heliotropenz]

Hi Shouva, Im a BC survivor too and I maintain biking saved my life. I had surgery, followed by a nasty experience with chemo/radiotherapy in 2002. It's only since I started riding a bike that I started to feel remotely like myself.

I ride a road bike and have slowly worked my way into the drops so that it's now my preferred position for riding. I have to say I started by accident and I started on one of my daughter's old 10 speed. I rode to work every day and the ride to work would take me 35-40 minutes but for the first few months it could take me anything up to an hour and a half to get home. I was pretty nervous to begin with cos the traffic here is pretty unforgiving and once I fell off because I was going too slow.

Anyway, I have graduated from a "girls" bike to a compact road bike. I have to confess that I miss the comfort of the old steel bike and I think I will convert it to a fixed gear bike for commuting.

I would suggest that you dont invest too much in a bike until you have got a few miles under your belt and feel confident. It does come back . When I started I was quite self conscious but now I wear lycra and couldnt care less what ppl think.

Best wishes

Hilary

[Shouva]

Thank you Hilary for the words of encouragement. You are right. Although my spirit wants to get back riding the way I used to, right now I would probably only be able to make it around the block. I started back to the gym in early June and have spent a few minutes 2'x a week on the stationary bike. Started at 8 minutes, level 1. Am now up to 15 minutes with a progression of levels 2-3-4. also doing weight training to gain strength.

I'm also back to gypsy dancing a bit and performed over the weekend at a Renaissance Faire with my old troupe. One choreography per show x 2 shows per day = one exhausted dancer. I know that getting back to riding will greatly increase my endurance.

Telling me that you fell over because you were going too slow makes me feel not so embarassed about my present prefered method of mounting a bike (from the curb). Thanks for sharing.

Shouva

[mainerider]

Hi Shouva - I am an 8 year bc survivor. While I didn't have complications from surgery/chemo/radiation (though chemo wasn't fun), it took awhile to get back in shape. I started slowly, walk/running 1-2 miles and riding a mountain bike. I had considered myself a "runner" until cancer but after treatment the bike riding was easier than running. I heard about a bikeathon (PMC) for the Jimmy Fund at Dana Farber while I was volunteering there after I finished treatment. It was something that stuck in the back of my mind while I was continuing to get back in shape. Later in the year, after my treatment was done, my boss at worked passed away from colon cancer, and while still dealing with that, my mother became extremely ill and was finally diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and passed away two months later. So I was at a pretty low spot that winter and knew I needed something to focus on. I signed up for my first PMC which is a 192 mile, two day cycling fundraiser. I bought a used indoor exercise bike to use during that first winter and then started riding outdoors on a 20 year old Trek bike. It was a huge challenge for me physically and mentally. Fortunately I had a couple of good friends I could pepper with questions. Well to make a long story short I finished that first ride and found I love long distance cycling. I found cycling has given my life alot of new directions and alot of new friends. I posted a message in the charity ride board, PMC, yesterday describing my 7th PMC.

As far as getting help with a new bike, I would ask around to find a good bike shop (are there any bike clubs in the area?). Then call and talk to the bike shop owner. You don't need to share all your personal detals but explain you have medical issues and some of your concerns about trying out a new bike. I am sure the owner will find the right person to work with you.

I wish you the best in your recovery and hope you are soon riding with the wind.

Maureen

[Surlygirl]

Hi Shouva,
You might look at mixte frame bikes. I think Rivendell makes one and a few others. They are easier to mount and you can get decent components on them.

[MomOnBike]

With your balance and mounting issues, may I suggest that you consider a recumbent trike? 'Most any of the trikes on the market would solve your problems. To start, Sun makes a relatively affordable one that is loved buy those who ride it ( http://www.easyracers.com/ez_3.htm ).

I haven't tried a trike (yet) because I hear they are a blast to ride, faster than they look (though you won't win any races), and highly addictive. If I try one, I'll probably buy it, and I can't afford another bike.

A lot of people tour on trikes, too.

BTW, I won't be hurt if you get something else, this is just a suggestion.

[SadieKate]

I haven't tried a trike (yet) because I hear they are a blast to ride, faster than they look (though you won't win any races), and highly addictive. If I try one, I'll probably buy it, and I can't afford another bike.

A lot of people tour on trikes, too.

Our LBS runs an informal time trial and someone comes out on a trike! Very cool. I'm hoping she'll be there this week. I wonder if it is a racing trike. I have in the back of my head a plan for a trike if the MS ever progresses to that point. I'm going to ride to the end.

[MomOnBike]

All I really know for sure is that those who ride trikes love them, including those who had to be dragged kicking and screaming to their first ride. After that, you can't get 'em off.

As I said, I can't afford to test ride one, I'm afraid I'd buy it.

[emily_in_nc]

Another option for a road bike without a high top tube is a Bike Friday (folding) bike. I absolutely love mine. The bikefriday.com web site is a wealth of information, and a couple of us here on this forum have Fridays, so if you have any questions, just ask!

I agree too about the recumbent trikes. The president of our bike club has one (as well as various upright bikes) and rode it on a ride the Sunday. He looked like he was having a blast, and he had no difficulties keeping up with other riders either. He does have a flag on the back since he sits so low to the ground, but with the flag was very visible.

Emily

[Shouva]

Thanks to all who have posted for the encouragement and suggestions. The recumbent trike seems like a winner to me. I have a small SUV that I think it will actually fit into when I want to go the the beaches near Los Angeles (about 130 miles from where I live in Bakersfield). Just gotta keep pumping iron at the gym so I can lift the 50 lb weight into the car.

My reconstructed knees are extremely sensitive to pain, which adds to my fear of falling. The trike configuration helps to eliminate that problem/fear.

I am excited about this option and shall do more research into trikes. Thanks, Mom On Bike, for the link.

Shouva

[MomOnBike]

Shouva,

If you are really interested in trikes, do some more research and head on over to 'Bent Rider Online ( http://www.bentrideronline.com/ ). The first three reviews on the home page are on trikes, and there are more if you scroll down some.

Also the message board has a special section for all things three-wheeled. If you have any questions, ask there, you will get answers. It is an active message board filled with (mostly) helpful folk. I've learned quite a bit there - though I mostly lurk.

And keep us informed. We all just want to see you on a bike, preferably with a grin like this--> (add bugs as desired)

[CorsairMac]

Thanks to all who have posted for the encouragement and suggestions. The recumbent trike seems like a winner to me. I have a small SUV that I think it will actually fit into when I want to go the the beaches near Los Angeles (about 130 miles from where I live in Bakersfield). Just gotta keep pumping iron at the gym so I can lift the 50 lb weight into the car.

My reconstructed knees are extremely sensitive to pain, which adds to my fear of falling. The trike configuration helps to eliminate that problem/fear.

I am excited about this option and shall do more research into trikes. Thanks, Mom On Bike, for the link.

Shouva

no need to lift it hun - get yourself some boards (or go to a car shop and get those lifts you put your car tires on when you're working on it) and then you can just roll it into your car!