Vacation shows the NEED for a bike

**Pax** · 01-04-2012, 06:54 AM

About two years ago, my not-too-bright ortho doc told me I could never ride again without irreparable damage to me knee; I later discovered he was an idiot and while I shouldn't do RAGBRI, it's fine for me to ride some, it's actually good for the joint.

So last summer I went out and bought an old (1970) Schwinn Breeze to ride around the neighborhood. It's fun but a bit persnickety (shifting and brakes are iffy), so not great for "real" rides.

My recent vacation to the beach brought the need for a decent bike to the forefront, on day one I managed to make my plantar fasciitis flare up (too much walking on concrete, taking my mom to the Air Force Base for a new ID). This meant a very limpy vacation with too much car time. Time for a better bike to keep me mobile!

I went to the LBS yesterday and found a 2011 Trek Wingra (Gary Fisher collection). It feels much like my old 7.5FX, very zippy and fun, and it's on sale for $469. Looks like I might get back on a nice bike soon!! It would have been so much fun to have been able to ride around the campground on a bike, down to the beach, up to the pool/hot tub.

**Biciclista** · 01-04-2012, 07:32 AM

yay Pax!! It surprises me that your ortho guy told you not to ride. D's ortho guy kept pushing him to ride and cycling did more for his knees (protecting them with good muscle) than any other thing he did.
congrats on the new bike.

**Pax** · 01-04-2012, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by Biciclista

yay Pax!! It surprises me that your ortho guy told you not to ride. D's ortho guy kept pushing him to ride and cycling did more for his knees (protecting them with good muscle) than any other thing he did.
congrats on the new bike.

Thanks!

The doc said the type of arthritis I have is bad for cycling, lots of research later and I find out "moderate" cycling is a big plus. He just tossed me the party line rather than looking into it further.

I'm so excited!!

**Bike Writer** · 01-04-2012, 08:13 AM

Pax, if it's not too personal what type of arthritis do you have? I have osteo and RA and I ride also.

**Pax** · 01-04-2012, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by Bike Writer

Pax, if it's not too personal what type of arthritis do you have? I have osteo and RA and I ride also.

I have regular old osteo from injuries and five knee surgeries. The one he was warning me about is the patello-femoral arthritis where the bone rubs on bone whenever you bend the knee.

Isn't getting older fun??

**SheFly** · 01-04-2012, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by Pax

I have regular old osteo from injuries and five knee surgeries. The one he was warning me about is the patello-femoral arthritis where the bone rubs on bone whenever you bend the knee.

Isn't getting older fun??

I was diagnosed with this in college, and told I would never run competitively again (I was on the varsity cross-country team - it wasn't a happy day).

Many (many) years later, including one scope, I ride between 5K and 7K miles a year, and compete in between 40 and 50 races, including CX - which means running.

Yay for the new bike, and boo for doctors towing a party line that is WRONG!

SheFly

**Pax** · 01-04-2012, 08:32 AM

I feel like a little kid, ima get a new BIKE!!

She Fly - Glad your doc was wrong too.

**OakLeaf** · 01-04-2012, 09:58 AM

Yay!!!

Every injury I've had that's sent me to a doctor, they've told me rest, rest, rest. Every time the muscle atrophy has aggravated the injury, and once, it resulted in tendinitis in the contralateral side from doing twice as much with that hand and half of it upside down.

My favorite was the ortho that my parents took me to at age 6 - I'm still working on undoing the damage from years of orthotics and ill-fitting shoes - who told them I wouldn't be able to walk a mile without excruciating pain by the time I was 30. Guess he forgot the part about the two marathons at age 50.

I was supposed to shut up about what I think of doctors. Not working out too well.

Hooray for new bikes and more riding!

**Bike Writer** · 01-04-2012, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by Pax

I have regular old osteo from injuries and five knee surgeries. The one he was warning me about is the patello-femoral arthritis where the bone rubs on bone whenever you bend the knee.

Isn't getting older fun??

Ow, not familiar with that term however I have been diagnosed with bone-on-bone issues in both knees. I've had a total knee replacement in my left knee and since I have been riding I have not felt the need to have the replacement done on the right knee. I can't say it's because of riding, but it dosen't hurt like it used to. Riding for two summers now plus winter trainer riding has caused me to lose a significant amount of weight. I am certain that this has had a positive impact on my knees.

Getting older? Yeah, it comes with it's own set of problems and is not for the faint of heart!

**jusdooit** · 01-04-2012, 01:55 PM

It's a shame your doc was so ill informed. I have had bone on bone in my right knee for many (10+) years. When I last went to PT they put me on an exercise bike for 20 minutes each time. The purpose was to strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee to help stabilize it. Congrats on the new bike and finding your way back to the joy of riding.

**ridebikeme** · 01-05-2012, 06:00 AM

Pax, I'm so happy for you!!

Getting a new bike and knowing that you can ride within your limits is VERY exciting!

Like Shefly, I was told the same thing during college... but my difference was that I was on an athletic scholarship, so when the ortho recommended rest and to cut back on practice time, well the coach wouldn't allow it. I too, have had 5 knee surgeries, was told at 21 that I needed to have a knee replacement due to being bone on bone for quite some time. At any rate, I have cut out some activities, unfortuantely had to stop running and racing but am still riding and like others, my ortho recommended that I never give up riding.

I'm excited for you that you are back riding, and perhaps the moral of the story for all of us is to always get a second opinion.

Have fun with your new bike!!

http://chasecyclery.blogspot.com

**DebW** · 01-05-2012, 06:03 AM

Excellent news, Pax.

**Pax** · 01-05-2012, 06:05 AM

Thanks everyone!!

I'm heading to the LBS tomorrow morning to try it again (it's going to be 53 degrees here!!), I'll have the change out the stem (needs a shorter one) and tires (it has 32's and I'd prefer38's) and then pick it up early next week!!

**Biciclista** · 01-05-2012, 07:24 AM

this is such great news!!

**Pax** · 01-05-2012, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by Biciclista

this is such great news!!

It feels like I'm getting a piece of myself back.

I haven't managed to lose more than a couple of pounds in the last two years, all due to the limitations set up by my doc... I think he'd be happiest if I simply sat in a chair until I'm 60 (the age he wants me to be to do the knee replacement).

I've decided he's fired, I'll find a different doc in the future.

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