Neck....again. Sigh

[Blueberry]

Have you tried riding a trike? They are a blast,

This is SO true! DH and I test rode them a few years. They are like little go-carts! We would own them except we already have a lot of bikes, and have no where to store them that is convenient. Plus, we know we'll be moving (potentially to somewhere a lot smaller depending on if/where I get in med school and then (hopefully) where I match for residency) - too much uncertainty for now. But I will have one one day!

[Catrin]

This is SO true! DH and I test rode them a few years. They are like little go-carts! We would own them except we already have a lot of bikes, and have no where to store them that is convenient. Plus, we know we'll be moving (potentially to somewhere a lot smaller depending on if/where I get in med school and then (hopefully) where I match for residency) - too much uncertainty for now. But I will have one one day!

I must admit that this becomes more interesting the more I hear and look at pictures. Unsure how realistic it would be with my car and an upstairs apartment, but it is worth of lengthy consideration. For now, my budget won't allow anything like this, even at a good price. My goal for 2014 is to finally develop an emergency fund, and I am afraid that buying a new bike isn't the way to get there. Perhaps, however, in 2015...

[Rebecca19804]

Hi Catrin

Sorry to hear of your dilemma.

If you've got a bit of time on your hands at some point, my friend Helen's blog may be of interest. Due to a problem with one arm so that she can't put weight on it, she cycles (extensively!) on a series of recumbent trike. She doesn't talk much about her health problem on her blog, but you can get a feel for all the types of riding she does, here in the UK and in Germany, with the trikes.

All the best

[smilingcat]

If you've got a bit of time on your hands at some point, my friend Helen's blog may be of interest.

Your friend, Helen, has a wonderful web site. Spent some time reading about her test ride and purchase of the velomobile.

She pointed out lot of pluses of a velomobile and a trike that people may not be aware of. So please let her know I appreciate all the information she has provided.

It is definitely worth spending time reading her posts.

Thanks.

[Catrin]

It is indeed a very nice blog, thanks for posting it! I probably won't go this route for a couple of reasons, but it sounds like your friend has had, and is having a great deal of fun with it! The information is quite useful and thanks!

[Catrin]

Is there some sort of physical therapist/bike fitter or coach you could go to to work on your position and posture? Like how to align and pull up while on a bike? Kind of suspicious if there are other things that don't affect. Being locked into a position on a bike can exacerbate small things.

I don't mean bike fit. I'm thinking about how you align your spine. Maybe?

Done this, several times The problem is that there are so MANY things going on with both my cervical spine and shoulders, multiple nerve entrapments, etc. I've been told an even more upright riding position will likely solve it, but frankly, my fitter tells me that would require the kind of changes that might affect handling. It isn't that other things don't cause problems, I just don't DO those other things

It is quite possible that I need a PT/Fitter with a different skills set and experience, but that isn't available in central Indiana.

[OakLeaf]

that isn't available in central Indiana.

Sounds to me like Wahine needs to go on a nationwide tour to advertise her new business.

[Catrin]

Sounds to me like Wahine needs to go on a nationwide tour to advertise her new business.

Yep, her and Knotted

[Catrin]

Also, to be clear, my neck does have issues pretty much 100% of the time. When I say that <insert crazy activities here> doesn't bother it, I mean that XYZ activities doesn't make it worse then or over the following 24 hours that I have noticed. It isn't that my neck is perfectly normal except during/after riding. I went back and read my earlier wording and it could be interpreted that way but that isn't the case. My coach and I have figured out <insert crazy activities here> that are safe, those that are acceptable if I focus on 100% perfect form, and those that I simply cannot attempt or should not do. It is a balance, and the reason I still am paying the extra fees to be in the small group environment. He keeps me from hurting myself...

If I didn't love riding so much it would already be on the "NO" list. Trying very hard not to put it there, we will see how things go this spring. That mountain bike purchase was almost an impulse buy, little did I know what the full cost would be. I do not regret it however, it was certainly fun when things were working for me!

[Dogmama]

Sorry to hear about your neck from another neck sufferer. I still ride, albeit not the long distances that I used to do.

BUT - like you said - we're in MUCH better shape than most people our age and younger!

[Catrin]

Sorry to hear about your neck from another neck sufferer. I still ride, albeit not the long distances that I used to do.

BUT - like you said - we're in MUCH better shape than most people our age and younger!

Good for you Dogmama! I am glad that you are still riding. I will see how things go this spring, but if I am still limited to 20 minute rides with neurological consequences, I will hang up my helmet. I don't want to do that, but there are so many other things that I CAN do without the same level of after-effects. I've seen everyone local that I can see with the qualifications to help me with proper bike fit/positioning. I wish Wahine or Knotted lived here, if anyone could help me on this it would be them

[azfiddle]

Catrin, I do hope that a recumbent or trike might work for you. One of the gals on my team is close to 70 and rides her recumbent everywhere, and I mean everywhere. Let us know if that ends up being a solution for you.

Sharon

[Catrin]

Catrin, I do hope that a recumbent or trike might work for you. One of the gals on my team is close to 70 and rides her recumbent everywhere, and I mean everywhere. Let us know if that ends up being a solution for you.

Sharon

At this time it isn't even an option. I live upstairs with a narrow staircase and with my neck and shoulder it would be difficult to get in/out of the building, and then would have to transport it somewhere to ride. Perhaps at some future time it might be more viable, but I will certain keep it in mind!

[emily_in_nc]

Bummed that you might have to stop riding, Catrin, but I understand your dilemma. And I agree that carrying a recumbent or trike up stairs would do your neck and shoulders no favors. The only possible option would be a much lighter-weight short-wheelbase (SWB) recumbents. I believe they weigh in the same range as upright bikes, so if you're able to carry your Gunnar up and down, that could be an option. Have known several folks with various back or neck issues (including a good buddy who has chronic neck pain) who have found relief on a 'bent. But as others have pointed out, they could actually aggravate certain issues, so it's just very hard to say.

I surely wish you the best, no matter what! And am still very grateful for your Jamis -- it's been a wonderful bike for me over the past almost-year now!

[Catrin]

It isn't the weight - it is the different geometry with trying to get a 3-wheeled bike up my stairs, and then trying to transport it. A trike won't fit my expensive bike rack, and I've enough of a problem getting my Gunnar into the back. I've not yet decided, but we will see. I want to give the Gunnar another chance this spring, and I DO have a lot of other fitness activities that I can do with relatively little repercussions if I am smart about it.