Do you forget how to ride a bicycle?

Glowboy

simonne15 wrote: »

I haven't forgotten how to ride but the body has changed and I need a different style of bike to help me cope with that.
Has anyone any advice for the following?
I had a prolapsed disc two years ago which has left me with a numb sciatic nerve in one leg, affecting my walking, posture and limiting the extent of activities I can sustain for long. I do want to ride to get some exercise and strengthen back and leg muscles. I have been told that the choice of bike needs to be upright to save the constant bending forward of my back but models these days all seem to be racing style with high seats and lower handlebars which I cannot manage.Does anyone know of any internet links to specific guidance for cycling after back problems please?
Many thanks in anticipation:)

It's probably best to get a road bike to start with. Have a look on the forums at https://www.roadcyclinguk.com - there are plenty of people there who'll be happy to offer advice, including some with medical expertise. (Mods - I trust I'm allowed to post this link - I have no connection other than as a forum member there.)

annaats

I struggled when I got back on a bike after only riding a unicycle for 6 years....!! I've been riding both now for a year but stil really wobbly on the bike, I think your body gets used to reactive-balancing (I may have just made that phrase up? ), so if biking is the only type like that that you do, then it should be fine to get back on as your body knows how to balance in that situation.

For those who struggle, I've ridden alongside people on adult tri-cycles which are great for anyone with any difficulties, or even anyone just wanting to take it easy. They may not fit on the road so well, but I think they're great

Martin_Edney

Wyndham wrote: »

I last rode a bike about 15 years ago. I used to do this a lot, and in my teenage years, it was my main way of getting around. Then life (and a car) took over, the bike slowly rusted in the garage...

Two things have changed in that time

1) traffic - there's a lot more motorised traffic now than there was 15 years ago, and I think that there's rather more aggressive driving and loose interpretation of road rules than there used to be (by all road users, including cyclists). My suggestions in this area are to get some cycle traing (Bikeability is recommended - see http://www.ctc.org.uk/desktopdefault.aspx?tabid=5116) and to read Cyclecraft; these 2 will teach you the art of defensive and assertive cycling.

2) fashion - perhaps I'm thinking back more than 15 years, but at least when I started cycling, practical bikes were the in-thing (touring bikes, which are comfortable and can carry loads with ease in all weathers). These days it's mountain bikes and "road bikes" (which I used to call racing bikes) - neither of which are that great for commuting and utlity riding. If you're buying a bike, go to a good local bike shop (not Halfords), and make it clear how and why you want to ride, and avoid really skinny tyres, and avoid suspension.

Wyndham

Slimboy_Fat wrote: »

We both finished up going for a Hybrid (Claude Butler Urban 100). These are sort of cut down mountain bikes with thinner wheels (better for the road and tracks) and the gears are spread out better for road use (mountain bikes will have more lower gears, great for riding up mountains but not so good for relatively flat roads and tracks)

I think this is good advice, thank you. I put a deposit on a bike this morning, and it is a hybrid in the end. I'm going to be using roads, cycle trails and maybe the odd canal tow path, so I reached the conclusion that this was what I wanted. If I decide I want to go down mountains at high speed then I can get another one for that

I did find when I was looking that my choice was quite limited because I'm female. It meant that in most bike shops I had a choice of one or two (then a major price hike, which at this stage I don't think is worth it). So in the end it wasn't a huge choice to have to make, and I went back to the first one I'd looked at.... (being a woman, that IS my perogative!)

I pick it up next Wednesday. Then the fun really begins

Wyndham

Martin_Edney wrote: »

Two things have changed in that time

1) traffic - there's a lot more motorised traffic now than there was 15 years ago, and I think that there's rather more aggressive driving and loose interpretation of road rules than there used to be (by all road users, including cyclists). My suggestions in this area are to get some cycle traing (Bikeability is recommended - see http://www.ctc.org.uk/desktopdefault.aspx?tabid=5116) and to read Cyclecraft; these 2 will teach you the art of defensive and assertive cycling.

2) fashion - perhaps I'm thinking back more than 15 years, but at least when I started cycling, practical bikes were the in-thing (touring bikes, which are comfortable and can carry loads with ease in all weathers). These days it's mountain bikes and "road bikes" (which I used to call racing bikes) - neither of which are that great for commuting and utlity riding. If you're buying a bike, go to a good local bike shop (not Halfords), and make it clear how and why you want to ride, and avoid really skinny tyres, and avoid suspension.

I plan to mostly ride on cycle tracks, away from traffic - at least at first. I'm lucky in that there are several close to where I live, but your advice is still good even then. I often walk down a cycle path, and I'm amazed at the lack of awareness that some cyclists have! Though I also see some pretty dozy pedestrians as well....

I did look at panniers, and still might go down that route, but for the moment I'm going to be happy with a small rucksack I think as I'm not going to (again initially) use it for commuting, and if I'm going out on my bike it will be for exercise and fun, so I'll need very little (other than lots and lots of water to replace the huge amounts of sweat I think I'll manage to produce!!)

Typo22

carras wrote: »

The local council is advertising training so I am thinking about it....

If you haven't already, go for it!

There's a good series of videos of a total beginner learning to cycle on the BBC website - can't post a proper link but search for "Kylie's first bike lesson" or use news.bbc.co.uk /1/hi/england/8065819 .stm (without spaces).

Ian