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I've had a plethora of health issues for the last 2 1/4 years, from back pain, sciatica, tarsal tunnel syndrome and an ankle I smashed up when I was 21 and is now causing pain 33 years later. I managed a bit of riding in October 2017, and a short ride at the start of 2018, but nothing since then.
I just done very short flat ride, just over 3 miles according to Google maps. The sensation of moving under my own power while not in a lot of pain was the best feeling I've had for ages. I'm hoping to build up to a ride to the pub, Saracens Head in Symonds Yat for those that know it, from home in Monmouth. It's 6 miles each way and almost entirely pancake flat. I suspect it'll take me a few weeks before I can do it, but I suspect that managing that will make me happier than completing my first century ride.
I'm just sharing the joy a little bit. Riding bikes at whatever level is brilliant.
It certainly is. I know what you mean and I love the feel of powering the bike under me. Welcome back and all the best for greater recovery.
Sweet. Life has few pleasures quite like riding a bike to and from a pub.
Especially when preceded by riding a slightly better bike around the woods for a couple of hours.
Im glad you’re back on your bike, it is indeed a great feeling. I was pooling about earlier today, and I couldn’t believe how happy it was making me ... even the uphills.
Nice one. Riding my bike just makes me happy, even on wet, crappy, windy days.
I once spent a VERY messy night in the Saracens Head while on a canoeing, abseiling and pot-holing weekend. Great choice of pub to ride to.
Many more happy rides to you.
Bikes are great.
I know it's nothing compared to the OP's tribulations - but I had pericarditis (feels like a heart attack... thankfully a lot less serious) just over a year ago. After the process of finding out what was actually going on, I can't tell you how much I was glad to get back on the bike and simply get moving.
I’m approaching a year of not being able to ride properly, longest ride has been 7 miles, which set me back a fair bit. I can confirm that riding bikes is indeed ace, and not being able to do so sucks.
good to hear OP, it helps you appreciate that a ride does not need to be huge epic or an instagrammed strava painfest to matter. I had 4 months off the bike after an achilles rupture and can remember that first ride out afterwards - literally around the block - was a brilliant feeling.
Many more happy rides to you.Bikes are great.
This!
We played out in the woods and around the quarry on Friday morning. It was hot and dry and dusty out of the trees and cool and damp and grippy in the trees. Sweet. Pub on the way home (Amstel, ta).
Lovely stuff! And totally agree. They are great! Hope you keep on building up the rides, and hope those of you having a rough time with it get through it ok.
Getting back into riding in woods after a long period of my only riding being in town with a child seat on thw back. Its great!
Oh my the nights we had in the Saracens Head and getting the hand ferry back over to our digs. It was also the scene of the funniest bike incident I've ever seen with a mate wobbling on his bso off the path down the bank into the river.
Have fun!
Good work that man - long may it continue.
👍💪🚵♂️
Great to hear op? However many or few, happy cycling miles are happy miles. You have plenty of sympathy hereabouts. For my part I ripped some lower abs/inguinal bits early 2016 and it's taken until now to be able to cycle seated and not re-injure. Tried a short ride on the 'new' (2016) bike last year, and this actually at your path (just a timid pootle between Saracen's Head and the wooden footbridge) after essentially two years off riding. I got so excited that stupidity ventured me into the woods off the old railway line where the concrete bunker things are. Tried some stupid fast descent on the hoods and of course stacked the bike like a fat out of shape foo. Had to hop hop hoppity all of the remainder down the bank in order to stay upright, with the bike frame like a triangular hulahoop around the injured leg/groin. Happy to say I stayed upright and saved it from reinjuring. Friend still laughs at the spectacle tho. But later on ie last October simply climbed the Hills seated and pulled the bastard again, effectively setting me back until Apr/May. Frustration levels at that point = mentalism. As I say, much empathy. Hang in there.
Go easy,and best of luck. And go easy...😎 Increments are hard...but essential. Physio info says have to ride with seat slammed until pain improves, am raising seat by 5mm every two weeks. Am gently increasing mileage every week over two or three short rides.