ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Balance Issues => Topic started by: kippy6 on June 25, 2007, 09:12:41 pm
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I have this 10-speed bike my husband purchased for me about 5 years ago. He just came home one day and suprised me, and bought both of us bikes. Now that my children are all getting old enough to ride bikes as well, I've decided to tackle this, and see if I can teach myself how to ride a 10-speed.
Needless to say, I'm having a little trouble. I'm just practicing on the street my house is on, and I'm pretty wobbly...it's kind of embarrasing... I have no idea how to change all the gears, and it's next to impossible for me to figit with the gears while trying to just stay rolling and in balance. (I used to experiment with my bike on occasion before my surgery, and I NEVER wobbled like this.) In addition, b/c this is a 10-speed bike, I have to lean way forward. This is not the most comfortable position for my head...
Is there anyone out there who taught themselves how to ride a 10-speed after AN surgery? I need to learn this so that I can bike ride w/my kids this summer. I'm trying to set new goals, and this is one of them.
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Good for you! Keep working on it and you will get it. I wouldn't worry about the gears until you get the balance part. It helps to look ahead for balance. Try to begin with level areas to ride. I knew how to ride my bike before surgery so it wasn't too difficult to get back on and go. Make sure you have good brakes, too. It's also important that your feet can easily touch the ground if you start to lose your balance.
Good luck to you.
Jean
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The more you ride the less you will wobble! You need to get out somewhere so you can ride a while and feel more comfortable. Just riding in your neighboorhood won't do it, to many cars and street intersections to deal with. I agree with Jeanlea, don't worry about the gears for now. Each time I get on the bike I wobble like crazy then remember that I ride just fine after I get going. The confidence kicks in and the fear goes away. My husband and I ride on a bike path along the river, last week we rode 20 miles round trip. On the way back he noticed that I never shift so he told me how, I said I was fine. He said to just shift the left lever with my left hand, I just couldn't (mentally), even though I'm left handed. For some reason I had the courage to do it right handed and boy did I feel good, didn't care if it made the ride easier, I was just happy I could do it. I know I will be nervous the next time I ride and want to shift gears but I will remember the last time I rode and how easy it was to shift and I will do it again! You might want to look into getting some different handle bars for the 10 speed. I have mountain bike handle bars on mine so I don't have to bend down so far. Goodluck 8)
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Get a beach cruiser bike, you can sit up straigher which will take out some of the discomfort.
You can even get them with gears to change speeds.
I have ridden one without falling off, the other one I can't handle.
Have fun!
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Hi. I'm back to riding but find I can't turn my head to look behind without driving off the road or tipping over. I got a side mirror for the handlebar so I can look behind. I have also seen them for your helmet. I rode only with another grownup for many months so they could warn me.
Good luck and be careful.
Mary
2cm Middle Fossa, Dr Brackmann 5/24/05
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Are you talking one of the road bikes? With super thin tires? I couldn't ride them BEFORE surgery! They're tough! I have a mountain bike and riding is ok unless I try to look at the scenery!
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Thanks guys -- You are right -- it would be best to start w/o the danger of cars. I'm thinking that bike paths around here will be hard to find, but I'll give it a shot. Oh -- and my seat is up a little too high, as only the tips of my toes can touch the ground! So I'll have to fix that. Mountain bike handles sound interesting. Anything to be able to sit up a little straighter (no headaches please)!! A beach cruiser bike sounds cool. Are those the kind of bikes that come in cool colors that remind you of the color of beach houses near Destin?
And I may need to get one of those side-mirrors as well. I thought my balance was okay, but now I'm seeing that I have more to work on. It's a little dissapointing. I don't really know another adult interested in bike riding right now -- but I can take my kids with me. My bike probably came from Walmart. It's a typical 10-speed. It doesn't have super thin tires, but I don't know if it is considered a mountain bike or not. Since I have to lean way forward, I'm thinking it's not a mountain bike. But I don't really know... sorry.
There are a few moms in my neighborhood who have gotten into triathalons and/or bike racing. (Their bikes have super-thin tires.) I would love to get into racing one day too. But right now, I just need practice keeping the bike rolling without falling off. I feel like a little first grader.
BTW, do you guys all wear helmets?
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Hi;
Give yourself plenty of time if fairly recently post op. Shift little. Don't look behind and back again. The handlebar mirror is a good idea. Not helmet mirrors.
I had a 21 speed and was riding RAGBRAI and with a club sometimes 90 miles in a day.
Seems another bike was an idea offered you. Do you love your husband and his good intention? : )
You'll get it. I still try with a bilateral loss now. The oscillopsia makes the nausea well up.
Now, it's dangerous and no fun and last fall I found a collectors bike at a rummage sale. New price was $2800
NF-2er
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Hi,, my first post. Regged when I saw the bike problem.
It sounds like the bike needs to be fitted to you. It's actually best to fit a new bike to you, but it's not too late to make some worthwhile changes. You should be able to reach the ground from a seated position, and when pedalling your knees should be fairly straight when your feet are at the bottom of the stroke.
The higher and more rearward the seat, the more weight on the arms. Also, the handlebar's stem height affects the weight on the arms. Generally, it's easier and more comfortable to ride when you're in a more upright position. Easier to turn your head, too.
I use the mirror glued to my helmet. It makes a big difference.
If need be, find a good local bike shop to fit you. I just had mine put a taller stem on the front fork, to raise the bars up. These days the sell "comfort" bikes, or hybrid "road comfort" bikes, which are set up for a more erect seating position. The fit makes all the difference in the world. I have an expensive bike, but it's really not properly fitted to me, which makes my riding that much harder.
I don't believe I have an AN, but I do have a serious disequilibrium problem. I'm having it checked out presently.
Good luck and be blessed,
p.
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helmet yes. but mostly because i have an 8 year old and i get in trouble if i don't wear my helmet! also, a 50 yr old women fell off her bike and died here about a month ago..scary!!
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hi everyone new to the site.i'm ernie.i'm post op almost exactly 1yr to the day.r side a.n. surgically removed.my balance is still an issue as is the funny head feeling i lost my r side hearing.anyway just rode my bicycle last week first time since surgery.did ok until i turned my head to check behind me not good i'll keep trying gl to everyone.
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Hi and welcome Ernie H -
Congratulations on the biking riding milestone. It took me one year post op also to get back on my bicycle. You'll become steadier on it in time; don't give up!
Jan
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Practice at least three times a week some of the vestibular exercises that have been posted here as they will help you while turning your head and balance. I know I still have much difficulty in some poses of yoga where I am leaning/bending forward and turn my head. Throws me off completely. There's something about leaning or bending forward with your head that will cause us to lose our balance even looking down can do this, so keeping the head high and a neutral position can be a help with balance. Good luck with the biking!
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Here is my old post with photo
http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=5584.msg56072#msg56072
The balance did NOT happen or come to me overnight. I had to really work at it VERY hard. If you read the thread from start to finish- you will see the progression.
I started on a stationary bike at home- to get my fitness level back up. From there I progressed to trying to sit on a palates ball without touching the ground -to maintain balance. (I did this on the carpet and surround myself with pillows)
http://www.pilatesfitness.co.uk/ontheball.html
At first this was a challenge and I had to have something to hold onto or balance - if I started to teeter to one side. Over time I got better as I worked on this daily.
ten speed
My ten speed bike I knew would be a challenge as it has me so hunched over when sitting on it. I used a mountain bike (a cheap department store one with big fat tires) that had me sitting more upright.
Helmet??
The other thing you must do is get a helmet that covers the ole craniotomy hole. Remember if you have a fall and hit your head you, unlike the average person, you now have a few stress points (screws etc). :-\ This increases your chance and probability of skull fracture. I bought this helmet to cover my retrosigmoid hole. 8)
http://www.bernunlimited.com/2008/berkeley.html
You would have to try a few on- to see if it also covers the your translab hole- being that this point to entry I “think� :-\ is a little further down the skull than the retrosigmoid opening.
Fatter tires
I suggest you get a bike with fatter tires until you master the bike riding skill again. Also to be so hunched over the 10 speed style handlebars may increase the vertigo sensation. You will need to work your way up to a ten speed.
Ear noise
I also found I had better balance on the bike when I wore an earplug in the good ear...
Try again with these tips …and keep us posted on your progress. Way to go for getting back onto a bicycle. 8) Don’t give up yet…
Keep moving forward!
DHM :)
P.S. I practiced head turns on the stationary bike and while balancing on the palates ball. I have retrained my brain and now I have NO problems sight seeing while I ride. I had a doctor tell me I would not be able to ride and sightsee at the same time. HMMM :-\ >:( :P ;) ;D I proved him wrong! So nah :D
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I haven't attempted my bike yet because we live on top of a mountain (okay, maybe more like a very big hill), but my neighborhood is all big hills and not completely paved yet.
My 5 year old keeps wanting me to go to the park to ride bikes and I know I'm going to have to do it one of these days. I may take the training wheels off of her bike and put them on mine.
Lori
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I still don't manage my bike well...get dizzy and nauseated... but I can skate without killing myself...
good luck to all you bike riders... I am sticking to my 8 wheels on the ground for now
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I got an "old lady" bike a few years ago, when my elbows would ache after long rides on my skinny-tired, handlbars low 10 -speed. I now have a great seat with shock absorbers, and "normal" handlebars at roughly waist level. I have thicker tires, but it's more of a hybrid, not a real mountain bike, because I mostly ride trails and streets. The thinner the tire, the less effort it takes to ride, so I didn't want a thick, heavily tractioned tire. You might do better with such a bike.
It's my goal to be riding again by the end of the month - I'll let you know how it goes.
Good luck
Tammy
PS YES, I ALWAYS wear a helmet!
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:(hi again i have a harley and can't wait to get back on just waiting patiently
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Reg,
Harley huh? Be sure to wear a helmet!! 8) Goggles and or a face shield too! :)
DHM
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Hi,
6 months post op I have almost no problems riding my bike. But it is only 7 gears :D
I cun turn my head now without ending up in the ditch.
The only time I'm challenged is in rugged terrain. My head doesn't accomadate to vibrations yet. The vision gets blurry.
Regards, Kenneth
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I agree with some of the other posts. Get a bike that allows you to sit more upright instead of leaning over so far. And a 5 speed is more than enough for casual rides with the kids. You don't need two sets of gears to master. A hybrid is a great way to go.
Be very careful....pavement is pretty unforgiving. That's why I chose water for my therapy. It took me 3 months to get to the point where I could stand for any length of time on my standup paddleboard. I've started getting back on my bike now that the paddling has helped get things closer to normal.
Good luck.
Bob
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I have this 10-speed bike my husband purchased for me about 5 years ago. .
In addition, b/c this is a 10-speed bike, I have to lean way forward. This is not the most comfortable position for my head...
Is there anyone out there who taught themselves how to ride a 10-speed after AN surgery? I need to learn this so that I can bike ride w/my kids this summer. I'm trying to set new goals, and this is one of them.
Good morning,
I am about 12 days days post - op now, and I am already looking forward to getting back to the bike. As a long time rider, I am hoping that experience will help in gaining back my balance to pre-AN level of riding. I'll continue to post the progress for others. Here are a couple of responses to add to the other good advice you have received already:
1) The bike that you have is probably NOT good for riding with the kids and on a daily basis. As stated, look for a good cross training bike for now wth wide wheels. As local bike shop can help enormously with selection and fitting. If budget does not allow that route, look into local used sources for either a cross training bike or mountain bike that will give you stability
2) Never ever ride a bike without a helmet. I've had three crashes at speed with the second two resulting in broken bones. However, the helmet did what it was supposed to by fracturing and sacrifing itself for my big fat head. Without the helmet, I'd either be drooling on myself in some ward somewhere or much worse. This also goes DOUBLE for your precious kids.
3) Most of my biking friends have multiple bikes. Why? Because we do various things from riding in the woods in the offseason to high speed road biking in the summertime. If the cross trainer/offroad bike becomes comfortable, you may continue to graduate to road bikes to ride with the other mothers in your area. However, you can still get a great workout from the cross trainer bikes without going to a full on race. bike. Start slowly and conservatively, and you will slowly find yourself looking for every opportunity to get out on the bike.
Good luck,
Steve
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I've recently started back to my bike riding, surgery was last Sept., always rode 20 miles. I felt like someone took my training wheels away. I did get better as I rode, but I do need to get a side mirror, because turning around, looking away is asking for disaster. Practice, practice, practice is the key.................I can't go Ten Pin bowling anymore, or read books like I use to, or listen to my walkman, but I WILL continue to ride my bicycle!!!!!!
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Ride on! Way to go!
DHM
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Jordy -
congratulations on this milestone! ;D
Suggestion on the walkman - look into a mono plug; they sell them at Radio Shack and also on Amazon.com and they are very inexpensive.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102690&tab=summary
The mono plug is basically an adapter that will allow you to use a single ear phone (also available at RadioShack) so that you can hear stereo sound in one ear.
The combined cost of both the mono plug adapter and the single ear phone is less than $10. I've have mine for almost 2 years now and it makes my iPod sound fantastic!
Happy listening,
Jan
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Jan,
Great link. I am going to get one. Thanks for posting this!
DHM
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DHM -
this post might also interest you http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=9826.0
Jan
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Jordy -
congratulations on this milestone! ;D
Suggestion on the walkman - look into a mono plug; they sell them at Radio Shack and also on Amazon.com and they are very inexpensive.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102690&tab=summary
The mono plug is basically an adapter that will allow you to use a single ear phone (also available at RadioShack) so that you can hear stereo sound in one ear.
The combined cost of both the mono plug adapter and the single ear phone is less than $10. I've have mine for almost 2 years now and it makes my iPod sound fantastic!
Happy listening,
Jan
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Jan..............thank-you sooooooooooooooo much on the tip regarding the mono plug adapter..............can't wait to check it out.
I'm going to thank a friend for introducing me to this site..........what a godsend!!!!!!
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Jordy -
glad I could help ;D
If you have a Blackberry, you might find this topic helpful http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=9826.0
Jan