Posted: 17 August 2009 at 5:58am | IP Logged

This is hard for me to write, so I probably should apologize in advance for all the times I’m going to put my foot in it and inadvertently say the wrong thing.  Please give me the benefit of the doubt at such times and believe that I want to strengthen and encourage, not belittle or ridicule.

I’m starting this topic particularly for Forum members who are struggling with health issues, and this summer I’m writing from a new vantage point, that of a fellow-struggler.  Most of the old heads know that I’m retired military: I was a paratrooper, I think of myself as a jock, go-anywhere-do-anything, tougher than nails, etc.  In the past when I’ve encouraged those who are fighting to get into shape, I’ve always been sincere, but I’ve always written in the self-satisfied tone of “one who has arrived.”

That’s not true this summer.  I’ve arrived, but I’ve left again; I’m not sitting on the goal line with a smile anymore.

I’ve got some digestive problems that can only be solved surgically.  With no surgical intervention the pain and the intestinal blockages would make life not worth living.  I’ve had one operation so far and am looking forward to the follow-on in a month or so.  Right now, if it weren’t for prescription pain relievers and a very restrictive diet, I wouldn’t be able to walk to the computer to write, much less get the trikes out on the road for a ride.

-- But I am riding.  This is because of my own determination (and, in John Lennon’s words, “a little help from my friends”), but also because a recumbent trike makes physical exercise possible for me where an upright bicycle would do more damage than even a surgeon could fix.  This is one of my reasons for starting a separate topic on health and trikes: for the vast majority of those who wonder if a trike can help them, the answer is yes – if properly used.  Maybe I can give you some ideas on how to properly use your trike.

I am riding, but I am struggling, and so is Nina, my wife.  Even with her MS, she tries to encourage me, and because of that, I’d rather cut off an arm than not be at her side when she needs a good word from me in return.  Maybe our shared experiences can help a few of you to begin doing good things for yourselves this summer, or to continue doing them when it gets hard to go on.

Basically, this summer I’m not a jock any more: that’s been beaten out of me good ‘n’ proper, by my failing innards.  And the paratrooper wings are in the jewel box: all the “Oooo-rah’s” they brought aren’t doing me a lick of good this year.  Right now most days I’m back to being in fourth grade gym class, feeling like an idiot because we’re supposed to be playing basketball and I don’t understand the rules of the game.  I don’t have the skills to put one in from across the floor and the gym teacher is calling me weak and useless.  Worse, I always believe him when he tries to “motivate” me that way.  It’s that old, terrible feeling of “what am I doing here?  I don’t belong in the same league with these guys.”  That’s where I started, and that’s who came back to being this summer.

What I have that I can share is my memories of having gotten from that beginning point to where I was last year at this time: someone who took himself from being a physical fitness failure to the pinnacle of physical fitness success (considering age, of course) over the space of a lifetime just on his own guts and will to succeed.

So for those Forum members who:

-- wonder if a trike could be the answer, and if so, what kind, how much, what do I do to make it work for me, etc?

-- know what a trike can do, and already have one, but who have parked it for a little while because of various reasons . . .

-- apart from knowing what a trike can do, know what they need to do, but aren't sure if they can do it . . .

. . . please tune in.  I’ll share, you can share, and together we’ll work ourselves back and make the numbers start going in the right directions again.  And in my sharing, I’ll try to remember that I’m one of you.  Actually, I’ve always been one of you.

Larry

Posted: 23 August 2009 at 1:20pm | IP Logged

Larry, I applaud you for sharing your personal situation with us. Getting on with life when dealing with "infirmaries" (I really dislike that word, but it works!) is never easy, but it I believe it is a fact and foundation of living.

That being said, I am one of those folks who really needs to push a little harder. Visiting the doctor for me is a recurring theme: Lose weight. I'm short and stocky, was a wrestler in High School and a weight lifter off and on most of my life. I started cycling as an adult at the age of 30. I had already started having back problems but was still young enough and strong enough to put in the effort and just get better at it. Until several years ago when I hurt my back at the start of three separate outings. That's when I decided to go recumbent. Best fitness choice I've ever made next to riding in general. Two years ago I found that even two wheeled bents were difficult so I bought my first trike. I would not like to take away from anyone's fun, but now I kind of think everyone should just start with a bent trike and pass up all the pain and expense getting there.

Last December I blew my back out again and spent the next two months off my feet, unable to stand up straight. I don't recommend it as a vacation! I've been through different therapies and while still and permanently "uncomfortable" I am trying to get back to something more than just getting by.

I've gone back to work, been working on losing the weight, walking more as I can (can't sit too long so getting up and moving is essential), been working on my stretching and some light recumbent stationary work and hopefully will start doing some light weight training. I still haven't taken the trike out yet, but it's foremost on my mind.

Larry, as I read your posts I re-realize that the key to survival is doing what we love, like you riding with your wife, however much you can. My wife doesn't ride, but she knows how much I enjoy it, so with her support I will get back to it.

Look forward to the next topic. K

Posted: 20 November 2009 at 11:18am | IP Logged

  Although I have never met any of you and probably never will, I want you to know that I'm proud of you. Many of you have refused to give up and be a victim of sircumstance. Unless you include a broken heart, I have no medical reason that inspired me to ride a trike. In the past , I was married , and some of the best times I shared with my wife were our bike trips through Alberta and British Columbia. I found out that she had been "unfaithful"  and when confronted, she chose to end the relationship instead of trying to work things out. After the divorce, I would have tremendous emotional breakdowns every time I climbed on a bike and rode for a bit. For a year, I gave up riding alltogether which only hurt me further.  One day I was on youtube and stumbled on a video of a trike rider from California and my heart cried out for that feeling of freedom that only riding can provide. I had very little money after the seperation so I had to get a part time job for two months in which time I did extensive research into what qualities I wanted from this beautiful machine.

1) It had to be solidly built

2)It had to be comfortable and adjustable

3) It had to be upgradeable

4) It had to be under $2000 US as I live in Canada and the freight would be pricey ( It was )

In the end, I settled on a Terra Trike Path Plus . Only had it for 5 months now, and I've already put 1200 KM .  Now I'm looking at getting my second trike now that I know what I do and don't like about my trike

1) More gears !!  ( I'd love to have a Schlumph HSD but I'm not sure if I can justify the cost )

2) 26" rear tire ( Just to try it )

3) Narrower wheel base

Basically I want a higher performance machine .... Any recomendations ?