BigDaddyG wrote:

Alpha1971 wrote:

ToddTT wrote:

Alpha1971 wrote:

ToddTT wrote:

Alpha1971 wrote:How many of you guys mountain bike, gravel bike road bike or just casually bike around town, or commute to work. I started commuting to work for exercise about 8-10 miles daily in April. I'm 55 and I'm a guy who from 13-40 rode a bike everywhere. I used to mountain bike and road bike in NYC, but I don't feel capable of doing that now. I had a 20 year old Specialized Hard Tail and just got a Canandale Quick 6 for daily commuting. Yet, I think I want to get a dedicated gravel bike and commit to intensive weekend rides. Any of you guys into cycling ?

I have a mountain bike that I haven’t used in 20 years. In the age of Amazon and DoorDash and cell phones I would fear for my life if I ever busted it out and took it for a ride.

I nearly get hit by a car on a weekly basis just walking my dogs.

As far as my stationary bike, I have no excuse for not getting on that.

Have you had any near-death experiences on the road?

No near death experiences that I recall. I lost about 20lbs riding from May- 26 until September 26 and my A1C dropped to 5.6 as well. Last week I had surgery on my L5/S1 to finally treat bilateral sciatica and I am recovering. Surgery went without a hitch and hopefully I'll be much better in a month or so. Guys, ride your bikes instead of sitting at home for half hour a day. It also does wonders for stress and anxiety. Half an hour is about 5 miles at 10mph, go get started.

Holy ****, Alpha! Good job! And speedy recovery! Sciatica is some wicked bull****. The human body is a friggin' disaster waiting to happen.

I'll be ready for opening night. Two years ago I was 255 and now I'm 205. Hopefully, I'll be pain free and able to bike some more. I stick to bike paths as much as possible. In the last six months I purchased two bikes. First, an inexpensive hybrid for 5 mile rides like 8xs a week. And a entry level road bike for a longer weekend ride of about 2hrs. I'm 55 and when I'm on a bike I feel 25 again. Its my hobby. I don't use clip in peddles or lycra for now, anyway. I also want to take a Salsa and Bachata dance classes with my wife who is a dancer who accepted being with me a non dancer. I also have Parkinson's and cycling and dancing improve motor skills, balance, and raises mood. Time for us to be as athletic as we can be and in this way share in the lives of our beloved basketball players in a small way.

Man,I was dealing with Sciatica for maybe like a third of the year. Then the pain relocalized to my back and about a weak after that it disappeared. I noticed it was gone the same day I was having surgery to remove a cyst.😅I still kinda feel it at times, but the leg pain is no longer an issue.

Good for you. Mine was a narrowing of the area housing my nerves due to arthritis and it did not improve over three years of PT, medications, chiropractor care, and an injection. I put off surgery and after getting the surgery, I realized it was a year overdue. Do exercise and make sure your glutes, hamstrings, lower back, and core are strong and flexible. Romanian deadlifts, glute bridges, back extensions, core work with an ab wheel, and cycling/walking/low impact aerobics are essential. Plus, stretching and massage. If you one day need surgery don't be afraid see a surgeon.

I got some friends who cycle to keep bad backs from acting up. Not my scene as tennis is my thing these days but I tried an electric pedal assist road bike and it was cool. Takes the sting out of hill climing and be an easier path to getting into cycle shape. Scary to be on the road with so many distracted drivers out there. But outside this time of year is relly nice and riding is cool.

Alpha1971 wrote:

Nalod wrote:I have a long ass list of issues but the Sciatica attack in the middle of the night 22 months ago was something I'll never forget!
Two months of limping and calf pain with side effects from the drugs was a bad time during the Thanksgiving thru new years holidays. Felt like **** and could not think straight. Only way out is to keep moving, walking, massage, heat and time.
I got some friends who cycle to keep bad backs from acting up. Not my scene as tennis is my thing these days but I tried an electric pedal assist road bike and it was cool. Takes the sting out of hill climing and be an easier path to getting into cycle shape. Scary to be on the road with so many distracted drivers out there. But outside this time of year is relly nice and riding is cool.

Worse then distracted drivers is all the riders on scooters, and ride sharing bikes and people on motorcycles using the bike paths. I hope NYC cancels all those ride sharing contracts. Regular bikes and slow e bikes that travel at 15mph are fine , the rest should be illegal. Rant aside enjoy the pedal assist bikes but get a bike and take those hills ! Riding ain't a race but a journey. A very nice hybrid bike is probably best for the casual rider. I prefer my entry level hybrid bike for most rides. My speedier bike I usually ride slow for added safety to myself and others. It's just fun and away to squeeze execrice into your regular daily schedule. Ride your bike to the store, gym, Church, to work, to visit your pot dealer, dominatrix. A bike ride a day ( or walk, or Zumba class etc ) keeps the doctor away

Your body stores kinesthetic memories from bicycle rides

In my teens I would often bike 50-100 miles a day up and down rolling hills and country roads. I have lifelong embedded sense memories of moments on the bike that I'd never have driving a car or even walking a trail.

It could be the sensation of my frigid hands clutching metal while flying down a mountain at dawn enveloped in fog or the moment my wheel slipped off the road at 40 MPH and I barely navigated my way out of the rut without sustaining a brutal crash. I can feel those moments just by remembering them now.

ToddTT wrote:

Alpha1971 wrote:I got my back surgery exactly 2 weeks and one day ago, my doctor removed my bandage and cleared me to return to my life without restrictions. I went for a quick 5 mile bike ride and now pain infact bike felt more comfortable then I recalled. Will ride more tomorrow.

Glad to hear it, Alpha.

Okay guys, time for a meetup and some bungee jumping!!!

Can we meet at a sensual massage parlour and we all bring some shots of coke for before and after ? You know a really wholesome evening

Alpha1971 wrote:I got my back surgery exactly 2 weeks and one day ago, my doctor removed my bandage and cleared me to return to my life without restrictions. I went for a quick 5 mile bike ride and now pain infact bike felt more comfortable then I recalled. Will ride more tomorrow.

oh whoa, awesome news!

Alpha1971 wrote:

martin wrote:

Alpha1971 wrote:I got my back surgery exactly 2 weeks and one day ago, my doctor removed my bandage and cleared me to return to my life without restrictions. I went for a quick 5 mile bike ride and now pain infact bike felt more comfortable then I recalled. Will ride more tomorrow.

oh whoa, awesome news!

Maybe we all get together and ride our bikes thru Central Park and meet at a bar Or sensual massage parlour. My friends have recommended it, I've never been

How about bar and then massage parlour