Are you an ex cyclist ?

[kingrollo]

Has age / Injury/ illness/other forced you to quit or limit your cycling ?

Or have you battled back - refusing to give up....?

 

[Drago]

Limited though orthopaedic injury. In fact, temporary enforced break for a few weeks as we speak.

Right elbow broken, 2 operations to rebuild and plate it. Limited feeling in my hand. A decade of not using my right arm properly has given me shoulder problems too, one operation to free it up and another possibly in the pipeline.

I acquired the original injury saving a lollipop lady from a kicking. I took it on her behalf - good news is I'd broken bones before so instantly knew what had happened, and was then quite justified in smacking his love plums to drop him, so while grievously injured I won that one. I probably saved the old dears life, definitely saved her from serious injury. Even now, retired and elderly as I am, if I saw someone in peril like that I'd intervene - Celer et Audax!!!

Anyway, my grip is relatively week, ive lost a lot of dexterity, 2 fingers (and at the moment my thumb) don't work as they should, and I ache very quickly if in the same position too long. The upshot is I cant manage long rides like I use to without gettiing deeply uncomfortable, and the side effects can last for days. 3 or 4 hours is my absolute limit, so maybe 40 miles max. But I'll never, ever stop riding while I still have arms and legs - I'll only give up when I'm a head.

 

[xxDarkRiderxx]

I've been very fortunate after stage 4 non hodgkin's lymphoma (diffused b-cell) and two bone marrow transplants to be able to cycle at the same level I did before my illness in 2012/3. Although the road to getting fitness back was very very hard and difficult I would say I am actually faster now due to the weight loss. My only caveat is that going from full on all weather cyclist I now only a fair weather cyclist as I don't want to take any chances with my immune system.

 

[steveindenmark]

Im not even a real cyclist

 

[kingrollo]

I have no problems finding another hobby (Vespa scooter !) - But the weight gain and general malaise into a more sedentary lifestyle bothers

Don't anyone suggest 'Swimming - which is the most mind numblingly boring excercise)

 

[vickster]

Trying to deal with inflammatory arthritis but refusing to give up despite the pain, stiffness, fatigue...
Knee surgery 6 weeks ago, cycled 80 miles or so last week. I’m of the little and often school
If I can’t cycle, I use the gym for treadmill, exercise bike. Started Pilates after nagging from the rheumatologist but the classes are pretty difficult due to the stiffness (and not being able to kneel!)

 

[fossyant]

No road cycling now after getting a badly broken spine from a stupid driver. MTB instead but get tonnes of pain after an hour or so. Nothing like the miles now, but I go out to enjoy the scenery. Commute miles are somewhat mundane in comparison (i don't ride to work).

 

[Sharky]

I've had a few broken bones, family commitments, school runs, career demands etc, but something always brings me back to cycling and time trialling.
Will be 52 years since my first TT, if I make it to the start line next month.

 

[raleighnut]

Still battling on here, even bought a trike.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Im not even a real cyclist

I've never been a real cyclist, I just like riding a bike & going places you'd probably never see otherwise

 

[roadrash]

battling a knackered spine but still get out when I can, which isn't as often as I would like but its better than nowt I suppose. ive come to accept that I will suffer after a ride but at the moment I think its worth it.

 

[byegad]

I'm very slowly getting back into it after a huge and long lasting lung infection that took up most of 2017!

I was investigated for cancer in the middle of the year as the infection had caused a huge mass to grow in my right lung. It turned out to be phlegm! I had expectations I'd be an ex-everything at one point.

Last year I built up my walking, this year I'm getting about on the trike.

 

[antnee]

I've never been a real cyclist, I just like riding a bike & going places you'd probably never see otherwise

As to cycling well Its exerice now and seeing places near to where I live which I'd never notice before as always been too busy trying to get there

 

[Dave7]

Interesting (and moving) thread this. You read posts from CC members and dont realise the battles some of them are waging.
I feel quite fortunate. Got into cycling maybe 8 years ago. A few ops for cancer knocked my enthusiasm but somehow got that back. Definitely a fair weather cyclist but do enjoy a 10-30 mile trundle.

 

[DCBassman]

Yes, but temporarily, and it was, if you like, my own fault. Fell orft me bike, guvnor!
Likely another 3 months...