First Bike Ride with a Cardiac Pacemaker

[JtB]

Just wanted to share with my fellow CC's.

Prior to yesterday my previous bike ride was on 27th Sep 2014 after which I started loosing consciousness that same night. The following day (after passing out in excess of 10 times) I was taken into hospital where they found my normal heart rhythm was stopping for more than 40 seconds. Within 24 hours I'd received a pacemaker and since then I've not been out cycling, until yesterday that is when I did a short 11 mile ride. I have however been working out on my Turbo Trainer on average 4 times a week since Christmas, so I didn't lose too much of my general fitness.

Subconsciously I'd been putting off getting back out on the roads because I'd grown too accustomed to the safety of working out in the conservatory, and so it took quite an effort to unleash my bike from the Turbo Trainer and put myself back at the mercy of the traffic. But what an experience, I'd forgotten how light and responsive my bike was out of the Turbo Trainer and the fact that it continues to glide for so long after you stop pedaling. That feeling of rushing along the flat with a slight breeze behind you and the warm sun shining down is something you just don't get with the Turbo Trainer. You also don't get that total exhaustion while climbing hills and the feeling of exhilaration when you reach the top.

I'm feeling very pleased with how things went yesterday and I'm really looking forward to getting back out again today.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Good News JtB. Like you I'm all wired up. But I don't do Turbos so have been pedalling outdoors quite regularly since I was discharged. The Pacemaker has given me 50% of my life back as before implantation it was taking me all morning to come to. I think I was having heart stops all night leaving me feeling dreadful.

Enjoy the great outdoors - it's real cycling

 

[Oldbloke]

Good for you, JtB, enjoy.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Welcome back to life. Remember, beer is a great anti-corrosion remedy against pacemaker rust.

 

[drummerbod]

Good for you - well done!

 

[raleighnut]

Nice to get out again ain't it.

 

[Slioch]

Great news. Enjoy.

 

[Arrowfoot]

OP, for a man in your circumstances a 11 mile ride is not a short distance. Well done but take it easy.

 

[Fubar]

Just wanted to share with my fellow CC's.

Prior to yesterday my previous bike ride was on 27th Sep 2014 after which I started loosing consciousness that same night. The following day (after passing out in excess of 10 times) I was taken into hospital where they found my normal heart rhythm was stopping for more than 40 seconds. Within 24 hours I'd received a pacemaker and since then I've not been out cycling, until yesterday that is when I did a short 11 mile ride. I have however been working out on my Turbo Trainer on average 4 times a week since Christmas, so I didn't lose too much of my general fitness.

Subconsciously I'd been putting off getting back out on the roads because I'd grown too accustomed to the safety of working out in the conservatory, and so it took quite an effort to unleash my bike from the Turbo Trainer and put myself back at the mercy of the traffic. But what an experience, I'd forgotten how light and response my bike was out of the Turbo Trainer and that fact that it continues to glide for so long after you stop pedaling. That feeling of rushing along the flat with a slight breeze behind you and the warm sun shining down is something you just don't get with the Turbo Trainer. You also don't get that total exhaustion while climbing hills and the feeling of exhilaration when you reach the top.

I'm feeling very pleased with how things went yesterday and I'm really looking forward to getting back out again today.

Well done, as others have said take it easy - though the turbo sessions were probably harder than the real thing! Great you are back going out, some people may have called it a day - Chapeau!

 

[ColinJ]

Hey, JtB - it is great to read that you are back on your bike and enjoying it!

I know from personal experience what it is like to be done in by illness, and that nervousness about getting back into cycling. I also know the relief of finding out that the body can take it and just needs to be coaxed back to fitness.

Good luck!

 

[Archie_tect]

Just wanted to share with my fellow CC's....
I'm feeling very pleased with how things went yesterday and I'm really looking forward to getting back out again today.

Wonderful news JtB... I thought on reading the title that that you were going to describe cycling behind a bloke on a moped... which is something I fancy having a go at as tractors are too fast!

 

[ColinJ]

Wonderful news JtB... I thought on reading the title that that you were going to describe cycling behind a bloke on a moped... which is something I fancy having a go at as tractors are too fast!

It isn't the speed of tractors that puts me off drafting them - it's the horrific-looking agricultural implements sticking out at the back of them!

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

It isn't the speed of tractors that puts me off drafting them - it's the horrific-looking agricultural implements sticking out at the back of them!

Or worse still, the muck spreader!!

Anyway, yes, well done JtB!!My Dad has arrhythmia and has been having problems recently. I imagine he'll eventually need a Pacemaker, so I am reading this with interest.

 

[ColinJ]

Or worse still, the muck spreader!!

Anyway, yes, well done JtB!!My Dad has arrhythmia and has been having problems recently. I imagine he'll eventually need a Pacemaker, so I am reading this with interest.

Ha ha - there was one spreading muck on a local roadside field recently and there was a strong wind blowing across the field in my direction. I decided to wait until the tractor had completed its run before I continued. Judging from the amount of muck-slaloming that I had to do down that lane, it was a wise decision!

 

[JtB]

Thank you, I really appreciate all these messsges. I have just returned from my second ride and now realise that I need to start building up the strength in my legs again because they really ache on the hills. Clearly the interval training on the Turbo Trainer was sufficient to maintain my general fitness but not the hill climbing strength in my legs. But it feels really great to have made a start and for nothing bad to have happened.