Hi from the Suffolk/Essex border

[cardiac case]

Hi All.
A few months back, March to be precise, I had a little medical mishap that resulted in a stay in hospital and a transfer to a specialist unit where I had 3 stents fitted.
Apparently exercise is part of recovery therapy so as well as Cardiac Rehab I bought a fold up bike and used to peddle down to the village for a bit of fresh air.
Ebay beckoned and before I knew where I was I'd had a shopping accident and was now the owner of a Trek 700 Hybrid, all £33 worth. Two new tyres later and was on the road.

I've progressed to (you can laugh now) 16 miles at an average speed of 8mph which I'm pleased with, considering I must keep my heartbeat below 100, and am on so many pills that every pot hole makes me rattle.

Last week, another purchase. A road bike this time. Buying bikes is becoming a habit.

The most important item to carry on a bike?
GTN spray.

Cheers,
Paul

 

[paul04]

Welcome to the website Paul. don't worry about average speed, just as long as your out on the bike and enjoying it

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Paul!
3 bikes already? You're one of us, speed is irrelevant. For now

 

[cardiac case]

Thanks for the welcome Paul & Pat.
Got a confession. As the last one cost a wee bit more I had to sell the fold up, so now back to two.

Getting to love this biking lark.
I have fitted a Cateye 7 on both bikes so I can set little goals to aim at.
The next is a "round the block" at 10mph average.
I will get there.

Paul

 

[Ern1e]

Hi Paul looking like you are becoming a proper cyclist choice of 3 machines already lol. Now as @Pat "5mph" says speed is not an issue for you to worry about just yet and reading about your heart rate how are you monitering that ? Any way well done so far and you will get better go faster and further and most of all healthier.

 

[cardiac case]

Hi Ernie.

I am a member of Upbeat, (Heart Support in West Suffolk) and once a week attend their gym session.
A volunteer cardiac nurse from the West Suffolk Hospital gives me the once over each week and
I keep a record of this.

At home I have a an Omron M3 blood pressure & pulse meter that I slap on as soon as I get home from a ride.
As I live on top of a hill which ever way I come home I have just exerted myself. (That's another word for kn******d. )
Not ideal I know but the best I have at the moment.

Cheers,
Paul

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Hi Paul and to CycleChat.

If you're needing to carry a GTN spray on a ride then I really wouldn't be worried about the pace you're doing to start with. You'll improve as you get into it.

 

[Ern1e]

Hi Ernie.

I am a member of Upbeat, (Heart Support in West Suffolk) and once a week attend their gym session.
A volunteer cardiac nurse from the West Suffolk Hospital gives me the once over each week and
I keep a record of this.

At home I have a an Omron M3 blood pressure & pulse meter that I slap on as soon as I get home from a ride.
As I live on top of a hill which ever way I come home I have just exerted myself. (That's another word for kn******d. )
Not ideal I know but the best I have at the moment.

Cheers,
Paul

Thanks Paul I belive you can get one that you wear like a wrist watch saw one in our local pharmacy a few weeks back almost bought one then thought do I need to know how fast my heart is going lol but in your case this would be far more serious and a need to know item, I wonder if you could get one on prescription perhaps ? may be ask the Upbeat people to see if they can help out by loaning you one ! bit of a bad do about living on the hill only good bit about that is you are so much less likley to be flooded lol.

 

[cardiac case]

I did look at the monitors on the Argos site but was disappointed with the customer feedback section. Accuracy and ease of use didn't seem to score highly.
My GP did tell me to take it steady on the bike so I mentioned pulse monitors. She said, "just stop and feel your pulse. There's nothing more accurate." I find it difficult to argue with that.

As for living on top of a hill, it has its benefits. All exercise should start with a gentle warm up, so what better than a bit of gentle downhill peddling.

Cheers,
Paul

 

[Ern1e]

I did look at the monitors on the Argos site but was disappointed with the customer feedback section. Accuracy and ease of use didn't seem to score highly.
My GP did tell me to take it steady on the bike so I mentioned pulse monitors. She said, "just stop and feel your pulse. There's nothing more accurate." I find it difficult to argue with that.

As for living on top of a hill, it has its benefits. All exercise should start with a gentle warm up, so what better than a bit of gentle downhill peddling.

Cheers,
Paul

Cant disagree on that lol next time I am in the pharmacy I will ask about them but please don't expect a fast reply it's not one of my more regular stops !! Plus they do not sell cake how bad is that ?