It must of been love- but it's all over now

[RedBike]

I've been forced off the bike by people worried about my health and how dangerous it is to cycle at night.

I'm as misserable as fcuk.
Why am I missing my commute home by bike so much?

You'd of thought anyone in their right mind would jump at the chance to drive back and forth in a nice warm car instead of lugging a heavy bike up/down 15miles of hills tiwce a day.

 

[spandex]

Just tell them to do one. Then get on your bike at midnight and go for a cruse round town till 2am.

 

[Landslide]

Who's forced you off your bike? Why? Are the concerns for your health related to any medical issues you may have, or simply to a perception that cyclists are at risk on the roads?

I'm now 30 (going on 12...). I've had a bike for as long as I can remember.
Last year, through an entirely uncharacteristic lapse in concentration, I damaged some innocent motorist's car.

No-one I know has suggested that I should stop cycling as it's too dangerous. To the contrary, pretty much everyone around me recognises that to keep off the bike would be more deleterious to my health (both mental and physical).

I suspect that someone better informed will be along in a bit with a link to statistics showing that cycling is still relatively safe. How many car drivers are injured/killled each year? Lots. (Too many.)

 

[marinyork]

Tell them to clear off.

 

[RedBike]

I've got a bit of circulation problem. It one of those things that sounds a LOT worse than it is. I'm still a heck of a lot fitter than most people. But i'm suppost to taking things easy and resting.

My boss doesn't think a 40mile (in total) commute counts as resting and is worried sick that I will have a heart-attack or something stupid. He's banned my on the grounds of health and safety from riding into work.

My folks have recently read in the news about 2 cyclists getting knocked off riding along the same road that I use. They're now genuinly worried I will be knocked off and killed. It had my mother in tears!
(It's doesn't help that I was hit by a car commuting last year and i'm not suppost to be cycling anyway!)

I could easily stick two fingures up to everyone and continue to commute by bike; but it's going to unnecessarily(?) upset a lot of people. The trouble is I can't justify to myself why there's any need to use the bike over the car.
I'm not sure withdraw symptoms count as a reason.!!

 

[marinyork]

Ah well if it is medical then fair enough but it's your decision surely? Why not get back to bike commuting in the early spring next year? Someone I used to work with was banned by the missus from riding a bike as his uncle was killed by a smidsy.

 

[Landslide]

Is increased physical activity likely to aggravate or improve your circulatory problems?
Does your employer have any right to dictate how you travel to work? If they say that they do, pursue what "reasonable adjustments" they might be able to make in order to facilitate your continued happy employment (e.g. they could relocate you to the £6.3billion mansion next to the office .

 

[col]

Has your doctor commented Redbike?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

+1

Has your doctor commented Redbike?

 

[RedBike]

Yes he has.

My Doc was less than supportive. I'm suppost to be taking light exercise and avoiding over exhertion. Apparently cycling / jogging does not count as light exercise.

Does your employer have any right to dictate how you travel to work?

No he hasn't; but it's not worth making life difficult for him. He's only trying to look out for me.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Without knowing the precise nature of the condition I can only speculate but usually circulatory problems are made worse by strenuous physical activity but helped by mid physical activity. To an experienced cyclist a 40mile round trip with a work day in the middle may be mild exercise.

I would be amazed if an employer could dictate an employees mode of transport / travel (but would fully understand if he or she was concerned about potential health risks). I doubt if "reasonable adjustments" would enter the equation.

Is increased physical activity likely to aggravate or improve your circulatory problems?
Does your employer have any right to dictate how you travel to work? If they say that they do, pursue what "reasonable adjustments" they might be able to make in order to facilitate your continued happy employment (e.g. they could relocate you to the £6.3billion mansion next to the office ).

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Can he tell / has he told you what "light exercise" entails. I would have thought that as long as your heart rate and BP remained below a given level you would be fine.????????

Yes he has.

My Doc was less than supportive. I'm suppost to be taking light exercise and avoiding over exhertion. Apparently cycling / jogging does not count as light exercise..

 

[RedBike]

Without knowing the precise nature of the condition I can only speculate but usually circulatory problems are made worse by strenuous physical activity but helped by mid physical activity. To an experienced cyclist a 40mile round trip with a work day in the middle may be mild exercise.

I think you've hit the nail on the head.
Most people think of the hills that I have to ride up and come out with the reaction. You never cycle that!! They don't realise that if I take it easy it isn't hard going.
(The trouble is I can't help pushing myself a little bit now and then.)

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Maybe invest (if you do not already have one) in a heart rate / BP monitor. It might pacify some of the voices of dissent. And stop pushing yourself!!!!!!

I think you've hit the nail on the head.
Most people think of the hills that I have to ride up and come out with the reaction. You never cycle that!! They don't realise that if I take it easy it isn't hard going.
(The trouble is I can't help pushing myself a little bit now and then.)

 

[longers]

Shame Will this curtail your weekend rides too?

Could a change of GP get you some better advice?