I used to be a keen cyclist prior to getting MS. From losing my balance (and ability to walk unaided for long distances) to slowly improving I have got to today. , I hadn’t rode a bike for 10 years, but then I re-learnt to ride a cycle. The main motivation was so that I can join my son on short bike rides around our block of streets. But also I want to stay relatively fit, and as I can no longer walk, cycling seemed an attractive proposition.
1) I can only push off from my bad foot, as this would allow my good foot to easily find the pedal, to then cycle and keep the bike moving. Before the MS, I didn’t used to give it a 2nd thought as to which foot I am pushing off with. Now it feels like I’m waiting an age to sort the pedals in to the right position to allow me to set off. Any tips? Is it just a case of beginning to push off with either foot and gradually retrain my brain to find the pedals? Or if I modified my bike so that it has shorter pedals (so that I wouldn’t have to raise my bad foot as high)?
Would adjusting the pedals and handle bars help? Which adjustments would you recommend? Would changing the generic pedals to the ones which look like they have teeth (serrated) tops help in any way? The best adjustment I feel would be to have shorter pedals, as in theory at the top position I wouldn’t need to raise my bad foot as high.
2) I am struggling to stand up and cycle. I find myself sitting down even when going up a big hill. Could there be an explanation for this other than simply fear of falling? May be my arms aren’t strong enough to hold the handlebars and allow me to stand up. I don’t have the strong thigh muscles anymore to allow me to not stand up for a hill.
Any thoughts?
1) I can only push off from my bad foot, as this would allow my good foot to easily find the pedal, to then cycle and keep the bike moving. Before the MS, I didn’t used to give it a 2nd thought as to which foot I am pushing off with. Now it feels like I’m waiting an age to sort the pedals in to the right position to allow me to set off. Any tips? Is it just a case of beginning to push off with either foot and gradually retrain my brain to find the pedals? Or if I modified my bike so that it has shorter pedals (so that I wouldn’t have to raise my bad foot as high)?
Would adjusting the pedals and handle bars help? Which adjustments would you recommend? Would changing the generic pedals to the ones which look like they have teeth (serrated) tops help in any way? The best adjustment I feel would be to have shorter pedals, as in theory at the top position I wouldn’t need to raise my bad foot as high.
2) I am struggling to stand up and cycle. I find myself sitting down even when going up a big hill. Could there be an explanation for this other than simply fear of falling? May be my arms aren’t strong enough to hold the handlebars and allow me to stand up. I don’t have the strong thigh muscles anymore to allow me to not stand up for a hill.
Any thoughts?