CFS on ya bike

[velocidad]

always liked and ridden bikes (never wanted to drive). up to 3 yrs ago, when my youngest was born, my girlfriend and i would enjoy short day tours, our boxing day trips complete with red wine in water bottles were top. we would have carried on no doubt, with little one in a trailer, but unfortunately i got ill ( violins play sad music ) after test upon test, i was diagnosed 18 months ago with CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) also known as M.E.
Unable to work, most days in bed, house bound for about a year-depression and anxiety set in ( the story gets more up beat soon, honest )
as i made some improvements, thoughts turned to getting out of the house and therefore transport. obviously unable to pedal, so thought about electric bikes (no sneering from the purists please) i didn't like any of the ones on the market, so started looking on the net for add on motors to convert a bike i had. got hold of a currie ( no rice though : electro drive. it's a 24v system with a top speed of 15mph and a range of about 10 miles ( i sound like a salesman for these things ) anyway, this allowed me to get out of the house and make short journeys. the fact that i could pedal as much or as little as wanted was great, allowing me to build up slowly over many months. being on the bike again resolved many issues that had built up due to living with a chronic illness. i'm now at a point were i'm thinking of getting back to work. hopefully if and when i buy the recumbent i want, i wont need the motor, but if it keeps me riding a bike then so be it. my point ( if i had one ) is that it doesn't matter what you ride, or how far, the action of just getting out on ya bike can make a real difference to your life. ;D

[pedaldog]

I agree with that and am happy to hear you're thinking of moving forward!
I got my first Pedal power about 9 years ago, a 3 wheel Pashley Piccador, and was scared to use it after the injuries etc for my accident. I remember the first time I tried it alone to go to the local (2 1/2 miles round trip) Post Office. When I finally made it back the doctor came out and told me to "Not be so Stupid" and stay at home unless I had a carer with me.
I managed to move on a bit at a time and I am now a total fan of cycling, it is my only personal form of transport as I am no longer allowed to drive car or motorcycle.
Some days 5 miles is enough but I have done days of 75 miles with touring gear on as well so there is hope!
ANybody that is feeling down should try to ride a little. the feeling of mobility and independance is great!

[gary]

Good to see your both recovering I think us able bodies take our health for granted some times. keep it up guys.

[velocidad]

hi pedaldog

pleased to hear you too have found cycling beneficial in recovering from health issues.
for me, it was amazing the difference it made to my psychological health in terms of depression, anxiety, self confidence and sense of self worth. (have to say i did struggle at first though) it allowed me Independence, and the ability to integrate myself back into the world (not always a good thing ) add to this the physical and physiological benefits of gentle exercise (legs spinning, with motor doing most of the work) which included a reduction in lymphatic pooling and less joint and muscle pain.
i'm not saying cycling is the cure for CFS or any other condition, but for me it has played a key role in managing the direct and indirect symptoms of this condition.
hopefully i'll see something i like at d tek recumbents next tues, then there will be no stopping me

[moriarty]

Velocidad/Pedaldog...Great to hear what you are getting out of cycling and have heard so many stories like this.I myself have been pretty lucky over the years with my health(touching wooden head), and appreciate that fact. The only setback was a couple of years ago when I did my medial ligaments and had an entire summer wiped out. Was like a bear with a sore head but it made me appreciate being healthy.
Know what being out on the bike does for your mental well being as well...do most of my thinking(such as it is) out on the open road .....and spring is coming ;D
All the best.

[velocidad]

thanks for the encouragement moriarty and gary.
always appreciated!
cheers, velocidad.