Not even got on the bike yet and....

[SpokeyDokey]

I'm going to give cycling a go....if it doesn't sit well with me I'll go to aqua aerobics until I've lost a couple of stone then I'll try again.
I do love cycling and was devastated when I had to give it up.
I'll go easy and let you know how it goes

Well have fun and stay safe!

 

[ScotiaLass]

I'm still not sure cycling is better.

I can see what you mean over a given distance as cycling is fairly efficient (efficient enough to counteract the bike weight?) but what about over a given time? I would've though that cycling for an hour including moving 10Kg or whatever of bike uses more energy than walking for an hour minus a bike.

Using energy isn't the issue (I can deal with that at the time)...taking the weight off my joint is

 

[ColinJ]

Using energy isn't the issue (I can deal with that at the time)...taking the weight off my joint is

Good luck with that! I have lost 3 stone since getting ill and it has made a huge difference to me. Going uphill is much easier, and my knees have stopped hurting when I walk down steep hills or staircases.

 

[MarkF]

I'm still not sure cycling is better.

I can see what you mean over a given distance as cycling is fairly efficient (efficient enough to counteract the bike weight?) but what about over a given time? I would've though that cycling for an hour including moving 10Kg or whatever of bike uses more energy than walking for an hour minus a bike.

It's true, my physio explained it to me after my accident. Something like..........once overcoming the initial inertia of bearings etc Then nearly all the muscular energy used when cycling is converted to forward motion, you are at a fixed height. However, when walking, you oscillate, you are not at a fixed height and with each step you use energy, that is you use muscles to lift your entire body weight, with every step, a lot more than bike weight. You use energy on the downward motion too, or, you'd fall down.

A person cycling will use less energy than a person walking the same distance/terrain.

 

[Linford]

Good advice from the others, aim to go out on it a couple of times a week, then try and do one day on, two days off, then one day on, one day off. Stick to small mileage in a circular route and make sure the bike is set up properly for you in seat height, position, reach to the bars etc

The thing is to build a regular pattern. You will feel better for it, andin time, you will build up abit of stamina.

 

[Sara_H]

Take it slowly and find your pace. When I was recovering from serious illness earlier this year I found small amounts of gentle cycling easier that walking. I think the fact that I had to slow down and pace myself actually made me a better cyclist, I sort of found my pace, if that makes sense.