Why are you a former cyclist?

[oldwheels]

I really miss it and would splash the cash on an ebike in an instant if it wasn't for that bl**dy long covid stealing my balance. Each year I think 'maybe come spring I can do it' but sadly not.

Recumbent trike with e assist is the answer. Where you live they seem more available and cheaper than here.
Somebody in that fraternity would perhaps let you have a go on one to see what it feels like.

 

[PK99]

I do very little now. In fact very little since 2015: https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/boom-job-done.192444/

ACL injury in Jan 2016 reduced my mileage over a couple of years.
Then a long series of complex, and difficult-to-diagnose, chest infections reduced milage to nearly Zero for a couple of years.

I was just getting back 3 years ago when I was diagnosed with CML (Chronic Myeloid Leukemia). The CML itself is symptom-free, but the Daily Lifetime Chemo means I have chronic fatigue.

A year ago I was building up miles on a e-bike but Prostate Cancer stuffed that.

Now fully cured, I hope to get back to riding in the warmer weather of spring.

 

[Dave7]

Trike?

Thinking of it. Numbnuts and Oldwheels among others have them. Not sure it would give me the pleasure that cycling does/did.

 

[Dave7]

Recumbent trike with e assist is the answer. Where you live they seem more available and cheaper than here.
Somebody in that fraternity would perhaps let you have a go on one to see what it feels like.

I have asked in lbs with negative results.

 

[Smokin Joe]

If you have balance issues the problem with a recumbent trike is lowering yourself in and hauling yourself back out again. Those over a certain age may find that difficult anyway, often why people swap from a sportscar to something higher when they get older.

 

[gavroche]

I am 73 and lucky to still have good health with no aches and pains anywhere. I love riding my bike and we are lucky here in North Wales to have a cycle track running along the seafront for many miles so no worries about cars. Generally, I found car drivers here to be fine. I hardly ever have problems with them. When I am on the roads, my only concern is to be hit from behind as I have no control over that but so far so good and I hope to carry on cycling for many more years.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

I had a couple of years attempting to get back to riding after that Pfizer jab messed my ticker up. I did eventually get over that this year but in my attempts to get back into it I struggled to the point that I decided an eBike was the solution. The eBike (of choice) took about 6 months to arrive by which time I had enough time to actually get back to a reasonable (for an old fart) level of fitness. I have found this winter a bit difficult to keep going but the eBike helps with the hills and I can stay with the sprightly 60 year olds. But my miles are a shadow of their former "glory" and hills just don't happen much anymore. I'm still hopeful that I'll get the occasional good long hilly ride in once in a while though. But not every week. I've got lots of routes using lanes so stay well away from anything with traffic on it. So no worries on that score. I'm just doing what I can. I can't do anything more.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Other than a change of … underwear

Whaaaaat? 😱

 

[Mike Ayling]

Well some of you are really doing it hard.
Mary has had a respiratory problem for the last four years for which the docs have been unable to come up with a solution and the tandem has been gathering dust for that time.
Busy roads, subject of its own thread are also a problem here DownUnda but IMNSHO the biggest problem are "entitled" motorists. A statistic that receives a lot of airing in the State of Victoria is that 100,000 new motor vehicles are registered each year, a number which greatly exceeds the number scrapped.
We are fortunate here to have a great network of off road bike paths but as they tend to meander a lot are not ideal for commuters.
Mary and I have been attending a weekly Older Adults strength and balance session for a number of years now and we believe it helps us a lot. Enquire at your local council, there may be some in your area.
I have probably missed a few things which i will address in another post.

 

[oldwheels]

If you have balance issues the problem with a recumbent trike is lowering yourself in and hauling yourself back out again. Those over a certain age may find that difficult anyway, often why people swap from a sportscar to something higher when they get older.

I find the delta type easy once you learn the trick. Tadpole one can be a problem but there are aids available which can be fitted certainly to the ICE trikes.
I do have balance problems and have sticks on quick release fittings I put on the side of the seat.
I certainly agree about the car problem but my Peugeot Partner is the right height.

 

[oldwheels]

I have asked in lbs with negative results.

Lbs is unlikely to be of help unless they specialise. The recumbent bit on CC may be helpful and some on there could point you in the right direction. No idea where they are all located but there could be somebody near you.
My own nearest specialist is 120 miles away in Glasgow.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Being hit by a car nearly 9 years ago now, then a broken hip followed soon after by a broken leg slowed me down a lot. Then 4 years ago this coming March they locked the gyms down, where I'd spend an hour nearly every night on a static bike, so I eventually lost my cycling fitness which was keeping me on the road. One day I just couldn't climb a decent hill, so that was it. I look on it that I might've missed one of those @~#!! motorists who was intent on wiping somebody out that day, to console myself. I see cyclists now, like me out in all weathers and in my mind I wish them well. I still have my 3 bikes, collecting dust and maybe one day I'll ride one again. Even if it's just around the local park.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

One day I just couldn't climb a decent hill

That's why I got an eBike. I miss riding in the Hills and want to do that still. Would also help after a long layoff such as yours Accy

 

[Mike Ayling]

I do very little now. In fact very little since 2015: https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/boom-job-done.192444/

ACL injury in Jan 2016 reduced my mileage over a couple of years.
Then a long series of complex, and difficult-to-diagnose, chest infections reduced milage to nearly Zero for a couple of years.

I was just getting back 3 years ago when I was diagnosed with CML (Chronic Myeloid Leukemia). The CML itself is symptom-free, but the Daily Lifetime Chemo means I have chronic fatigue.

A year ago I was building up miles on a e-bike but Prostate Cancer stuffed that.

Now fully cured, I hope to get back to riding in the warmer weather of spring.

Wow, hope you enjoy your riding in the spring.

 

[Mike Ayling]

That's why I got an eBike. I miss riding in the Hills and want to do that still. Would also help after a long layoff such as yours Accy

I also bought an ebike and subsequently joined a small group gym class. Heaps of squats, lunges and leg press work and the ebike does not get out much any more unless it is a very long ride with lots of hills.