Re: Bicycle riding & Reiter's

October 17, 2006

For those of you who didn't seem to think that cycling would work for you

when in flare-up:

That may be so, but keep in mind that the vast majority of people don't have

their bike properly set up for their size. Seats are too low,

handebars/stems and controls, etc. are set up improperly, and the wrong

gears get used.

My suggestion is to adjust your seatpost so that when you are on the bike,

that at the bottom of the pedal stroke your knee is bent at no more than a

5-degree angle (very slight.) this is with your foot flat, parallel to the

ground and the ball of your foot over the pedal axle. This set of angles and

arrangements is exactly how your leg is supposed to be positioned over the

bike.

Also, make sure that you use the lowest gear that will keep you moving

forward. Most people use a gear that is MUCH too high, or don't shift NEARLY

often enough to keep their pedal speed (measured as " cadence " ) high enough.

I see people riding down the road in a gear that's way too high, with their

seat way too low, I can almost *feel* their knees & hips being destroyed.

Not to mention the inefficiency and the poor bike handling that results!

I used to be a professional cyclist, and a trainer for other cyclists. So I

see people every day who write off bicycling as a way to stay fit while

fighting chronic pain.....and in many cases it's because they don't really

know what riding a properly sized/configured bike is!

-

October 18, 2006

yan wrote

wrote " For those of you who didn't seem to think that cycling would

work for you

when in flare-up:

That may be so, but keep in mind that the vast majority of people don't have

their bike properly set up for their size. Seats are too low,

handebars/stems and controls, etc. are set up improperly, and the wrong

gears get used. "

Hi

I totally endorse your advice. I think the reason I can cycle without pain

(even with hip damage)is due to having the seat at the correct height and

not using too much resistance. As you know, you still get a terrific workout

though. What I especially value is that I can go 'all out' on the bike,

which I can no longer do on foot - it's great for stress!

October 18, 2006

I think I am stepping in in the middle of a conversation that I do not know the

full context of; however, if it has to do with the benefits of riding

bicycle...I am all for it!

I have had Reiter's and mild AS since 2004 and have been on Enbrel since

almost 2 years ago (I believe?). The Enbrel takes care of me 90% of the week or

more...to the point where I feel like I'm in remission; however, the 2 days

after I mountain bike are the best days of my week. I don't know what this does

for the joints or muscles in reference to the disease...but I ALWAYS feel like

I'm on cloud 9 for the next 2 days after an 8 to 10 mile ride. I really do

strap in tight with knee braces (criss cross velcro strap ones) just to keep the

knees extra warm during the ride...and it works well.

I'm no one to tell you to go mountain biking...however, I just wanted to say

that it works well for my Reiter's.

Later

Rob in Houston

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October 18, 2006

Rob, I think the conversation started with someone asking or saying they no

longer could ride their bike because of hip problems causing pain. Riding a

bike (stationery or otherwise) is good for keeping joints mobile and the

exercise is good for muscles tone, too...unless you are having a lot of pain

while

doing it.(scraping bone or cartilage against bone is very damaging and a lot

of inflammation in the hip joint can be very painful.) Cartilage can chip off

and lodge in the joint...causing what they call a " mouse " . This can cause

your leg to freeze or catch. I've had that happen in my knee.

Hip pain isn't to be confused with SI joint pain. These are two separate

places of inflammation. Many people (including myself) thought that my SI joint

pain was coming from my hip...until I got the real bugger. Mine came with

pain in the groin area (in front) and it was very difficult to walk, or even

move my leg. Hip pain is a different creature. Many people with hip problems,

when they can't walk up stairs, or have walking difficulties,can't have

normal sexual relationships, or can't cycle any longer, this is when they

usually

start talking to an Arthropod about hip replacement. People, when they have

hip replacement, they are different as they try to get you to use your new

joint right away.

Best regards, Connie.

October 18, 2006

Rob wrote " I think I am stepping in in the middle of a conversation that I

do not know the full context of; however, if it has to do with the benefits

of riding bicycle...I am all for it! "

Hi Rob

It seems as though there are more than a few of us who've found cycling to

be beneficial! In all the years I've had Reiter's, my rheumatologist has

never once mentioned exercise

October 19, 2006

Ok, I know about the seat height and extended leg deal on a bike.

Problem is, I am a woman with very long legs and the normal bikes are

not tall enough. On a regular 26 " bike from Wal-Mart, I have the seat

so high that I can't touch the ground when stopped--except with the

very tip of my toe if I lean sideways. And it's still about 3 " or

more too low. How do I get a bike that is affordable, and can

accomodate my leg length, but not be so unsafe as to not allow me to

touch the ground when stopped? I feel like I'm an adult riding a

tricycle right now. And I am also legally blind, so being able to

touch the ground fast is a necessary option for safety. I probably

shouldn't be riding a bike, but I've had to give up driving and my

feet now have arthritis so I can't walk far and I have to have SOME

form of transportation for myself.

October 19, 2006

jenniferm how tall are you? james

isabofauna <animalia@...> wrote: Ok, I

know about the seat height and extended leg deal on a bike.