Getting back on the bike

[Hjbiker]

Ok, all you cyclists out there, I'm almost 4 weeks post-op and really itching to get back on the bike. My surgeon said 6 weeks post-op, but I'm not sure if he meant on the road or the trainer. Doesn't really matter though, as I will start on the trainer to give the sternum more healing time and to get some spin back in my legs before hitting the road. I have an older model Trek hardtail that I've converted into a urban commuter with slick tires which I'll use initially and then switch to my road bike (Cannondale R2000) after a few weeks. My goal is to ride a century (or 2) next year ending with a PR try at the El Tour de Tuscon. Any suggestions on how to get started would surely be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[mntbiker]

Hi Joe,
I don't have much to offer. I am sure MarkU will be along to offer some advice soon as well as the other avid cyclists.

I would be interested to know how you do with the mtb and how long before you feel comfortable doing it again. I wonder how that would impact the recovery considering all of the pushing and pulling involved verse road riding.

Hope your recovery goes well and you're on the bike again soon.

 

[BillCobit]

Ok, all you cyclists out there, I'm almost 4 weeks post-op and really itching to get back on the bike. My surgeon said 6 weeks post-op, but I'm not sure if he meant on the road or the trainer. Doesn't really matter though, as I will start on the trainer to give the sternum more healing time and to get some spin back in my legs before hitting the road. I have an older model Trek hardtail that I've converted into a urban commuter with slick tires which I'll use initially and then switch to my road bike (Cannondale R2000) after a few weeks. My goal is to ride a century (or 2) next year ending with a PR try at the El Tour de Tuscon. Any suggestions on how to get started would surely be appreciated. Thanks.

Sounds right, HJ. For now, just work you heart (moderately) and legs, and protect that sternum. It's too early to be bouncing it off the ground in event of a spill.

I had my surgery in January, and had to wait until April before I could ride outdoors (because of crashing danger from snow & ice). Even at 3 months out, I had to ride at a pretty slow speed to keep my HR and breathing at a comfortable rate. Before that, I did some easy spinning on the trainer.

It took me a good 8-9 months before I felt really good on the bike. I hope your recovery is faster, but if not, just be patient and listen to your body. Many people will tell you it takes a full year to recover.

Best wishes for continued recovery.

PS:

Trek steel hardtail w/ slicks is my favorite ride. Here I am riding on the wrong side of the road during a post-op tour of VT:

 

[Phyllis]

Hi Joe,
Dick is not a "long distance" rider, but he rode his stationary bike about 3 weeks post-op and was riding his bike in FL (all flat terrain) 3-4 miles at about 8 weeks. It was a great release for him until he could play tennis and golf at 3 months.

 

[LLJ]

Wait'll you try to lean on those handlebars with your bike on the trainer! That will surely let you know you will not be on the road for at least another month. Take your time. I"m with Bill, even though I did my first race 6 months after surgery,I really began to feel exceedingly better 9 months later. Big difference.
Glad to hear you're feeling well, just let our other Mark sign on lecture you about overdoing it too soon!
Laura

 

[KathyH]

Hi,
I started cardiac rehab at 4weeks post op and rode the stationary bike. At 6 weeks I started riding 10 miles around town without any problems. Just watch the bumps because you will feel it. Good Luck.
Kathy H.

 

[CCRN]

Ok, all you cyclists out there, I'm almost 4 weeks post-op and really itching to get back on the bike. My surgeon said 6 weeks post-op, but I'm not sure if he meant on the road or the trainer. Doesn't really matter though, as I will start on the trainer to give the sternum more healing time and to get some spin back in my legs before hitting the road. I have an older model Trek hardtail that I've converted into a urban commuter with slick tires which I'll use initially and then switch to my road bike (Cannondale R2000) after a few weeks. My goal is to ride a century (or 2) next year ending with a PR try at the El Tour de Tuscon. Any suggestions on how to get started would surely be appreciated. Thanks.

I waited till 12 weeks to be absolutely sure my sternum was healed.....but I'm the paranoid type. I very easily was riding 15 to 20 mile rides within a couple of weeks after I started. I did use the stationary bike as soon as my surgeon released me at 6 weeks. Are you taking advantage of cardiac rehab? It's really given me a lot of confidence and helped me pace myself. I hope to do the MS ride to "Jack and back" next fall. It's about 58 miles one way to Lynchberg TN's Jack Daniel distillery, grab a snort of whiskey, and ride back the next morning. Just Kidding about the snort, but you do get a tour.

 

[Eric]

I'm not a biker - more of a swimmer and beach volleyball player, but I like to hear other people's input. I'm 5 weeks post op and just got off the Lifecycle after riding it for 30 minutes (it registered 6.9 miles at level 6). I also started cardiac PT a couple weeks ago and I would recommend it to everybody, no matter how good a shape you were in before surgery. All I do there is hop on the Treadmill and Lifecycle for 20-25 minutes each as they monitor my HR and BP, then stretch out.

My goal is to be able to get into the pool, on the volleyball court and in the gym lifting very light weights ASAP, but I know I have to take little steps first.

Good luck with your rehab.

 

[Arpy]

Joe

My surgeon said pretty well same thing - but once I was let loose on being able to ride I havent stopped since. Admittedly Perth is generally pretty flat and any inclines I had to get up I took fairly easily for the first wee while to ease up on the sternum. As a complete show of idiocy I still went pretty hard / fast pretty early... but the body didnt complain so I relied on that. For me most of my early riding was on bike path so I didnt need to contend with our motoring brethren until I was a little more confortable in throwing the bike around without feelling as if the chest was going to collapse.

Ive been on a few relatively easy mountain bike rides at about 6 months. But Im sure the response to this sort of activity is pretty individual ... based on the terrain type, bike type (mine has the really really hard suspension setting [read none]) and how hard you go for it, etc. Those moving rocks/trees/potholes add another dimension to the recovery formula so common sense needs to reign supreme (yeah yeah I know common sense is an oxymoron especially when used in the context of recovery phase heart patients who are also avid cyclists !!!)


The century sounds like a fantastic goal to strive for - keep us informed of your progress towards your goal. Sounds like you have got the motivation though. Best of luck


Russell

 

[Curtsmum]

Not quite the same but would this time stand for my son getting back on his bike. He does't exactly go long distance riding but he loves his bike and goes on it everyday?

 

[MarkU]

I got to be good friends with the stationary bikes at my gym starting about three months post op. Started at 20 minutes and worked up to an hour at a time.
I really didn't do any serious riding on the road for about a year; my sternum was sore for a good six months post op and I didn't want to risk doing anything to re-injure it.

Mark

 

[Arpy]

Not quite the same but would this time stand for my son getting back on his bike. He does't exactly go long distance riding but he loves his bike and goes on it everyday?

Paula

With a young and enthusiatic 7 y.o. you would probably have to watch him as to how "active" he got on his bike. ie: trying to do wheelies / jumps over kerbs etc. Young fellas being young fellas he might not appreciate / make the link between enthusiatic riding and pains in his chest / sternum. If he is anything like my young bloke (8 y.o.) he will want to ride over any bump / kerb /rock he can see so Id guess you would just need to inhibit the "boy mentality" until you were pretty sure he could fall off without damaging anything - aside from losing a bit of skin.

regards


Russell

 

[Hjbiker]

Thanks to all of you for the excellent advice which I plan on paying close attention to. I've had a nagging cough since coming home from the hospital, so my plans for getting back on the bike have been somewhat delayed. Turns out the cough was nothing serious (just hurt like hell) and it has quieted down a lot in the last few days. Since I'm feeling much better now, I'm going to try some easy spinning on my trainer this week. I know it's going to feel strange finally turning the pedals after a 6 week lay off, but I'm sure that feeling will turn into pure enjoyment in no time. Anyway, I'll be sure to let you all know how it goes. Take care and thanks again!

 

[Curtsmum]

Paula

With a young and enthusiatic 7 y.o. you would probably have to watch him as to how "active" he got on his bike. ie: trying to do wheelies / jumps over kerbs etc. Young fellas being young fellas he might not appreciate / make the link between enthusiatic riding and pains in his chest / sternum. If he is anything like my young bloke (8 y.o.) he will want to ride over any bump / kerb /rock he can see so Id guess you would just need to inhibit the "boy mentality" until you were pretty sure he could fall off without damaging anything - aside from losing a bit of skin.

regards


Russell

Thanks Russell, i know what you mean, i hate him being on it now. Hes always standing up or trying to do stunts. Im buying him a electric go cart for christmas, at least he will be lower to the ground and will hopefully stay off his bike for awhile. Thanks again