Now that I’ve been riding the VFR for a couple of months the main concern that I have had (after getting over the nervousness of riding at all) has been my inability to ride long distances without suffering considerable pain. A combination of the semi-sporting riding position and sitting still in the one place means that I can only really manage about 100kms before my hip and groin are screaming out for relief. Once I get off and walk around, the pain goes quickly, thank goodness, but, each time I get on to ride again, the distance that I can go before it sets in again shortens.
Exercise has certainly helped and I have already recorded here previously that a brisk walk on the treadmill before I ride can provide more endurance before the ride becomes a trial and not fun. But I’m after a more permanent solution, so my thoughts turned to riding a push bike. Surely the exercise provided by that type of riding could help build up muscle tone, stretch all the associated parts and return me to a better level of fitness at the same time?
Yes, it certainly should do that, EXCEPT that I found that I couldn’t ride my push bike. Again, a combination of the high cross-bar and the uncertainty of stopping and having to put my foot down and restart presented a barrier over which I could not convince my mind it could cross. No matter how hard I tried, the idea of riding my bike just terrified me. So, what to do?
Well, I thought I’d ask at my local bike shop and, what do you know, there IS a bike that I CAN ride and that suits people recovering from the sorts of injuries that I have endured. It’s called a “Townie” and it has a low cross-bar, an extended wheelbase so that the pedals are forward of the rider rather than underneath him and it allows the rider to sit on the seat and put their feet flat on the ground when the bike comes to a stop. Perfect. The only problem is that they cost about $500. D’oh!
So, working on the internet principle that ebay is your friend, I typed in “town bike” in the search bar and this came up. Saratoga Town Bike, almost new, starting bid $110. Onto the Watch List it went and, as the end of the auction drew closer, nobody seemed to be bidding. Better and better. To cut to the chase, I won the auction for the opening bid. Cool. Last weekend while passing by the Central Coast I dropped in to the owner’s place, removed the front wheel and put the bike into the back of the Calibra. Fitted with heaps of room to spare.
This morning I had my first ride. Around my suburb and up to the lake and back. 11.75kms in distance. Foolishly I forgot to note my departure time, but I reckon it took me probably an hour. It was easy, I got off at the end not feeling sore at all and tickled that I have discovered not only a viable means of exercise for fitness but also a means whereby I can build up the strength and endurance in my leg and so be able to ride longer distances on the motorcycle as a result. Win-win, if you ask me. Just need to get me a trip computer for it so that I can map my progress now. Mmmm, I wonder where I can find one of them?
jeffb says
That’s great news, Phil. Watch out DZ!!! Jeff
Phil Hall says
I don’t think Damo has too much to worry about, mate!!