Doug,
Transferring your riding to indoors while you undergo the regimen change on your treatments sounds prudent. Since you have a smart trainer, the experience will be as close to outdoors as is technologically possible. No wind in your face but no face plant either!
Hopefully they can scale the treatment back a bit soon so you can resume outdoor riding.
Forums
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Time for new goals in biking for 2020.
One goal is to do a 100K ride or rally every month. Already got a jump on that as I did one in January and just this past Saturday got in a 70-mile (113 km) ride.
Second goal is to once again top 6,000 miles (9656 km) for the year. I haven't managed a great start to that, as it seems to rain a lot on the weekends in January and February in north Texas. However, I'm hoping to turn that around once the time changes and the weather warms. In the meantime, I have been doing rides during the week on my smart trainer. Those are fairly realistic miles as they are a virtual ride with trainer mimicking climbs. However, I have never included indoor miles toward my annual goal.
I don't have any big excursions planned like my 4-day mini-tour last year, but that may change as the season progresses.
One goal is to do a 100K ride or rally every month. Already got a jump on that as I did one in January and just this past Saturday got in a 70-mile (113 km) ride.
Second goal is to once again top 6,000 miles (9656 km) for the year. I haven't managed a great start to that, as it seems to rain a lot on the weekends in January and February in north Texas. However, I'm hoping to turn that around once the time changes and the weather warms. In the meantime, I have been doing rides during the week on my smart trainer. Those are fairly realistic miles as they are a virtual ride with trainer mimicking climbs. However, I have never included indoor miles toward my annual goal.
I don't have any big excursions planned like my 4-day mini-tour last year, but that may change as the season progresses.
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
COVID-19 has forced me to change my biking plans. At least until June, I am going to avoid all large bike rallies. Even riding with my bike club will be modified as we will skip our normal stop at the local coffee shop. At least riding outside in a group is generally safe as you keep separation and are out in fresh air. However, most of my rides are likely to be solo or with just 2 or 3 others. I also intend to put in greater use of my indoor trainer. I will reassess things as time moves on. My two biggest rides each year; the HHH and the Texas Time Trials, are not until August and September.
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Ron,
I've regretfully curtailed all of my club and group riding as a result of COVID-19. All my training is solo for now. It's not nearly as enjoyable as the motivation and dynamics of a group.
But, to find a silver lining, I do find solace in the fact that I can still ride and train. May our good fortune continue.
Fred
I've regretfully curtailed all of my club and group riding as a result of COVID-19. All my training is solo for now. It's not nearly as enjoyable as the motivation and dynamics of a group.
But, to find a silver lining, I do find solace in the fact that I can still ride and train. May our good fortune continue.
Fred
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Farcical - Name: Fred
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2018
- Age at diagnosis: 66
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
We have all had to make sacrifices in participating in large gatherings due to COVID-19. We must do what we can to flatten the curve. At least we can still enjoy the outdoors to run or bike. I recently read about pro cyclists living in Spain, where outdoor cycling has been banned, and the athletes are doing their training indoors. I was surprised that outdoor cycling was banned, but it was explained that everyone must stay in their residence and within their own property if they have any. It was also explained that if a cyclist is injured they would have difficulty getting treatment due to the pressures the virus is having on the medical system. After seeing some of the hills in Spain, I can see that side of the argument.
Keep up the training Ron, and stay safe. You will race again.
Keep up the training Ron, and stay safe. You will race again.
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Colin - Name: Colin Rice
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
An update:
I have been doing a lot of solo rides, but more recently I've also done some small group rides with 4 or 5 other riders. We keep our social distancing. Most of my rides are for 30-40 miles (50-65 km), but at least once a month I get in a 100 km (62 mile) or longer ride.
I just went over 3,000 outdoor miles (4,825 km) this past weekend. I have also logged in about 1,000 miles (1,610 km) on my indoor trainer. I use a smart trainer app that hooks to a program through bluetooth and changes the trainer resistance to simulate hills. The course is projected on a computer screen to give you a virtual ride experience. I am riding on average 4-5 days a week.
All of the rallies and ultra races I normally do have been cancelled. There is still a possibility that some events scheduled for the fall will take place, but it is not looking good as the coronavirus is really spreading in Texas. So my goals have been modified. I am targeting 5,500 outdoor miles (8,850 km) with at least one 100 km ride each month.
So far I have been able to work around my treatments, and I hope that continues.
Hope everyone stays safe.
I have been doing a lot of solo rides, but more recently I've also done some small group rides with 4 or 5 other riders. We keep our social distancing. Most of my rides are for 30-40 miles (50-65 km), but at least once a month I get in a 100 km (62 mile) or longer ride.
I just went over 3,000 outdoor miles (4,825 km) this past weekend. I have also logged in about 1,000 miles (1,610 km) on my indoor trainer. I use a smart trainer app that hooks to a program through bluetooth and changes the trainer resistance to simulate hills. The course is projected on a computer screen to give you a virtual ride experience. I am riding on average 4-5 days a week.
All of the rallies and ultra races I normally do have been cancelled. There is still a possibility that some events scheduled for the fall will take place, but it is not looking good as the coronavirus is really spreading in Texas. So my goals have been modified. I am targeting 5,500 outdoor miles (8,850 km) with at least one 100 km ride each month.
So far I have been able to work around my treatments, and I hope that continues.
Hope everyone stays safe.
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Ron,
One of my neighbors who's an ex-racer ended up with one of those indoor trainers that allows you to do group rides using a video monitor and Internet connection. (His partner bought it so that she could train with her triathlon team.) He thought he'd sign up for a race and that it would be a fun thing to do. The race started and he was almost immediately dropped. That got the competitive fires going, and he began pushing to catch up. I think it was going pretty well for him until he realized his heart rate was up around 200. He had to quit for fear of a heart attack!
Not apropos of anything, but I thought it was a funny story. The healthy exercise bike could have killed him!
One of my neighbors who's an ex-racer ended up with one of those indoor trainers that allows you to do group rides using a video monitor and Internet connection. (His partner bought it so that she could train with her triathlon team.) He thought he'd sign up for a race and that it would be a fun thing to do. The race started and he was almost immediately dropped. That got the competitive fires going, and he began pushing to catch up. I think it was going pretty well for him until he realized his heart rate was up around 200. He had to quit for fear of a heart attack!
Not apropos of anything, but I thought it was a funny story. The healthy exercise bike could have killed him!
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Mike F - Name: Mike F
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 18, 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Hi Mike,
That was a funny story.
He probably has the same program I use. It does allow for group rides and races. I generally just do solo rides on it but have done some group rides. So you can socialize from your own home.
As I have aged my maximize heart rate is about 160, but I rarely get it over 156. The general rule of thumb is you take 220 and subtract your age. So for me at age 68, my max heart rate would be about 152. Not too far off.
That was a funny story.
He probably has the same program I use. It does allow for group rides and races. I generally just do solo rides on it but have done some group rides. So you can socialize from your own home.
As I have aged my maximize heart rate is about 160, but I rarely get it over 156. The general rule of thumb is you take 220 and subtract your age. So for me at age 68, my max heart rate would be about 152. Not too far off.
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Update:
So far I've logged about 4,300 outdoor miles (6,920 km) and just under 1,000 miles (1,610 km) on my indoor trainer. I've not taken part in any rallies or races due to Covid-19.
Since the Hotter n' Hell 100 (HHH) was cancelled this year, a biking buddy and I did a local 100-mile ride the Saturday before last. The route was much hillier than the relatively flat HHH, and since there were only two of us, there were no big groups to draft off of. Thus it took much longer to complete as my total time including stops was just under 8 1/2 hours. The actual exercise time was 7 hours and 21 min with an average speed of 13.6 mph (21.9 km/h). Despite hydrating (had on a 48 ounce / 1.4 l camelback and 2 water bottles), I started cramping in my hamstrings with about 20 miles (32 km) to go and had to fight through it. It was relatively cool for North Texas with the high only about 90 F (32 C), but the humidity was high as we had 3 inches (7.6 cm) of rain on the previous Wednesday and Thursday. I took off a day but did a 45-mile ride with a small group (5 of us) on Labor Day (September 7) at a 15 mph (24 km/h) pace.
I am holding my own with distance but overall I am probably a mile an hour slower than 2 years ago. The Revlimid, Velcade, and dex (RVD) protocol I am on is fatiguing, but all is relative. I obviously do not get as fatigued as many multiple myeloma patients, but I do notice the difference when compared to my comparably aged biking buddies who do not have multiple myeloma.
So far on track to meet my biking goals for this year.
So far I've logged about 4,300 outdoor miles (6,920 km) and just under 1,000 miles (1,610 km) on my indoor trainer. I've not taken part in any rallies or races due to Covid-19.
Since the Hotter n' Hell 100 (HHH) was cancelled this year, a biking buddy and I did a local 100-mile ride the Saturday before last. The route was much hillier than the relatively flat HHH, and since there were only two of us, there were no big groups to draft off of. Thus it took much longer to complete as my total time including stops was just under 8 1/2 hours. The actual exercise time was 7 hours and 21 min with an average speed of 13.6 mph (21.9 km/h). Despite hydrating (had on a 48 ounce / 1.4 l camelback and 2 water bottles), I started cramping in my hamstrings with about 20 miles (32 km) to go and had to fight through it. It was relatively cool for North Texas with the high only about 90 F (32 C), but the humidity was high as we had 3 inches (7.6 cm) of rain on the previous Wednesday and Thursday. I took off a day but did a 45-mile ride with a small group (5 of us) on Labor Day (September 7) at a 15 mph (24 km/h) pace.
I am holding my own with distance but overall I am probably a mile an hour slower than 2 years ago. The Revlimid, Velcade, and dex (RVD) protocol I am on is fatiguing, but all is relative. I obviously do not get as fatigued as many multiple myeloma patients, but I do notice the difference when compared to my comparably aged biking buddies who do not have multiple myeloma.
So far on track to meet my biking goals for this year.
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
I'm an avid cyclist but 'only' average about 4,000 miles (6,440 km) per year. I have been smoldering for about 5 years with no treatment but that changes in a few days as I have been 'upgraded / downgraded' to active multiple myeloma.
I am starting with Relimid, Velcade, and dexamethasone along with Xarelto (rivaroxaban) as a blood thinner. I would love to continue with my outdoor riding, assuming I feel up to it, but am concerned about the Xarelto. I have crashed before, fracturing my scapula in the process.
I see that some on the Revlimid, Velcade, and dex regimen are out riding. If you are also on a blood thinner, are there any about being on the bike, or is it just considered to be worth the risk?
Thanks,
Mark
I am starting with Relimid, Velcade, and dexamethasone along with Xarelto (rivaroxaban) as a blood thinner. I would love to continue with my outdoor riding, assuming I feel up to it, but am concerned about the Xarelto. I have crashed before, fracturing my scapula in the process.
I see that some on the Revlimid, Velcade, and dex regimen are out riding. If you are also on a blood thinner, are there any about being on the bike, or is it just considered to be worth the risk?
Thanks,
Mark