I completed the Hotter N Hell 100 mile rally yesterday in a personal best time of 6 hours and 3 minutes. The course is actually 103 miles so my average speed with rest stops was 17 mph and my actual bike riding speed was 18.5 mph. I came up just short of breaking 6 hours because I added a 4th stop with 10 miles to go since I was running out of water.
Entering this rally I was worried, since I had bonked on a training ride a couple of weeks ago. I learned from that experience and this time I made sure I had properly hydrated in advance and had enough food and electrolytes to get through it. It helped that It wasn't as hot as it had been in prior years with the day topping out only in the mid 90s. The wind was also not as bad as it was 10-15 mph as opposed over 20 as is typical for Wichita Falls in August.
The course is mostly flat the limiting factors are the heat and the wind. Normally the last 20 miles are on chip seal roads with no cover into the heat and wind. For those that have never done a century the 70 mile mark is the half way point from a physical point of view. The last 20 miles can seem to take forever as you are fighting to finish. This was my 5th HHH and my best so far. Next years goal is to break that 6 hour barrier!
I have one more big event coming up this year that I have been training for and that is the Texas Time Trial 24 hour race. My partner Andy, a English lad of 37 is being joined by his father who is coming over from the UK to join us as a 3 man team. Andy's dad is a better cyclist than I am and is 63 years old, 2 years older than me. He is used to climbing hills but has never experienced the Texas heat. Hopefully it will have cooled down for him in the next couple of weeks.
The race starts at 6 pm on Friday, Sept 13 and goes until 6 pm on Saturday. We will be racing on a 26 mile looped course alternating laps. The race is in Glenn Rose, Texas and is a hilly course. There are no category level hills but the hills are relentless so you get wore out as the day progresses. We will be able to get short naps between laps but no real sleep. It is a blast riding at night but you have to wary of critters running out into the road. Our team won this race in our category last year, so we are out to defend our title.
Ron
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
Whew, I am exhausted just READING about your journey! Way to live life to the fullest ... best of luck in your upcoming ride!
Susan
Susan
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Susang - Name: Susang
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Phil/Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan 5 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
To all bikers out there,
I am a recent multiple myeloma patient and after three months and 4 cycles of RVD my red blood cell count and Hg are right at the edge of normal again. I have been riding all my life and, now at 68, I am riding two or these times a week. I restarted with short rides as soon as my Hg got above 10 again. Although I am not doing big miles yet, It is obvious to me that after an intense ride of an hour or so I feel so much better during my chemo weeks.
It is my theory that after I finish this induction program and hopefully achieve CR, or close to it, I will resume my riding on a more regular basis. I also believe, although I have no data or studies to rely on, that exercise, positive attitude, and a diet that includes daily consumption of foods that supposedly have anti-cancer properties, such as broccoli and apples, and are high in phytochemicals, will extend time to relapse and overall survival. To prove or disprove this idea I need your help.
Would every biker or other person who includes intense exercise two or three times a week, give us a report on their level of exercise, time before relapse, or no relapse, diet program and current hg and red blood cell count. Maybe some kind of report that includes time to relapse or not relapsed yet and if you are a high risk multiple myeloma patient or low risk one. I guess I would also like to know if you have has a stem cell replacement or not.
One more thing, what maintenance program are you on or not on, RVD every month or two sounds like a good program.
Does anyone know if there are studies that have been done on this?
I am a recent multiple myeloma patient and after three months and 4 cycles of RVD my red blood cell count and Hg are right at the edge of normal again. I have been riding all my life and, now at 68, I am riding two or these times a week. I restarted with short rides as soon as my Hg got above 10 again. Although I am not doing big miles yet, It is obvious to me that after an intense ride of an hour or so I feel so much better during my chemo weeks.
It is my theory that after I finish this induction program and hopefully achieve CR, or close to it, I will resume my riding on a more regular basis. I also believe, although I have no data or studies to rely on, that exercise, positive attitude, and a diet that includes daily consumption of foods that supposedly have anti-cancer properties, such as broccoli and apples, and are high in phytochemicals, will extend time to relapse and overall survival. To prove or disprove this idea I need your help.
Would every biker or other person who includes intense exercise two or three times a week, give us a report on their level of exercise, time before relapse, or no relapse, diet program and current hg and red blood cell count. Maybe some kind of report that includes time to relapse or not relapsed yet and if you are a high risk multiple myeloma patient or low risk one. I guess I would also like to know if you have has a stem cell replacement or not.
One more thing, what maintenance program are you on or not on, RVD every month or two sounds like a good program.
Does anyone know if there are studies that have been done on this?
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Pjorg45 - Name: Paul Jorgensen
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 1013
- Age at diagnosis: 68
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Pjorg45,
I can only speak for myself and I believe it has helped my ward off relapse. I have done over 4,000 miles a year since my diagnosis in Feb 2009 and have even increased on that amount this year. During the summer I ride 4 times a week with a long ride (over 50 miles) on Saturdays. I push myself and as you can see from my posts I even race. I have been in remission for 4 years.
Ron
I can only speak for myself and I believe it has helped my ward off relapse. I have done over 4,000 miles a year since my diagnosis in Feb 2009 and have even increased on that amount this year. During the summer I ride 4 times a week with a long ride (over 50 miles) on Saturdays. I push myself and as you can see from my posts I even race. I have been in remission for 4 years.
Ron
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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, congratulations on the Hotter N Hell Ride. You're an inspiration.
Definitely not in your league, but I ran 7.5 miles Sunday, which was Day 102 after my stem cell transplant. Gotta keep moving!
Definitely not in your league, but I ran 7.5 miles Sunday, which was Day 102 after my stem cell transplant. Gotta keep moving!
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Pjorg45,
I've not found any studies specific to recovery post-stem cell transplant. It is, I suspect, an issue with too many variables.
For example, the chemo used to prepare me for the transplant caused some lung damage which required treatment (and, thankfully, was almost completely reversible.) Also, some folks come out of stem cell transplant with complete remission, others continue to have some degree of cancer. A couple months out from ASCT, my hemoglobin was back to low level of normal. Now ... not so. I did not get complete remission.
Like Ron, I believe that the exercise helps keep numbers better than they would be without the exercise. There are studies that show that folks who exercise at whatever level they can lead better quality of life and, perhaps, go longer without disease progression. But, nothing that I have found specific to ASCT and exercise.
I am just shy of seven months post transplant and run average of 40 miles per week, with 30-50 miles biking thrown in. I do not plan to push it beyond that. Compression fractures. I am on Velcade as maintenance, without dex for now. Dex contributes to weight gain and deters muscle development (which is already a problem for folks of our age.) I chose to not do it although it is not what has been recommended. I just dislike dex at any dose. (It does, however, help with the back pain.)
I will say that the ASCT process does cause significant muscle deterioration. If I had it to do over again, I sometimes think I would have waited. But, at the same time, the ASCT slowed disease to where bones are no longer deteriorating. So, no good choices, I guess.
Anyway ... A long time myeloma survivor who is also a marathoner told me when I was first diagnosed to just accept that times will drop, back will hurt, but sun rises still look best when you are running toward them. When back and hips gets too painful, I spend more time in saddle..
I've not found any studies specific to recovery post-stem cell transplant. It is, I suspect, an issue with too many variables.
For example, the chemo used to prepare me for the transplant caused some lung damage which required treatment (and, thankfully, was almost completely reversible.) Also, some folks come out of stem cell transplant with complete remission, others continue to have some degree of cancer. A couple months out from ASCT, my hemoglobin was back to low level of normal. Now ... not so. I did not get complete remission.
Like Ron, I believe that the exercise helps keep numbers better than they would be without the exercise. There are studies that show that folks who exercise at whatever level they can lead better quality of life and, perhaps, go longer without disease progression. But, nothing that I have found specific to ASCT and exercise.
I am just shy of seven months post transplant and run average of 40 miles per week, with 30-50 miles biking thrown in. I do not plan to push it beyond that. Compression fractures. I am on Velcade as maintenance, without dex for now. Dex contributes to weight gain and deters muscle development (which is already a problem for folks of our age.) I chose to not do it although it is not what has been recommended. I just dislike dex at any dose. (It does, however, help with the back pain.)
I will say that the ASCT process does cause significant muscle deterioration. If I had it to do over again, I sometimes think I would have waited. But, at the same time, the ASCT slowed disease to where bones are no longer deteriorating. So, no good choices, I guess.
Anyway ... A long time myeloma survivor who is also a marathoner told me when I was first diagnosed to just accept that times will drop, back will hurt, but sun rises still look best when you are running toward them. When back and hips gets too painful, I spend more time in saddle..
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Andy D - Name: Andy D
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Update
This past weekend I did my final race for the year. I competed in the Texas Time Trials at Glen Rose, Texas. I was part of a three man team entered in the 24 hour endurance race. Our team had an international flavor. Andy who is in my bike club, lives and works in the Dallas area. He was born and raised in the U.K. His father, Ken came over from The U.K. to join us.
It had been raining all day Thursday and Friday. Our race started at 5 pm Friday and was to go until 5 pm Saturday. We each were to do a lap on the hilly 26.5 mile course in a relay fashion. Depending upon how fast we could go the laps would take between an hour and a half to an hour and three quarters each. So we had a little over 3 hours rest between laps. You really cannot sleep in that short time as you must eat and hydrate. So all you get are little cat naps before you go again. On my first lap it was still raining but the rain finally ended around 8 pm.
We were doing pretty good so we made a pledge to try to break the course record for our division. The record was 344.5 miles or a total of 13 laps in 23:44.
I am happy to report that we broke the old record and recorded 360 miles. I did 5 full laps or 132.5 miles. Andy's dad did 4 laps. Andy also did 5 laps but he finished his last lap after 5 pm so they prorated his mileage and awarded him 15.5 official miles.
According to our Garmin bike computer each lap had 1,300 ft of climb. Therefore, my 5 laps equated to 6,500 ft of climb. Needless to say my legs are a little sore today but the effort was well worth it.
Ron
This past weekend I did my final race for the year. I competed in the Texas Time Trials at Glen Rose, Texas. I was part of a three man team entered in the 24 hour endurance race. Our team had an international flavor. Andy who is in my bike club, lives and works in the Dallas area. He was born and raised in the U.K. His father, Ken came over from The U.K. to join us.
It had been raining all day Thursday and Friday. Our race started at 5 pm Friday and was to go until 5 pm Saturday. We each were to do a lap on the hilly 26.5 mile course in a relay fashion. Depending upon how fast we could go the laps would take between an hour and a half to an hour and three quarters each. So we had a little over 3 hours rest between laps. You really cannot sleep in that short time as you must eat and hydrate. So all you get are little cat naps before you go again. On my first lap it was still raining but the rain finally ended around 8 pm.
We were doing pretty good so we made a pledge to try to break the course record for our division. The record was 344.5 miles or a total of 13 laps in 23:44.
I am happy to report that we broke the old record and recorded 360 miles. I did 5 full laps or 132.5 miles. Andy's dad did 4 laps. Andy also did 5 laps but he finished his last lap after 5 pm so they prorated his mileage and awarded him 15.5 official miles.
According to our Garmin bike computer each lap had 1,300 ft of climb. Therefore, my 5 laps equated to 6,500 ft of climb. Needless to say my legs are a little sore today but the effort was well worth it.
Ron
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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
It is good to hear how your riding is progressing along, Ron. You seem to be getting stronger. 
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Eric Hofacket - Name: Eric H
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 01 April 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Its a new year. I continue to be in remission and I hope to keep it that way. So now it is time to look at goal setting for this upcoming cycling season.
Last year was my most successful year since I took up cycling seriously back in 2008. I set my personal best on total miles 5,269 and did several rallies and races culminating in winning the Ultra Cup two man team champion for the 12 hour male team.
This year I wanted to see if I could do something solo. Thus far in my races, it has been a effort on closed looped courses where you do 21-26 miles, then turn it over to your teammate for his lap. Then you keep alternating. You cover nearly 100 miles each, but not all at once.
So to go solo you get no long breaks. I have not decided whether to go the prudent route of a series of 6 hour solos or try to go to 12 hours. I have never ridden that long before and in order to do it I will have to step up my training rides.
Besides the multiple myeloma, I have a slight heart murmur caused by some calcification on one of the valves. I was diagnosed with that issue just one year before my multiple myeloma diagnosis in Feb 2009. I asked but was told that there is no relationship between the two.
I have an appointment with my cardiologist on Wednesday this week to see if I can push my training and try these ultra endurance events. I have been keeping a log of my workouts. Today I got in 60 miles hitting a max HR of 173 and an average of 145 for 4 hours of riding. I think I am in good shape but want to make sure.
If I get the green light my first race is in early April but I will do a Grand Fondo (120 mile rally) in March. I will gradually work my weekend rides up to 80 plus miles. This is not about speed but endurance which means climbing a lot of hills. So my Grand Fondo will be down in the Hill Country in South Central Texas near Austin. I have to work my long rides around my treatments as I am still on maintenance of Velcade and 8 mg of dex every 2 weeks. I also still get monthly infusions of IVIG and Aredia once every 3 months. I need around 60 hours after the dex before I can go on a long ride. (Did I say that I hate dex!).
Ron
Last year was my most successful year since I took up cycling seriously back in 2008. I set my personal best on total miles 5,269 and did several rallies and races culminating in winning the Ultra Cup two man team champion for the 12 hour male team.
This year I wanted to see if I could do something solo. Thus far in my races, it has been a effort on closed looped courses where you do 21-26 miles, then turn it over to your teammate for his lap. Then you keep alternating. You cover nearly 100 miles each, but not all at once.
So to go solo you get no long breaks. I have not decided whether to go the prudent route of a series of 6 hour solos or try to go to 12 hours. I have never ridden that long before and in order to do it I will have to step up my training rides.
Besides the multiple myeloma, I have a slight heart murmur caused by some calcification on one of the valves. I was diagnosed with that issue just one year before my multiple myeloma diagnosis in Feb 2009. I asked but was told that there is no relationship between the two.
I have an appointment with my cardiologist on Wednesday this week to see if I can push my training and try these ultra endurance events. I have been keeping a log of my workouts. Today I got in 60 miles hitting a max HR of 173 and an average of 145 for 4 hours of riding. I think I am in good shape but want to make sure.
If I get the green light my first race is in early April but I will do a Grand Fondo (120 mile rally) in March. I will gradually work my weekend rides up to 80 plus miles. This is not about speed but endurance which means climbing a lot of hills. So my Grand Fondo will be down in the Hill Country in South Central Texas near Austin. I have to work my long rides around my treatments as I am still on maintenance of Velcade and 8 mg of dex every 2 weeks. I also still get monthly infusions of IVIG and Aredia once every 3 months. I need around 60 hours after the dex before I can go on a long ride. (Did I say that I hate dex!).
Ron
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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 am so excited to read these posts about biking. I so miss it. In October 2010, I average 23 MPH during the Tour De Gruene time trial for the 16 miles at age 62.
When diagnosed July 2011, I asked my doctor "should I sell my bikes." He said, "you are a determined man, so I think not."
After my SCT January 11, 2012, I came back quickly to riding. My transplant doctor called me her SCT Superstar. I was on my trainer everyday, post transplant. 10 minutes felt like 100 miles. I was exhausted. Six months post transplant, I was training for the Livestrong Challenge in Austin and completed 50 miles in October 2012 raising more than $4000. I was in stringent complete remission as recently as January 2013, and showed no issues with my bi-monthly blood and urine tests. I chose no maintenance therapy because of the CSR classification.
In April, I joined Golds Gym to resume spinning and weight training. In June I began to train for a bike time trial in Gruene Texas.
In early July of 2013, during weight lifting I felt a pop in my sternum. It stayed sore and didn't improve so I moved my August PET scan to late July. The results indicated my worst fear, progression. But ONLY the sternum showed an uptake of SUV of 4.2. The cancer isn't active elsewhere, and in the back of my mind today I wonder if it was an INJURY rather than cancer at work.
My doctor said it was the cancer, and started treatments (same as induction therapy). The pain was terrible. I couldn't drink without a straw because of the pain in the sternum. We went to heavier meds so I could sleep.
Again, I thought of selling my bikes.
After 4 full cycles and 2 partial cycles I'm thinking about riding again. THIS can't keep me down!
I was turned off by the so many dreadful posts elsewhere on the Beacon that I haven't visited here for months. So glad I found your post.
Thanks, Gary
When diagnosed July 2011, I asked my doctor "should I sell my bikes." He said, "you are a determined man, so I think not."
After my SCT January 11, 2012, I came back quickly to riding. My transplant doctor called me her SCT Superstar. I was on my trainer everyday, post transplant. 10 minutes felt like 100 miles. I was exhausted. Six months post transplant, I was training for the Livestrong Challenge in Austin and completed 50 miles in October 2012 raising more than $4000. I was in stringent complete remission as recently as January 2013, and showed no issues with my bi-monthly blood and urine tests. I chose no maintenance therapy because of the CSR classification.
In April, I joined Golds Gym to resume spinning and weight training. In June I began to train for a bike time trial in Gruene Texas.
In early July of 2013, during weight lifting I felt a pop in my sternum. It stayed sore and didn't improve so I moved my August PET scan to late July. The results indicated my worst fear, progression. But ONLY the sternum showed an uptake of SUV of 4.2. The cancer isn't active elsewhere, and in the back of my mind today I wonder if it was an INJURY rather than cancer at work.
My doctor said it was the cancer, and started treatments (same as induction therapy). The pain was terrible. I couldn't drink without a straw because of the pain in the sternum. We went to heavier meds so I could sleep.
Again, I thought of selling my bikes.
After 4 full cycles and 2 partial cycles I'm thinking about riding again. THIS can't keep me down!
I was turned off by the so many dreadful posts elsewhere on the Beacon that I haven't visited here for months. So glad I found your post.
Thanks, Gary
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Radbadad - Name: Radbadad
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 7/19/2011
- Age at diagnosis: 62