Gary,
I am so glad you responded. A fellow enthusiast and Texan and like me over the age of 60.
Your time trial time of 23 mph in 2010 is impressive. Two years ago, I attended the Senior Olympics bike events held annually in San Antonio. They have a 5k and 10k time trials and 20k and 40k races. The best I could do was 21 mph on the 10k TT and finished in the middle of the pack in the 40k race. Had a great time doing it though. I think the winning speed on the 10k TT was in excess of 25. Amazing how fast some of these "senior citizens" can go.
When you are feeling better I would love to try and hook up with you and just do a spin or a rally together.
Keep pedaling.
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
I replied to this thread in August after I had been suffering with a reaction to Zometa that made it almost impossible to walk, let alone ride my bike. I am also and over-60'er who had, until multiple myeloma hit me, regularly rode 250+ miles a week and over 9000 miles a year.
Reading the thread at that time inspired me to get back on the bike and I continue to ride regularly despite the bitter cold in Pennsylvania where I live. Now I am slated for a transplant 1/28 and had been wondering how long until I could get back on the trainer.
So it was great to read the post today from Rad. I am curious exactly how long after the transplant was it until you could turn the cranks? Thanks for any info and continued inspiration.
Reading the thread at that time inspired me to get back on the bike and I continue to ride regularly despite the bitter cold in Pennsylvania where I live. Now I am slated for a transplant 1/28 and had been wondering how long until I could get back on the trainer.
So it was great to read the post today from Rad. I am curious exactly how long after the transplant was it until you could turn the cranks? Thanks for any info and continued inspiration.
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goldmine848 - Name: Andrew
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Hi Goldmine, You could probably get on your bike trainer right away after transplant. People do get up and walk around the halls of the hospital, so getting on a bike trainer for a short while is similar to that. I have a friend who biked home from his transplant and then would bike back and forth for his check ups! He posted a picture of himself doing that on the bulletin board in the transplant unit.
Since at the time I had given my light weight bike away to one of my daughters due to having injuries caused by the myeloma, I was quite impressed by that! Later I got back to biking, but I did a lot of walking all through the transplant time, except for the first week or so, when I was really exhausted.
Since at the time I had given my light weight bike away to one of my daughters due to having injuries caused by the myeloma, I was quite impressed by that! Later I got back to biking, but I did a lot of walking all through the transplant time, except for the first week or so, when I was really exhausted.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Ron,
Great to see you are still going on the bike and not just riding but doing really well. I had been sick the last few months a lot so I did not get a lot of riding in and a bit out of shape at the moment. The Tour of Palm Springs is coming up in February, and it looks like I will not be ready to ride the century like I did last year. I may have to do the 50 or 75 distance. I am kind of bummed out about it, all my friends will be doing the century.
Great to see you are still going on the bike and not just riding but doing really well. I had been sick the last few months a lot so I did not get a lot of riding in and a bit out of shape at the moment. The Tour of Palm Springs is coming up in February, and it looks like I will not be ready to ride the century like I did last year. I may have to do the 50 or 75 distance. I am kind of bummed out about it, all my friends will be doing the century.
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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
Ron,
Great to see you are still going on the bike and not just riding but doing really well. I had been sick the last few months a lot so I did not get a lot of riding in and a bit out of shape at the moment. The Tour of Palm Springs is coming up in February and it looks like I will not be ready to ride the century like I did last year, I may have to do the 50 or 75 distance. I am kind of bummed out about it, all my friends will be doing the century.
Great to see you are still going on the bike and not just riding but doing really well. I had been sick the last few months a lot so I did not get a lot of riding in and a bit out of shape at the moment. The Tour of Palm Springs is coming up in February and it looks like I will not be ready to ride the century like I did last year, I may have to do the 50 or 75 distance. I am kind of bummed out about it, all my friends will be doing the century.
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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
Eric,
I have seen some of your recent posts and noted that you have had a set back. I also note that you have very positive approach. This disease does not sit by idly. It is a constant challenge to try and stay ahead of it. We all must take your positive approach. I am sure you will be back . Your century ride may be just a little later in the year when you have re-built your base.
Good luck
Ron
I have seen some of your recent posts and noted that you have had a set back. I also note that you have very positive approach. This disease does not sit by idly. It is a constant challenge to try and stay ahead of it. We all must take your positive approach. I am sure you will be back . Your century ride may be just a little later in the year when you have re-built your base.
Good luck
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
Goldmine,
Before I moved to Texas in 1995, I lived in northwestern Pennsylvania in a small town named Franklin. It is the county seat of Venango county. I used to work at Quaker State which, back then, was headquartered in Oil City, PA. It is beautiful forested countryside on the Appalachian Plateau and great place to ride bikes. The Allegheny River runs through Venango County and they have miles of rails to trails.
Back in those days I only rode recreationally, but our whole family would go on biking "picnic" outings. We could ride from Franklin all the way up to Titusville along the Allegheny and Oil Creek on an old railroad route that was converted to bike and hiking trails. Oil Creek is a great trout fishing stream and was over 200 yards wide and ran clear so you could see the fish when crossing it on a bridge. The rivers and creeks cut deep basins into the plateau some 300-400 feet deep. A climb on your bike out of the bottoms would be a real challenge.
By the way, western Pennsylvania is great place to raise children, just didn't have a whole lot of job opportunities for them when they became adults. Quaker State moved its headquarters to Dallas in late 1995, and I made the move with them and have lived down here ever since.
I hope the transplant works well for you and you can get back to biking. I can only imagine riding 9,000 miles, you have to really love it to put in that kind of effort. Someday I will get there!
Ron
Before I moved to Texas in 1995, I lived in northwestern Pennsylvania in a small town named Franklin. It is the county seat of Venango county. I used to work at Quaker State which, back then, was headquartered in Oil City, PA. It is beautiful forested countryside on the Appalachian Plateau and great place to ride bikes. The Allegheny River runs through Venango County and they have miles of rails to trails.
Back in those days I only rode recreationally, but our whole family would go on biking "picnic" outings. We could ride from Franklin all the way up to Titusville along the Allegheny and Oil Creek on an old railroad route that was converted to bike and hiking trails. Oil Creek is a great trout fishing stream and was over 200 yards wide and ran clear so you could see the fish when crossing it on a bridge. The rivers and creeks cut deep basins into the plateau some 300-400 feet deep. A climb on your bike out of the bottoms would be a real challenge.
By the way, western Pennsylvania is great place to raise children, just didn't have a whole lot of job opportunities for them when they became adults. Quaker State moved its headquarters to Dallas in late 1995, and I made the move with them and have lived down here ever since.
I hope the transplant works well for you and you can get back to biking. I can only imagine riding 9,000 miles, you have to really love it to put in that kind of effort. Someday I will get there!
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
Andrew,
If you are going to do your transplant inpatient, you can ask if the PT department has stationary bikes that can be brought to patients rooms. The hospital where I had my transplant has bikes specifically for patients who aren't allowed to go to the PT gym because of infection restrictions. Initially they were only for the patients who were in the cardiac unit, but a few years ago they expanded the program to the oncology floors. Since we are encouraged to walk and do light exercise, the exercise bicycle is a good option.
If your transplant unit doesn't provide the exercise bicycle option, it would be a good cause for you to take up and promote at the transplant center. The hospital where I had my transplant is doing a lot of research on the benefits of exercise for people with cancer at all stages of the disease. The results show that exercise can help to modify a lot of the side effects from treatment, possibly delay or eliminate recurrence, and improve emotional well being.
There was a landmark study done a few years ago with women who had been treated for breast cancer and developed lymphedema. It has changed what women are being told about exercise and lifestyle in regards to managing their lymphedema in their arms.
Good luck with your transplant. I had mine on 1/28/10. So, it is a good day for one.
Nancy in Phila
multiple myeloma '08, ASCT 1/10
If you are going to do your transplant inpatient, you can ask if the PT department has stationary bikes that can be brought to patients rooms. The hospital where I had my transplant has bikes specifically for patients who aren't allowed to go to the PT gym because of infection restrictions. Initially they were only for the patients who were in the cardiac unit, but a few years ago they expanded the program to the oncology floors. Since we are encouraged to walk and do light exercise, the exercise bicycle is a good option.
If your transplant unit doesn't provide the exercise bicycle option, it would be a good cause for you to take up and promote at the transplant center. The hospital where I had my transplant is doing a lot of research on the benefits of exercise for people with cancer at all stages of the disease. The results show that exercise can help to modify a lot of the side effects from treatment, possibly delay or eliminate recurrence, and improve emotional well being.
There was a landmark study done a few years ago with women who had been treated for breast cancer and developed lymphedema. It has changed what women are being told about exercise and lifestyle in regards to managing their lymphedema in their arms.
Good luck with your transplant. I had mine on 1/28/10. So, it is a good day for one.
Nancy in Phila
multiple myeloma '08, ASCT 1/10
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Great post. I also am a cyclist, or I should say former cyclist. I was diagnosed in 2011 and have not been on the bike very much since.
I have been thinking about getting back to it in the spring. I sure do miss it and have no excuse not to ride.
After a stem cell transplant and maintenance with Revlimid, I am feeling pretty good overall and currently in remission. I was also at the HHH 100 in 2008 and did the century as well. As a matter of fact, I did 3 centuries that year. Last HHH was in 2010 although I just did the 100k. Being an Air Force brat, I enjoyed riding through Shepperd AFB.
Thank you for the encouragement and happy riding. Hope your treatments continue to go well.
I have been thinking about getting back to it in the spring. I sure do miss it and have no excuse not to ride.
After a stem cell transplant and maintenance with Revlimid, I am feeling pretty good overall and currently in remission. I was also at the HHH 100 in 2008 and did the century as well. As a matter of fact, I did 3 centuries that year. Last HHH was in 2010 although I just did the 100k. Being an Air Force brat, I enjoyed riding through Shepperd AFB.
Thank you for the encouragement and happy riding. Hope your treatments continue to go well.
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David Horst
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Nancy,
Good points/ideas always. I am doing my transplant outpatient. Assuming things go according to plan (knocking wood), I will go home one or two days after the transplant and return each day for blood work and whatever treatments are necessary. The center has had good results with this approach since it encourages more physical activity and minimizes exposure to hospital infections. Luckily I live only 20 minutes away.
Getting back to the point, I have a stationary bike at home and, based on this discussion and other things I have read, I plan to at least try to turn the pedals as much as I can.
Good points/ideas always. I am doing my transplant outpatient. Assuming things go according to plan (knocking wood), I will go home one or two days after the transplant and return each day for blood work and whatever treatments are necessary. The center has had good results with this approach since it encourages more physical activity and minimizes exposure to hospital infections. Luckily I live only 20 minutes away.
Getting back to the point, I have a stationary bike at home and, based on this discussion and other things I have read, I plan to at least try to turn the pedals as much as I can.
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goldmine848 - Name: Andrew
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 60