Bike Riding

It’s December 2009 and Bobby got me a new bike for Christmas.   That day we went to Johnson Trail because I couldn’t wait to take it for a spin!  Well, let’s just say I definitely should have waited! About 60% into the ride I was rounding a curve, took it to sharp and applied the brakes too fast and hard.  I lost my balance and went down sideways, started rolling down a hill and hit my knee really hard on a large planted rock! I literally heard a snap but didn’t really feel anything.  When I stopped sliding down the little incline hill I started immediately feeling pain and swelling in my right knee. Very long story short I blew out my ACL, Anterior Cruciate Ligament.  Since 2009 I’ve had 4 surgeries on this knee.

    Bike riding was one of the exercises they had me do in physical therapy and it was one of the exercises I gravitated toward once cleared to exercise post op!  I have always enjoyed riding my bike but with other outdoor recreational activities no longer an option for awhile I.e. Jogging, hiking, speed walking. Biking became my go to!  It’s like losing one of your 5 senses so you rely on the other ones more;) It was so hard to accept that I could no longer just go for a jog or a run and when I asked my orthopedist if I was going to be able to fulfill a lifelong dream of learning how to breakdance he said ”No”, with a smirk.  I’m so not kidding I’ve always wanted to learn how to breakdance!

Quick Tip: To be fit and healthy you need to be physically active. Regular physical activity can help protect you from serious diseases such as obesity, heart disease, cancer, mental illness, diabetes, and arthritis. Riding your bicycle regularly is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle.  Cycling is a healthy, low-impact exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from young children to older adults. It is also fun, cheap and good for the environment. Riding to work or the shops is one of the most time-efficient ways to combine regular exercise with your everyday routine. An estimated one billion people ride bicycles every day – for transport, recreation, and sport.  Cycling for health and fitness: It only takes two to four hours a week to achieve a general improvement to your health. Cycling is a Low impact – it causes less strain and injuries than most other forms of exercise. A good muscle workout – cycling uses all of the major muscle groups as you pedal. Easy – unlike some other sports, cycling does not require high levels of physical skill. Most people know how to ride a bike and, once you learn, you don’t forget. Good for strength and stamina – cycling increases stamina, strength, and aerobic fitness. As intense as you want – cycling can be done at very low intensity, to begin with, if recovering from injury or illness, but can be built up to a demanding physical workout.

A fun way to get fit – the adventure and buzz you get from coasting down hills and being outdoors means you are more likely to continue to cycle regularly, compared to other physical activities that keep you indoors or require special times or places.  Time-efficient – as a mode of transport, cycling replaces sedentary (sitting) time spent driving motor vehicles or using trams, trains or buses with healthy exercise.

    It causes less strain and injuries!  This is why it’s my go to! My right knee is not the same and never will be:(  I take great comfort in knowing that bike riding will always be an option for me.  I also love swimming though it’s not as optional. My love for outdoor activities began when my first child was in his late elementary early Jr High days but It was a challenge getting him to go on nice long hikes or jogs.  He is much more into them now at 21 yrs old;) With my second he was hiking half of a mild/moderate hike at 2yrs of age. Lemon Loop at Madonna, San Luis Obispo! Oh yeah ✌️

Thanks for Reading!

p.s.  You never know maybe someday I will be able to breakdance!