Katy Trail Home  The Katy Trail and Rock Island Trail Rock Island Trail Home

Reply to bad backs


Cancel and Return to Forum
Scroll down to see the discussion
All submissions are reviewed for appropriateness. We reserve the right to remove or edit any comment that we consider incorrect, misleading, or inappropriate, at our sole discretion. Please remember that this is a family-friendly website.
Subject:
Reply to bad backs
Your Name:

This does not have to be your real name. It could be a "screen name", your initials, or just leave blank.
Your Hometown:

Optional - it's just interesting to know where people are from
Email Address
Comment:
So we know you are a human, please answer this easy math quiz:
2 + 3 =
jw on 6/14/2009 5:29:16 AM:
Will all the people with bad backs who love biking please let me know how they deal with it while biking. Cancelling our Katy Trail trip is my last resort and worst choice. I figure there has to be a way to deal with a bad/ache back and bike also. Please give advice!
safebiking
jw

 
cunninghamair from O'Fallon, MO on 6/14/2009 7:46:35 AM:
I've been there. Do you have a comfortable bike? Then hourly stops with a little stretching
and walking around is good. Also, lots of ibuprofen and ice. I started cycling after my
chiropractor told me to give up running. If you build up slowly, you may actually have your
back improve (tight hamstrings cause back pain in some--cycling will counteract that).

 
jw on 6/14/2009 7:58:26 AM:
I have a Jamis bike that is great! We rode the C & O last summer with little back discomfort. It's not the bike but age!! Which back stretches are most productive?

 
The Bear on 6/14/2009 4:24:48 PM:
Test ride a recumbent some time. There are lots of different styles. Fast racers, cruisers, etc. All have great back support and take pressure off of backs, wrists, and necks.

 
Murf from Jeff City on 6/14/2009 9:10:27 PM:
Ditto on the recumbents. My wife would not be able to ride a regular bike with arthritis in her hands, hips, and back. It will probably be my next bike too. They can be rented at a few places along the trail.

 
mj on 6/15/2009 6:50:42 AM:

Yoga! I have a tendency to throw out my back, but haven't done so in over a year because I started practicing certain Yoga moves which strengthen the back. Every once in a while I still have to pop it back into place, but those needed moments are becoming fewer and further between.
Even when I had an accident skiing (total collarbone separation-type 3) yoga helped me recover in half the time. Although now I have a fabulous weather sensor in my shoulder. ;-)
Oh and those recumbents are really neat to ride on.
Good luck!



 
Matt from St. Charles on 6/15/2009 12:28:09 PM:
vicodin

 
kim from independence, mo on 6/16/2009 11:00:05 PM:
Make sure your bike fits you. I used to have back trouble, but since I went from a "comfort" bike (with which I had back pain) to a trail/road bike (non-raised handles, less padded and narrower seat), I have not had any bike-riding related pain. It is also very important that your seat is adjusted high enough so you aren't bending your knees too much when pedaling. Having a bike that fits me has made all the difference.

 
cunninghamair from O''''Fallon, MO on 6/17/2009 6:11:42 PM:
Yoga wise I recommend Rodney Yee's Back Yoga DVD, Viniyoga (I got it on amazon.com) or
the Back Rx book. All give excellent stretching routines. My physical therapist
recommends TWICE a day.