Report: Cycling benefits for the elderly

[flecc]

The BBC TV news today carries a report on a study of a group of keen 64 to 82 year old cyclists. None of them are e-bikers though, they do their riding in the Surrey hills the hard way. As well as the obvious fitness benefits we'd all expect, it's claimed blood tests show their immune systems are equal to that of 20 year olds.

It'd be interesting to have the outcomes from a similar study of regular e-bikers.
.

 

[tommie]

not age specific but nevertheless positive results..

https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/07/06/the-surprising-health-benefits-of-an-electric-bike-2/

 

[oggie]

i'm 64, always considered myself fit and healthy until a heart attack whilst out on my mountain bike 2 years ago. Well, stents and loads of medications for life including beta blockers which are yuk on hills I purchased an e bike.
I have to say that was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Firstly you do not have to use assist if you do not want to, but when you go up a hill and your heart wants to give your muscles more oxygen and the the beta blockers say no way sunshine, I just click assist on my crossfire. 25%. 50%. 75% and i do not fall off knackered. awsome!
I am totally hooked on my e bike. Great exercise, total freedom which I would not get on an standard bike. I fitted marathon plus puncture resistant tyres after a 6 mile walk home, no problem.
If you have had a cardiac event and/or getting on a bit. Just get your self an E bike, total freedom. Go for it

 

[rsyme]

i'm 64, always considered myself fit and healthy until a heart attack whilst out on my mountain bike 2 years ago. Well, stents and loads of medications for life including beta blockers which are yuk on hills I purchased an e bike.
I have to say that was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Firstly you do not have to use assist if you do not want to, but when you go up a hill and your heart wants to give your muscles more oxygen and the the beta blockers say no way sunshine, I just click assist on my crossfire. 25%. 50%. 75% and i do not fall off knackered. awsome!
I am totally hooked on my e bike. Great exercise, total freedom which I would not get on an standard bike. I fitted marathon plus puncture resistant tyres after a 6 mile walk home, no problem.
If you have had a cardiac event and/or getting on a bit. Just get your self an E bike, total freedom. Go for it

I too am 64 and had a heart attack 2 years ago. I am the proud possessor of 8 stents. I concur that for rehab, the Haibike has been fantastic. After 6 weeks the rehab nurses said I was 3 months ahead of my peers and I was avoiding going to the gym which I hate with a passion!!
2 years on and 5000 Kms later I am about to do a fundraising cycle of 400Kms over 5 day’s which I wouldn’t dream of attempting without my Haibike. —Go E-bike!!!!

 

[flecc]

After reading the above I'm feeling deprived. At 82 I've got no stents, never had a heart attack or stroke, never broken a bone, not even a mild attack of cancer.

I reckon I should get a refund from the NHS for all the national insurance payments I've made.
.

 

[Gaz]

Flecc, you're probably on the NHS Management's gold card list, and the NHS practitioner's blacklist for depriving the new cohorts of someone to practice on!

Best o'luck with the refund. If you don't get it can I mention your credit rating if I ever need serious treatment? Pretty please

Gaz

 

[al.b]

I think there is a lot of sense in this report! and its good that some not so younger people do not have any medical conditions. As for me riding isn't just about exercise, its hard to describe being outdoors in the air even with limited abilities makes you feel alive. I dont go far and always of road on cycle ways and especially in Cornwall. this forum isn't big enough to list all of my ills but I had a pacekmaker fitted last year which has added extra weight. granny buggies...no way.It is hard to lift your leg over the frame which is why I got a low step. So DIY on your own health is important. I also have alertly stage altziemersso I cant remember riding in any case

 

[Steve Bowles]

I'm 68 and a veteran of 2.5 heart attacks and I've just purchased my first e-bike for all the reasons stated above. My cardiac consultant advised me to attend a weekly exercise program for cardiac rehab, but there's no way I'm going to kill myself in a gym. Give me a racing heart on an e-bike in England's green and pleasant land any day!

 

[flecc]

I'm 68 and a veteran of 2.5 heart attacks and I've just purchased my first e-bike for all the reasons stated above. My cardiac consultant advised me to attend a weekly exercise program for cardiac rehab, but there's no way I'm going to kill myself in a gym. Give me a racing heart on an e-bike in England's green and pleasant land any day!

Fully agree. I once bought an exercise machine but couldn't sell it fast enough, I hated using it so much. Better and much less boring to either walk or cycle for exercise.
.

 

[al.b]

Hi Steve well done for your perseverance. If having a pacemaker wasn't enough now its prostate surgery! they are throwing everything at me but despite my family pleas I am not ready to give up especially as my driving license is up for renewal again. Im sure many who use ebikes have there own stories to tell as to why they use them. For me it isn't about the physical exercise its the mind exercise! I carry the lightest chair in the world and with a jet boil and tea and one of the best ebikes on the market i think (Wisper) I can forget about the worlds woes and my disability. Old absolutely , but young enough to feel the force. well done

 

[Steve Bowles]

Hi Steve well done for your perseverance. If having a pacemaker wasn't enough now its prostate surgery! they are throwing everything at me but despite my family pleas I am not ready to give up especially as my driving license is up for renewal again. Im sure many who use ebikes have there own stories to tell as to why they use them. For me it isn't about the physical exercise its the mind exercise! I carry the lightest chair in the world and with a jet boil and tea and one of the best ebikes on the market i think (Wisper) I can forget about the worlds woes and my disability. Old absolutely , but young enough to feel the force. well done

I'm with you -- a light folding chair I can carry on my rack, and a thermos of Darjeeling tea, and I'll find my Zen. Health benefits are only second to mental benefits.

 

[tommie]

I'm with you -- a light folding chair I can carry on my rack, and a thermos of Darjeeling tea, and I'll find my Zen. Health benefits are only second to mental benefits.

Could never find a chair that i could carry, have you something telescopic/folding or what?
Any more info on that?

 

[Steve Bowles]

Try this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/NICEAO-Outdoor-Folding-Ultralight-Portable/dp/B071YPR8KC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1522241612&sr=8-2&keywords=travel+chair

 

[Jimo]

Or just google for ‘Artist’s Seat’. Simple and light to carry.

Jim

 

[tommie]

Or just google for ‘Artist’s Seat’. Simple and light to carry.

Jim

This is the one above from Amazon, i got this last year, around £15 iirc, takes 5 minutes to put together, nice n comfy!

 

[Jimo]

But Amazon say NO MORE IN STOCK & dont know when or if new stock comming in.


Jim

 

[tommie]

But Amazon say NO MORE IN STOCK & dont know when or if new stock comming in.


Jim

It`s here --> https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ultra-Light-Lightweight-Folding-Camping-Chair-Portable-Outdoor-Fishing-BBQ-Seat/202436661113?_trkparms=aid=555018&algo=PL.SIM&ao=1&asc=20140122125356&meid=dfcccbbb24544d739159610c929e7a88&pid=100005&rk=6&rkt=12&sd=153410569370&itm=202436661113&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

 

[Audio2]

Trekology YIZI Go Portable Camping Chair on Amazon seems very similar & gets very good reviews, especially from cyclists.

 

[tommie]

Trekology YIZI Go Portable Camping Chair on Amazon seems very similar & gets very good reviews, especially from cyclists.

Yes that`s the same, but there are two versions, there`s also the high back version which is much better -->https://www.amazon.co.uk/ANPI-Extended-Ultralight-Lightweight-Collapsible/dp/B071GY63X5/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1552827481&sr=8-16&keywords=Trekology+YIZI+Go+Portable+Camping+Chair

 

[Chris M]

As a 63 year old I agree with all the above. Ebikes provide a reasonable level of physical exercise and of course you can choose how hard you work. They also provide good mental stimulation from bring outdoors, balancing, reacting to what is happing around you and quickly making decisions about which route to take through a tricky but of trail.