Not a good day :(

jcrofts

This was my third week of my new commute to work. Until today it's been great... but today wasn't.

It started this morning when I was on the way in. I’d been going for about 2 miles (of 7) when I realised that I wasn’t exercising out the 'twinge' in my back. If anything it was getting slowly worse and, as it was, I was getting slower. I figured it was probably down to having overloaded my backpack (I had to take the laptop home from work yesterday so had to lug it back in this morning) and trudged on... but it was a trudge.

I spent the day trying - and failing - to quieten down the growing spasms in my back. Can't say I was really looking forward to the cycle home.

And I was right not to be. Even though I'd emptied my rucksack it still felt like a dead weight. To make it worse, the cycle itself felt like I was going through treacle. I couldn't figure it out - even stopped to check my tyres - and just had to slog on.

Then I got to the bottom of a 'bump' I usually enjoy. It's a single-lane road bridge over the train track with traffic lights. There's something quite satisfying about making it up and over the bridge on the green light before the other side has turned green (if you follow me). Not today. My light goes green, I come up out of the saddle and push down with my left foot... and something goes twang! I spent the next five minutes just lying on the pavement waiting to be able to move again... and still had about a mile to go

And the fun didn’t stop there....

Only a mile to go... but it included a ride over two broken Buckfast bottles, nearly killing a squirrel (it's tail was, literally, under the arch of my front tyre) and then having a friendly bird crap in my face (thank goodness I picked up a pair of those glasses from Aldi)!!!

And, to top it all off, I was just around the corner from the house when a black Punto goes blasting past with the passenger hanging out the window trying to spit on me. Tosser!

So that was my not-so-good day. Pity it all came along at once... but I guess I was due

andrewc3142

For the back (a fellow sufferer due to a silly climbing move a long while ago) sit-ups with knees bent and feet tucked under a sofa or radiator, lots of them, is the best prevention I've found.

For the rest, stay cool.

SmellTheGlove

Look on the bright side mate - that's about six months of gob/birdshit and back pain put behind you in a day.
You might have tried harder with the squirrel tho :P

skyway

having had a bad back most of my life, I'd say sit-ups can be detrimental for the health of your back depending on what the actual problem is.

Go see the dr and get some specialist help mate.

hoathy

skyway wrote:

Go see the dr and get some specialist help mate.

for sure.
what sort of pain is it? is it generalisd throughout your back on like a local sharp type pain?

jcrofts

I should have known better with my back really... it's a long-standing problem I have due to a bulging disc. It flares up ever six months or so (usually due to something stupid like lugging a heavy backpack around). Sometimes catching it early and doing some gentle exercise helps, other times (like today) it doesn't really. Those times I find a T.E.N.S. machine usually helps reduce the agony.

Saying that - one of the driving factors in adopting this new commute of mine was the hope of shifting some of the excess weight I'm lugging about (I was almost 21st). Having shifted almost 20lbs in the last few months does seem to have helped because, whilst I might be hobbling about like an old man with severe constipation, it's been a lot (lot) worse.

SmellTheGlove wrote:

Look on the bright side mate - that's about six months of gob/birdshit and back pain put behind you in a day.

I hope so... it's one thing cleaning the bike, but wiping some pricks gob off the back of your jacket just isn't pleasant. Credit where credit's due - the guy had pretty good aim considering he was going for a moving target whilst sitting in a moving vehicle.

woodford2barbican

No credit is due - the gob merchant is a cunt. Anyway sorry to hear about your bad day, but remember how much you have achieved, shifting 20lbs is a lot.

If you did not have a bad back I would suggest picking up 10 bags of sugar to see how much that is!

always_tyred

jcrofts wrote:

I should have known better with my back really... it's a long-standing problem I have due to a bulging disc. It flares up ever six months or so (usually due to something stupid like lugging a heavy backpack around). Sometimes catching it early and doing some gentle exercise helps, other times (like today) it doesn't really. Those times I find a T.E.N.S. machine usually helps reduce the agony.

Saying that - one of the driving factors in adopting this new commute of mine was the hope of shifting some of the excess weight I'm lugging about (I was almost 21st). Having shifted almost 20lbs in the last few months does seem to have helped because, whilst I might be hobbling about like an old man with severe constipation, it's been a lot (lot) worse.

SmellTheGlove wrote:

Look on the bright side mate - that's about six months of gob/birdshit and back pain put behind you in a day.

I hope so... it's one thing cleaning the bike, but wiping some pricks gob off the back of your jacket just isn't pleasant. Credit where credit's due - the guy had pretty good aim considering he was going for a moving target whilst sitting in a moving vehicle.

We should start a thread about TENS machines. Do they work? Are they simply placebo?

I'm sure there is some population level data. Anecdotes not accepted. :twisted:

Shadowduck

Always Tyred wrote:

We should start a thread about TENS machines. Do they work? Are they simply placebo?

I'm sure there is some population level data. Anecdotes not accepted. :twisted:

My sister's friend's aunt's dog is walked by a bloke who knows someone who says they're rubbish.

@The OP. Why on earth are you using a rucksack if you suffer from back pain? Get some panniers (or whatever) and put the weight on the frame where it belongs!

jcrofts

Shadowduck wrote:

Why on earth are you using a rucksack if you suffer from back pain? Get some panniers (or whatever) and put the weight on the frame where it belongs!

I've never used panniers before and was worried/had read that they might affect my balance. Having not really ridden a bike since I was a kid, the plan was to get back into the swing of things with a (familiar) backpack and then add the pannier later. Think the plan might be about to change slightly

Shadowduck

jcrofts wrote:

I've never used panniers before and was worried/had read that they might affect my balance.

I'm a total pannier convert, though in my case it was sore wrists and the straps cutting off circulation in my arms that got me to swap from a rucksack. Even with one full / heavy pannier on (and nothing on the other side) I only notice it's there wheeling the bike about before setting off. Once on the bike I honestly can't tell it's there, handling-wise. Another advantage is you don't get so many close passes with a pannier on the right - must make the bike look bigger!

tardington

Shadowduck wrote:

jcrofts wrote:

I've never used panniers before and was worried/had read that they might affect my balance.

I'm a total pannier convert, though in my case it was sore wrists and the straps cutting off circulation in my arms that got me to swap from a rucksack. Even with one full / heavy pannier on (and nothing on the other side) I only notice it's there wheeling the bike about before setting off. Once on the bike I honestly can't tell it's there, handling-wise. Another advantage is you don't get so many close passes with a pannier on the right - must make the bike look bigger!

Most definately! I'm heartily sick of my ruckack, but getting my new pannier rack tomorrow!

DavidTQ

Shadowduck wrote:

jcrofts wrote:

I've never used panniers before and was worried/had read that they might affect my balance.

I'm a total pannier convert, though in my case it was sore wrists and the straps cutting off circulation in my arms that got me to swap from a rucksack. Even with one full / heavy pannier on (and nothing on the other side) I only notice it's there wheeling the bike about before setting off. Once on the bike I honestly can't tell it's there, handling-wise. Another advantage is you don't get so many close passes with a pannier on the right - must make the bike look bigger!

I most definetely notice that as well, very worth while.

I also dont feel any upset to the balance when riding, the bike might feel a bit less "sporty" but you get very used to it very fast.

A - W

Sounds like a bad ride.

No one stop to help you though whilst you were on the pavement?

helz

Shadowduck wrote:

jcrofts wrote:

I've never used panniers before and was worried/had read that they might affect my balance.

I'm a total pannier convert, though in my case it was sore wrists and the straps cutting off circulation in my arms that got me to swap from a rucksack. Even with one full / heavy pannier on (and nothing on the other side) I only notice it's there wheeling the bike about before setting off. Once on the bike I honestly can't tell it's there, handling-wise. Another advantage is you don't get so many close passes with a pannier on the right - must make the bike look bigger!

I can't believe I've never even thought of that. I always tend to use my pannier on the left hand side but I'm definitely going to switch now.

P.S. I've never noticed my pannier affecting my balance either, I think they're great.

andrewc3142

having had a bad back most of my life, I'd say sit-ups can be detrimental for the health of your back depending on what the actual problem is.

Go see the dr and get some specialist help mate

For sure, depends on the problem. For me, sit-ups work.

And, yes, get some proper advice. I wouldn't bother going to the doctor though, but rather try and find a good sports physio (eg one that works with pro sports).

jcrofts

A - W wrote:

No one stop to help you though whilst you were on the pavement?

No, but I did have a mother and her young daughter step carefully around me... :shock:

Clever Pun

Sit ups will only affect your front core and abs, you should also do back raises (lying belly down and raise your torso and legs) to give you a stronger core and more support from your muscles. Rowing will also help

the bird poo thing did make me laugh sorry, it's happened to most and no it's not lucky as you've got cr@p on you