Osteoporosis and Riding

[Moby_1851]

I'm a 56-year-old guy. 5 weeks ago I fractured my L4 vertebra simply by bending down and lifting something. Testing showed I have osteoporosis. Been in a depression ever since. The doctor recommends I give up riding for the risk. I am NOT ready to give up riding, any more than giving up living. I figure I have another decade of active life - maybe more and I am not ready to pack it in now. Is anyone out there with osteoporosis riding? I could use some hopeful words by folks who have this but keep riding and enjoying. Thanks.

 

[Rufus]

Hi Moby. I turned 54 last month. After ignoring blood in my urine (on & off) for about a year I finally decided I ought to get it checked out, I am very active and look after myself generally, I had hoped it would just go away but it didn’t. Anyway, In June I went through a series of tests at Hospital looking for issues with my Kidneys, prostate, bladder etc and 6 weeks later got the all clear. No clear explanation why I was bleeding other than my insides are very vascular, apparently . So I’m just getting on with it now. It was long enough to worry though and have a few sleepless nights, think about stuff we all take for granted.

There must be a load of specialist advice out there, online and in support groups to help you manage the situation. The Dr has to give that sort of advice really. If you feel upto riding then I would say carry on. The R18 is a very heavy bike though so it may be sensible to swap for a lighter one to keep you on two wheels. There’s no shame in that.

I don’t know what to say really other than keep your chin up. Try and focus on all the things you can do, not what you can’t . Best wishes.

 

[VARG]

I turned 65 a while back, about 5'7", riding a TC, a couple other R18s and a GSA. try to get a couple of rides in most days.
Aside from diet, sleep, basic exercise, and vitamins, I've included Indian club cyclical exercise routines every day and it helps a lot when maneuvering the bike.

Here's a link to my previous post on the subject:
https://www.r18forums.com/threads/goodbye-r18.924/post-14168

Hope this is helpful!

 

[Anibal]

Hi Moby,
I am so sorry to heard that. I agree with the advice Rufus shared here.
The bike is new to the market and maybe there hasn’t been many modifications done out there but how about reaching out to some bike builders to see if they can share ideas to ease the load?
Not going straight down to the trike avenue but perhaps other stuff. A few years ago I saw a guy on a Road King in Brighton at a motorcycle annual event. I noticed that he was not putting his feet down at the traffic lights which caught my attention. When I catch up with him I realised that he was flicking a switch and a set of stabilisers with small wheels were being deployed just under the swing arms just seconds before the bike would come to a full stop and then rise up as he pulled away. I only saw this closely once as we took separate ways. I could not see any disability but sometimes disabilities are not visible or that obvious and he must have had a very good reason for that customisation.
I honestly wish you the very best and I hope you find an alternative. Try to keep a positive mind set because that goes a long way.

 

[Anibal]

I just had a quick search and I found this. Seems not to be confined to a specific bike so hopefully can be adapted to the R18.
Not saying this is the solution or the supplier, I am just trying to give you an idea.

https://www.rideapart.com/features/...ow-ride-any-motorcycle-with-the-legup-system/

 

[Moby_1851]

Hi Moby. I turned 54 last month. After ignoring blood in my urine (on & off) for about a year I finally decided I ought to get it checked out, I am very active and look after myself generally, I had hoped it would just go away but it didn’t. Anyway, In June I went through a series of tests at Hospital looking for issues with my Kidneys, prostate, bladder etc and 6 weeks later got the all clear. No clear explanation why I was bleeding other than my insides are very vascular, apparently . So I’m just getting on with it now. It was long enough to worry though and have a few sleepless nights, think about stuff we all take for granted.

There must be a load of specialist advice out there, online and in support groups to help you manage the situation. The Dr has to give that sort of advice really. If you feel upto riding then I would say carry on. The R18 is a very heavy bike though so it may be sensible to swap for a lighter one to keep you on two wheels. There’s no shame in that.

I don’t know what to say really other than keep your chin up. Try and focus on all the things you can do, not what you can’t . Best wishes.

Hi Rufus - thank you for the words. Good attitude. Yes there are resources out there - most are geared toward older women (who suffer disproportionately from this)...so it'd be great to hear from a rider who makes it work. That said, when the fractures heal I will slowly start riding again. Hopefully in a week or so (I am 6 weeks in now) and ideally get on the right meds which will decrease the fracture risk a bit. I could go to a lighter bike - but I really enjoy the R18 so will ride conservatively and focus on the fact that I get a good deal of enjoyment from it and eventually - sooner than I'd like - retire from riding...

 

[Moby_1851]

I just had a quick search and I found this. Seems not to be confined to a specific bike so hopefully can be adapted to the R18.
Not saying this is the solution or the supplier, I am just trying to give you an idea.

https://www.rideapart.com/features/...ow-ride-any-motorcycle-with-the-legup-system/

Thank you. great resource. At the moment - or as soon as I heal from the acute fracture - I can ride pain free. Just way more susceptible to fractures if I drop it - so focus will be on safe, conservative riding!

 

[Moby_1851]

Hi Moby,
I am so sorry to heard that. I agree with the advice Rufus shared here.
The bike is new to the market and maybe there hasn’t been many modifications done out there but how about reaching out to some bike builders to see if they can share ideas to ease the load?
Not going straight down to the trike avenue but perhaps other stuff. A few years ago I saw a guy on a Road King in Brighton at a motorcycle annual event. I noticed that he was not putting his feet down at the traffic lights which caught my attention. When I catch up with him I realised that he was flicking a switch and a set of stabilisers with small wheels were being deployed just under the swing arms just seconds before the bike would come to a full stop and then rise up as he pulled away. I only saw this closely once as we took separate ways. I could not see any disability but sometimes disabilities are not visible or that obvious and he must have had a very good reason for that customisation.
I honestly wish you the very best and I hope you find an alternative. Try to keep a positive mind set because that goes a long way.

Anibal - thank you! i think I will make a go of it on the current bike. At the beginning of the season, I changed from the stock seat to a Mustang and it is great - I can ride it for several hours w/o pain. So I should be fine after I heal from this. And apparently, I'd been riding w/osteoporisis before. But knowing it now makes me a bit anxious. Almost wish I didn't know such a guy's attitude!)

 

[Deleted member 2560]

55. 2 years ago, compression fracture of vertebrae….wait for it…picking up a dropped loaded GS Adventure. osteoporosis diagnosis. My advice: Don’t crash. Keep riding. Enjoy your life. And maybe get the regular GS, not the adventure…..eh fuck it, get the adventure!
I do wear gear every ride, but who doesn’t like (collecting) motorcycle gear!

 

[Moby_1851]

55. 2 years ago, compression fracture of vertebrae….wait for it…picking up a dropped loaded GS Adventure. osteoporosis diagnosis. My advice: Don’t crash. Keep riding. Enjoy your life. And maybe get the regular GS, not the adventure…..eh fuck it, get the adventure!
I do wear gear every ride, but who doesn’t like (collecting) motorcycle gear!

Thanks for that. Exact same thing - wow. I needed this. I went to the dark place...and the web for all its benefits always takes you there - apparently osteoporosis is just very old, folks, mostly women who are shutting waiting to die...we aren't there. I decided to keep the R18. Maybe upgrade to the Roctane...and like my life. If I drop it I will humbly ask for help getting it upright. I am feeling well enough at 6 weeks to try and ride again for the last couple of weeks of the New England season. I assume the dr will now put me on meds and they seem pretty good - at least will reduce my fracture risk. And I bet better meds are on the market 6-10 years from now when I have to go off the current crop. Plus there is kyphoplasty if I get a bad one. I will just get it fixed and move on. Hope you at least got meds - curious how they have changed your risk profile?

 

[Alan neill]

I'm a 56-year-old guy. 5 weeks ago I fractured my L4 vertebra simply by bending down and lifting something. Testing showed I have osteoporosis. Been in a depression ever since. The doctor recommends I give up riding for the risk. I am NOT ready to give up riding, any more than giving up living. I figure I have another decade of active life - maybe more and I am not ready to pack it in now. Is anyone out there with osteoporosis riding? I could use some hopeful words by folks who have this but keep riding and enjoying. Thanks.

Keep going as long as you can mate I'm 64 and got a tremor in my right arm it can be testing sometimes but I just get on with it don't stop doing what you love

 

[Keehn]

Moby,

While I would HIGHLY recommend this product to anyone, I would MOST certainly recommend this product to you, especially with your bone issue. It's the "Helite Turtle 2" motorcycle airbag vest.



And, while it is a little pricey, it is something that both wifey and I both have since, what price CAN you put on safety????

Here's a good video that details why this airbag vest is a good investment for you, and for ANY motorcycle rider for that matter:

Mike

 

[Moby_1851]

Mike - great idea. Never heard of this - so thank you. Bought one!

 

[Hammo]

Hey i,m past three score and ten , had a few medical episodes myself after i retired , out on my bike met a couple out touring , his top box had the best paint job ever , it read "Adventure before Dementia " keep riding and enjoy my friend .

 

[Noelpolar]

Thank you. great resource. At the moment - or as soon as I heal from the acute fracture - I can ride pain free. Just way more susceptible to fractures if I drop it - so focus will be on safe, conservative riding!

Dropping can be ok..... just get someone else to lift it.... whilst I don't suffer from your issue.... around my 60th I hit a health wall.... after lots of research I decided that the only person looking out for 70yo Noel was 60yo Noel..... so I basically went full on life style change food/nutrition and excercise wise.... I'm not a fan of "drug" based medicine as a first step unlesss no choice.... so no processed food, seed oils, red meat.... a lot less non seasonal fruit, little dairy, little poor quality carbs, no sugar, more veg, nuts etc etc..... some cardio and weight training.... and stretching.... breath work etc... targeted suppliments, lots of regular blood work to track varous things such as inflamation etc. Lost all my flab 15kg... and trying to grow a bit more strength (ie muscle.... hard to do when over 60).

My advice is to take charge of your blood work etc and look closely at the latest research etc... make sure your vitamin D levels are really high.... and look into how vitamin K helps calcium go into the right places.... I've found most doctors a bit behind in a lot of things.

 

[Moby_1851]

Dropping can be ok..... just get someone else to lift it.... whilst I don't suffer from your issue.... around my 60th I hit a health wall.... after lots of research I decided that the only person looking out for 70yo Noel was 60yo Noel..... so I basically went full on life style change food/nutrition and excercise wise.... I'm not a fan of "drug" based medicine as a first step unlesss no choice.... so no processed food, seed oils, red meat.... a lot less non seasonal fruit, little dairy, little poor quality carbs, no sugar, more veg, nuts etc etc..... some cardio and weight training.... and stretching.... breath work etc... targeted suppliments, lots of regular blood work to track varous things such as inflamation etc. Lost all my flab 15kg... and trying to grow a bit more strength (ie muscle.... hard to do when over 60).

My advice is to take charge of your blood work etc and look closely at the latest research etc... make sure your vitamin D levels are really high.... and look into how vitamin K helps calcium go into the right places.... I've found most doctors a bit behind in a lot of things.

Spot on Noel. Thank you my friend!

 

[Moby_1851]

Hey i,m past three score and ten , had a few medical episodes myself after i retired , out on my bike met a couple out touring , his top box had the best paint job ever , it read "Adventure before Dementia " keep riding and enjoy my friend .

Im gonna remember that. In my case "Show some Stones despite the Bones"