I am recently diagnosed, on 400 mg co careldopa that has got my motor symptoms under control. I still have a slight balance issue. I want to ride my bike but I am worried about balance, if I fall off I will not be happy, I am 81 and don’t bounce to well. What do you think? Does anyone still ride? Geoff
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Good evening Fagus … I’m 70, diagnosed in June 2023. I am on
6 co-careldopa 12.5mg / 50mg pills a day. I was on Madopar but it made my brain feel hot so I stopped it.
I am not quite sure whether you are being serious with your question as to whether you, a man of 81 with Parkinson’s & on medication is safe to ride a bike?
If you are being serious I’m afraid the answer is No !!! it is not safe for you to drive a bike. If you are joking I’ll award you a LOL.
I have trouble with balance & have recently walked into a door frame & badly bruised my arm.
If you really do want to ride a bike why not ride an Exercise Bike indoors ? Before doing so it would be sensible to ask your GP / Parkinson’s nurse. Maybe going to a gym & doing it under supervision first.
Best wishes
Steve2
Hello Steve, I am very serious! I really do want to ride my bike, but I take note note of your comments and will consider carefully before starting riding. I am going to join a gymn and use the various items of equipment, I do find it a bit boring though, I like being “on the road” (or bike track really). I suppose I could try riding on a quiet bike track and see how I cope. Thanks for your input.
Morning Fagus … I have been a very serious sportsman all my life. I have played Southern League cricket, National league hockey & in my early 60’s I played international over 60’s hockey. My last ever game was against Holland in the Over 60’s It finished 0-0 & I was the “sweeper”. I played as well as I could & was complimented by our opposition most of whom had played in the Olympics in their day. I had a bad knee but had an operation that sorted it out. It was always my ambition to make a come back & play in the Over 70’s [I am now 70].
Then came Parkinson’s. A few months back I attended a neurological physiotherapy course & was given a physical assessment before the 6 week course started.
The person taking the course asked if I had something I wanted to achieve after taking the course … I told her about my wish to play hockey again, leaving out the international bit. She told me no that would not do & I should choose something more realistic. Her saying that hurt me, but deep down I know she is right, but I don’t want to give up on my dream.
Best wishes
Steve 2
Thanks Steve, I have always kept active and despite my ailments ( I have a few) I regard myself as " as fit as can be expected", Like yourself, I do not just give up, I keep on fighting. As Dyland Thomas wrote
“Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”
During a visit to the GP I reported that my shoulder was giving some pain. Asked to tell him when this happened I had to admit it was when I was removing the gearbox from my Land Rover on the drive. He then said " You are 70 years old and you shouldn’t be doing that". Well, I did “do that” and put it back on again by myself. The point I am making is that age is a percieved thing, we just can’t give up because we are older. I shall drive to France this year and take my bike, I will probably ride it as well, God willing 
Fagus
PS My knee hurts a bit, I will see what the GP thinks in due course, most likely arthritis, they will probably say I am to old for the operation. F
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