Concept2 Forum

Just received my Concept2 on a referral from my Urologist. I am an avid cyclist (3500 Miles a year) I recently injured myself and was starting to get depressed watching my legs atrophy from no exercise. I just recently have been able to get back on the bike and look forward to training both on the Concept2 and my bike. Just wanted to say hey...and you'll be hearing more from me as I try and figure out this rowing machine...
peace
Slingen

Slingen,

Welcome to the wonderful world of erging! I purchased my erg about a year and a half after a back injury kept me from my first love of running. I have really enjoyed getting into erging because I was at a point with my running where my PB's were likely behind me due to age and famitly responsobilities that have left me with less time to run. Now with the erg I am still making progress with PB's and it feels great. Careful though it can be addicting!

Rich

Hey Rich,
I'll tell ya...the week that I have had this thing has been great. I commute by bike everyday 10 in 10 out then get on the erg for about a half hour. Hopefully I am doing it right. I posted on a cycling forum here in St. Louis about purchasing the C2 and how nice it is, it was interesting to see how many people own one or actually row outdoors. I'm pretty sure I'll become just as addicted to this as I did with cycling...

Hi Guys:

I'm an ex-runner as well. sciatica did it for me. At one point, about five years ago it bothering me so much that I could hardly walk.

I bought the C2 on the advice of my physio and my back has improved to the point where I`m actually thinking about runnning again. Thinking, bring the operative word.

I cycle as well -both road and mountain- and find that the cross traing has improvrd my `comfort level`for both.

Allan in Ottawa

I have noticed just a bit of lower back pain but nothing different then when I started cycling. I am taking it easy for about a month to build up new muscles in my back stretching daily and warming up properly...I believe the C2 will do nothing but good for my back and over all health, now and long into the future.

Dan

Hi Dan,
I'm just getting back into erging myself after a long vacation (actually to get in shape for cycling last winter and racing over the summer . It's nice to be back on the erg, but I'm trying to do like yourself and go easy to build up the different muscles (especially the back) needed. It's hard though, I find myself wanting to go faster. I'm also going to do yoga, one or two times a week. I've found in the past that it really helps to avoid rowing injuries. I think you've got the right idea with the daily stretching!

Cycling and erging are a perfect match.
I do both as my x-training routine.

But be carefull,
cycling can be dangerous!

But then again, some people hurt themselves on an erg!

Citroen wrote:Cycling and erging are a perfect match.
I do both as my x-training routine.

"x-training" Like practice in getting x-rays? Sorry Dougie, I couldn't resist that one.

Seriously, best wishes for a quick recovery.

Bob S.

Tyn wrote:But be carefull,
cycling can be dangerous!

But then again, some people hurt themselves on an erg!

You got that right...just ask Missouri Native Pro (BMC) Dan Schmatz...he had to abandon the Tour Of Missouri 3 miles into stage 2 after nailing a....ready for this.....an armadillo.....endo'd over his bars, broke his collar bone in two spots....good times....

Yukon John wrote:Hi Dan,
I'm just getting back into erging myself after a long vacation (actually to get in shape for cycling last winter and racing over the summer . It's nice to be back on the erg, but I'm trying to do like yourself and go easy to build up the different muscles (especially the back) needed. It's hard though, I find myself wanting to go faster. I'm also going to do yoga, one or two times a week. I've found in the past that it really helps to avoid rowing injuries. I think you've got the right idea with the daily stretching!

Yukon,

I know exactly what you are talking about...I was off my bike for a month because of an injury....and that is the last thing I ever want to happen again...no more injuries! I'm into this biking/erging thing for health purposes...to stay in shape maybe see my kids get married (thats a long way off)...so I will take it easy and build and stretch I hate being injured...

I did it on a traffic circle in Spain.

Got the left pedal down while riding left round the roundabout. Pedal hit floor and kicked the bike out from under me. I hit the road like a sack of potatoes. The bruise (haemotoma) then got infected. And the put me in the hospital for the last six days.

Dangerous game this cycling.

Citroen wrote: I did it on a traffic circle in Spain.
Got the left pedal down while riding left round the roundabout. Pedal hit floor and kicked the bike out from under me.

It would appear the difference in the driving patterns (i.e. right side/left side) of the UK and the continent did you in. I had the same problem as a pedestrian in Australia (which follows the UK rule). I would look in the wrong direction when crossing a street. Fortunately, it did not result in an accident, but there was one close call.

Bob S.

Roundabouts are rare in the western U.S., so I am not used to them with either driving rule. We had a couple of them in SoCal that I drove around once in a while, but I never did one as a pedestrian. It took a while for me to get accustomed to them on my European walks. Cycling would add a whole new dimension to the problem.

Dangerous game this cycling.

Hi Dougie,

I haven't crashed since I went to three wheels:

http://www.windcheetah.co.uk/

http://www.catrike.com/

Unfortunately, they are not legal in the usual cycling competitions. They are great for training and safer than road bikes. Yes, you're lower but you can make yourself very visible if you want. The main safety advantage: you're not leading with your head.

Byron

Wahoo, some of my people. I actually went the other way from erg to bike. But I too am on the recovery trail. I am dealing with the aftermath of surgery for a detached retina. (no crash just what the DR called "bad luck"). Also have a degenerative dics in the lower back but erging/rowing and cycling is encourgaed by the Dr to keep the core solid. It's been tough to keep at a high level in both sports. I had to back off the erg/rowing for the spring and summer to keep the cycling coach from completely abandoning me as hopeless. Now the eye problem has pretty much nixed my plans for a good fall head race season and most probably indoor season as well. Advice for the erg, learn good technique early and you'll be fine. lots of places, the C2 site, the C2UK sight and lots of knowledgeable folk on the forums willing to help out.