For the Autistics Who Cannot Cycle

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Interesting. I'm terrified of the gap between train doors and the platform.

I learned to riders bike when I was 10. Scraped both knees pretty badly but I picked it up quickly. Mind you, I was on concrete which is not the best surface to learn on.

I learnt to ride when I was in my 30s. I saw an adult cycling course at my workplace, and I signed up for it. I fell off a few times, but I was persistent and I'd learned something that I hadn't when I gave up on bikes in childhood - I allowed myself to be crap at it. After a couple of hours of pushing myself along in the car park, I started freewheeling for a few seconds. Then a few more seconds.

I started getting one foot on the pedal, and ironically found it easier to do both. I recommend NOT having straps on your pedals. If you fall, it's much better to have your feet free to stop yourself.

By the end of the first two-hour session, I was pedalling. I was doing the impossible, and it was glorious.

I blogged about it here...

http://freedom-muse.com/2013/03/18/on-your-bike/

Ibought a new bike several years ago after not riding a bike for several years. Three rides in, I hit a curb, wobbled, my right leg got trapped in the frame, and I totally shattered my tib/fib. I was in the middle of a freeway on ramp with one foot twisted to the side,and a leg that flopped like a wet sausage. It took many years before I could walk with no pain. I still can't stand in line for more that about 15 minutes. I won't even go into how the cost not paied by insurance ended up causing me to lose my house.

Due to this my response is, if you don't think you can ride a bike, don't have the balance, etc. Then do not do t. So mant bike riders get hit by cars and so on. It is actually quite dangerous.

Trikes are much more stable. A trike or three or even four wheeled recumbent bike is the way to go.

[img][800:600]http://img.diytrade.com/cdimg/872279/8979999/0/1242029422/gel_bicycle_saddle_cover_bike_saddle_pad_gel_pad.jpg[/img]

invest in a gel seat cover (they're not expensive--mine was about twenty bucks). they're awesome, they really make a big difference if you spend a lot of time on a bike. i got myself one years ago and my tush thanks me every time i sit on it.

You need one of these...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxFTGkxZBno[/youtube]

Has a nice, high seat and is easy to ride.

I'm just waiting for some crank arm shorteners for mine.... even my broken down ass can ride one!

...I have something depressing to tell you about my never learning to cycle ...........

A while ago I raised the seat on my bike so that I could put more force into my pedaling without standing up, but I've noticed that it makes it much harder for me to mount it, and I'm also more prone to falling off, which has actually happened to me 2-3 times in the last few days. Should I just lower my seat? To clarify, this usually happens when I'm carrying shopping bags on the handlebar, or when I'm going over treacherous terrain like snow or mud (yes, we had a freak snowstorm a few days ago, but most of it has melted away now ). Also, I didn't ride my bike for most of this month since I was broke, and had no reason to go uptown.

On the plus side, it seems that after I've started "breaking in" my bike, it's become a much smoother ride, albeit I still need to grease the chain, AND I've been getting better at steering one-handed too. It could just be because it's easier to maintain inertia when I'm going fast, but it seems I'm becoming a bit more physically coordinated.

How and why is this sticky or pinned?

I didn't learn to ride my bike until I was ten and I learned to tie my shoes last year.

I'm actually more of a walk person. I walk to check the mail and just last night I found a way to get from the train tracks to a part of town that has lots of stores, it's actually busier than down town. It has all of the major fast food chains along with popular stores such as Walmart and Best Buy it also has corner stores. However it's really busy. Also I walk near the train tracks (beside them) so it is essential to avoid walking at times when the train comes, I won't get hurt though I'll just have to get away from the train tracks.

...Depressing story about how I never learned to bicycle:
I was six years old , I lived in what could be considered the furthest Southern end of upstate New York (In relation to NYC) , an area for known for its generally hilly , lot of bumps and " up " and " down " in it , land/topography .
I had a bicyle with training wheels on it . I don't know that I was particularly gung ho about it ~ but I had it .
One day , a relative/older person ~ I believe my maternal grandfather , who lived in East Texas , noting for its flat land . - said to me , " You baby , you should be ashamed of yourself for needing training wheels " , or similar .
I never rode a bicycle again . Not to this day . Nearly fifty years later .

I learned by having training wheels for a while...then when they started getting worn out, parents decided it was time they come of and I learn to ride without them. So I practiced in the grass since it was softer if I fell and well it was easier to balance on the grass then I was able to stay balanced on the grass and moved onto the sidewalk where I finally got it down. Now I can't figure out how it was hard to balance.

Wow - I've never been able to ride a bike! I didn't even realise that was an autistic trait!

Same here, I didn't realize it either.

I was taught this, and I honestly don't think I would have ever learned how to balance on a bike without knowing it.

Though I don't recall having trouble with bikes I did with other sports.

If you want to cycle without risk, try indoor spin classes. I've been doing them for about 3 years.
Sometimes I can't take the electronic music and volume.

Same... It's troubling.
I'm now wondering if it's the same with other fine motor skills such as tying shoelaces or swimming...