Anyone out there with experience of competitive road cycling (bunch racing) whilst on warfarin?

[Christiaan]

Sometimes crashes occur in these events. Obviously this isn't great for an individual on warfarin - especially if the head is involved. So my question is this: are there people out there who accept the risks and ride or do they take precautions to mitigate the risk?

[lucky1]

taking a risk on some one else's mistake, not for me

lucky1

[Christiaan in reply to lucky1]

Yeah, that's a sobering thought lucky1. Thank you for your input - I appreciate it.

[Manofmendip]

Hi Christiaan

I used to ride time trials, not road races, but that was before I was diagnosed with Hughes and put on warfarin.

I ride for pleasure now, not competetively, but I did have a bad crash in 2004. My son and I were out riding and an elderly couple suddenly jumped out of their car and asked him for directions. He didn't shout "stopping" and I was looking at the view across the fields and not at the road. I only saw him about a second before I crashed into him at about 15 MPH. I went flying over the handlebars and landed on the ground in a heap. My bike was written off and I had massive haematomas, on my legs mostly, but no life threatening injuries.

I never wear a helmet and never have done in 45 years of cycling; these things are only stressed for a 10 MPH impact which makes then useless in a big crash and they also, due to their projection from the sides of the head, risk putting sudden leverage on the neck and I have heard of people dying from a fractured neck, who otherwise have had minor injuries from a crash.

Best regards

Dave

[Christiaan in reply to Manofmendip]

Thank you for the answer Manofmendip. Glad to hear you came through your crash okay in the end - those haematomas don't sound good. Also, am pleased that you are still cycling. I find it a great nostrum. I'm sure you do too.

Time trialling - now there's an idea! I think I'll look into hilly time trials

By the way, what was your distance? 10, 25, 50 miles? chapeau to you for competing in this - it really does hurt: one indvidual vs the wind

Again, thanks for info - it really helps

All the best

[Sarita]

Hi there

I think its good to do sports and exercise for health, however recognise its not good to do things competively for the risk of injury. Sports and exercise for health and recreation is where its at.

I love sports but have introduced them back into my life gradually (at a lower level of intensity and duration) and always wear medical identification bracelet with all my details.

Sara

[Christiaan in reply to Sarita]

Cheers Sara,

Thank you for the advice - much appreciated.

I am 100% behind the medical I'd - vital if you are in trouble: don't want paramedics pumping us with stuff unaware of our inr and the warfarin circulating in our system. In fact, I wear one all the time: driving a car is quite dangerous too

Also, glad to hear that you are reintroducing sports back into your life.

Thanks again, and take care

[Storky]

On the medical ID subject, I saw my neurologist yesterday, he saw mine and commented on how sensible it was.

Personal view on the cycling - take to country off road if you must. Do not risk your life or the misery to your loved ones if the worst happens by using public roads. It quite often is not your fault and no matter what precautions you take I don't think they will ever be enough no matter if you have APS or not. Sorry! Perhaps something else less risky?

[Manofmendip]

Hi Christiaan

Thanks for your reply to my reply.

I rode time trials at all distances from 10 to 100 miles. As you say, just you against the wind and the watch of course.

Two things make life worth living for me: Cycling in the countryside, especially if there is a pub with good real ale at lunchtime; and music (singing in and conducting choirs and composing). If I couldn't do these things then I'd have no foil to my work as a building surveyor and I'd go mad.

I do still ride as much as I can and I had a custom made Mercian traditional touring bike made for me in 2005. In the summer, after some build up training rides, I can still manage a 100 mile ride in a day.

Where do you live/ride?

Best wishes.

Dave