some of the diy solutions for riding with foot drop

so when I first started having trouble with foot drop it made keeping my feet on the recumbent pedals tough so I made little wooden pads that clipped to my pedals, they were carved to fit my feet exactly thereby cradling my foot to the pedals and was able to ride like that for several more years. After a while though that wasn't enough to keep feet on so made an AFO out of PVC pipe that cradled my calf through my foot and attached to pedal. Eventually we my ability to ride the recumbent got beyond me and I still miss it

[jimeka]

I understand how you feel. It really is hard to accept not being able to pedal your bike. Razor and I used to go miles, but I don’t have any strength to pedal on my right side. We both still have good memories so let’s hang onto those, blessings Jimeka 😊

[Humbrd]

It sounds like you found some pretty good ways to adjust your riding to have allowed you to enjoy your passion for a lot longer. I liked to bike ride not long distance but joyride. What's stopping me though is I'm afraid of falling because of my balance and eyesight. Also I live on the second floor and it's a lot to take my bike down. But I'm glad you got to enjoy it for as long as you did.

[JSSimp]

Neat🙏🏾

[goatgal]

My foot drop and balance struggles began long, long before I was diagnosed with MS. Though I might have mentioned it to my husband or others when it began, it was dismissed , by them and me, as my clumsiness and lack of coordination. Riding my bike with my son as a passenger behind, my feet slipped off the pedals; wearing my daughter in a carrier on my back, I fell down hillside stairs and tripped on curbs and cobblestones. Carrying materials to night classes I taught, I tripped up and down stairs. Kneeling in the garden, rising to my feet, without warning, I fell down. And only, well after I had been diagnosed with MS, did a neurologist casually mention that I had foot drop, sending me to the internet to learn what it is. Sometimes I am angry with myself for accepting these tumbles and stumbles as part of normalcy for me. And other times I am angry with the many others who might have helped me understand what was happening. Clarity would have been such a gift.

[bxrmom in reply to goatgal]

Some doctors assume that we know what all the definitions are because we live with this ridiculous disease...uh!

[mrsmike9]

You certainly did everything you could to keep riding! I have a recumbent trike. I put an "assist" on it last year so I could keep up with my family. It's so much fun, especially now that I don't have to worry about small hills anymore! (Northern Indiana doesn't have much for hills.) Did you ever think about bike shoes? My husband has them with the corresponding pedals so his feet snap into the pedals and keep them in place.

I'm sorry you can't ride anymore. I'm glad you have your fun memories of it and hopefully you have something else to make you happy.

[Hidden in reply to mrsmike9]

Dear MrsMike9, I actually still ride a bicycle, I just can't ride the recumbent that I love and miss everyday, but extremely grateful to be able to ride at all. And believe me I tried many " fixes" some outside suggestions some my own with varying degrees of success ( and I have the scars to prove it) but the PVC "AFO" was really great for a long time... even tried it a few times recently with high hopes and poor results ( again with the scars to demonstrate)

[kdali]

That's awesome!

[Hidden in reply to kdali]

Thank you so much I feel so much support from this group and some of you even seem to like my silly post office stories

[twooldcrows]

sounds like a great way to keep up with what you enjoy....i would like to find one i could afford for i can't ride my bike for it is a regular one and i feel as if i am going to tip over ...hahahah...i know it sounds weird but that is how i feel...so i thought maybe with the laying down way of your bike would stop that feeling ....that you for the ideas if i can get one....

[Sandydemop]

I like your ingenuity to keep riding as long as possible. Quality of life counts.

[Jer29-11]

This is great! How creative! I used to be an avid cyclist and triathlete and I’m hoping to pick it up again as soon as I find a bike. I’m sorry you can’t do the recumbent bike, but are you still able to ride a stand up bike?

[Hidden in reply to Jer29-11]

Yes still riding, not nearly like I used to ( by this time of the season I would have done several century rides and be looking forward to the last one of the season,one I hadn't to missed in about 15 years) but "so it goes" very grateful to be able to ride at all I know so many who can't anymore. Thank you for your interest and support, good luck with your own cycling

[Jer29-11 in reply to Hidden]

Wonderful! Thanks and hoping you can continue to ride for many more years 😊

[Tkotrl]

Very creative. I was struggling to walk to get exercise so tried cycling. 2 years ago I ran a 5k so mentally it’s been tough with the decline I’ve had. Not enough balance and foot drop sucks. Couldn’t get my foot on either…. So with amazing family and MS society I’ve adapted. I got a good adult trike. They make an adaptive foot pedal that is wide with 2 front straps and a heel strap. Takes a little coordination to get it on… I use my can to help… but once I’m it it stays. I also use my AFO and with both my foot now stays in a stable position. I started at less than a mile and my last ride was over 2 miles. This is allowing my me to get some real cardio exercises and strengthen my leg. I am hopeful that it may help my walking distance eventually as I get stronger. It has been well worth it for my mental status. Some times we just have to try a new activity. I have not ridden a bike since I was a kid,

AFO and adaptive pedal

[Hidden in reply to Tkotrl]

Wonderful keep it up I started riding again after years when the go to work car died, first day I thought it was going to kill me ... But by the end of a week I was getting up early so I could ride farther and still make it to work

[Tkotrl]

👍great