Strange bicycles

For me, walking is pure maintenance. It ensures that my body remains strong, the blood sugars are more stable and the mind is better able to deal with depressive feelings. Now that I haven't been able to walk for a couple of weeks, I am restless and not only see the upcoming marathon, but also the running after that move away from me. Time for action.

In several magazines I had already seen that there are ‘ balance bikes’ exist that injured runners can use to continue training. The load on joints is much lower than with walking, because you don't get the thump – ahum, the friendly ground contact – on your feet every time. And Brigitte, who just like me helps with the organisation of the Lansingerlandrun, was positive about her Elliptigo who was hired to run the marathon. The fact that I don't have pain on a crosstrainer also offers perspective. And when you have a day off, you try anything. Even go to Ridderkerk for a test ride at Run on Wheels.

Ridderkerk isn't really next door. But coincidence causes me to run into Tineke, one of the trainers of De Koplopers (my club) who is also injured. Upon arrival she is just testing another model, the Me-Mover.

The Elliptigo is a lot longer than this Me-Mover and with the Elliptigo you really have to get off if you want to stand still. It's just like a crosstrainer that is unscrewed and placed on wheels. But with a very sturdy frame. And a hefty price tag. The Me-Mover has two wheels behind it and is therefore stable. You can also move both legs independently. It doesn't have gears, do you want to go faster or do you have to go up a hill, then you make faster or more powerful passes; just like when walking. In terms of appearance it's more of a stepper with holding bar and the instructor could really hard through the bend 😮.

After a short walk over the parking lot with both – fortunately held in hand by owner Wilma – like Tineke I am much more enthusiastic about that Me-Mover. In the beginning it feels a bit like drunkenness and you threaten to mop a crooked road. But you get used to it pretty quickly.

Especially leaving is something you need to get into. First you apply both brakes. Then you put your feet through the pedals and pull them up. Then it's a matter of releasing the brakes and slowly step down and you're gone. That's a bit winding, but I'm getting better at it.

Moments later we slalomed between the pallets of the glass trade, expensive parked car’s and high curbs on an almost deserted industrial area. The steering really needs some income in the beginning. The Me-Mover is like ‘tricycle’ a bit wider and you have to take that into account. The pedals are independent of each other, which gives extra training possibilities and requires some motor skills. The bends are a bit exciting at first, but you can cut them tight anyway. Especially if you pedal on one leg and then speed through the corner, it's a lot of fun. To brake it is best to throw your buttocks down to lower the centre of gravity; just like you do on a steep descent while running. Charming 😉

And then comes the time to look up traffic 😮 Believe it or not, but it's not that bad. Even as a beginner you reach the speed of a mediocre cyclist, so you don't form a blockage. So the orange warning lights are allowed to stay at home. Only starting from standstill remains a thing. Wilma is gone in no time, while on a multi-lane road I just don't make it to the end in traffic light time. In defense: there was an older couple on the bike in front of me. Ok, I need more practice.

Even hills and false flat are nice to take. Actually, that's also very similar to how I normally do it while skiing. Short powerful passes up and stay well forward. The latter is also recommended during normal riding for better stability.

After driving for a while, I really enjoy it. The hands are no longer cramped at the wheel, the drunkenness is gone and I dare more and more. The ankles don't hurt significantly during the ride, which is a relief. Coming back is a disappointment, but despite the injury I was able to train about 5 to 6 kilometers. And actually this is just a very nice way of moving next to running, whether you have an injury or not. Much more fun than cycling, because you use your whole body. And more important: you don't get saddle pain :$

The morning after the training I still don't suffer from the ankles (at least not more than before). Next week I will also see what the physiotherapist says about it.