Question:

Kim – I watched my salt in take and drank about 2 liters of water a day at least! I stayed away from coffee and anything that retains water. I only gained 8 pounds while on Prednisone. I am losing my moon face as my level of prednisone decreases. The last time I was on it, I stopped Pred completely the end of Sept. and by end of Nov. my face was totally normal again I noticed I gained more in my legs this time than last time and have become a walking and exercise bike freak!!! I walk a mile a day and ride the excerise bike for about 30 minutes a day. Walking and swimming are actually the best things you can do to stay healthy and try to maintain your weight as best as possible. Holly

Response:

Yes.  Although I also gained fat around my middle during my pred time, and this did not magically disappear with the moon face.  Through exercise and trying to eat healthy, I’ve been very slowly trimming that down. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Once you get puffy does it ever go away once you stop taking the pred? > —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– > http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! > —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

yes, it does eventually go away… but mine took a long time.  Good luck – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Once you get puffy does it ever go away once you stop taking the pred?

Response:

Kimmer, Once I finally got off of pred I suddenly got over the never ending case of the munchies.  My doctor warned me about gaining too much weight while on pred, but for me I started gaining weight after I was off of it.  From what I’ve heard though, my case is an exception ( the part about gaining weight, not the munchies part). Dwight – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Once you get puffy does it ever go away once you stop taking the pred? > —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– > http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! > —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

Once you get puffy does it ever go away once you stop taking the pred? —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

Question:

All those people on treadmills, exercise bikes, etc., why aren’t they creating electric power while they’re at it?

Response:

>All those people on treadmills, exercise bikes, etc., why aren’t they >creating electric power while they’re at it?

The minimal amount they’d generate is hardly worth it, commercially. The output would be quite uneven and it would not be the simplest thing to give people the instant choice of resistance they want for exercise and then make that output useful in the power grid.  At least, that’s my excuse. I have heard of frugal and/or alternative life folks who would rig up something like that to watch their TV, but it seems more a value judgement on TV and requiring themselves to do a penence to indulge. Maybe if you really believe in the idea and dismiss my doubts, then you could launch such a product and prove me wrong. regards. -v.

Response:

>>All those people on treadmills, exercise bikes, etc., why aren’t they >creating electric power while they’re at it? >The minimal amount they’d generate is hardly worth it, commercially. >The output would be quite uneven and it would not be the simplest >thing to give people the instant choice of resistance they want for >exercise and then make that output useful in the power grid.  At >least, that’s my excuse. >I have heard of frugal and/or alternative life folks who would rig up >something like that to watch their TV, but it seems more a value >judgement on TV and requiring themselves to do a penence to indulge. >Maybe if you really believe in the idea and dismiss my doubts, then >you could launch such a product and prove me wrong.

If one were really interested in saving money and engergy the best way to go would be, if it is possible, to junk the exercise bike and bike or walk to work instead. Again, if that is feasible (and it clearly is not for many, though probably fewer than think so), it would actually result in the (indirect mostly) production of useful energy. If it allowed one to get rid of the or a car then you would be talking about significant savings of both money and energy. But as was pointed out, unless one were off of the power grid and used the exercise bike to rechange the batteries to run your TV or radio (there are bicycle generators and with some tinkering they can be used to recharge batteries, with a lot of tinkering they could be made to put all of their useful output into electicity), producing power this way is really just an interesting science project which probably uses more energy in getting and putting the system together than it will ever produce. Robert M. Lewis Curiouser and curiouser!

Response:

Aren’t treadmills *powered* by electric motors?  The "user" just walks on, but doesn’t move, the thread. Therefore, I don’t see how these treadmills can generate electric power; at least not more than they consume. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > All those people on treadmills, exercise bikes, etc., why aren’t they > creating electric power while they’re at it?

Response:

no….they make manually powered treadmills.  (your feet actually move the belt). > Aren’t treadmills *powered* by electric motors?  The "user" > just walks on, but doesn’t move, the thread. > Therefore, I don’t see how these treadmills can generate > electric power; at least not more than they consume. > All those people on treadmills, exercise bikes, etc., why aren’t they > creating electric power while they’re at it?

–

Response:

No, I meant why aren’t all those people in the exercise rooms creating electricity instead of consuming it? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>All those people on treadmills, exercise bikes, etc., why aren’t they >>creating electric power while they’re at it? >The minimal amount they’d generate is hardly worth it, commercially. >The output would be quite uneven and it would not be the simplest >thing to give people the instant choice of resistance they want for >exercise and then make that output useful in the power grid.  At >least, that’s my excuse. >I have heard of frugal and/or alternative life folks who would rig up >something like that to watch their TV, but it seems more a value >judgement on TV and requiring themselves to do a penence to indulge. >Maybe if you really believe in the idea and dismiss my doubts, then >you could launch such a product and prove me wrong. > If one were really interested in saving money and engergy the best way > to go would be, if it is possible, to junk the exercise bike and bike or > walk to work instead. Again, if that is feasible (and it clearly is not > for many, though probably fewer than think so), it would actually result > in the (indirect mostly) production of useful energy. If it allowed one > to get rid of the or a car then you would be talking about significant > savings of both money and energy. > But as was pointed out, unless one were off of the power grid and used > the exercise bike to rechange the batteries to run your TV or radio > (there are bicycle generators and with some tinkering they can be used > to recharge batteries, with a lot of tinkering they could be made to put > all of their useful output into electicity), producing power this way is > really just an interesting science project which probably uses more > energy in getting and putting the system together than it will ever > produce. > Robert M. Lewis > Curiouser and curiouser!

Response:

Yeah, why aren’t the walkers powering the treadmills? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Aren’t treadmills *powered* by electric motors?  The "user" > just walks on, but doesn’t move, the thread. > Therefore, I don’t see how these treadmills can generate > electric power; at least not more than they consume. > All those people on treadmills, exercise bikes, etc., why aren’t they > creating electric power while they’re at it?

Response:

> Yeah, why aren’t the walkers powering the treadmills?

Because the treadmills are trying to simulate normal running (albeit) in place.  While there are non motorized treadmills, the gait you need to propell one is different than running on the ground or on a motorized unit. Now the computerized exercise bikes in the Gym were powered by the pedals…

Response:

Build a big hampster wheel, put a flywheel on the hub (to stabilize the momentum), and run a belt off it to power the generator. It may take a lot of oomph to get it spinning, but you’ll get power. :^) aem sends…

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Yeah, why aren’t the walkers powering the treadmills? > Aren’t treadmills *powered* by electric motors?  The "user" > just walks on, but doesn’t move, the thread. > Therefore, I don’t see how these treadmills can generate > electric power; at least not more than they consume. > > All those people on treadmills, exercise bikes, etc., why aren’t they > > creating electric power while they’re at it?

Response:

There was an article a while ago about some parents who put a car alternator onto a stationary exercise bike, and then connected up their only TV to that alternator. The kids had to take turns pedaling the bike in order to be able to watch TV.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Now the computerized exercise bikes in the Gym were powered by the pedals…

Response:

You won’t get much power.  Most of the power is expended just keeping the wheel moving.  If you start to take energy out of the wheel with a generator it acts like a brake and will slow the wheel down.  Same principal is used in electric cars.  Instead of using a brake they use the motor as a generator to slow the car and recharge the battery at the same time.  Thereby recovering a little of the energy that would be lost by a brake. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Build a big hampster wheel, put a flywheel on the hub (to stabilize the > momentum), and run a belt off it to power the generator. It may take a lot > of oomph to get it spinning, but you’ll get power. > :^) > aem sends… > Yeah, why aren’t the walkers powering the treadmills? > > Aren’t treadmills *powered* by electric motors?  The "user" > > just walks on, but doesn’t move, the thread. > > Therefore, I don’t see how these treadmills can generate > > electric power; at least not more than they consume. > > > All those people on treadmills, exercise bikes, etc., why aren’t they > > > creating electric power while they’re at it?

Response:

> There was an article a while ago about some parents who put > a car alternator onto a stationary exercise bike, and then > connected up their only TV to that alternator. > The kids had to take turns pedaling the bike in order to > be able to watch TV. > > Now the computerized exercise bikes in the Gym were powered by the pedals…

That is great.  Where can I get one! Pat

Response:

They are heating the house. Is that good enough? Bob

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> All those people on treadmills, exercise bikes, etc., why aren’t they > creating electric power while they’re at it?

Response:

Question:

No I haven’t. But I did use Tabasco sauce. The smell was enough to deter her. > Have you tried any of the citrus products > that repel cats? > My Calico did the same thing at that age. You should see the seat on the > exercise bike. Chewed to shreds!  LOL  She grew out of it and I’m sure yours > will too. > Judy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > We have had many cats but none with this problem.  We have a year old > > female calico that loves chewing on furniture.  Books and wood corners > > seem to be her favorite targets.  Would appreciate any advice you may > > have to break our cat of this behaviour.  Thanks in advance.

Response:

We have had many cats but none with this problem.  We have a year old female calico that loves chewing on furniture.  Books and wood corners seem to be her favorite targets.  Would appreciate any advice you may have to break our cat of this behaviour.  Thanks in advance.

Response:

Have you tried any of the citrus products that repel cats? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My Calico did the same thing at that age. You should see the seat on the > exercise bike. Chewed to shreds!  LOL  She grew out of it and I’m sure yours > will too. > Judy > We have had many cats but none with this problem.  We have a year old > female calico that loves chewing on furniture.  Books and wood corners > seem to be her favorite targets.  Would appreciate any advice you may > have to break our cat of this behaviour.  Thanks in advance.

Response:

My Calico did the same thing at that age. You should see the seat on the exercise bike. Chewed to shreds!  LOL  She grew out of it and I’m sure yours will too. Judy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > We have had many cats but none with this problem.  We have a year old > female calico that loves chewing on furniture.  Books and wood corners > seem to be her favorite targets.  Would appreciate any advice you may > have to break our cat of this behaviour.  Thanks in advance.

Response:

No I haven’t. But I did use Tabasco sauce. The smell was enough to deter her. > Have you tried any of the citrus products > that repel cats? > My Calico did the same thing at that age. You should see the seat on the > exercise bike. Chewed to shreds!  LOL  She grew out of it and I’m sure yours > will too. > Judy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > We have had many cats but none with this problem.  We have a year old > > female calico that loves chewing on furniture.  Books and wood corners > > seem to be her favorite targets.  Would appreciate any advice you may > > have to break our cat of this behaviour.  Thanks in advance.

Response:

We have had many cats but none with this problem.  We have a year old female calico that loves chewing on furniture.  Books and wood corners seem to be her favorite targets.  Would appreciate any advice you may have to break our cat of this behaviour.  Thanks in advance.

Response:

Have you tried any of the citrus products that repel cats? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My Calico did the same thing at that age. You should see the seat on the > exercise bike. Chewed to shreds!  LOL  She grew out of it and I’m sure yours > will too. > Judy > We have had many cats but none with this problem.  We have a year old > female calico that loves chewing on furniture.  Books and wood corners > seem to be her favorite targets.  Would appreciate any advice you may > have to break our cat of this behaviour.  Thanks in advance.

Response:

My Calico did the same thing at that age. You should see the seat on the exercise bike. Chewed to shreds!  LOL  She grew out of it and I’m sure yours will too. Judy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > We have had many cats but none with this problem.  We have a year old > female calico that loves chewing on furniture.  Books and wood corners > seem to be her favorite targets.  Would appreciate any advice you may > have to break our cat of this behaviour.  Thanks in advance.

Response:

No I haven’t. But I did use Tabasco sauce. The smell was enough to deter her. > Have you tried any of the citrus products > that repel cats? > My Calico did the same thing at that age. You should see the seat on the > exercise bike. Chewed to shreds!  LOL  She grew out of it and I’m sure yours > will too. > Judy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > We have had many cats but none with this problem.  We have a year old > > female calico that loves chewing on furniture.  Books and wood corners > > seem to be her favorite targets.  Would appreciate any advice you may > > have to break our cat of this behaviour.  Thanks in advance.

Response:

We have had many cats but none with this problem.  We have a year old female calico that loves chewing on furniture.  Books and wood corners seem to be her favorite targets.  Would appreciate any advice you may have to break our cat of this behaviour.  Thanks in advance.

Response:

Have you tried any of the citrus products that repel cats? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My Calico did the same thing at that age. You should see the seat on the > exercise bike. Chewed to shreds!  LOL  She grew out of it and I’m sure yours > will too. > Judy > We have had many cats but none with this problem.  We have a year old > female calico that loves chewing on furniture.  Books and wood corners > seem to be her favorite targets.  Would appreciate any advice you may > have to break our cat of this behaviour.  Thanks in advance.

Response:

My Calico did the same thing at that age. You should see the seat on the exercise bike. Chewed to shreds!  LOL  She grew out of it and I’m sure yours will too. Judy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > We have had many cats but none with this problem.  We have a year old > female calico that loves chewing on furniture.  Books and wood corners > seem to be her favorite targets.  Would appreciate any advice you may > have to break our cat of this behaviour.  Thanks in advance.

Response:

Question:

The reason for erectile dysfunction is due to the bicycle seat actually crushing nerves, veins, arteries, ligaments… So – yes – bike riding will hurt you in many ways – even if ED is not a worry for you. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > richard, not knowing what meds you are on, i remind you… i was looking for > some serious comments, please! > as for the *ed*, i can say that is the very least of my concerns! > <g> > ps  there is a joke here somewhere concerning calcification and *bone > growth*, but i still have a couple of ounces of dignity left! > Z, >     How could self-inflicted torture not cause damage. > It is already a major cause of erectile dysfunction in > frequent riders. > Peace, Richard > > need some help from my elders in the hurting back, spine, neuropathics, > > etc; > > please do not laugh me off this ng! > > does bicycle riding make your pain worse? > > reason i ask is that i have tried bike riding for exercise and now my > > back pain is worse than it has been in many months!  am i hurting > > myself, any experiences in this area out there? > > will ask the ortho at my appt coming thursday, also; > > z > > <+>< > > .

Response:

need some help from my elders in the hurting back, spine, neuropathics, etc; please do not laugh me off this ng! does bicycle riding make your pain worse? reason i ask is that i have tried bike riding for exercise and now my back pain is worse than it has been in many months!  am i hurting myself, any experiences in this area out there? will ask the ortho at my appt coming thursday, also; z <+>< .

Response:

richard, not knowing what meds you are on, i remind you… i was looking for some serious comments, please! as for the *ed*, i can say that is the very least of my concerns! <g> ps  there is a joke here somewhere concerning calcification and *bone growth*, but i still have a couple of ounces of dignity left! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Z, >     How could self-inflicted torture not cause damage. > It is already a major cause of erectile dysfunction in > frequent riders. > Peace, Richard > need some help from my elders in the hurting back, spine, neuropathics, > etc; > please do not laugh me off this ng! > does bicycle riding make your pain worse? > reason i ask is that i have tried bike riding for exercise and now my > back pain is worse than it has been in many months!  am i hurting > myself, any experiences in this area out there? > will ask the ortho at my appt coming thursday, also; > z > <+>< > .

Response:

Z,     How could self-inflicted torture not cause damage. It is already a major cause of erectile dysfunction in frequent riders. Peace, Richard

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> need some help from my elders in the hurting back, spine, neuropathics, > etc; > please do not laugh me off this ng! > does bicycle riding make your pain worse? > reason i ask is that i have tried bike riding for exercise and now my > back pain is worse than it has been in many months!  am i hurting > myself, any experiences in this area out there? > will ask the ortho at my appt coming thursday, also; > z > <+>< > .

Response:

z,      happy you are in working order, but it was a serious comment. your reminders are not needed.the question was the ridiculous aspect. how can it not cause additional damage. if it is causing crushed tissue and blood vessels is that good        go spray your back. p.s.-hit the shift key for capital letters

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> richard, not knowing what meds you are on, i remind you… i was looking for > some serious comments, please! > as for the *ed*, i can say that is the very least of my concerns! > <g> > ps  there is a joke here somewhere concerning calcification and *bone > growth*, but i still have a couple of ounces of dignity left! > Z, >     How could self-inflicted torture not cause damage. > It is already a major cause of erectile dysfunction in > frequent riders. > Peace, Richard > > need some help from my elders in the hurting back, spine, neuropathics, > > etc; > > please do not laugh me off this ng! > > does bicycle riding make your pain worse? > > reason i ask is that i have tried bike riding for exercise and now my > > back pain is worse than it has been in many months!  am i hurting > > myself, any experiences in this area out there? > > will ask the ortho at my appt coming thursday, also; > > z > > <+>< > > .

Response:

right!  and people riding bicycle for hundreds of years around the world have proven this!  see how few chinese folks are having babies lately! <g> – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > The reason for erectile dysfunction is due to the bicycle seat actually > crushing nerves, veins, arteries, ligaments… > So – yes – bike riding will hurt you in many ways – even if ED is not a > worry for you. > richard, not knowing what meds you are on, i remind you… i was looking for > some serious comments, please! > as for the *ed*, i can say that is the very least of my concerns! > <g> > ps  there is a joke here somewhere concerning calcification and *bone > growth*, but i still have a couple of ounces of dignity left! > > Z, > >     How could self-inflicted torture not cause damage. > > It is already a major cause of erectile dysfunction in > > frequent riders. > > Peace, Richard > > > need some help from my elders in the hurting back, spine, neuropathics, > > > etc; > > > please do not laugh me off this ng! > > > does bicycle riding make your pain worse? > > > reason i ask is that i have tried bike riding for exercise and now my > > > back pain is worse than it has been in many months!  am i hurting > > > myself, any experiences in this area out there? > > > will ask the ortho at my appt coming thursday, also; > > > z > > > <+>< > > > .

Response:

richard, go to your room, i think i know a bit more about lower case throughput rate than most people! unless you have more than 36 years experience in high tech computer systems, i will consider your comments a layperson’s attempt at humor! <g> – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > z, >      happy you are in working order, but it was a serious comment. your > reminders are not needed.the question was the > ridiculous aspect. how can it not cause additional damage. > if it is causing crushed tissue and blood vessels is that good        go > spray your back. > p.s.-hit the shift key for capital letters > richard, not knowing what meds you are on, i remind you… i was looking > for > some serious comments, please! > as for the *ed*, i can say that is the very least of my concerns! > <g> > ps  there is a joke here somewhere concerning calcification and *bone > growth*, but i still have a couple of ounces of dignity left! > > Z, > >     How could self-inflicted torture not cause damage. > > It is already a major cause of erectile dysfunction in > > frequent riders. > > Peace, Richard > > > need some help from my elders in the hurting back, spine, > neuropathics, > > > etc; > > > please do not laugh me off this ng! > > > does bicycle riding make your pain worse? > > > reason i ask is that i have tried bike riding for exercise and now my > > > back pain is worse than it has been in many months!  am i hurting > > > myself, any experiences in this area out there? > > > will ask the ortho at my appt coming thursday, also; > > > z > > > <+>< > > > .

Response:

Jamez,      Your arrogance is staggering. Your pride in your own aptitude is mis-leading you. Your condescending style of making your point is close to phobic. Check the fish for any sign of Life, Jamez Richard

Response:

> richard, go to your room, i think i know a bit more about lower case throughput > rate than most people! > unless you have more than 36 years experience in high tech computer systems, i > will consider your comments a layperson’s attempt at humor! > <g>

I’ve got more (1962 when I started, contracting by 1964). I still use my shift key.

Response:

> right!  and people riding bicycle for hundreds of years around the world have proven > this!  see how few chinese folks are having babies lately!

Who’s talking about chinese folks? There’s a difference in bicycle seats. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> <g> > The reason for erectile dysfunction is due to the bicycle seat actually > crushing nerves, veins, arteries, ligaments… > So – yes – bike riding will hurt you in many ways – even if ED is not a > worry for you.

Response:

It is the design of the bicycle that is the problem. Perhaps you have noticed the Chinese sit straight up on a wide seat and are not wearing those ball squeezing shorts. Americans sit with a curved back on a pointed set and dress like Lance Armstrong. Since our style of riding promotes back problems how could it not hurt an injured back. I may not be a system engineer, but I do have a lik’ or two of common sense.

> right!  and people riding bicycle for hundreds of years around the world have proven > this!  see how few chinese folks are having babies lately! > <g> > The reason for erectile dysfunction is due to the bicycle seat actually > crushing nerves, veins, arteries, ligaments… > So – yes – bike riding will hurt you in many ways – even if ED is not a > worry for you.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > richard, not knowing what meds you are on, i remind you… i was looking for > > some serious comments, please! > > as for the *ed*, i can say that is the very least of my concerns! > > <g> > > ps  there is a joke here somewhere concerning calcification and *bone > > growth*, but i still have a couple of ounces of dignity left! > > > Z, > > >     How could self-inflicted torture not cause damage. > > > It is already a major cause of erectile dysfunction in > > > frequent riders. > > > Peace, Richard > > > > need some help from my elders in the hurting back, spine, neuropathics, > > > > etc; > > > > please do not laugh me off this ng! > > > > does bicycle riding make your pain worse? > > > > reason i ask is that i have tried bike riding for exercise and now my > > > > back pain is worse than it has been in many months!  am i hurting > > > > myself, any experiences in this area out there? > > > > will ask the ortho at my appt coming thursday, also; > > > > z > > > > <+>< > > > > .

Response:

amazingly, when i originally asked a question about bike riding relating to spinal problems, both alec somebody and richard somebody go off on the deep end; of course, neither one of them answered the original question; this is what is such a joke about ngs: 95% of the posts and responses are a bunch of stuff, but one has to sort through the *stuff* in the hopes of finding an actual answer that relates to the question! as far as i can tell, my spinal column and the painful issues therein are in no way connected to these guys and their penchant for discussing male genitalia, etc; if you all are so sick today that all you can do is hassle someone who asked a specific question in good faith, then i forgive you;  if you all are creating a long running history of being jerks towards folks in need, then i leave you all in God’s hands! i can see, as i have before, why people in need come and go with attitudes after being jerked around by people like this! for those few of you who are decent and mature in your posts and responses, know how very special you are!  i really appreciate you! z <+>< .

Response:

   All of my Lumbar are in bad shape and getting worse due to DDD.  I have modified a bike so that I may get some form of exercise.  First I replaced the seat with a shock absorbing, wide seat.  The handlebars were replaced with a moto-cross type so that I may sit fully upright. I then added a block of wood to the left peddle because the full extension of the left leg causes terrible pain.  I wear my corset style back brace for support and use the lower gears of the bike so their is little effort to make the bike move.  I avoid bumps and hills. The most difficult part is getting on and off the bike.  I don’t ride the bike daily sometimes it is weeks between rides but I try.  The most recent MRI did not indicate any further damage to my spine due to riding.  It is the only thing left that I can due periodically with my children in the physical sense.  I believe alittle ride around the block with my kids is worth the additional pain. I have a pill for that but don’t have a pill that makes a bond between my children and myself. Sincerely Rob Hartley

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Jamez, >      Your arrogance is staggering. Your pride in your own > aptitude is mis-leading you. Your condescending style of > making your point is close to phobic. Check the fish for any > sign of Life, Jamez > Richard

Response:

this is the kind of response that i really, really appreciate! thanks! z <+>< . – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >    All of my Lumbar are in bad shape and getting worse due to DDD.  I have > modified a bike so that I may get some form of exercise.  First I replaced > the seat with a shock absorbing, wide seat.  The handlebars were replaced > with a moto-cross type so that I may sit fully upright. I then added a block > of wood to the left peddle because the full extension of the left leg causes > terrible pain.  I wear my corset style back brace for support and use the > lower gears of the bike so their is little effort to make the bike move.  I > avoid bumps and hills. The most difficult part is getting on and off the > bike.  I don’t ride the bike daily sometimes it is weeks between rides but I > try.  The most recent MRI did not indicate any further damage to my spine > due to riding.  It is the only thing left that I can due periodically with > my children in the physical sense.  I believe alittle ride around the block > with my kids is worth the additional pain. I have a pill for that but don’t > have a pill that makes a bond between my children and myself. > Sincerely Rob Hartley > Jamez, >      Your arrogance is staggering. Your pride in your own > aptitude is mis-leading you. Your condescending style of > making your point is close to phobic. Check the fish for any > sign of Life, Jamez > Richard

Response:

{totally inconsequential whine deleted] Ayup! Nothing left. The query asked was correctly answered. Your whine was noted.

Response:

need some help from my elders in the hurting back, spine, neuropathics, etc; please do not laugh me off this ng! does bicycle riding make your pain worse?      <<snip>> ~~~    After many years of loving bike-riding I stopped when my OA & DDD was bothering me "too much".     Then a couple years later an OB-Gyn doc convinced me (in error) to use an exercise bike starting 4 weeks after a big abdominal surgery.  It was too soon after surgery … and my 2 worst lumbar discs herniated. I remember throwing bricks at the bike ~~ I was really angry!     But knowing what I know now … it may have been a really good thing to keep my legs stronger longer …. if I hadn’t rushed it & if I would have adjusted the right pedal for my shorter right leg.  It would have been great because of the low/no impact & the enjoyment I could have still had riding a regular bike outdoors in good weather.     I switched to walking after the discs settled down months later but the impact of just walking really did limit me as the DDD & OA progressed.     If I had it to do over I’d go to a Sports Medicine doc or Physiatrist to get an eval & recommendations before starting biking;  I really think they would have been able to work out a biking program for me … and something that I would have enjoyed, too. Good luck!   weezie I wish I wuz a glow worm A glow worm’s never glum. ‘Cuz how can you be grumpy When the sun shines out your bum?

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I was curious about this too. I just had a diskectomy, and miss bicycles….I was in the 101st Airborne and want to jump again – but a car can pull in front of you, and you can hit a rock, etc. I’m WALKING from now on – it’s not worth the risk!

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alec seems to lie more than permissable, the postings reflect that the original question had to do with bike riding and the effects on spinal issues… alec and richard both went off on the issues of *impotence* and others, never did answer the question, as two or three others did! apparently, alec is trying desparately to cover his tracks in order to make his/her self look better… alec, you and richard deserve one another; many thanks to the others on this ng who have been so helpful and supportive! the few good people here outweight the efforts of alec and richard to stir up trouble! z <+>< . – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > {totally inconsequential whine deleted] > Ayup! Nothing left. > The query asked was correctly answered. > Your whine was noted.

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> [The usual troll stuff deleted]

the few good people here outweigh the efforts of zada::zada to stir up trouble! The query asked was correctly answered.

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apparently alec cannot stand the fact that he has once again been exposed! thanks for the good folks here who are responsive to people’s needs, without concern for themselves! alec is another story!  what in the world his *impotence* fascination has to do with spinal issues, we may never know!  (or even care!) well, God bless alec whether he deserves it or not! we all need an extra does of Grace! z <+>< . ps it sure is hilarious that when one exposes the self-centered messages left by persons such as alec, then we are called *trolls*; how weirdly funny can you ever get!!!! no one ever asked about *impotence* issues, alec, you are in the wrong ng! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> [The usual troll stuff deleted] > the few good people here outweigh the efforts of zada::zada to stir up > trouble! > The query asked was correctly answered.

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just in case we all do not understand… if one does not know an answer regarding a question, a simple *i do not know* goes a long way… and, when one of us does something against another, a simple * i am sorry* goes the distance… a couple of phrases that alec has apparently decided never to use here! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > apparently alec cannot stand the fact that he has once again been exposed! > thanks for the good folks here who are responsive to people’s needs, > without concern for themselves! > alec is another story!  what in the world his *impotence* fascination has > to do with spinal issues, > we may never know!  (or even care!) > well, God bless alec whether he deserves it or not! > we all need an extra does of Grace! > z > <+>< > . > ps it sure is hilarious that when one exposes the self-centered messages > left by persons such as alec, then we are called *trolls*; how weirdly > funny can you ever get!!!! > no one ever asked about *impotence* issues, alec, you are in the wrong ng! > > [The usual troll stuff deleted] > the few good people here outweigh the efforts of zada::zada to stir up > trouble! > The query asked was correctly answered.

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>> the few good people here outweigh the efforts of zada::zada to stir

up trouble! << I fail to see this Alec. Can you point out where this zada person has acted as a troll or disrupter? I just don’t see it. On the other hand, I am aware from past messages that you apparently have some form of problem involving testosterone, but mention of sex or sexual dysfunction creeps into nearly half the messages you post. Even when the subject has nothing to do with sex, and broaching the subject of sex is clearly inappropriate. Seems to me this is in part one of zada’s points. !^NavFont02F01D30007RGHHHD48816 !N3

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I will have to agree, Zada has not caused any disturbance, – just wanted some "SUPPORT". Even the best can have a bad day, it’s not a crime to screw-up now and then.  Be honest with yourself and admit it, no big deal. The attempt to try and weasel out of a mistake takes more energy than to just admit your human.  Welcome home. Rob H

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> the few good people here outweigh the efforts of zada::zada to stir > up trouble! << > I fail to see this Alec. Can you point out where this zada person has > acted as a troll or disrupter? I just don’t see it. On the other hand, I > am aware from past messages that you apparently have some form of > problem involving testosterone, but mention of sex or sexual dysfunction > creeps into nearly half the messages you post. Even when the subject has > nothing to do with sex, and broaching the subject of sex is clearly > inappropriate. Seems to me this is in part one of zada’s points. > !^NavFont02F01D30007RGHHHD48816 > !N3

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Lord, for people like ronaldph!   now i know it was weird for alec and richard to focus on *impotence* when i asked a question re: bikes and spinal issues! thanks ronaldph, for affirming!!! that is called support! z <+>< . – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> the few good people here outweigh the efforts of zada::zada to stir > up trouble! << > I fail to see this Alec. Can you point out where this zada person has > acted as a troll or disrupter? I just don’t see it. On the other hand, I > am aware from past messages that you apparently have some form of > problem involving testosterone, but mention of sex or sexual dysfunction > creeps into nearly half the messages you post. Even when the subject has > nothing to do with sex, and broaching the subject of sex is clearly > inappropriate. Seems to me this is in part one of zada’s points. > !^NavFont02F01D30007RGHHHD48816 > !N3

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thanks rob, alec is in denial about his/her problems!  at least we can offer support whether he/she will accept the gift or not! everyone, think good things about alec today!!! z <+>< . ps  once in awhile, you will find at least one person on a ng that acts like alec, and generally, many people see through the fog to identify someone who is really down on themself and seeks a lot of attention…. sort of like the *bad* kid in school that needs that love he does not get at home! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I will have to agree, Zada has not caused any disturbance, – just wanted > some "SUPPORT". Even the best can have a bad day, it’s not a crime to > screw-up now and then.  Be honest with yourself and admit it, no big deal. > The attempt to try and weasel out of a mistake takes more energy than to > just admit your human.  Welcome home. > Rob H > >> the few good people here outweigh the efforts of zada::zada to stir > up trouble! << > I fail to see this Alec. Can you point out where this zada person has > acted as a troll or disrupter? I just don’t see it. On the other hand, I > am aware from past messages that you apparently have some form of > problem involving testosterone, but mention of sex or sexual dysfunction > creeps into nearly half the messages you post. Even when the subject has > nothing to do with sex, and broaching the subject of sex is clearly > inappropriate. Seems to me this is in part one of zada’s points. > !^NavFont02F01D30007RGHHHD48816 > !N3

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Question:

I want to use my exercise bike to generate electricity while I ride it.  Is this possible? If so, can I buy a kit or book somewhere which will either let me "plug’n'play", or build it myself? Thanks in advance, Don — Don Harrold IMPORTANT: To reply, remove the ?s from my email address!

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>I want to use my exercise bike to generate >electricity while I ride it.  Is this possible? >If so, can I buy a kit or book somewhere which >will either let me "plug’n'play", or build it >myself?

There was an article about 6-9 months back in HomePower Mag "Goodbye" said the fox to the Little Prince. "And now here is my secret,  a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can rightly see,  what is essential is invisible to the eye" jim bilderback — please remove the * if you’d care to email.

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> I want to use my exercise bike to generate > electricity while I ride it.  Is this possible? > If so, can I buy a kit or book somewhere which > will either let me "plug’n'play", or build it > myself?

go to <http://www.teleport.com/~qmyers/bikegen.html> for the best info; you will have to build it yourseld but it’s not hard — Free men own guns – slaves don’t   Committees of Correspondence web page: <http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5357/>

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>go to <http://…> for the best info; you >will have to build it yourseld but it’s not hard

That’s a dead URL, Nick.  Got another?

Response:

Bicycle generators work fine, the output is low, use two with a bridge rectifier and you can charge a car battery at about 1 amp

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> Bicycle generators work fine, the output is low, use two with a bridge > rectifier and you can charge a car battery at about 1 amp

Alternately, you may be able to find enough dissimilar metals to build an electrochemical cell — though I doubt that was what was intended by the original poster… (Hey, he _did_ want to "turn my bike into electricity" –someone has to take him literally -Tom the Melaniephile

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> > Bicycle generators work fine, the output is low, use two with a bridge > rectifier and you can charge a car battery at about 1 amp > Alternately, you may be able to find enough dissimilar > metals to build an electrochemical cell — though I > doubt that was what was intended by the original poster… > (Hey, he _did_ want to "turn my bike into electricity" > –someone has to take him literally

I was thinking about some kind of antimatter annihilation. But that wouldn’t need to be a bike. It could just as well be a rock or a glass of lemonade. I was wondering, in response to the other response: why is the bridge rectifier? Do they produce an alternating current? My knowledge of basic electricity has some dangerous holes in it. — David http://www.wcta.net/buchner Osage, MN, USA

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For fun (plus it gave me a free membership to the gym) I used to help out the owner of a local Gold’s Gym by working on broken equipment. Know what they use inside Stairmasters/Gauntlets  ?  Automobile alternators!  The pedals/stairs are linked to a small transmission through a one way clutch.  The output to the alternator via a toothed belt. The power generated is dumped into a high wattage power resistor that is bolted to the equipment chassis for heat dissipation. There’s a source of untapped power! Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I was thinking about some kind of antimatter annihilation. But that >wouldn’t need to be a bike. It could just as well be a rock or a glass of >lemonade.

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Seems like once in my foggy past, some fellow engineers and I were speculating the humorous possibilities of a Daycare center equipped with treadmills with generators.  In essence, we were turning caffeine and sugar into electricity.  I always wondered if someone had ever tried it…

Response:

>I was wondering, in response to the other response: why is the bridge >rectifier? Do they produce an alternating current? My knowledge of basic >electricity has some dangerous holes in it.

A bridge rectifier is  a configuration of 4 diodes that converts ac on to pulsating dc.  In other words instead of only allowing half of the ac cycle to pass (half-wave rectiication) which is very inefficient, the half of the ac wave that is normally blocked by a single diode is re-routed in the other direction.   __         __ /          /                                                __   __    __                              __            __         _/                   is changed to         /     /      /         instead of       /             /       hope this helps.

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> A bridge rectifier is  a configuration of 4 diodes……<snip> > hope this helps.

No, not really. The original post suggested that a bridge rectifier would be added to several bike generators (all attached to the same bike) in order to charge a battery. I was wondering why it would be needed, not what it is? >I was wondering, in response to the other response: why is the bridge >rectifier? Do they produce an alternating current?

[that is, the bike generators?] — David http://www.wcta.net/buchner Osage, MN, USA

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Question:

Please help us, the end of the world is nigh – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >For $58 you may compete against many friends on TRUE video circuits with >your simple bike, or an exercise bike. >Put only your own bike on any nag trainer, and get the TOP-TRAINER CDROM >Across Paris since Champs Elys

Question:

I have personally found that exercise makes my mania worse. Has anyone had a similar experience? dave

Response:

> I have personally found that exercise makes my mania worse. Has anyone > had a similar experience? > dave

Yes. It’s been my experience that high-intensity exercise (sprinting, powerlifting, low-rep bodybuilding, etc.) triggers some kind of injury response in the body, releasing endorphins and increasing hormone levels which result in an elevation of mood. Low intensity exercise(powerwalking, low-impact aerobics, exercise bike, etc.) seems to have a calming effect. I don’t have any scientific evidence for this, it’s just my personal experience. Jim

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Unfortunately, on the way up low intensity isn’t really an option. Diann

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Question:

        I have played with various bike powered generators and found 50watts to be typical, of the power you can routinely get for any extended time. After about 1/2 hour you really know you have been doing some serious work but find it’s only enough to run your color TV for 15 minutes. You also start to consider the $300+ price tag for a 50watt PV panel as a more reasonable investment of your efforts. I’m still hoping to get a Schwin Exercise bike that I can hook up for a demonstrator but the $600 price tag on a new model has me looking for a used one.         For lights you could probably produce enough power to run a couple of compact flourescents. On the computer, unless you have a LCD display, forget it. The monitor normaly puts them above the 100watt range. While a car alternator or generator could be used, part of your work is being diverted to maintain the magnetic field. Permanate magnet motors make a better choice. I have heard about the book from New Zealand about building your own alternator/generator but the $65 price tag and lack of access to a machine shop have discouraged me so far. — University of New Mexico in Albuquerque New Mexico, 2701 Campus Blvd NE 87131-6046 USA     Phone: 505-277-8235

Response:

Interesting that 50 watts is indeed not much for continued bike electric generation. I had read articles about champion cyclists clocked for those human powered land (and air) records at generating something like half a horsepower or so (about 350 Watts) but probably not for long!! As for setting up a home generating system for small appliances using pedal power…. the old radio shack computer I am using right now is hooked up to a black and white tv (12 inch) which is only 35 watts rated…so I could do it I suppose. though watch out for power surges…. I have always wanted to set up a scenario-punishment for the real tv-couch-potato-hopeless addict: they MUST pedal at a certain minimum rate or the tv in front of them will simply NOT turn on…. cheers David Smith —

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>Interesting that 50 watts is indeed not much for continued >bike electric generation. I had read articles about champion >cyclists clocked for those human powered land (and air) >records at generating something like half a horsepower or >so (about 350 Watts) but probably not for long!! >As for setting up a home generating system for small >appliances using pedal power…. >the old radio shack computer I am using right now is

Anyone care to calculate the amount of power that could be generated by a certain fraction of the prison population in the U.S.  We already pay for food and medical care plus recreation; merely substitute the recreation.   Cruel and unusual, maybe, you’d have to ask a constitutional law specialist. db

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It is estimated that Eddie (the cannibal) Merckz deliverd 450W average, in setting the hour cycling record 20 years ago. The record has since fallen many times, on better equipment, by cyclists delivering no more than 420-430W. Martin

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>It is estimated that Eddie (the cannibal) Merckz deliverd 450W >average, in setting the hour cycling record 20 years ago. The record >has since fallen many times, on better equipment, by cyclists >delivering no more than 420-430W.

That’s, of course, Watts mechanical, not Watts electrical. Taking into account mechanical losses, alternator losses (both in theory very small) and storage losses (more substantial), usable electrical output would be less. And few people indeed are super athletes such as Merchz. There’s also another consideration that people are overlooking. Where is the energy coming from that powers the human pedaler? It’s coming from increased food intake of course. Humans aren’t very efficient energy conversion machines, it takes about 850 Calories to generate 200 Whr mechanical. That’s about a one third increment in the average American’s daily food intake. Can you increase your food intake by a third for two cents, the grid cost of the power you’d generate with that extra food? And how much extra energy would be required to grow, harvest, process, ship, and deliver that food to your table? More than 200 Whr? I suspect so. Gary — Gary Coffman KE4ZV          |    You make it,     | gatech!wa4mei!ke4zv!gary Destructive Testing Systems |    we break it.     | uunet!rsiatl!ke4zv!gary 534 Shannon Way             |    Guaranteed!      | emory!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary Lawrenceville, GA 30244     |                     |

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->It is estimated that Eddie (the cannibal) Merckz deliverd 450W >average, in setting the hour cycling record 20 years ago. The record >has since fallen many times, on better equipment, by cyclists >delivering no more than 420-430W. >That’s, of course, Watts mechanical, not Watts electrical. Taking into >account mechanical losses, alternator losses (both in theory very small) >and storage losses (more substantial), usable electrical output would be >less. And few people indeed are super athletes such as Merchz. >There’s also another consideration that people are overlooking. Where >is the energy coming from that powers the human pedaler? It’s coming >from increased food intake of course. Humans aren’t very efficient >energy conversion machines, it takes about 850 Calories to generate >200 Whr mechanical. That’s about a one third increment in the average >American’s daily food intake. Can you increase your food intake by >a third for two cents, the grid cost of the power you’d generate with >that extra food? And how much extra energy would be required to grow, >harvest, process, ship, and deliver that food to your table? More than >200 Whr? I suspect so.

Well, at least the waste products are easy enough to handle. Heck, we already have the infrastructure in place! Bring on those prisoners! I wonder if Schwinn would offer volume discounts on Aerodynes. …Scott Barton

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