Me, cycling and Parkinson's

Me, cycling and Parkinsons

About a year ago, seeing the Internet discussions on the benefits of cycling for  people with Parkinson's, I bought one of these tricycles after seeing it on eBay and thinking it looked like a cheap, fun introduction to cycling -

It's called a Cyco cycle, and in addition to no handlebars, has no brakes, which makes slopes interesting, though you can brake to some extent  by pedalling slowly.  I loved it so much the first one wore out in 4 months and /I had to buy another (they're made in the USA so the shipping was a bit dear.
I get stopped by tourists as a local attraction, and chased by small dogs. so much fun I'm afraid they'll make it illegal !   Just a pity the supermarket won't let me go round the aisles on it.


My brother, who often tries to persuade me to be more "grown up" (he works in senior management and I think he sometimes brings his professional manner home with him)  is rather embarrassed by my choice of transport, which he calls a "psycho",  and has been pressing me to get a "proper" tricycle - my balance isn't good enough for two wheels, tried that, fell off outside the pub and couldn't persuade onlookers I was sober.

Anyway, I saw this trike on ebay  and bought it for £80 .

It's been in a barn in Dorking for a while (had something very rural stuck to to the pedals), is a bit worn as to the tyres, but goes OK and I can tie a zimmer frame to the back, which is useful for those wobbly moments.

What puzzles me is, how is it that when Parkinson's plays up and I can't walk, if I can reach a trike and get on, I can pedal just fine ?

The other day, I was out for a ride when I stopped for a break.  Twenty minutes later I stood up and was so rigid neither leg would move a step.  At the third try, I managed to lever myself onto the saddle - and promptly pedalled home without difficulty - though of course falling over as soon as dismounted.  How's that tie in with dopamine levels ?

I'll be interested to see if the stories about cycling relieving Parkinson's symptoms are true; it's only been a couple of weeks since I got the big trike and before that wasn't spending enough time at it to make a difference.  My afternoon "off" periods are sometimes shorter at the moment, but that could be a random change....... TBC