2 weeks ago, I got home from work and decided to go for a ride. I made it 2 miles and started my climb(1.4 mile hill) but didn't make it 100 feet. My head felt like it exploded, i turned around and went back to the main street. I made it about another 200 feet and had to stop because it hurt to much. Called my wife to pick me up and went home. the pain didnt stop so i called my doctor and went to the er. Had a CT scan and mri, mra, and a spinal tap. After 24 hrs in the hospital, they found nothing. a week later my doc gave my the ok to ride(slowly and not to far) but i just cant seem to get back on the bike. Thats what i need help with, how do i get back on? i was hesitant to ask this in here at first , but after reading some of the responses to some of the threads, i think some of you will understand and maybe help me out with some good advice. thx in advance

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If it doesn't hurt, you're not doing it right!!!!!!!!

is it that you dread getting on the bike because of the problem you had riding?
if so, then you need to tell yourself that you are going to do an easy mileage at an easy pace... you don't need to kill yourself while riding you know...

I sometimes have that problem to... I want to do max efforts to the point that I am so exhausted that I feel a bit ill... I'll sometimes take a week off and then give it an easy go and try to become comfortable going slower on the bike. usually, I start to feel better about being on it and start to want to do a bit more intensity.

This happened to me several years ago everytime a did a ride, intense headache and fever. I would have to spend an hour in a tub full of cold water. Turns out, I had mono and my spleen was about to burst. I would think, however, the er doctor wouldve thought to test for that...just a thought, I feel for you though.

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-Rockin'

Do you have access to a trainer or exercise bike? If I was in your position I would get on somthing stationary and just spin at low resistance. Nothing makes me want to hit the trail or road more than being on an excercise bike.

Do you have any friends that ride? I would get someone you feel comfortable around to just roll around the neighborhood with you.

When I was a freshmen in high school, football practice always freaked me out cause I knew I was going to get pounded by the older players. Before practice I would envision scenarios of myself going through practice and totally dominating the line. I would play the scenario over and over in my head, all the way through practice.

That approach might help.

Good luck.

Thanks for your posts. I am apprehensive to get back on the bike for fear of it (or something worst) happening again. i have 3 young children at home and if something worst happened,,,,,,,,,i don't know! Anyway, it scared the crap out of me. I'm off to the beach with the fam for a week, not bringing the bike, when i get back i am gonna give it a shot. I think once i actually get back on, it will be fine, it's just getting back on! Thanks again.

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If it doesn't hurt, you're not doing it right!!!!!!!!

Well i got back from vacation on saturday, and i did a 12mile loop w/moderate hills yesterday(monday), ave speed=14.53m/hr, 4.01min/mile,,,,,felt absolutely fantastic! I'm Back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for all of the advice everyone! Good Luck !

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If it doesn't hurt, you're not doing it right!!!!!!!!