Post RNY - biking to work?

I'm scheduled to have my RNY 3/29 and I start a new job a month later. My new job, in a new city, is about five flat miles from where I'll be staying initially (I'll stay with my sister until I find the right apt). If I'm comfortably biking five to ten miles per day prior to my surgery, how long should I expect to take to return to this level of activity?

The bike is a Schwinn style 7 speed (upright commuter style, not sexy cool hardcore messenger bike). I have a pretty good ability to withstand pain, and I'm going to give myself a lot of time - like over an hour to get there.

Wild @$$ guesses are greatly appreciated. I'm just looking for some opinions from folks who have been through this :)

I was cleared for all exercise after 4 weeks. Until then, I was told only walking and very light weights. Al lot of people are told nothing but walking for 6 weeks. Best to ask your surgeon.

Ask your surgeon. I was only allowed to walk for 6 weeks post-op. And with the stressss biking puts on your core, I'd say it's unlikely before that.

I'll do a couple of copy and paste that I wrote a few years back...Then add some more input.

For some of you who are ready...Yeah, I know you're not completely there weight wise...But Spring is here!! It's time to get out the bicycle!! Borrow one from friends, family, or neighbors. If you need help, find someone who can adjust the seat and handlebars for you. There are many bike paths in most areas. Also the local college may be a good time to ride on the weekends. Google maps even has bike paths located in your area. Get a good lock (that locks the frame and both wheels) if you are going to run errands.

I run errands on my bike more than anything. Many times I'll just do my loops around the neighborhood. Consider riding to work or school if it's not too far. I would do the bike and bus thing for a few years on good weather days. Below is a copy and paste about doing the bike and bus from my local bus system...Yours may vary.

So what do you say?? Are you ready to take the plunge...

Bike & Ride Program You pay your Fare.... Your Bike rides Free! Stanislaus Regional Transit allows bikes on all buses. It's easy and convenient, whether you're loading onto one of our new front loading bike racks or loading your bike inside the bus. You can download this information by clicking here - Bike & Ride Program PDF. Our racks are designed to keep your bike away from the bus and other bikes...and loading takes less than 20 seconds. So if you're on your way to work, school, or the bike trails, you and your bike will get there together in style! How to use Exterior Bike Racks Cyclists are responsible for loading, securing, and unloading their own bikes. If you have any questions, please ask the driver. Bike racks are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each rack accommodates two bikes of most sizes and styles. Loading Your Bike When the bus approaches and stops, have your bike ready to go. Let the driver know that you will be loading a bike and prepare to load your bike. Always load your bike from the curbside. If the bike rack is in the upright position, release it by pulling up on the lever and slowly lower the rack down. You only need to use one hand. There is no need to lean your bike against the bus. Lift your bike on to the rack and fit the wheels into the proper slots. Each wheel slot is clearly labeled for the front and rear tire. Raise the support arm off the rack and over the front tire. A spring will pull the arm down securely latching it to your bike. Board the bus and enjoy the ride. You pay only your regular fare....the bike rides free! Unloading Your Bike When the bus approaches the stop, tell the driver you'll be removing your bike. Unload your bike from the curbside. Do not step into the traffic lane. Raise the support arm off the tire. Lift your bike out of the wheel slots. Fold up the rack if there are no other bikes on the rack. Move away from the bus with your bike. General Rules & Requirements StaRT may at anytime alter the rules and conditions of the Bike and Ride Program. Current regulations may be obtained from the StaRT administrative offices. Cyclists are responsible for loading, securing and unloading their bikes in a safe and timely manner. No motorized bikes will be allowed. Bike trailers are not permitted on bike racks or inside the bus. Cyclists must secure their bikes in the bike racks. Securement arms are provided and must be used to hold the bike in place during travel. Bikes cannot be loaded onto external racks from dus****il dawn, because they impede bus headlight visibility. If the exterior rack is full, then additional bikes may be stored in the wheelchair designated seat area of the bus. Have your bike ready to go when the bus approaches. Allow other passengers to exit and enter before loading a bike. Ask the driver for a securement strap and position your bike into one of the wheelchair tie-down areas. Secure the bike frame with the securement strap. Cyclists must stay with their bikes and keep the aisle clear. When you arrive at your destination, return the securement strap to the driver. If safety issues arise, this convenience may be suspended. If the bus is full or the wheelchair tie-down areas are occupied and cannot accommodate bikes, please honor the driver's request and board the next available bus. If a bike is in a wheelchair space and a person who uses a wheelchair boards the bus, the owner of the bike will be requested to remove the bike. This may require the bike owner to get off the bus. Reservations are needed for bikes on Dial-A-Rides. When making a reservation for Dial-A-Ride, indicate that you will also have a bike. Responsibility Bike racks are provided as a convenience to bus riders. Stanislaus Regional Transit is not responsible for the theft or loss of bikes, or damages incurred or caused to bikes while on the transit system or at a bus stop, or during loading and unloading of the bike, or injury to the cyclist loading or unloading a bike. Cyclist will be responsible for any damages caused by the cyclist or bike while loading or unloading the bike, and if they fail to secure the bike on the rack or in the bus correctly. If a bike is in a wheelchair space and a person who uses a wheelchair boards the bus, the owner of the bike will be requested to remove the bike. This may require the bike owner to get off the bus. Remember to get your bike off the rack when you exit.

Just a reminder...You go to Google, then you click on maps on the upper right hand side. Type in your city or area. You'll find a drop down menu...Then just click on bicycling. It will show you in green where the bike paths and bike lanes are for that area.

If you have a problem with a bicycle, consider an adult tricycle. The other day I saw a woman who looked to be over 200 pounds riding a trike doing her errands (basket in the back). I was so proud of her and her effort...Not worrying what society might think. She did what she could, with what she had.

Sorry...Couldn't find my old post about biking to work. I'm retired now, but I'll try and share some of what I remember and some pitfalls with the bike to work. First assume that NO ONE in a car or motorcycle sees you!! Be extra defensive...If that means coming to a complete stop, then do so...to not get hit. After a year or two I found that using hand motions (when me and a car came to the same intersection at the same time) helped in getting through those issues. A hand motion for the car to go (a wave across your body) will allow you to keep peddling and not have to come to a complete stop. If you are coming up to walkers (walking the same way as you) just use the phrase "on your right or on your left". Or I would say "coming up on your right"...Just so they don't freak out and think they are getting mugged.

Again I did the bike and bus thing. It worked well. I got a 20 ride (one way) card for about $28. If there are bus routes, you can always go that route if the bike breaks down. Before I forget...Know where the public restrooms and water are located along your ride. I carried a backpack with me to work. Here are some of the things I kept in it; A clean towel (in case I crashed and needed to apply direct pressure), bandaids, a pen and paper, Imodium AD tablets/Tums...Nothing should happen, but I was prepared. Also things like a cell phone...with numbers of friends and family, a plastic bag filled with rye crackers or Cheerios (if you are nauseas) and mixed nuts, a small 3 oz water bottle in an outside pouch, a $5 bill, an old drivers license (in case my wallet got stolen), a windbreaker/light jacket, a pair of cotton socks (in case yours are wet or have moisture), have a good light for your bike...If you are running late and it gets dark. Also a good lock.

Some of this stuff you can keep at your work or work station. I just always try and be prepared.

My work was 10 miles away. I would have to do 4 hour shifts...It didn't pay to drive. So I rode my bike to the bus 1.5 miles...Put the bike on the bus. Rested on the bus (had to deal with some of the mental people on the bus (talking to you or themselves...But also made calls and played games on my phone). Got ready for when my stop came...Went to the front and took my bike off the front of the bus. Then rode to work, about 1.5 miles...Got there early...Cleaned up. Did my shift (security guard). I then rode back. Could take the slow bus that went everywhere...Or the express bus. If I missed the express bus I would grab the slow bus....It would get me there about 10 minutes before the next express bus. Coming home I would relax more. In the springtime I would be riding home by the local high school. I would stop and watch the high school baseball/softball game, track meets (grab a hot dog and Pepsi...Shhhh). But again those were 1/2 day shifts...10:30am to 2:30pm...Ideal for bike and bus. Hope some of this helps. It took getting down to a certain weight for me, before the bike became enjoyable and functional. It probably will be the same for you. You have to push your body through the peddles...Just like in swimming...Push your body through the water. But in swimming, after you have lost the weight, you don't have a much fat on your body, so you sink like a rock!! Good luck on your journey. Brian

THANKS Brian! that's a lot of great information!

I stumbled upon this old thread but still decided to ask how have you been doing?

Biking ten miles per day sounds intense and should lead to impressive results I presume. I'm asking this because I decided to try the same here. I also own a Schwinn but it's a hybrid bike as mentioned here. Will it be enough for this?

Post from cabin111 was really helpful but still.