Cycling and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an impossible combination? No more thanks to the technology of the otherwise called e-bikes pedal c. This type of bicycle, with the help of an electric motor, allows you to pedal greatly reducing physical fatigue. Hence the name pedalec which refers precisely to pedaling.
It should be understood immediately that the engine does not replace the cyclist who must always pedal but reduces the physical effort typical of demanding routes such as climbing.
Here I want to report my experience as an amateur cyclist, who, at a certain point, presented difficulties in continuing on trips with friends: I got too tired on the uphill and the arrhythmias worsened. And not wanting to give up my "passion", a few years ago I followed the advice of my cardiologist, and I bought my first "pedalec".
The category of e-bikes differs by type in relation to the intended use of the vehicle.
There are city e-bikes that are not suitable for sports use but can only be used for urban travel; there are e-mtb mono or bi amortized which are intended for sporting use in off-road routes; there are e-road bikes that is racing bicycles that allow sporty use on the road like normal racing bikes and finally there are the gravel that is bicycles that allow sporting use both on the road and on dirt roads and mountain paths.
But let's see how they technically differ from one type to the other, in order to evaluate their use by us cardiopaths with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and what the benefits may be on physical fitness and on the disease.
Meanwhile, we must specify that we are not and never could become athletes because our heart function limits muscle strength and breath, inevitably negatively affecting physical performance.
But with the e-bike we can compensate for the heart function that is able to work with reduced and measurable effort, allowing us to make even demanding routes without compromising health. They become in effect tools for sport, giving us emotions that otherwise we could only imagine. Tackling climbs up to 20% without being out of breath, walking 100 km enjoying nature almost without sweating but in any case working the muscular system of the legs and strengthening the muscles of the arms, shoulders and back is a possibility within everyone's reach. . It is only necessary to choose the right medium and assign it to one's own use to obtain all that I have highlighted.
We now come to the description of the e-bike categories to understand a little more.
1) CITY E-BIKE: are classic city bicycles with rigid or folding frame for transport by car. They have cleat or disc brakes (hydraulic system only in high-end ones) and are usually cushioned in the front wheel, some even in the rear.
They can have tires with a diameter that usually varies from 14 to 28 inches and a more or less wide section to ensure greater stability, especially in models with "small" wheels.
They are alternative means of using the car or motorbike but only in the city. Few have batteries powerful enough to make long outings. They are not intended for sporting use but only for those who do not want to struggle pedaling with traditional bicycles, called "muscular".
2) E-MTB: they are bicycles intended for off-road use and have wheels with clawed tires with a diameter of 27,5 or 29 inches (in the past, muscle e-bikes had 26-inch wheels), with aluminum or carbon frames.
They are mono or bi amortized and weigh from 23KG to 25KG. The importance of weight is supported by powerful and performing motors, even if limited in maximum speed to 25KM / H, and by batteries with power from 500 to 730 watts.
They allow you to travel easily and almost effortlessly on unpaved and bumpy mountain roads or more or less technical paths, which means greater or lesser difficulty in driving.
As already mentioned, we heart patients are not athletes and we do not have to run dangers in driving these vehicles which in any case ensure strong emotions in use. Think forest trails or mountaintop military roads with breathtaking descents kept at bay by powerful hydraulic disc brakes.
For the characteristics of use these bicycles are not cheap and those who approach them must take into account a large expense to have frames, shock absorbers, rims, battery and mid-high range engines. Translated into economic terms it means an expense of € 3.000,00 upwards, on average € 5-7.000. You can also spend € 10.000,00 but for those who do not make a competitive use it is a waste of money.
3) E-ROAD BIKE racing: they are bicycles more and more similar to muscular racing bicycles.
They have motors and batteries half hidden in the frames or in the rear wheel hub of reduced size and weight. The frames are made of aluminum or carbon and their weight ranges from 10KG to 15KG. The batteries have power up to 250 watts and allow a shorter distance in electric mode. Keep in mind that these bicycles are normally used as normal racing bikes due to their low weight and only in the climbs is the help of the motor activated, which is then removed when the path becomes less hard.
They are mostly intended for normal cyclists who cannot train regularly due to lack of time or who at a certain age want to strain their body less, but for a heart patient they seem unsuitable to me because the motor assistance is limited.
The prices of these bicycles are quite high because they are models with excellent mechanical components with carbon frames to minimize weight. The price varies between € 3.500 and € 12.000.
4) GRAVEL : they are still e-road bikes with the appearance of a racing bicycle but with a frame designed with a geometry that allows greater seating and pedaling comfort in order to cover greater distances.
They have the precious characteristic of being able to be used both on the road and in dirt, they can also tackle narrow paths but not at the same level as MTB.
However, they are an excellent middle ground for those who like us heart patients make a sporting tourist use of the bicycle, allowing us to tackle long routes and on mixed terrain.
The tire section is more generous than racing bikes but the wheels are still smooth and safe, especially when passing over the many holes we encounter on the roads, increasing the level of safety. And they have hydraulic disc brakes.
The aluminum or carbon frames are not cushioned, they can have integrated or exposed batteries, usually with a power of 500 watts. They guarantee excursions that can reach 130KM but a lot depends on how much climb we insert in our tour. There are also dual battery models. The weight varies from 16KG to 22KG
Prices range from € 2.500 to € 10.000, but even in this case, spending on the lowest values is the one that best suits those who use it that is not extreme.
My experience
Having made this overview of the e-bike models that we can find on the market, it seems only right to describe what it feels like to ride with such a vehicle.
I, who in my youth did some cycling competitions with the MTB and amateur cycling holidays with bags and rides around the mountains in search of the most extreme climbs, today I would not be able to replicate these activities at all. I lack muscle strength, my breath fails under exertion, my blood pressure rises and the sweat becomes excessive. Cycling in these conditions is counterproductive and dangerous for the heart.
Six years ago I decided to buy one e-mtb and two years ago also one gravel electricity.
The feeling I felt in the first outing was that of being young again, of doing the same things I did at 20. An incredible emotion. You have to pedal and the muscles are busy but the pressure remains within acceptable values and the sweat is contained. That thirst that characterized my last previous releases, to compensate for the sweating, has disappeared. Today I also do 100km without drinking or eating. If the route includes challenging climbs, I drink and eat something but do not empty the half-liter bottle.
This is because the electric motor allows you to vary the intensity of assistance on 4 or 5 levels that the cyclist selects according to his pedaling style and the difficulty of the moment.
As soon as I feel heavy breathing and legs not strong enough, I insert a higher level of assistance and when the route is less demanding I reduce it until it is eliminated on the flat to guarantee more autonomy.
So I can focus on the landscape, on breathing made of cleaner air, on driving and no longer on the fatigue that oppressed my body during and after the ride.
Another important difference consists in not having to engage in training routines that require at least three outings a week to achieve that physical shape that allows you not to struggle too much on the climbs.
With the e-bike you can stay still for months and then tackle any path perhaps using a higher level of assistance to enjoy pedaling in complete relaxation.
This is an important aspect for those who like us heart patients cannot always expose themselves to constant training routines. But it also helps those who love to cycle only on Sundays for work.
Furthermore, for those suffering from heart problems, the physical form is wavering, in the sense that stable or increasing results are not achieved if not muscular. Sometimes I tackle a climb with level 2 without forcing (I could also do it at level 1, but with a lot of effort), other times for the same climb I have to use level three despite having always ridden my bike three times a week.
It is our Cardiomyopathy and we can do nothing but always listen to our body and enjoy the advantages given by the electrical assistance that allows us not to wear ourselves out and to strengthen our body. Obviously it also depends on the state we are in.
For this it is always necessary to consult our cardiologist, who after having evaluated our conditions and the response to effort with a cardiorespiratory test (better) or with a simple stress test, and with a dynamic ECG, will be able to recommend the physical activity tolerated by our heart.
To conclude, I wish everyone the purchase of an e-bike because, as you can understand from what I have explained, I am sure it will be to your liking and will also allow you to overcome those states of discouragement that often accompany us, giving us back the pleasure. physical activity.
