Long term fatigue

[rrc1962]

Has anyone experienced fatigue after a long ride? Because you are always standing, I'm wondering if this is a concern. As I've explained, I'm a photographer and can walk quite a few miles during an event. I also happen to have a genetic tendon issue in both feet. When I walk more than about a mile, I'm incapacitated the next day. This is one of my more prominent reasons for buying a Segway. It would be nice to be able to shoot an event without having to plan a day off the next day.

How would you rate the fatigue factor after an hour of gliding vs an hour of walking. I'm guessing that gliding is far less fatiguing but to what extent. Imagine you had chronic foot/ankle pain. Do you feel the Segway would benefit you or do you feel the fact that you are still on your feet would be a problem?

I'm thinking about renting one for a day just to see how my feet feel after a 15 mile ride.

Thanks...Ross

[SEGsby]

Fatigue can be an issue with longer glides. People with poor circulation or other physical issues, might notice discomfort earlier than others...

Renting a unit and getting a feel for using a Segway, is a great idea. However, my level of discomfort for long glides, has reduced over time, the more I ride the machine. This is similar to when someone rides a bike for the first time, and has to get use to those hard, narrow seats... ungh. Keep that in mind when you test glide.

If you do a search, you will find tips on how to stay on the machine for longer periods, by increasing your bloodflow. That said, if you experience pain- stop and get off the machine for a few minutes, then try it again.

SEGsby

[pam]

Also, the right shoes (we had a recent thread on that) and comfort mats really help.
Pam

[jryan]

Has anyone experienced fatigue after a long ride? Because you are always standing, I'm wondering if this is a concern. As I've explained, I'm a photographer and can walk quite a few miles during an event. I also happen to have a genetic tendon issue in both feet. When I walk more than about a mile, I'm incapacitated the next day. This is one of my more prominent reasons for buying a Segway. It would be nice to be able to shoot an event without having to plan a day off the next day.

How would you rate the fatigue factor after an hour of gliding vs an hour of walking. I'm guessing that gliding is far less fatiguing but to what extent. Imagine you had chronic foot/ankle pain. Do you feel the Segway would benefit you or do you feel the fact that you are still on your feet would be a problem?

I'm thinking about renting one for a day just to see how my feet feel after a 15 mile ride.

Thanks...Ross


You know there are different seats availible for a Segway and I have heard they work great for preventing fatigue. You can stand up for as long as you want then sit down if you start to get tired. I do not own a Segway therefore have not tried these but many here have. Might want to look into one!


Jeremy Ryan

[Macaholic]

I ride my X2 hard and get sore in muscles that are not used while just walking. You'll probably have to condition yourself by training for a shoot. start off gliding for an hour and increase to build your comfort level.

...and have FUN!

[wwhopper]

You do have to move your legs, and your body as you glide.

You will become used to it as you get in tune with the machine. Remember you are not standing there like a statue while you glide, (which often happens with new users) Relax, and you will start to move with the machine and you will start to feel more comfortable.

Comfort mats help the feet.

[Segwaiian]

How would you rate the fatigue factor after an hour of gliding vs an hour of walking.

Thanks...Ross

Hey, folks, sorry but I couldn't resist. :D

I wonder how many people in this country actually walk for an hour or more at a stretch?

My wife and I took some old shoes to drop off at Niketown in Waikiki one fine weekend day and ended up walking for a couple of hours. We were both a little stiff the next day.

Please feel free to shoot me down if you maintain your bodies better than we do. ;)

Aloha,
Roger

[Granite72]

I commute to work occasionally, and more often in the near future, and have experienced some related fatigue. My commute lasts exactly 1 hour and is about 15 kilometres (9 miles).

I think you tend to use certain muscles when leaning into the turns that might be more familiar with what you'd feel (only more intensely) after a while skiing.

It's not too difficult to get used to it, and it's probably a good idea to develop a stretching routine. It feels odd getting off cause you get "rubber legs".

Anyway, its a good idea to get a rental, nothing like experiencing it for yourself. But like anything else, it may take a while to get the hang of it, so you may not want to base your whole decision on how you feel on the first ride.

Good luck with the decision.

[rrc1962]

Remember you are not standing there like a statue while you glide, (which often happens with new users) Relax, and you will start to move with the machine and you will start to feel more comfortable.



I did notice that on the i2 I was moving around a lot more because of the lean steer. I found I was standing more like a statue on the i167.

[IRASegyRider2]

I did notice that on the i2 I was moving around a lot more because of the lean steer. I found I was standing more like a statue on the i167.

I agree. My first ride was on the older model and after I bought an i2 I noticed that it was better from that standpoint.

Another observation for you...

I was convinced that I would NOT be able to ride a Segway because of my lower back problem. I can walk for a couple of miles with little or no back pain, but I can only stand still for a few minutes. Then I have to sit down to recover.

I went on a Segway Tour to discover the truth. I can't explain it, but I suffered no pain even though I was new to it. Later, even on a 12-mile glide, with a couple of rest stops, I had no pain. Of course, I have the normal foot and leg discomfort simply being up for most of the 4-hour glide.

Hope that helps.

[greenlaser]

rrc1962,

I've only had my X2 for a little over a month. I try to get in a mile a day walking but the weather has not been favorible. I am more apt to go gliding in bad weather. Time is more a problem than distance. I don't think you are going 12.5 mph shooting photos. My normal runs recently have been about a half hour brisk walk to two hours gliding.

My knees were giving me trouble before we got the X2, but I can tell they are getting stronger. I took the day off, but I have been dodging sage brush, gopher mounds, and badger holes out in the prairie.

With the X2 I adjust my tire pressure to where I'm heading. Soft tires out in the field, more pressure on the asphalt. The trouble with asphalt is that it can get washborded like a gravel road. That puts a lot of strain on my knees. But you can help by tweeking the tire pressure. It is like tuning a shock absorber.

I've been having trouble with one of my heels too, and that was also before the X2. It is mild on the X2...

I have had no luck with comfort mats, probably just me. The right shoes do help. Also getting off the machine to take a walk does help. That is a problem for me at the moment since my kickstand broke so early. You do get rubber legs if you are on too long. Get off and walk around a bit.

I'm another lucky one in that the Segway helps with my lower back pain. I don't understand it either. Works for me though...

Just remember, you can overdo it. You have to search for your sweet spot. :)

Jim

[SEGsby]

A little bit of aspirin (81 mg, if you're not allergic to it), will help prevent clots and keeps your feet from stinging too badly from reduced bloodflow.

SEGsby

[SegwayDan]

Let's keep "drug prescription" out of this thread.

[rrc1962]

Jim...what kind of mileage are you getting on asphalt? I'll be making my desicion (i2 or x2) within a few days and I'm on the fence. We live in a rural area and would enjoy some off-roading but because we're rural everything is further away and range becomes more of an issue.

Our off-roading would basically be state parks and dirt bike paths. we've been riding bicycles where we intend to use the Segways. The other day we did 16 miles around Assateage state park shooting some wildlife. Yesterday we rode 32 miles round trip to the outlet malls and back, all asphalt.

Although we want some off-road ability, we also need to be able to use these on sidewalks, at crowded events and indoors at large shows. We also do not have a garage and would like to keep them in our sun porch, which means getting through an average doorway. If I were not giving up a lot of range over the i2, I'd be more inclined to go with the x2 and deal with the size issues. I know the i2 is more sensible for our needs, but the x2 is really cool. We don't want to do one of each because we'll be riding together, whether that is on a dirt bike path or an indoor event.

Decisions, decisions....

[SEGsby]

Blood thinners like common Aspirin, are ancient (Willow tree bark, used for 1000's of years) and their effects are well understood by educated people. If you are not allergic, and dont' have ulcers, etc., 81 mg is quite safe and beneficial for people using Segways for long periods of time, who are not taking other kinds of blood thinners. DO not use products like Tylenol. They do no contain Aspirin, and are known to damage the liver in large doses. Please check the product label before use, to make sure it contains real Aspirin. Bayer 81 mg tabs work great. And, of course, do not take with alcohol.

Depriving or attempting to censor this kind of information, based on your personal beliefs, in a public forum-- is a true disservice to the rest of the Segwaying Community, IMHO. Please stop.

SEGsby

Let's keep "drug prescription" out of this thread.

[greenlaser]

Jim...what kind of mileage are you getting on asphalt? I'll be making my desicion (i2 or x2) within a few days and I'm on the fence. We live in a rural area and would enjoy some off-roading but because we're rural everything is further away and range becomes more of an issue.

Our off-roading would basically be state parks and dirt bike paths. we've been riding bicycles where we intend to use the Segways. The other day we did 16 miles around Assateage state park shooting some wildlife. Yesterday we rode 32 miles round trip to the outlet malls and back, all asphalt.

Although we want some off-road ability, we also need to be able to use these on sidewalks, at crowded events and indoors at large shows. We also do not have a garage and would like to keep them in our sun porch, which means getting through an average doorway. If I were not giving up a lot of range over the i2, I'd be more inclined to go with the x2 and deal with the size issues. I know the i2 is more sensible for our needs, but the x2 is really cool. We don't want to do one of each because we'll be riding together, whether that is on a dirt bike path or an indoor event.

Decisions, decisions....

Sorry rrc, I don't know what the range will be on the x2 yet. It does depend on the air pressure in the tires. The tires are rated to 10 PSI, the manual says to use 4 PSI, and the factory shipped unit had 7 PSI in the tires.

[SegwayDan]

This is simply not a forum to discuss or recommend drug use. Quit twisting my words.

[JohnG]

One member mentioned how their knees hurt after long glides. Another member suggested a remedy that he's found helpful. This is on topic and fine...

Obviously, people should consult their doctor before starting any kind of routine use of a drug (even over-the-counter drugs). However, the original member who suggested aspirin for pain (which is a common use of aspirin!), mentioned nothing about using it daily.

Please keep this thread on topic about combating fatigue while gliding on a Segway.
Thank you,
John

[jgbackes]

At the recommendation of another segger, I purchased a pair of z-coil shoes, I like them very much. They are not cheap, but for less than 5% of the cost of the new segway you might check them out. Intel gives a discount to their employees that stand all day.

[PeteInLongBeach]

Let's keep "drug prescription" out of this thread.

Unless the FDA has changed classifications recently, I believe aspirin is still "over-the-counter" and requires no prescription...

***Segway content***

Yesterday was very warm, so I wore comfortable clothing and flip-flops. My feet were killing me within 2 miles. Not enough support, and felt like my feet were in the wrong position. My crocs, however, are quite comfortable for gliding.