Epilepsy & riding.

**Squeak the Rat** · 29th March 2006, 16:32

I've heard that pilots of helicopters and sometimes prop planes have had siezures from the strobe effect of the sun through the blades. I've experienced a similar effect travelling quickly past a long row of tall trees on the bike when the suns quite low. Is this a concern? I understand there is some certain frequencies when this becomes an issue or is this a load of....?

Glad your riding Nudemetalz!

**nudemetalz** · 29th March 2006, 16:39

Thanks Squeak !!

Yes, riding past trees like that (ie strobe effect) can do it too. I look in the other direction and also have a dark visor to try to limit this possibility.

**Motu** · 29th March 2006, 17:29

I don't know anyone who has them....but maybe they haven't told me.I have seen a couple that were fairly dramatic.About 5 years ago we had an accident outside work - a car came flying straight over the roundabout and then slammed into a car,pedal to the metal and tyres smoking.As I rang 111 my mechanic went over and turned the engine off...the driver was thrashing around out of control.He got out of there quick as others took over.

Another time was at the funeral of a friend....standing around the grave site in the rain and the pall bearers brought in the coffin....right beside the grave one of the pall bearers threw an epilectic fit,they dropped the coffin and it half fell in the grave,the guy was at my feet thrashing around.Oh my God,can you imagine it...sureal....like is this a movie???

**750Y** · 29th March 2006, 17:39

good onya nudemetalz for managing it well & getting on with life.
can't let a 'little thing' like that get in the way 8-)

i knew a fella in welly when i was a young kid, his nickname was 'the cowboy' a good mate of my grandfather's. he wasn't allowed to drive due to the seriousness of his epilepsy so he had bicycles. he would get them from the tip all twisted up & bend them back to shape with his bare hands. He used to have this belt wallet he wore around his stomach under his shirt so he didn't lose his money if he had a seizure. one time when he was riding up to Taupo he had to ditch his bike & have a lie down on the grassy road side. when he came to some asshole had stolen his wallet! can you believe it?

**texmo** · 29th March 2006, 17:57

A guy at my old school had a seizure during shot put and knocked him self out with the ball.

**nudemetalz** · 29th March 2006, 18:25

Thanks peoples for you opinions/stories.

Thank goodness it's not a disability as there are a lot of people a lot worse off than me and still riding bikes.

It was more of a question of if anyone else here has E, if they'd admit it publicly and any advice they'd share to do with biking.

NDMz

**.produKt** · 29th March 2006, 18:29

Hehe, i spose there is ONE advantage of having epilepsy.

get pulled up for doing 140+ in your own street, pull over and start faking a seizure and start thrashing round the place..

Blame the police lights

**nudemetalz** · 29th March 2006, 18:33

Originally Posted by .produKt

Hehe, i spose there is ONE advantage of having epilepsy.

get pulled up for doing 140+ in your own street, pull over and start faking a seizure and start thrashing round the place..

Blame the police lights

Sheesh,..if I didn't have a good sense of humour that wouldn't be funny and I'd be offended,...but it is funny !!!

**WINJA** · 29th March 2006, 18:43

riding the bike in your condition is the most considerate thing to do cause if you do have an episode your only likely to kill yourself and not others, as you know the bike will do a lot less damage to the innocent than a car

**Macktheknife** · 29th March 2006, 18:44

Originally Posted by nudemetalz

Thanks peoples for you opinions/stories.

Thank goodness it's not a disability as there are a lot of people a lot worse off than me and still riding bikes.

It was more of a question of if anyone else here has E, if they'd admit it publicly and any advice they'd share to do with biking.

NDMz

My sister has epilepsy and she wont ride or drive anymore, not because of the seizures so much but more because of having a daughter now. She wouldnt risk her daughter by having a seizure while riding/driving.
She used to be an absolute hoon! quite a nice change really! lol

**Ixion** · 29th March 2006, 18:46

Originally Posted by WINJA

riding the bike in your condition is the most considerate thing to do cause if you do have an episode your only likely to kill yourself and not others, as you know the bike will do a lot less damage to the innocent than a car

My, you ARE a little ray of sunshine, aren't you

**nudemetalz** · 29th March 2006, 18:53

That's our WINJA for ya...

**.produKt** · 29th March 2006, 18:54

My most deepest apologies to those who dont have a sense of humour
(oh god i hope there isnt)

*rambles apologies in different languages*
Sumimasen! Gomen ne!
honto ni gomennasai!

**nudemetalz** · 29th March 2006, 18:55

To do with what Winja said, I talked extensivley with the Neurologist and he cleared me to drive/ride. However, he isn't a fortune teller.

**nudemetalz** · 29th March 2006, 18:56

Originally Posted by .produKt

My most deepest apologies to those who dont have a sense of humour
(oh god i hope there isnt)

*rambles apologies in different languages*
Sumimasen! Gomen ne!
honto ni gomennasai!

Not at all, I'm going to try and use that one next time I get pulled up !!!