I always knew that we would not be able to keep bicycling forever, but I thought that the end would come from a physical disability. That dh would no longer be able to get his leg across, or keep his balance. But the problems confronting us now are mental. One problem is that he has forgotten how to work the gears. Holland is flat but we have lots of dikes to climb or cross and the approaches are often quite steep. So you get in the habit of automatically switching into a low gear to do the climb and then back to whatever you're cruising on. DH will still do the automatic switch down but has forgotten how to switch back up. So has to peddle like mad and soon gets tired. He won't stop to let me change his gears, so I have to wait till we get somewhere. We live in a polder (below sea level) so there are dikes everywhere we want to go. I have thought about asking the bike shop to disable the gears, but don't know if that's possible. But the other problem is worse. He always wants to go the wrong way. Sometimes it's hard to get him home again. He can't keep a particular destination in mind, and even if he could, he doesn't know the way and won't keep following me or following directions. He always wants to go in the directin of Rotterdam but has forgotten how to find the bike path in that direction so he wants to ride on the highway. It's forbidden and dangerous (he's been picked up by the police there once on foot and once on his bike). The other day I could barely restrain him from riding onto the highway. SO since then we have not been on the bikes at all. Heartbreaking on these lovely summer days. Of course I do my errands by bike on day care days.
My DH was a salesman on the road for 40 years covering six states. He is still in the mild stage but, unfortunately, the first thing AZ has stolen from him is the ability to navigate the roads and the ability to use his cell phone. The date, telephone numbers and driving were second nature to him and now they are gone. Something that was so embedded, or so I thought, has disappeared. I can relate Jeanette.
Oh, Jeannette, it sounds like you live in such a lovely, healthy environment! I think of getting a miniature horse soon and a meadowbrook cart (for two) and trotting off to town or to visit friends. Can you do something like that? Don't know if you live in town or out where you can have a mini. But, he could sit beside you, you all could still have a ball...maybe give him something else to do??
Oh! Just thought about something else....how about one of those little scooters with a sidecar or space for another rider? I've seen those a lot. Just a thought. (also, sorry to hear about your friend....I just heard. So sad)
A few years ago in - early stage - my husband decided he needed a new tractor - so he bought one - and told me later, and gave me the bill. Next he wanted a ATV and over my strenous objections - bought a used one, had it delivered and told me to write the man a check. I did and he soon found out, before driving it out of the driveway he had not bought what he thought he needed so he again buys another used one - same procedure. Soon decided neither one of them was what he wanted. I think he wasn't able to drive them. So, I advertised them and thankfully sold them without losing money. A couple later we moved to a new house on 18 acres with a long driveway and also access via open fields, to our original home, about a mile away. He decided he wanted a golf cart. I considered this and we found a used one. It worked great for him to used on our driveway and through the open fields without accessing the road. We bought a second one so the grandchildren could also ride. After a couple of years, he volunterarily stopped driving it and we drove him around. It worked great for our situation but I think Jeanette may not be able to use it for her situation. I had no problem with him wanting to access our rural road. When the kids rode with him he did not drive it. He only drove it while alone. It was a small risk to take but considering our situation it was worth it for the enjoyment it gave him.
Jeanette - I think the bike for two is a good idea. Also, they have bikes with 'automatic transmissions' on them. They will shift automatically for you. I could just see it though if you had a bike for two - you are heading down the road and he decides he wants to turn, tilt and you both go over!
Thanks everyone. I have often got the suggestion about the bicycle for two (tandem?) but I wouldn't feel safe. I think it is pretty hard to get started. Especially if one of you is not responding to instructions or ordinary stimuli. It is a beautiful morning and if he is up on time I think I will try one more time to cycle to our riverside restaurant for an "apple bomb." This is a piece of apple cake with whip cream and warm vanilla sauce that they offer for one Euro between 10 and 12. It's his favorite but when I mentioned it yesterday he had to laugh at the name and clearly had no idea what I was talking about.
Jeanette B I too think a bicycle built for two is hard to ride (I tried it once in my youth)about broke my neck.I do think a bike that shifts its self might be worth checking out. GOOD LUCK!! I like biking too and would hate to give it up.
i would be fearful he wouldnt heed warnings or directions while riding. it reminds me of the 'driving ' issues! not easy to take away riding or driving anything. but necessary sometimes for safety. good luck jeanette. divvi
Charlotte, I didn't know about the bikes with automatic transmissions. But for right now the "wrong direction" issue is too big. Yesterday I tried to take a ride with him, but no -- he wanted to go to the main road again. I was able to lock the bike behind his back, put it against a lamp post a good half mile from our house and walked him home. So we got our exercise! Especially me since I had to walk back to get the bike after he was in bed last night. I told him that it was broken and that the bike shop would pick it up but it wouldn't be fixed for a few days. For the time being it's in the lawn mower shed where he never looks. I hope that he will lose his obsession about going "home", but by that time he may be physically unable to ride the bike. Have to think of some outings to do by car.