Deep Vain Thrombosis
 

Hi guys

Heres a question for the forum, I have recently readthat when driving a car you should sit no longer than 4 hours without stopping and streching your legs, after this period your chances of getting thrombosis in your legs increases.

Do you think this should apply to bikes, I often ride over this period when I'm travelling but have not seen any guidlines on bikes.

Cheers

Julio

The only reference to motorcycles I could find was to DVT after an motorcycle accident on a long flight. Its nickname is "economy class syndrome". From what I read it may not show up for several days. As for riders we can get some exercise on the bike by stretching our legs, standing up. A good seat with even support would help keep some circulation going. I have had seats that have caused me much pain and cut off the circulation to my legs. The worst seat would not cause any pain but would make my legs go numb. I think the only thing you can do is to get a custom seat to fit you and do your exercises before you start to feel pain or go numb.



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DVT is a condition which is generally caused (in this case) through inactivity. For example if seated on a plane / in a car for an extended period without moving around. In the same way you could develop DVT just by sitting in front of your TV for too long for that matter! This is why people in hospital beds for a period of time are given blood thinners - to provent clotting.

Yes you could develop it on a motorcycle, especially if you have an existing circulatory condition. Advice is to move around and stretch to keep the blood flowing.

Bottom line is that DVT is just one of a million conditions which just happens to be making the news right now. Fact is only around 1 in every 450,000 will develop it. However, 1 in every 6 people in the developed world will be involved in a road traffic accedent during their total life span. I'm just going to watch the road instead!

Chris

P.S. I'm currently recovering from someone parking their car in my spine at 70mph while riding my bike to work on the motorway. I'm now taking blood thinners to prevent DVT!