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How soon can I start cycling

User
Posted 24 Sep 2026 at 12:29

I finished radiotherapy 8 weeks ago. There were no problems with the treatment but the side effects are challenging. Apart from the weight gain and tiredness, the main problem has been the effect on my bladder. I have alternated between incontinence and not being able to pee at all. The last catheter was in place for 2 months and had a major adverse affect on my life. However, it was removed 3 weeks ago and things seem to be slowly returning to normal. I am following a strict diet to avoid the bladder being irritated. (This consists of removing all the food and drink that I like.) In response to a direct question, the urologist said that cycling would aggravate the situation and I should not cycle for the time being. I am a very keen cyclist and want to get back on the bike as soon as possible but I obviously do not want to put at risk the bladder recovery. Does anyone have any experience of a similar situation and possibly give an indication of when I can start cycling again. Many thanks. Roger

User
Posted 25 Sep 2026 at 22:07
I don't have an answer, but with no one else replying I thought I would reply to express sympathy. It really sounds as if you are having a tough time.

I suspect your situation is so unusual that very few have similar experience. Certainly my own radiotherapy had relatively mild effects on my bladder; it was salvage RT after surgery 6 years earlier and I already had mild incontinence problems (one pad a day) which got a bit worse but still manageable. It certainly didn't affect cycling, I cycled to my radiotherapy sessions for the first three weeks of my 4-week treatment, and while I was then affected by the tiredness and lack of energy most people report I returned to doing most things after a few weeks.

You will find quite a few threads on here about returning to cycling following surgery, and while it is a different situation there might be some clues. Needing a catheter after RT is unusual - yours are the first time I have read about it - but it is universal after surgery when a catheter is needed to allow urine through the join where the two cut ends of the urethra have been reconnected and are still healing. It is worth checking those threads, but I get the impression most surgeons suggest allowing around 3 months following removal of the catheter and some are more cautious than that.

Good luck. It will clearly help your quality of life to be cycling again, but that description of urine retention suggests a repeat mustn't be risked. The urologists are the experts, and hopefully they can give more optimistic guidance as things move forwards.
User
Posted 26 Sep 2026 at 00:36

I cycled about 5 days after my HDR brachytherapy which was also about 9 days after my external beam radiotherapy, but I wasn't having the complications you are. Also, I had replaced my saddle with a noseless saddle, which even more significantly has no saddle under the pernineun (not just a dent, but nothing). It only has anything under your sit bones (pelvis) so you can't sit on your perineum.
https://ae-pic-a1.aliexpress-media.com/kf/Scffa5ffab0674684a40775f0ffc45db5N.jpg_220x220q75.jpg_.avif


It does take a few rides to get a noseless sadle adjusted correctly.

User
Posted 26 Sep 2026 at 09:40

Thanks J-B. It is kind of you to take the trouble to reply. It can seem rather isolated at times. I take on board everything you say. I may try to contact the urologist but this has not always been easy. 

In my naivety, I expect people to think about the effect of their words and actions. As I was leaving the session with the urologist after removal of the catheter, I asked whether I was allowed to cycle as I did not want to impact the healing process but was nevertheless keen to get back in the saddle. His answer was "no". I would have preferred "yes, after 4 weeks", "after 6 weeks you can start short distances and gradually increase if there is no discomfort" or something similar. I have no follow up appointment and am left to make my own decision.


I really appreciate your support. Many thanks. Roger

User
Posted 26 Sep 2026 at 09:42

Thanks Andy. I appreciate your input. In fact I use a prostate specific saddle and it makes a big difference. My problem remains that I have not been given any guidance on when I can start to cycle again.


Thanks again. Roger

User
Posted 05 Oct 2026 at 22:20

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member


Thanks Andy. I appreciate your input. In fact I use a prostate specific saddle and it makes a big difference. My problem remains that I have not been given any guidance on when I can start to cycle again.


Thanks again. Roger



That is not an acceptable situation to be in. I feel you 😭
I've just finished salvage radiotherapy and I cycled there and back each day from the Park and Ride (2.25 miles).
I had to stop riding for 6 weeks in 2020 when I had my prostatectomy. My surgeon's advice was 6 weeks and a lot of people on here had issues with that. But I followed it and everything works fine. (6 weeks off hurt though 😬)


I would definitely be looking for some urgent guidance/clarity from my medical team if I were in your position. It sounds as if you may have had some complications (catheter etc.) so nobody but them can really give you decent advice on this. You could always contact PALS if you don't get a response in a reasonable timeframe.

_____


Two cannibals named Ectomy and Prost, all alone on a Desert island.


Prost was the strongest, so Prost ate Ectomy.

User
Posted 06 Oct 2026 at 09:23

Thanks, Andy. I have left 3 messages on the answerphone for the urinary specialist nurses but they have not got back to me. It has now been 5 weeks since the catheter was removed and all seems to be going well. I think I will leave it another 3 weeks and, if everything seems okay, I will try cycling again starting very gently. 


Thanks for you suggestion regarding PALS. I will give them a try


You support is much appreciated.


Many thanks, Roger

User
Posted 06 Oct 2026 at 16:27

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member


Thanks, Andy. I have left 3 messages on the answerphone for the urinary specialist nurses but they have not got back to me. It has now been 5 weeks since the catheter was removed and all seems to be going well. I think I will leave it another 3 weeks and, if everything seems okay, I will try cycling again starting very gently. 


Thanks for you suggestion regarding PALS. I will give them a try


You support is much appreciated.


Many thanks, Roger



 


Do you have an indoor rig you could use? Even a dumb trainer would allow you to sit and pedal for 5 minutes and see how it feels. It would also enable you to do it in the safety and comfort of home so if anything did go wrong you haven't got to make your way back. Also weather-proof. 😀


 


 

_____


Two cannibals named Ectomy and Prost, all alone on a Desert island.


Prost was the strongest, so Prost ate Ectomy.

User
Posted 06 Oct 2026 at 19:17

Good suggestions as ever. I heard earlier today that I am allowed to cycle. Yippee. Since the bladder seems to be behaving itself I went for a gentle ride - the first for many weeks. Unlike before, there was no blood and no undue pain. I am not counting my chickens but it certainly seems as if I have turned a corner. The usual side effects such as hot flushes, muscle loss etc. will remain for another 18 months until I finish treatment. However, I will be much better able to deal with them if I can cycle and regain some freedom and improved fitness. Thanks to everyone for support. Fingers crossed.

User
Posted 07 Oct 2026 at 07:24

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member


Good suggestions as ever. I heard earlier today that I am allowed to cycle. Yippee. Since the bladder seems to be behaving itself I went for a gentle ride - the first for many weeks. Unlike before, there was no blood and no undue pain. I am not counting my chickens but it certainly seems as if I have turned a corner. The usual side effects such as hot flushes, muscle loss etc. will remain for another 18 months until I finish treatment. However, I will be much better able to deal with them if I can cycle and regain some freedom and improved fitness. Thanks to everyone for support. Fingers crossed.



That is brilliant news and great to hear. I also use cycling as a wellbeing management tool. It's great to get back out there.

_____


Two cannibals named Ectomy and Prost, all alone on a Desert island.


Prost was the strongest, so Prost ate Ectomy.

 
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