I'm discovering some unanticipated benefits to cycling. When I started riding a few months ago I had began to experience some of the effects of genetic neuropathy, tingling in the bottom of my left foot and the outside of my left calf had been numb for about two years.

As I began riding the charity events I found that with the longer rides on my mountain bike I would end with numbness in three fingers of my left hand and a little numbness outside my left arm. I assumed this was due to the disk removal I had a couple of years ago and the vibration and position on the bike. It was something I had decided to deal with because the cycling was so enjoyable.

Now, after moving to a carbon framed road bike, and having just ridden in a 55 mile ride I find that not only is the numbness in my fingers and arm not there after the ride, but I also discovered that the numbness in my left calf is completely gone. I had read a few weeks ago that riding had also aided another person suffering from neuropathy and the shooting pains in his legs were going away. If the symptoms of neuropathy continue to disappear and remain gone it will make the riding all the more enjoyable and all me to do things in the coming years that I had thought I would not be able to do.

If you don't cycle, start! If you do, don't stop!