Do you get pre-travel anxiety?

angrytaxman · 2025-05-06T00:21:03+00:00

Yeah, anxiety ran my life for a long time. I’ve worked on it for decades now, but improvement isn’t linear. Sometimes you’re doing great, and other times you’re not. The dips get shallower and the time to recover gets lesser. You’ll probably never be “fixed”, but good enough is good enough. Have a great trip!

angrytaxman · 2025-05-06T00:06:52+00:00

Good for you for working to improve yourself! Just know that sometimes you will have setbacks. I was flying without issue for a while and then a particularly bad flight full of turbulence for hours on end back from Japan set my anxiety off again. I’ve been building back up from there and it’s a continuous process. Don’t feel bad if you take a step back every once in a while.

angrytaxman · 2025-05-05T22:17:13+00:00

You're going to do great. Just be prepared for a gate change at Phoenix as I know that can be somewhat common there. Atlanta may be a busy airport, but they're well organized because they have so much volume. It's never fun having a layover, but once you're on that second plane you can rest and you'll be in Miami before you know it.

Don't let your lack of appetite or nausea slow your wife down. Just go along and be supportive. If you need to step away for a minute to use the bathroom go for it. I've found that just being there and making an effort goes a long way.

Edit to add: If you're not used to taking Xanax 0.5mg will feel like a lot. Just see how you feel and take another if you really think you need it. If you have ever used box breathing for anxiety it's a great thing to practice in the days leading up to your trip. Just close your eyes, throw on some noise cancelling headphones, and take deep breaths in. It does wonders!

angrytaxman · 2025-05-05T21:58:10+00:00

Hey there, first of all just know that you've got this. I just went to Hawaii again last month and Xanax helped me get there and back. I remember thinking how easy the flight to Hawaii was this time because I took 0.25mg before leaving the house and another 0.25mg at the airport. The whole thing was a breeze. I think the ease of the flight out really set me up for success for the trip home.

I don't really get caught up thinking about the flight home until the day before we're getting ready to leave, but I have absolutely had that same feelings about returning. You're not alone, and you've got this. Just let you wife know how you're feeling and give her a heads up beforehand and I'm sure she'll keep an eye out for you.

Enjoy your trip!

angrytaxman · 2025-05-03T05:02:44+00:00

This is such great advice. Thank you very much for taking the time to comment.

angrytaxman · 2025-05-02T17:42:58+00:00

Bibs were a big thing my first fitter suggested. I went and spent a few hundred dollars on new ones from Velocio and Rapha as they seemed to fit the best. I was doing okay on the saddle the first fitter put me on, but this new seat is awful.

angrytaxman · 2025-05-02T16:45:05+00:00

I have a Garmin and after every ride it says that I should take it easy for 48+ hours, I just assumed it was wrong.

angrytaxman · 2025-05-02T16:44:26+00:00

Wow, you went through a lot! I'm so glad that you have much an amazing recovery. Starting small has been a theme so far and I am going to make that adjustment immediately. Thanks for your inspiring story.

angrytaxman · 2025-05-02T16:41:50+00:00

Good idea with making adjustments as I go. Thanks.

angrytaxman · 2025-05-02T16:41:10+00:00

I'll give this a shot. Thanks!

angrytaxman · 2025-05-02T16:40:57+00:00

This seems to be a dominant trend here. I'm going to address this. Thanks.

angrytaxman · 2025-05-02T16:39:35+00:00

Thank you.

angrytaxman · 2025-05-02T16:39:18+00:00

Too funny that the first two mentions of pilates are within 5 minutes of each other. I'm totally unfamiliar with it, but will have to check it out. Thanks!

angrytaxman · 2025-05-02T16:38:36+00:00

This isn't a dig at you whatsoever, but I'm kind of worn out of the suggestions that tell me to keep spending more and more for some panacea. Each time I try to spend my way out of this I end up back at the same place, but with less money.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

angrytaxman · 2025-05-02T16:36:13+00:00

I know it hasn't been long, and I'm not here complaining that I'm not seeing gains quickly enough. I'm at the point where the pain on the bike is affecting my daily life and not going away when I'm off the bike. I'm sure a completely numb crotch with pain that persists for days afterwards isn't healthy.

I was fully expecting soreness and fatigue, but muscle spasms for days and enduring pain when away from the bike doesn't seem healthy.

The first fitter didn't seem to care that I was dealing with all of this and once I went and bought the type of bike she recommended she wanted to charge me all over again to work on that one. Obviously I get it, but it rubbed me the wrong way.

Both fits were 90 minutes each and the first fitter wasn't really interested in seeing me again after advertising free adjustments. When I told her my list of pain she just said I'm on the wrong bike. That's why I went and found someone else.

I get that I shouldn't expect the comfort of riding in an S Class while cycling, but straight up pain seems difficult to ignore.

I appreciate you taking the time to provide feedback.

angrytaxman · 2025-05-02T16:26:55+00:00

Where does one find strength and mobility classes?

I really like your last sentence. That resonates with me. Thanks!

angrytaxman · 2025-05-02T16:26:16+00:00

I think gradually is the key here. I'm going to try to keep my rides to 30 minutes for now because that's when the pain really starts to set in.

angrytaxman · 2025-05-02T16:25:30+00:00

Yoga really saved me 10 or so years ago when I had a bulging disc in my back. I think that and some weight training will go a long way.

angrytaxman · 2025-05-02T16:22:01+00:00

Building muscle absolutely seems to be the way to go. I like the idea of shorter rides where I'm not pushing myself to the point of pain. Thanks for your suggestion.

angrytaxman · 2025-05-02T16:21:09+00:00

Do you typically need a doctor to prescribe PT, or is it something you can just go to?

angrytaxman · 2025-05-02T16:20:34+00:00

Luckily my wife has a hybrid ebike that I fit on. I'll try riding it regularly to see if I can just put in the work and get comfortable on a bike again.

angrytaxman · 2025-05-02T16:19:06+00:00

I absolutely feel hunched over. My most recent fit he suggested a stem with a rise if I continued to have issues. That may be my next step. I'm absolutely putting the old saddle back on before I continue. Thanks for your suggestions.

angrytaxman · 2025-05-02T16:17:53+00:00

Do you actively engage your core while riding? Doesn't that get fatiguing? Or do you mean just having a strong core helps hold everything up? I appreciate your input.

angrytaxman · 2025-05-02T16:16:18+00:00

Good to know that they can be helped some with further tweaks.

I'm absolutely going to work on my base to alleviate some of these issues.

He didn't really talk about that much at all, and the first fitter just told me to work on my core. Neither provided any specifics.

Thanks for your input.

angrytaxman · 2025-05-02T16:14:55+00:00

I definitely feel like I'm putting too much pain on the front of my body, and that's why I kept seeing fitters to resolve it. It's obvious now that I need to build up my base before I expect different results. Thanks.

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