Unable to do the "new" bicycle
 

So I tried it. I am physically unable to do it because of old hip and spine injuries from a car accident. This is the reason I've been physically disabled for the past several years. Only since last spring, thanks to strengthening and balancing exercises, have I been able to walk without a cane. My gait is still unsteady enough that I have trouble on stairs or uneven ground.

I tried several modifications. Moving the legs only, did nothing for the abs. They were as soft as biscuit dough. Raising my head and neck slightly, and then working the legs, with my hands on my abs to make sure they were tensing, kept them tight. But this seems kind of hard on the neck. Solution: Prop the head and neck up on several pillows, tense the abs, and work the legs.

Time will tell if there is any long-term benefit. And maybe as I get stronger, I'll be able to do the exercise "right."

Are you trying to do the pilates version?
http://z.about.com/d/pilates/1/G/w/1/-/-/Bicycle170.jpg
http://pilates.about.com/od/pilatesmat/ht/Bicycle.htm

or the one that I remember more from the 80s which is like this?
http://z.about.com/d/exercise/1/0/J/A/bike2.jpg
http://exercise.about.com/od/abs/ss/abexercises.htm

Either way, there are plenty of other exercises to do, that second link has quite a few others.

The second one. There's no way I could prop myself up for the first one.

Thanks for the links.

http://z.about.com/d/exercise/1/5/C/g/reversecrunch.jpg
http://z.about.com/d/exercise/1/5/C/g/reversecrunch.jpg

Now, *this* I can do! :D