Cyclist0100

Greetings: As a kid and young adult I was into dirt and mountain bikes, then became a bicycle commuter in college and graduate school and gradually got into long-distance road cycling in my 30s. In 2005 (at the age of 34) I had my first back surgery and was off a bike for about a year. Between 2006 and 2009 I struggled to get back onto a road bike, ultimately having to give up cycling entirely. In 2015 I had a 2nd back surgery (non sports related) and was doing a lot of walking as part of my physical therapy (2-5 miles every day).


In May of 2019 I discovered "crank-forward" bicycles, which, after some research on the topic, led me to purchase my first bicycle in more than 10 years. I didn't want to fork out a lot of coin to find out if this pedal-forward frame design would work for me, so I ended up with an Electra Townie. It is an entry level bike by all accounts built for casual riding, but it was a ray of hope and a place to start. I began doing 10-20 mile rides and was feeling pretty good. This was already more cycling than I ever thought I'd be doing, and I was thrilled. The pedal position was super comfortable and it didn't bother my back.


Within 4 months I had worked my way up to doing 50 mile rides on a consistent basis. I was so grateful to be back on a bike having fun again! I gradually pushed my rides to 60 miles, then 70. Between May and the end of 2019 I rode a total of 3,092 miles, had completed back-to-back 60 and 70 mile rides and one 85 mile ride.


In January 2020 I decided to tackle a century ride, something I hadn't done in 15 years. On 1/14/20 I rode 102 miles in about 8 hours. The next day I rode 75 miles, and the day after that I rode 125 miles in 9 1/2 hours. That 125 mile ride was/is my longest 1-day ride ever and also the first time I have ever ridden 300 miles in 3 days. Today I achieved another milestone by completing 1,000 miles in 24 days.


I know it's just an entry level bicycle (not at all designed or equipped for the type of riding I'm doing), but for me it just plain works. Yeah buddy! It feels so darn good to back on a bicycle. :-)

xiaoman1 

Cycletography,
Nice to have someone from the "Sunshine State" join us on Bike forums. It sounds like your recovery was 100% and your cycling regime would certainly put you in the upper percentile among those on the forum ( myself for sure!)
Best, Ben

LAJ

Welcome to Bike Forums, Cycletography! Sounds to me like you're getting "Brevet Ready". Keep at it!

Cyclist0100

Thanks for the kind remarks and warm welcome.

Lidatation

Welcome!

abritishbikefan

Kudos for you for all the miles. Quite an accomplishment.