April Fools Day: First ride in three years!
04-01-18, 05:39 PM
#1
I need more cowbell.
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April Fools Day: First ride in three years!
I did it! I enjoyed my first ride in three years, more than sixteen months after a mild heart attack.
I was well prepared. I had Clementine, my 2015 Sirrus Elite, tuned up, polished up, and ready to go with a new rack on the back and a new kickstand as well. The weather was finally gorgeous as well. Temperatures were in the low sixties when I began, sky was a deep blue.
Took the bike to the Damonte Ranch Wetlook Trail, which is a gorgeous 3.1 mile loop.
My goals at first were quite modest: could I cycle 100 yards, or 1,000 yards, or a mile, before I'd have to stop?
Climbing on the bike, I learned my first challenge - getting my leg over the bar! I had to lay the bike almost flat to mount up - but mount up I did. Off I went with my new Apple Watch tracking things on my wrist, and MapMyRide doing the same on my phone.
The first body part to complain was my thighs, followed by incessant questioning from my butt (What the heck are you doing? it wanted to know). But things felt pretty good, so off I went. Then some arm complaints and neck complaints, as I tried to get used to the position of my head. I knew all this stuff was predictable and bearable.
Lo! And behold, before long, I had completed a loop - 3.1 miles - and I wasn't tired. This was encouraging!
Kept going, and enjoying dropping all the moms with their strollers and the dads walking their dogs. Why, I exceeded 10 miles per hour on occasion - topping at 14.6 miles per hour by the end of the ride.
After the second lap, it was an easy decision to go for the gold and see if I could hit 10 miles. A bit of cross-wind reminded me of that thing called wind. Not terrible, just a reminder from days gone by.
Before long, I had completed three loops, and did a little bit more to get over ten miles. Not much for many of you - but far exceeding my reasonable expectations for me. I did it!
I was having so much fun I found myself musing on two subjects: a) can I get strong enough to ride my age for my October birthday? I'll be 68 then, and b) maybe I should get a winter bike, like a fat tire bike, to ride these same MUPS in colder weather?
Most important, I found myself realizing that I'd found my 12-year-old self back on my steed, riding for the sheer joy of riding, believing I could go anywhere and feeling completely free!
Once back home, I had the new treat of using my hot tub after a ride (another first). Whoa, boy! That felt good!
After lunch, I collapsed on the couch and fell into a DEEP sleep. That's the one part I forgot about. And now I'm walking around in a fog, but I'm grinning from ear to ear.
Here's a few pics:
I squeezed into my 50+ jersey to honor the occasion. And I even got a little blood on my ankle as well. Ah, life is good!
I was well prepared. I had Clementine, my 2015 Sirrus Elite, tuned up, polished up, and ready to go with a new rack on the back and a new kickstand as well. The weather was finally gorgeous as well. Temperatures were in the low sixties when I began, sky was a deep blue.
Took the bike to the Damonte Ranch Wetlook Trail, which is a gorgeous 3.1 mile loop.
My goals at first were quite modest: could I cycle 100 yards, or 1,000 yards, or a mile, before I'd have to stop?
Climbing on the bike, I learned my first challenge - getting my leg over the bar! I had to lay the bike almost flat to mount up - but mount up I did. Off I went with my new Apple Watch tracking things on my wrist, and MapMyRide doing the same on my phone.
The first body part to complain was my thighs, followed by incessant questioning from my butt (What the heck are you doing? it wanted to know). But things felt pretty good, so off I went. Then some arm complaints and neck complaints, as I tried to get used to the position of my head. I knew all this stuff was predictable and bearable.
Lo! And behold, before long, I had completed a loop - 3.1 miles - and I wasn't tired. This was encouraging!
Kept going, and enjoying dropping all the moms with their strollers and the dads walking their dogs. Why, I exceeded 10 miles per hour on occasion - topping at 14.6 miles per hour by the end of the ride.
After the second lap, it was an easy decision to go for the gold and see if I could hit 10 miles. A bit of cross-wind reminded me of that thing called wind. Not terrible, just a reminder from days gone by.
Before long, I had completed three loops, and did a little bit more to get over ten miles. Not much for many of you - but far exceeding my reasonable expectations for me. I did it!
I was having so much fun I found myself musing on two subjects: a) can I get strong enough to ride my age for my October birthday? I'll be 68 then, and b) maybe I should get a winter bike, like a fat tire bike, to ride these same MUPS in colder weather?
Most important, I found myself realizing that I'd found my 12-year-old self back on my steed, riding for the sheer joy of riding, believing I could go anywhere and feeling completely free!
Once back home, I had the new treat of using my hot tub after a ride (another first). Whoa, boy! That felt good!
After lunch, I collapsed on the couch and fell into a DEEP sleep. That's the one part I forgot about. And now I'm walking around in a fog, but I'm grinning from ear to ear.
Here's a few pics:
I squeezed into my 50+ jersey to honor the occasion. And I even got a little blood on my ankle as well. Ah, life is good!
__________________
2015 Sirrus Elite
Proud member of the original Club Tombay
2015 Sirrus Elite
Proud member of the original Club Tombay
Last edited by Digital Gee; 04-01-18 at 05:49 PM.
04-01-18, 06:08 PM
#3
Life is good
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Awesome. Any positive progress is always good. Go slow and easy and you'll be ready for to Ride the Rockies soon. 
__________________
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
04-01-18, 06:19 PM
#4
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Congratulations and welcome back.
I'm sure you will be able to ride your age if that is your goal.
I'm sure you will be able to ride your age if that is your goal.
04-01-18, 08:01 PM
#5
Let's do a Century
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Woo hoo!!! One of these days you’re going to ride towards those snow capped mountains and just keep on going and going.
04-01-18, 08:53 PM
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that is awesome,,im so glad for you..i had similiar problems and im walking every day to get my energy and stamina up and get my balance....
well done sir
well done sir
04-02-18, 06:09 AM
#9
Semper Fi
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Best news I have had in quite a while, Good for you Deege!
Bill
Bill
__________________
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
04-02-18, 08:03 AM
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Honest to G-d I teared-up. This is great, GREAT news! go, Go, GO! (but be careful!)
04-02-18, 09:20 AM
#11
I need more cowbell.
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I forgot what the day after would be like. Sit bones aching! But still glad to be back...
04-02-18, 09:25 AM
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Coming back from my MI, I added an extra column to my spreadsheet log: what would I have to ride each weekend to add 10% to last week's total. It looked pretty puny at first: 14 miles this week, 16 miles next week. I managed to exceed that by the time I was into the 40s, but making that chart and riding towards it was a challenge that kept me going more than once.
Let us know how you do on your birthday!
Let us know how you do on your birthday!
04-02-18, 11:24 AM
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I did it! I enjoyed my first ride in three years, more than sixteen months after a mild heart attack.
I was well prepared. I had Clementine, my 2015 Sirrus Elite, tuned up, polished up, and ready to go with a new rack on the back and a new kickstand as well. The weather was finally gorgeous as well. Temperatures were in the low sixties when I began, sky was a deep blue.
Took the bike to the Damonte Ranch Wetlook Trail, which is a gorgeous 3.1 mile loop.
My goals at first were quite modest: could I cycle 100 yards, or 1,000 yards, or a mile, before I'd have to stop?
Climbing on the bike, I learned my first challenge - getting my leg over the bar! I had to lay the bike almost flat to mount up - but mount up I did. Off I went with my new Apple Watch tracking things on my wrist, and MapMyRide doing the same on my phone.
The first body part to complain was my thighs, followed by incessant questioning from my butt (What the heck are you doing? it wanted to know). But things felt pretty good, so off I went. Then some arm complaints and neck complaints, as I tried to get used to the position of my head. I knew all this stuff was predictable and bearable.
Lo! And behold, before long, I had completed a loop - 3.1 miles - and I wasn't tired. This was encouraging!
Kept going, and enjoying dropping all the moms with their strollers and the dads walking their dogs. Why, I exceeded 10 miles per hour on occasion - topping at 14.6 miles per hour by the end of the ride.
After the second lap, it was an easy decision to go for the gold and see if I could hit 10 miles. A bit of cross-wind reminded me of that thing called wind. Not terrible, just a reminder from days gone by.
Before long, I had completed three loops, and did a little bit more to get over ten miles. Not much for many of you - but far exceeding my reasonable expectations for me. I did it!
I was having so much fun I found myself musing on two subjects: a) can I get strong enough to ride my age for my October birthday? I'll be 68 then, and b) maybe I should get a winter bike, like a fat tire bike, to ride these same MUPS in colder weather?
Most important, I found myself realizing that I'd found my 12-year-old self back on my steed, riding for the sheer joy of riding, believing I could go anywhere and feeling completely free!
Once back home, I had the new treat of using my hot tub after a ride (another first). Whoa, boy! That felt good!
After lunch, I collapsed on the couch and fell into a DEEP sleep. That's the one part I forgot about. And now I'm walking around in a fog, but I'm grinning from ear to ear.
Here's a few pics:
I squeezed into my 50+ jersey to honor the occasion. And I even got a little blood on my ankle as well. Ah, life is good!
I was well prepared. I had Clementine, my 2015 Sirrus Elite, tuned up, polished up, and ready to go with a new rack on the back and a new kickstand as well. The weather was finally gorgeous as well. Temperatures were in the low sixties when I began, sky was a deep blue.
Took the bike to the Damonte Ranch Wetlook Trail, which is a gorgeous 3.1 mile loop.
My goals at first were quite modest: could I cycle 100 yards, or 1,000 yards, or a mile, before I'd have to stop?
Climbing on the bike, I learned my first challenge - getting my leg over the bar! I had to lay the bike almost flat to mount up - but mount up I did. Off I went with my new Apple Watch tracking things on my wrist, and MapMyRide doing the same on my phone.
The first body part to complain was my thighs, followed by incessant questioning from my butt (What the heck are you doing? it wanted to know). But things felt pretty good, so off I went. Then some arm complaints and neck complaints, as I tried to get used to the position of my head. I knew all this stuff was predictable and bearable.
Lo! And behold, before long, I had completed a loop - 3.1 miles - and I wasn't tired. This was encouraging!
Kept going, and enjoying dropping all the moms with their strollers and the dads walking their dogs. Why, I exceeded 10 miles per hour on occasion - topping at 14.6 miles per hour by the end of the ride.
After the second lap, it was an easy decision to go for the gold and see if I could hit 10 miles. A bit of cross-wind reminded me of that thing called wind. Not terrible, just a reminder from days gone by.
Before long, I had completed three loops, and did a little bit more to get over ten miles. Not much for many of you - but far exceeding my reasonable expectations for me. I did it!
I was having so much fun I found myself musing on two subjects: a) can I get strong enough to ride my age for my October birthday? I'll be 68 then, and b) maybe I should get a winter bike, like a fat tire bike, to ride these same MUPS in colder weather?
Most important, I found myself realizing that I'd found my 12-year-old self back on my steed, riding for the sheer joy of riding, believing I could go anywhere and feeling completely free!
Once back home, I had the new treat of using my hot tub after a ride (another first). Whoa, boy! That felt good!
After lunch, I collapsed on the couch and fell into a DEEP sleep. That's the one part I forgot about. And now I'm walking around in a fog, but I'm grinning from ear to ear.
Here's a few pics:
I squeezed into my 50+ jersey to honor the occasion. And I even got a little blood on my ankle as well. Ah, life is good!
Now, stay the course! Keep a LOG! Nothing is more motivational than seeing where you started and then where you are after say 2-3 months. It worked wonders for me.
Just add a bit every week and before you know it, you will be up around 20 miles. Again, keep a log of every ride.
Find someone to ride with and schedule some rides with them on a weekly basis. This is also a big motivator and you can talk about all those pains with someone who understands what you are going thru!
So, keep it up!
john
04-02-18, 11:31 AM
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Love an orange bike
04-02-18, 11:39 AM
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well done Sir!
hot tub? jealous! if I had one of those, I'm not sure if I would ever ride!
hot tub? jealous! if I had one of those, I'm not sure if I would ever ride!
04-02-18, 08:08 PM
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Well done! 68 is certainly doable by Oct just build yourself up to it a little at a time.
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