Take the small wins
05-02-22, 02:21 PM
#1
I’m a little Surly
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Take the small wins
and forget the rest..
I have this regular ride that takes me from work down hill all the way to the Rhine. It's a favorite ride of mine because once I get to the river there's places to chill, people watch, get a beer et.al The draw back to the ride is getting back, it's a fun down hill adventure, lots of farms, and lots of scenery in the middle of some of the ugliest urban sprawl in Germany. The return trip is uphill and, while not drastic is 12 miles of constant elevation gain, it's a cardio killer. Since I've discovered the bike route to the river I've never been able to climb all the miles home without a break but today I rode it like it was a Florida flat. I'm sure when I head that way tomorrow I'll need twice the breaks but I just want to pat myself and anyone else that accomplished something today on the back.
I have this regular ride that takes me from work down hill all the way to the Rhine. It's a favorite ride of mine because once I get to the river there's places to chill, people watch, get a beer et.al The draw back to the ride is getting back, it's a fun down hill adventure, lots of farms, and lots of scenery in the middle of some of the ugliest urban sprawl in Germany. The return trip is uphill and, while not drastic is 12 miles of constant elevation gain, it's a cardio killer. Since I've discovered the bike route to the river I've never been able to climb all the miles home without a break but today I rode it like it was a Florida flat. I'm sure when I head that way tomorrow I'll need twice the breaks but I just want to pat myself and anyone else that accomplished something today on the back.
Last edited by Germany_chris; 05-02-22 at 02:54 PM.
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05-02-22, 03:45 PM
#2
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Damn, to go from getting your butt kicked so-hard-you-need-to-stop to cleaning the climb like it’s Florida-flat is quite an achievement, much more than a “small win,” IMO! Kudos!
05-02-22, 06:43 PM
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We should all take heart of small victories!
Great personal story.
We all understand descending pleasantly to then chill in a nice area. Usually worth a grind home. Even with a break or two over 18km.
I used to descend to Santa Cruz, CA USA to hang - then grind home.
Great personal story.
We all understand descending pleasantly to then chill in a nice area. Usually worth a grind home. Even with a break or two over 18km.
I used to descend to Santa Cruz, CA USA to hang - then grind home.
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05-02-22, 07:30 PM
#5
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and forget the rest..
I have this regular ride that takes me from work down hill all the way to the Rhine. It's a favorite ride of mine because once I get to the river there's places to chill, people watch, get a beer et.al The draw back to the ride is getting back, it's a fun down hill adventure, lots of farms, and lots of scenery in the middle of some of the ugliest urban sprawl in Germany. The return trip is uphill and, while not drastic is 12 miles of constant elevation gain, it's a cardio killer. Since I've discovered the bike route to the river I've never been able to climb all the miles home without a break but today I rode it like it was a Florida flat. I'm sure when I head that way tomorrow I'll need twice the breaks but I just want to pat myself and anyone else that accomplished something today on the back.
I have this regular ride that takes me from work down hill all the way to the Rhine. It's a favorite ride of mine because once I get to the river there's places to chill, people watch, get a beer et.al The draw back to the ride is getting back, it's a fun down hill adventure, lots of farms, and lots of scenery in the middle of some of the ugliest urban sprawl in Germany. The return trip is uphill and, while not drastic is 12 miles of constant elevation gain, it's a cardio killer. Since I've discovered the bike route to the river I've never been able to climb all the miles home without a break but today I rode it like it was a Florida flat. I'm sure when I head that way tomorrow I'll need twice the breaks but I just want to pat myself and anyone else that accomplished something today on the back.
I've had days where a climb like that is just breaking my heart and I can't figure out why it's so bad, then look up at a flag flapping slightly but directly in the direction of my face. Next day, no wind or a slight tailwind, and I'm Superman on the same hill. I love that feeling.
05-02-22, 10:09 PM
#6
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Congratulations on getting super fit
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Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
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05-03-22, 02:33 PM
#7
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Congratulations!
Looks like a big win to me, but maybe you're comparing it bigger challenges you plan to meet in the coming months and years.
Thanks for sharing this win, big or small.
Looks like a big win to me, but maybe you're comparing it bigger challenges you plan to meet in the coming months and years.
Thanks for sharing this win, big or small.
05-03-22, 03:01 PM
#8
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and forget the rest..
I have this regular ride that takes me from work down hill all the way to the Rhine. It's a favorite ride of mine because once I get to the river there's places to chill, people watch, get a beer et.al The draw back to the ride is getting back, it's a fun down hill adventure, lots of farms, and lots of scenery in the middle of some of the ugliest urban sprawl in Germany. The return trip is uphill and, while not drastic is 12 miles of constant elevation gain, it's a cardio killer. Since I've discovered the bike route to the river I've never been able to climb all the miles home without a break but today I rode it like it was a Florida flat. I'm sure when I head that way tomorrow I'll need twice the breaks but I just want to pat myself and anyone else that accomplished something today on the back.
I have this regular ride that takes me from work down hill all the way to the Rhine. It's a favorite ride of mine because once I get to the river there's places to chill, people watch, get a beer et.al The draw back to the ride is getting back, it's a fun down hill adventure, lots of farms, and lots of scenery in the middle of some of the ugliest urban sprawl in Germany. The return trip is uphill and, while not drastic is 12 miles of constant elevation gain, it's a cardio killer. Since I've discovered the bike route to the river I've never been able to climb all the miles home without a break but today I rode it like it was a Florida flat. I'm sure when I head that way tomorrow I'll need twice the breaks but I just want to pat myself and anyone else that accomplished something today on the back.
05-05-22, 07:56 AM
#9
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I received a good report from a urologist yesterday. I am recovering nicely from a recurring UTI that blew up into acute prostatitis. My prostate has shrunk considerably, staying on 2 meds and follow up in 6 months. I got the ok to step up the bike riding. I did a 35 mile ride with an average of 16mph. That is by far my longest and quickest ride of 2022. I am not accurately keeping track this year, but I had around 500 miles ytd before getting ill. I just want to make sure I get 4,000 for the year to get me to 45,000 in the past 9 years. Next year I go for hitting 50,000 in a 10 year span.
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05-05-22, 10:40 AM
#10
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I received a good report from a urologist yesterday. I am recovering nicely from a recurring UTI that blew up into acute prostatitis. My prostate has shrunk considerably, staying on 2 meds and follow up in 6 months. I got the ok to step up the bike riding. I did a 35 mile ride with an average of 16mph. That is by far my longest and quickest ride of 2022. I am not accurately keeping track this year, but I had around 500 miles ytd before getting ill. I just want to make sure I get 4,000 for the year to get me to 45,000 in the past 9 years. Next year I go for hitting 50,000 in a 10 year span.
I'd say take it in baby steps, but if you're back to 35 miles already, that's not a baby anymore.
05-05-22, 10:47 AM
#11
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Just remember, "There are no tailwinds, there are only headwinds or good days."
05-05-22, 04:24 PM
#12
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05-05-22, 09:57 PM
#13
Senior Member
I used to hate ascents, then as I got better at them, I don't really enjoy them, but I accept them as a challenge
