Again, a gentle increase of miles each time I ride, and it is working much better.
I came back with strong legs and no exhaustion. I could have gone a lot longer, but I am sticking to the plan.
Plus, after checking with my biking authority (Alex), he told me that getting off to push the bike up the hill is "cross training". Instead of biking up the hills as far as I could go to the point of failure, I took it easy, walked the bike up the hard hills sooner, and because I did not reach the point of exhaustion, I was able to climb all of the small hills.
So doing my cross training a little earlier on the hard hills, I cut down my cross training overall.
Today I was riding along on my bike and having trouble with any sort of hill or incline.
The trouble was three fold
- Cardio-vascular - I was running out of breath.
- Muscular - My leg muscles were burning
- Bike - I still do not have all the gears.
As I was riding along, I looked up to see Mt. Diablo and started thinking about those that ride up Mt. Diablo. I have a little way to go.
When I was a boy, we rode bikes all the time. It was our main means of transportation. As I was riding I was remembering.
- I bought a bike for $5 that I used for years.
- We never had bike locks. I do not remember any of us losing a bike.
- We rode standing up most of the time because we were always racing.
- The bikes did not have gears.
OK, that is two in a row. I rode 2 miles today. I am not ready for a group ride yet, but today felt much better than yesterday, and I believe tomorrow will feel better than today. When I started up again, I tried to do too much too fast and got too exhausted and too sore.
I have learned my lesson, and this time I am going to take it more deliberately. Part of the program is to just enjoy the ride, enjoy the scenery, enjoy the sensations, and not be so focused on doing the most I can do.
I still need to get the bike in for repairs, only two of the gears are working, but I just decided not to use that as an excuse and get it fixed when the time is right.
That is what I told myself today. No more excuses. Get back on the bike.
I had to reduce my effort today because of inactivity, but I was on the bike today and had a most enjoyable ride.
It was short - 1.5 miles - but that was part of the bargain I made with myself to get out of the house and on the bike. I will start to build up again.
I rode my bike to a meeting today. Round trip was 9.5 miles. A good ride, but too much sun.
First gear is fixed - well at least it is working. Hills were somewhat easier today with first gear.
I rode 4.5 miles, but I am worn out. When I stopped riding a year or so ago, I was riding at least 10 miles a day, so I am sure it will come back.
Third time is a charm on getting the bike tires inflated. Paid another 50 cents at a service station where the air hose was partially broken, but managed to get air in the tires and check the pressure with my tire gauge.
Today was 3 miles. A little more each day.
Soreness where my body touches the seat: that is normal and nothing to worry about.
My wrist is sore, I think that is from carrying the bike upstairs and twisting and turning down the hallway. I will clear out the hallway and take care of that.
My thighs burn going up hills. I napped and started late today, so first gear is still not fixed. To start out, I will need to get that fixed and use first gear more going up the rolling hills on the trails around here.
So far so good.
I took some change along today, and got some air in the tires. The gas station pump was not working very well and the gauge was broken, but it appears I have them inflated to the lowest possible level. I will try again tomorrow at another station.
I know I could go and start buying equipment like a new air pump, but I am going to start out slow and only buy new equipment as a reward for continuing.
The chain has a place that is bent and I cannot use 1st gear. Tomorrow I will take a pair of plyers and try and fix. I bought the bike at the Encino Bike shop and they give a life time warrenty, so that is the next stop if I cannot fix it.
I am going to buy a new lock so I can leave it outside (there is a place that is covered under the stairs).
Only rode 2 miles today, it seems all my energy is on preparation at this time.
My initial goal is to ride to my Wednesday morning meeting. It is probably 5-6 miles one way, but it is a start. It is all on the trails.
So far so good.
I am starting to bike again. One of the reasons is so I can join my son Alex on one of his long rides. I am going to log my adventures on this blog because I do not use it for anything else.
Today I got out the bike, noted the tires were not fully inflated, and rode / walked down to the nearest station for air. I obviously do not have a working air pump.
The station charged 75 cents for air. I did not bring any money. So I went to two more gas stations. Both wanted money for air.
That was the ride for today.
This evening I checked out the lights and made sure everything was working. I packed a small back pack with a few items like maps of bike trails.
Ready to try again tomorrow.
My son Alex starts on the AidsCycle today. I wish him the best.
