Newbie weekly achievement thread

[Bike Writer]

Greetings. I loved reading all the posts of victory. Congratulations to everyone. My achievement this week is getting back to the saddle after 18 months.

I was getting ready to ride my first Century in October 2009 when I got H1N1. Hit me hard. Although I was lucky to recover, I was on steroids and inhalers for a long time. I then moved to Denver in February 2010 and the altitude hit my now less than perfect lungs like a truck. I tried to get back on the bike during the summer of 2010, but I was anxious and every time I tried a ride I felt like a huge failure and needed to stop and use my inhaler a lot.

But, I am back! So, I think I qualify as a newbie again. I have acclimated to the altitude and I have found a few routes with just a few hills to get my lungs back. I rode 30 miles last weekend and 10 miles every day after work this week. I didn't need the inhaler once, but I will still keep it in my pack just in case.

So, my message to anyone who gets hit with an injury or illness is to keep trying to get back in the saddle if you want to. Hopefully your ending will be as happy as mine.

Wow, what a story of accomplishment and perservance! Congratulations to you and happy riding.

Actually there are a lot of good stories of accomplishment and victories and all the TE'ers reveling in a new spring riding season.

I am feeling a wee bit like I got grounded and am watching all my friends outside playing and having fun...insert sad face here with lower lip jutted out and quivering...I wanna come out and play too...

Actually I am very happy for all of you who are getting spring miles under your belt and are able to be out enjoying the outdoors...I'll be there with you as soon as we shoo out these cold temps!