July rides

[emily_in_nc]

Wow, Rebecca, that looks like an epic ride. Kudos to you for completing it. I just can't imagine that kind of climbing after being in Florida for so long. I am not sure I have it in me to ride mountains any more -- not that I ever did too much of that anyway!

Congratulations on the upcoming birth of your daughter. I know you and Alex must be over the moon!

Enjoy Glacier! I know it is incredibly beautiful but hope there are no wildfires in the area. Smoky hiking = no muy bueno.

[north woods gal]

Again, just beautiful, rebecca. Question: do you find the altitude to be an issue? I suspect a flatlander like me would need some time to adjust.

As for me, had my four week progress check with the doctor, today. Was hoping for something a bit more definitive and conclusive, but all he did was take an X ray of my spine in the damaged area to see if it has been maintaining proper alignment while I heal. Also did all the reflexes, nerve and strength tests. Everything checked out, perfectly. I am grateful for the results, but I'm still to be in a brace for another few weeks, at least, and won't be released from the brace until that final check. Well, there goes my summer, as far as bicycling. I shouldn't be disappointed, but I am. Had hoped to be bicycling, sooner, but that's not going to happen. Oh, well.

Rain, today, but much needed rain, so no complaint, there. Probably won't go for a walk, then, but my heart just isn't in it, anyway. May do the trainer, later.

[north woods gal]

On a more upbeat note (don't mean to be such a grump), he liked my trainer setup. I'm good to go, there. More walking is good, too. Guess I'll just keep doing what I have been doing, for now.

[Crankin]

Glad you are trying to see the positive side, NWG.
Today we started our annual Berkshire trip. It’s a week earlier than normal, because a bike tour has the inn all booked next wkend. Got here around noon, ate on the patio of the inn after buying some sandwiches,and headed out on a warm up ride at 1:45. Did 20 miles, flat to rolling, mostly shady, through Great Barrington and Sheffield. Rural and farms, a bit of suburban state road. Tried a new road, beautiful, but lots of potholes.
This was my fastest ride in the Berkshires, ever. Well, the next 3 days are full of suffering and eating!

[emily_in_nc]

That sounds like a lovely trip, Crankin! Do enjoy.

NWG, sorry that you didn't get released to ride, but glad that your healing process is going so well. I completely understand how you feel; very frustrating. Especially with your short summer season there, I hate that you have to miss it all. But on the plus side, you don't mind riding year-round, so all is not lost. There's always fall...and (shiver...) winter!

[north woods gal]

Thanks, Emily. You've been there, so your words are especially helpful, right now. Everyone's words are, in fact. The encouragement helps. Yes, have been thinking along those same lines, too. What's a few more weeks compared to a possible added injury that could put me out of bicycling for the rest of met life?

Funny you should mention the winter riding. Been on my mind a lot during this down time. No way am I going to beat myself up, again, trying to keep trails cleared all winter long like I did, last winter. That was just brutal. Great learning experience, but brutal. I'm hoping to confine my snow riding this next winter to riding out on our local paved roads after the snow plows have done their job. Yup, let the county do all the snow clearing for me. And, yeah, I'll probably do more indoor trainer riding, much as I hate it. Then, too, there's always my cross country skiing and snowshoeing. The trails won't go to waste.

[Crankin]

I’m a firm believer in doing other sports for a few weeks in the winter, NWG. I love x country skiing and snow shoeing.
So, our ride today was a new version of a ride we’ve done before. I wouldn’t call it epic, or even difficult, but for me, challenging because it had long, shallow climbs. This hurts my back and I feel like I can’t get in a rhythm. I need to go back to PT!
But it was so quiet and rural. We stopped at a general store around 11:15 and had popsicles, which revived me. Then, we rode to lunch at the food co op in Great Barrington. DH and I and the male half of our friend stayed on the route for the 6 miles back to the inn. Mostly climbing, but I did not want to be in the glaring sun on the main road.
I spent 30 min stretching when we got back, went in the pool and then had a little happy hr on the porch.
Mexican food tonight. The hordes from NYC have descended for the weekend. Bah.
Tomorrow’s ride is hard and 40 miles. It’s an official group ride, but we only have 2 others. Weather looks sketchy after 1, a bit concerned. Had one of the worst rain riding experiences of my life at the end of this ride.

[north woods gal]

Ha! Can't remember the last time I had a popsicle. Am I getting old or what?

One of the things I like about my solo riding is that I can relax and set my own pace. Not the it hurts to be pushed a bit by others, sometimes. When I ride with hubby, we adjust our riding to stay close. That's nice, too.

I am so in awe of you guys doing theses long rides, right now. Kind of hard in my present situation to believe I did those, too, back when. Gives me a goal to work for when I do get riding, again. Keep posting about them. It helps.

Hitting the trainer hard, now that I am beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. Can go hours, now, walking and doing normal activities with the brace adjusted very loose - very little in the way of support, just there to keep me from twisting my neck in a bad way. My neck feels normal most of the time, now, especially when riding the trainer. I think the elevated heart rate while working the trainer is good for the healing. I suspect I'll be a bit nervous about not wearing the brace when the time comes, though. Going to have to regain some self-confidence.