Watch for a new member from Geneva :)

[Duck on Wheels]

Greetings from Geneva. I'm visiting my father's cousin here, on my way to a conference in Lausanne. Said cousin just got her old bike back from her granddaughters, who've outgrown it one after the other. Back when she bought it some 20 years ago she found she didn't ride it much because she was frightened of getting a tire stuck in one of the many tram tracks around town. Now -- at 82! -- she's got the bike back, got it tuned up etc., and has decided to give biking another try. She'll be picking up the bike, and a new helmet, at her LBS tomorrow. So tonight I showed her the TE web site. Don't know what she'll call herself, but if you notice a new feisty "old" lady on the site soon, give her a warm welcome! One more Trek420 relative on TE, bringing the family total to 4, with an age spread of 51 years. Not bad, eh?

As for myself. I'm hoping my shipped gear will have arrived when I get back home this weekend. If not, well ... at least I have a helmet and my "old" bike, RubySlipperz' older brother Big Red. Last week I didn't take him out for a spin because either I had too much to haul, or was still too jet-lagged and zonked out (it was also when my final round of cortisone withdrawal exhaustion hit*) or, when that was over, it was pouring rain. But this Sunday has gotta see me back on the road. I need to start working up to the route to Hellenback. I've been watching it from the car window going to and from the airport. There are two BIG hills, but otherwise I think I can handle it. I just have to get working on hills skills. So first step, the route to work (a slow 3-mile climb) and maybe 'round the little lake on the way home (adds a dozen miles and a couple of moderate hills). When I've got those hills down, then I should be ready for Hellenback.

*Speaking of cortisone withdrawal: Is weight gain one of the side effects of cortisone? Maybe also appetite gain? I've found it easier to lose weight since going off it. Not an alarming avalanche of weight loss. Just that my old diet (2 slices of bread at breakfast, 2 again at lunch, light dinner, lots of water, fruit for snacks) is again working at the old pace. Nice that. I've lost another 2kg and am now pretty securely down one pant size.

[Lise]

Duck! It's so great to see you back around TE! What a cool story about your dad's cousin. Looking forward to "meeting" her.

Increased appetite and weight gain are classic side effects of cortisone. Glad you're getting to come off it. Take care. Lise

[Trek420]

will the TrekDucklessUK family then have the record of 4?

And you can write in almost any language to her, she's fluent in at least 6, UN translator and still working at her craft.

AAck, then we'll need a new thread..."over 70 show of hands?"

[DrBee]

Nice to hear from you Duck! I've been wondering where you were? Welcome back! I look forward to meeting yet another member of the Trek clan!