Category Archives: Cycling

Today’s Thoughts 4/19/2018

19 Thursday Apr 2018

Posted by in Cancer, Cycling, Leukemia, Weight Loss

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Got home late yesterday due to having to work later than normal.  I had my day all planned out before I got to work which included getting off early and trying to extend my mileage from 10 to at least 20 or more miles.  Didn’t happen.  I got to work and found out that I was going to have work the desk dispatching calls all day.  Which also meant I IMG_20180418_174749wasn’t going to be able to get any cycling in.  Not a total loss though.  I did stop at the track and got my 10,000 steps in for the day.

As much as I like getting out on my bike and ride, it’s important to me to get out and do something to enjoy the outdoors, even if it’s just walking on the walking track. Most of last year I just didn’t feel like getting out and doing anything.  Once I made it home from work, I didn’t have the energy to do anything but to shower and relax in front of the television.  I gained weight, my A1c went up and basically felt like crap. Now that I have my health back, for the time being, I’m taking advantage of it and getting out and doing something.  In the short time that I’ve been feeling better, I’ve been able to get out and ride, three times so far, I’ve gone to the track a few times and my A1c has come down a few points.  When I feel better I’m able to take better care of myself.

Stay Healthy!!

Hazards of Cycling (Part Two)

17 Tuesday Apr 2018

Posted by in Cycling, Weight Loss

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https://youtu.be/RpGN3iNlGGo

 

As much as I love cycling and the benefits that it has, you’ve got to consider some of the hazards that come with it.  Living in the suburbs, I have a limitless place to ride. But to get to it I have to travel on some busy roads.  While most vehicles obey the three-foot law, others do not.  And another thing, some do not take into consideration that while passing me they don’t think about the oncoming traffic.  I’ve seen several near misses.  One of these days I’ll get to witness a wreck.

Another hazard is dogs.  The one in this video is always there.  I’ve squirted water, yelled, kicked and nothing has stopped this dog from chasing me.  While this dog hasn’t tried to bite me others have.  The ankle biters are the worse. At least with the big dogs, they tend to stay on one side of you and bark.  The ankle biters are all over the road.  You never know where they’re going next. One of my wrecks was from dodging one of these ankle biters.

I’ve often thought about using mace to squirt on the dogs but after thinking about it I’ve decided that given the wind I don’t want this stuff coming back in my face. That would be bad. So, for now, I’ll stick with wasting my water by squirting the dogs.

In closing, let me say this.  The benefits of cycling will outway the bad.  Just keep a mindful eye on your surroundings if riding in the city.

Be careful out there

Cycling Can be Hazerdous to Your Health

15 Sunday Apr 2018

Posted by in Cycling

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When I first started cycling, I was using a bicycle that I had purchased from a fellow co-worker some twenty plus years ago.  That meant the bike I was riding a bike that was close to thirty years old.  I used that bike for nearly a year before purchasing my new Cannondale.  The old bike, a Trek, had what I call suicide shifters.  The shifters were on the down tube and you had to take one hand off the handlebar to shift gears.  Most of the time I had no issue with doing so but sometimes, with the bike being so old and poorly maintained, the shifters didn’t work well and I would lose concentration and off the bike I would go.  Luckily, the whole time I rode this bike I never had any broken bones, just minor road rash.

 

 

 

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My 35 yr old Trek after a minor incident.  I still have this bike.

 

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My new 2013 Cannondale

 

 

 

 

Saturday Blues

14 Saturday Apr 2018

Posted by in Cycling, Weight Loss

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I’ve spent a lot of time today on my computer, mainly deleting old files and moving some files around. Just trying to get more organized.  While doing so I found some GoPro videos of some bike rides that I’ve been on.  I decided I’d share one with you.  This video is of the Old Howard Bike Ride.  This ride is located in Perry County, Alabama.  The event benefits Sowing Seeds of Hope.  Here’s the link to the event

https://www.samford.edu/events/old-howard-100

The video is less than 2 minutes of the first twelve minutes of the ride.  It is a century ride but I only rode 30 of those miles.  As you can see, it starts off pretty flat but it gets pretty steep toward the end.

If you’re ever in the area around the mid part of April and if you’re a cyclist, I would highly recommend this ride. It goes through three counties of the historic Black Belt.  In fact, one of the rest stops is at a historic Victorian home. Again, it’s a charity ride and it goes to a good cause.

 

Today’s Thoughts 4/10/2018

10 Tuesday Apr 2018

Posted by in Cycling, Leukemia, Weight Loss

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It’s been seven days since I started my new medication.  At this time there hasn’t been any noticeable side effects.  I’ve had the pharmacist from the drug company call me twice to check on me.  Like I said in my last post, this is a fairly new drug so they’re just concerned about me I guess.

On April 21st, there is a city-wide competition with some of the business in town called The Birmingham Challenge.  I have signed up with my employer to ride in a 10k bike stroll.  The bike stroll is not a competition within itself but we get points as to how many cyclists we get to ride in the event.  It’s the same way with the walking event.  We do, however, have other events that are competitions, such as the tug a war, dodgeball, corn-hole, golf, home-run hitting, and a couple more events.  Last year our company came in 2nd overall.  I’ve signed up for the cycling event.  I haven’t been on my bike for nearly a year, until this evening. I know it’s not much but I rode a whole 2.4 miles.  I could’ve ridden further but both my headlight and taillight were not charged and I didn’t want to ride without them.  I really surprised myself.  I actually dreaded getting back on my bike and tackling the hill in front of my house.  I got a little winded but I made it with no problems.

I’m back on my low carb diet.  I blew it this weekend.  Those Little Debbie cakes ought to be illegal.  I’ve finally got my wife on board with me with her cooking and she’s not giving me bread or potatoes so the failure this weekend is all on me.  I just “grazed” all weekend.  I had lost seven but on Monday, I gained five.  I hate losing the same weight that I had already lost before.  Today I did great though.  We’ll see when I check the scales in the morning.

I check in again in a couple of days.  In the meantime, enjoy your week.18157141_10154580034993946_3844449760811629204_n

From last years event.

 

A Little Slow

05 Friday May 2017

Posted by in Cancer, Cycling, Leukemia, Weight Loss

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The weather here in the deep south has been less than perfect for bike riding for me.  The last two days it’s been a rainy, dreary day.  Today the temperature hardly rose above the mid 50’s mark.  Tomorrow is forcasted to be warmer but not until mid afternoon.  My plan is to either get a twenty mile in on Saturday or wait until Sunday when I should have more time.

My last ride broke the 100 mile mark.  That’s pretty good considering that only six months ago I was considering selling my bike because of my health.  I’m looking forward to much healther days along with miles and miles of riding.

Happy Trails

Good to See Improvement

02 Tuesday May 2017

Posted by in Cycling, Photography

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It’s hard to believe that just over a month ago I couldn’t walk to my bicyle much less ride it.  Today I completed a little under 14 miles and I’m really excited about it.  A couple of months ago I asked my cardiologist if I would be able to ride by bike again and he assured me that I would be back on it this Spring.  At that time I wan’t able to walk any distance at all without getting out of breath so no, I didn’t believe him.  Now look at me!!

I’m just now getting to the point where I’m enjoying my rides. When I first started I wan’t able to do anything but concentrate on my breathing.  I wasn’t able to look around and enjoy the beauty or take in the smells.  Today brought back a lot of memories when I used to ride all the time.  The smell of BBQ grilling on the grill, the smell of freashly cut grass and the smell of dead animals on the side of the road. (You got to take the good with the bad).  My breathing is still off but I know that will get better over time.

Untill next time, Happy Trails!!

 

Birmingham Corperate Challenge

29 Saturday Apr 2017

Posted by in Cancer, Cycling, Leukemia, Weight Loss

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I had an opportunity to ride in the 10k bicycle ride in the Brimingham Coporate Challenge. I’ve been able to get some riding done in preporation for this ride.  Just last week I was able to get over thirteen miles in so that really helped.  Our company came in 2nd in the bicyle strole and 2nd overall of all the companies that participated.

All is going pretty well I guess but I had a little scare the other day.  After my longest ride I noticed while taking a shower I was spitting blood.  I washed out my mouth several times and what came out was dark red.  I called one of my cardiologist the next morning and I spend the rest of the day tracking down all my other doctors as well.  I think that the final diagnosis was that I had some sinus issues and my heavy breathing causing my mouth to get dry aggravated it.

Back in the Saddle Again!

23 Sunday Apr 2017

Posted by in Cancer, Cycling, Leukemia, Weight Loss

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It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything but my absence hasn’t been anything bad.  My health has steady improved so much so that I’ve tried to start riding my bike again.  I was a bit concerned when I got started because I actually thought that something was still wrong with my breathing.  I talked with cardiologist about  this and he just informed me that I was out of shape.  After all, it’s been nearly two years since I’ve been on my bike.

When I first started back I was in for a huge disappointment.  I heard about a bike ride that is held on every Sunday.  It ranges from 8 to 10 miles.  Remember those 20 mile rides I used to do every day?  Lol.  Not any more.  After about three miles I knew I was in serious trouble.  So many hills and I couldn’t remember how to clip in my peddles.  In fact, before the ride even began I fell flat on my face trying to clip in.  We stopped so many times waiting on the slower people that I think that’s what actually wore me out trying to clip in to those damn peddles.  I realized then that I needed to ride around the house for a bit and get reacquainted with my bike.  Shorted ride 1.34 miles, Longest ride thus far 13.48 miles.  I’m averaging about 10 mph.

There is a ride in June called the Hot Hundred.  You got it, it’s a 100 mile ride with smaller rides available.  The shortest is a 29 mile ride that I used to ride in.  I have my hopes of riding it this year.  After my 13 mile ride I have my doubts.  I still may get to ride it, after all it’s in June.  It’s something that I’m working toward.  If I don’t this year, there’s always next.

 

Update 2/19/17

19 Sunday Feb 2017

Posted by in Cancer, Cycling, Depression, Family, Leukemia, Twins

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My health has steadily improved over the past several months with the exception of a sciatic nerve pain issue in my right hip.  I’ve been dealing with it since right before Christmas.  It has gotten better but I did end up getting a pain block this past Friday.  Not sure if it worked or not.

A couple of nights before Christmas, one of my daughters and I had a fallen  out.  Because of my health there were some changes made with my job.  One of which was a huge pay cut.  This daughter of mine loves to go out and shop when ever she’s home.  I’ve tried talking to her about my job status but it still didn’t matter.  I cut lose on her, which I now regret.  I left the house upset, jumped into my truck and didn’t make it far before I parked into a parking lot and lost it.  I guess it had been building up for a long time and I just couldn’t hold it in any longer.  I’m doing better now I guess.  I haven’t had an episode like that since but I do miss my girls tremendously when they’re away at school.

Got plans to start riding my bicycle next week.  Found a couple of small groups that don’t go too far and are easy rides.  I think I’ll do better riding with someone else verses riding by myself at least till my health really improves.

That’s it for now.