Category Archives: Cycling

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.

 

 

To Be Healthy Again

29 Friday Jul 2016

Posted by in Cancer, Cycling, Photography

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This year has got to be the worst year so far as far as my health is concerned.  I’ve already been hospitalized twice this year and another visit is just around the corner.  This month alone I’ve been to a doctor five times for tests and other examinations.

Since my bout with pneumonia back in May, my breathing has gotten worse.  So much so that I can’t walk any distance or do any type of work without gasping for a breath.  Even sitting here typing this my breathing is labored.  I had a nuclear stress test last week as well as an ultrasound of my heart and both tests have come back without any abnormalities.  My regular doctor is supposed to be setting up an appointment with a cardiologist hopefully one day next week for a follow up.

I long for the day I’m able to walk down the hallways at work or hop on my bicycle for a twenty mile ride without feeling like crap.

365 Day Photo Challenge 354/365 “It Was a Better Day”

19 Saturday Dec 2015

Posted by in Cycling, Photography

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Compared to yesterday, today was  like a breath of fresh air.  The kidney stone still has not passed as far as I know.  I’ve been drinking plenty of water and going to the bathroom more times that I care to count.  I still have a little pain in my lower back but I can deal with that as long as it doesn’t get any worse.  I’m hoping to go to the store tomorrow and get some stuff together for our upcoming Christmas dinner.

“Life Goes On!”

My Whole Body is Sore

26 Sunday Oct 2014

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I took a trip to Dallas Georgia yesterday to ride a few miles on the Silver Comet. Fifty to be exact I haven’t ridden by bicycle since the end of June and I believe I did too much yesterday.  The back of my neck and shoulders are feeling the worst and my legs come in a close second.

It was a beautiful day yesterday with the temps being in the sixties to start off with and the high in the mid 70’s by the end of my ride.  I started off with a hoodie but had to take it off about midday.  I am so bad out of shape that it took me longer than I had expected but I didn’t have any problems until about mile 40 when I started having leg cramps.  I slowed down and started taking mini breaks.  I was in no hurry so I just took my time getting back.

The Silver Comet Trail is 61.5 miles long, and starts at the Mavell Road Trailhead in Smyrna, Georgia. It ends at the Georgia/Alabama state line, near Cedartown and The Esom Hill Trailhead.

At the Georgia/Alabama state line, the Silver Comet connects to the 33-mile long Chief Ladiga Trail. Plans are underway to extend the Chief Ladiga an additional 7 miles. Both the Silver Comet Trail and Chief Ladiga are fully paved rail-trails built on abandoned railroad lines. The combined Silver Comet and Chief Ladiga trail length is estimated to be 94.5 paved miles from Smyrna, Georgia to Anniston, Alabama. (Copied from the Silver Comet Website.)

Riding on the trail is very pleasant and you can meet a lot of nice people along the way.  In fact yesterday I had a chance to give a helping hand.  About 14 miles from the trail head in Dallas, I ran across an elderly couple walking their bikes.  I stopped to see if they needed help.  They told me that he had a flat and his hand pump wouldn’t work  Just so happens that I carry two tubes and two CO2 cartridges with me on any trip.  He borrowed one of my CO2 cartridges and he was on his way.  He did say thanks and offered to pay but I declined payment.  I just hope someone is as nice to me as I was to him if I’m ever in his shoes.

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Got to ride today

29 Sunday Dec 2013

Posted by in Cycling, Uncategorized, Weight Loss

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The weather was finally warm enough to take a small ride this afternoon.  I think the temperature got up to around 53 degrees so I decided I’d take advantage of the wonderful sunshine and take a spin.  Although the temp was around 53 it was still cold doing 15 or so mph.  I don’t own any cold weather gear so my upper body got quite chilly.  I got 15 miles in before calling it done.  Probably the last time I’ll get in a ride this year.  I can’t wait until spring.

Cycling as a stress reliever?

29 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by in Cycling, Weight Loss

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After a horrid weekend, by the way, sorry for the rant the other day, I went on a short bike ride through my community.  It’s the first one since I broke my rib at work.  It took me a little while to get motivated and I guess that’s because of the mood I was in.

Once I got on the road I started feeling better.  I don’t know if it’s because of the wind in my face or the exercise I was getting but I was a different person when I got home.  In fact, my wife even noticed a difference.

With the days getting shorter and the time change this weekend it will be near impossible for me to get a ride in when I get home from work.  I’ve got a trainer that I’ve been on a couple of times and believe me it’s not the same as being out on the road.

Don’t come between a hawk and his snack.

26 Saturday Oct 2013

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I’m wanting to do some landscaping work our Boy Scout meeting place.  I went by there yesterday afternoon and had taken several photographs when I heard this loud whooshing sound above my head. I looked up to see this large hawk diving toward me with incredible speed.  I ducked down and he flew just above my head as he dropped down low enough to grab this rat that was running across the path.  He flew up and landed on a limb and I was able to capture these images.  I hope you enjoy.ImageImageImageImage

My First 50 Miler

24 Thursday Oct 2013

Posted by in Cycling, Weight Loss

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I met up with another boy scout troop in our district and we took a trip to Dallas Georgia to ride a section of the Silver Comet.  The Silver Comet and the Chief LaDiga Trail is an old railroad bed that has been converted to a very nice bike/  walking trail.  It goes from Anniston, Alabama to Smyrna, Georgia.  It’s part of the Rails to Trails project.  We had 18 scouts ride the trail but only 4 of us made the full 50 miles.  I hope everyone enjoys the pictures.ImageImageImageImageImageImageImageg