Tag Archives: Cycling

Made my Goal!!

06 Sunday Sep 2020

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As part of The Great Cyclel Challange, a cycling effort to raise money to fight kids cancer, I have set myself a goal to ride 50 miles a week throughout the month of September. My goal for the event is just 100 miles because at the time I just didn’t think I could ride that much due to not riding any for about a year. It has become apparent that I may want to up my main goal to 200 miles.

I was short milage last week because I had broken a spoke. I’ve never replaced a spoke nor did I have any spokes to replace it with. The guy at the bike shop stated that it would be the 9th of September before I’d get my wheel back. I told him why I needed it back sooner but he didn’t have the same concern that I had. I was able to get the wheel back a lot sooner than expected so that meant that I had at least 23 miles that I had to ride to reach my 50 mile/week goal. Yesterday I road a little over 25 miles which made my weekly goal of 51.98 miles.

The goal starts over today but I’m doing a recovery day. Yesterday came with a small price. I went to stop and I couldn’t get my left foot unclipped from my peddle and down I went. Banged up my left knee pretty bad. I’ve been hurt worse but I’m going to take it easy today. Maybe I’ll spend the afternoon cleaning the bike. It’s gotten quite dirty over the past week of riding.

https://greatcyclechallenge.com/Riders/TimHughes

It’s a Beginning

19 Wednesday Aug 2020

Posted by in Cancer, Cycling, Diabetic, Leukemia, Weight Loss

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When I started riding back in 2013, I rode a total of 1700 miles.  I know, to some of you that’s a drop in a bucket but I was pretty proud of my accomplishment.  2014 is when I was diagnosed and because of my health issues, I was only able to ride 530 miles.  I was able to increase my mileage somewhat to 890 miles in 2015.  2016 was a different story.  I stayed in the hospital for several weeks because of complications and I never had the energy nor the strength to ride therefore I rode zero miles that year.  In 2017, I was determined to start again and I did get a decent start with 150 miles but it soon faded because I was plagued with complications again.  In the next two years, I was lucky to get 100 miles or less because of fatigue and weight issues.  Because of this challenge that I’ve signed up for, I’ve pretty much-given caution to the wind and I’m going to ride if it kills me.

Today I was able to ride six miles, most of it pretty well.  I did have some issues going up against some steep hills but I think once I lose some weight and get more in shape, I’ll get better with the hills.  The only way I’m going to get better is to keep doing it.  In 2013, I had worked up to 25 miles every time I got on my bike and I was riding close to four days a week during the Spring and Summer. There’s no way I can do that now but that’s my goal.

Stay safe everyone!!

Some Days We Ride–Others We Walk

25 Wednesday Apr 2018

Posted by in Cycling, Weight Loss

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I was so looking forward to getting out today and do some serious riding.  I even left work early.  It didn’t happen.  I got a little over two miles from the house and I heard the dreaded pop. I knew immediately what it was.  At least I got some exercise walking home.  Question? For those that ride, do you do your own repairs such as replacing spokes?  Do you keep such items in stock?

I’ve been bitten by the riding bug!

24 Tuesday Apr 2018

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This past weekend gave me the opportunity to get my bike out and ride.  It was only 10k but at least I got out there.  I had planned on riding more when I got home but my better half had other plans.

While riding Saturday, I noticed some things that needed attention on the bike so I took it to my local bike shop to have it serviced. It’s been since 2015 since I’ve done anything to it being that I haven’t ridden it much since I got sick.  I took it to them yesterday and picked it up today.  I couldn’t have done it any faster but I definitely could’ve done it cheaper.

I’ve already told my better half not to plan on anything for me to do tomorrow evening because I’ve got plans. Plans which includes riding as far as I can and as long as I can.

Stepping Out on Faith

22 Sunday Apr 2018

Posted by in Cancer, Cycling, Leukemia, Weight Loss

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I just signed up for the 29-mile Crimson Tide Ride in Tuscaloosa on July 28th.  I’ve ridden this ride several times but when this medication started messing with my lungs, I was no longer able to do so.  Right now, I feel like I can do it again.  It’s true that my longest ride so far this year has only been a little over eight miles, with the time left before the ride, I’m confident that I’ll be able to do the ride.  That is if my new meds don’t interfere.  If I continue to improve, I should be able to do the 36 mile next year.  I understand it has several more hills to overcome.

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Yesterday, our company participated in the Birmingham Corporate Challenge.  There were several events ranging from tug of war, corn hole, homerun derby, dodgeball, cycling and several other events. I participated in the 10k bike stroll.  It was a very simple route.  It was a three-mile loop that you had to do twice in which about a mile of it was a long hill.  This hill nearly whooped my butt the second time around.  Having forgotten my water bottle didn’t help matters any.  The event actually started with events on Thursday and ended about 6pm on Saturday.  Our company came in second overall last year.  It was sponsored by Chik fila and they gave out free chicken sandwiches.  I can’t wait to see where our company ended up in the standings this year.

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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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.