Fifty Plus (50+) - Back in the Saddle

Today I took the Stumpjumper out for a spin on one of the local trails. It was just a 4 mile ride on some non-technical doubletrack, but it was my first MTB ride since I started my cancer treatments. I stopped a few times to catch my breath, especially on the 3/4 mile gradual climb up "grassy hill". It was great to be out in the dirt again and I felt great after the ride. Tomorrow I'm taking Ribby out for her first ride since early June, about a 12 mile flat ride around the airport.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3267/2833436816_d2be267dd6_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3239/2832595823_97b955e368_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3208/2832597197_7933533c3e_o.jpg

Great to see you riding again. Won't be long before the Grassy slope is a good workout taked at speed.

I'm glad you're back on the bikes, and assume you're getting your strength back.
You are still in my thoughts and prayers.

You are an inspiration to us all.
Keep on striveing for the pre cancer life you had, rideing will help you get there.

I was just wondering last evening how you are doing. So glad to see you out there doing so well. You, and the others here who continued riding during cancer treatments, are a fantastic inspiration and encouragement to the rest of us.

Once again, very nice pics. Who is the photographer?

Yessssssssssss. :thumb:

. . . .and I love the T-shirt.

. . . .and I love the T-shirt.

Hey, don't be calling my Legends of the Blues jersey a T-shirt! :p

This is from BD's Life Line blog:


I saw the chemo doctor this morning before going to work. He was pleased with my blood values , my weight gain and my energy level. He liked the fact that I rebounded so quickly after the bad days last week. He seemed to looking for ways to understand how resilient I am. I think it's simple. Bicycling.


:thumb::thumb::thumb:

Keep it up, BD! When I got to the part where you said you rebounded so quickly, I already knew the answer, but you finished it for me. If your resilience is that unusual to your doc, hopefully he'll take a serious look at what you're doing, and write an Rx for his other patients to do the same.

Way to go BD:thumb: you'll be on that new bike in no time.

This is from BD's Life Line blog:



:thumb::thumb::thumb:

Keep it up, BD! When I got to the part where you said you rebounded so quickly, I already knew the answer, but you finished it for me. If your resilience is that unusual to your doc, hopefully he'll take a serious look at what you're doing, and write an Rx for his other patients to do the same.

Thanks, but that prescription has to be filled long before you become a patient.

True. I was thinking of a GP, not an oncology doc.

Go, Dawg!!!

Paul

Go, Go, GO! Good for you!!!

I applaud you sir! Go for it!

All my best!

Yes, very good news!

Instead of riding today, I went to a blues festival. Wonderful weather, great music & good food (BBQ chicken & ribs).

Oh, and a slice of sweet potato pie.

Hey! That's one good looking MTB. It's the new one, I presume.

Nice going!

Next time I expect we'll see some "air"?

Yes, very good news!

Instead of riding today, I went to a blues festival. Wonderful weather, great music & good food (BBQ chicken & ribs).

Oh, and a slice of sweet potato pie.

That's pretty much what I'd call a perfect day.:thumb:

Who was playing?

Lookin' good.

It was a small town festival, with regional blues bands, a couple from Milwaukee. No one of note, which kept the price low ... just $10 for 8 hours of blues. A couple of the bands were quite good, the rest were good. No losers.

My favorite was: Reverend Raven & the Chain Smoking Altar Boys. One of the Altar Boys played a mean blues harp.

The headliner was Paul Cebar, who has a bit of fame:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Cebar

And if you like beer, and the crowd certainly did, they were selling pitchers for $8. A quarter BBQ chicken was just $3.

I don't have the words to describe how great it felt to be back on my road bike today, feeling the cool lakeside air rush by me. The last time I rode Ribby was on BRAG, the 2nd week of June.

I rode two of the 5.5 mile laps around the airport and I felt great. I even managed to get in a couple of hard pulls at about 21mph for as long as I could hold it (not long). I tried to sprint the last 1/4 mile, but gave out before the end. I guess it was more of a leadout than a sprint ;).

I enjoyed the good company of my wife and a few club members. It was a great morning for a ride and I'm glad I was able to do it.

http://flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/sets/72157607140563996/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/2835732581_8a0f8f7eee_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3213/2835730671_59daedf8c5_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2835733785_81203c7c7e_o.jpg

BD & Ribby ... together again. As it should be.

How wonderful you must feel! There's nothing like a bike ride to lift your spirits, is there?

Really glad you're making progress and kicking cancer's *ss. :thumb:

You're lookin' good on that bike too, BD.:thumb:

Way to go, BluesDawg.

We're all pullin' for ya!

...I tried to sprint the last 1/4 mile, but gave out before the end. I guess it was more of a lead-out than a sprint...

Hey, a good lead-out is nothing to snicker at. I mean, it's a lot like a good rhythm guitarist. The best ones make the lead player look better than he or she really is.

Congrats and glad to see you back on the road / dirt.:thumb:

Bike + Wife + Friends -- YES!

After I dropped the pace, I asked my friend who sprinted along with me, "How did you like my Julian Dean impression?". :lol:

Super to see you back on the bike; thanks for the very encouraging update!

Great news, BD! And I know that feeling of being back on the bike all too well.

Update - Today I rode 22 miles of rolling hills at 12.7 mph avg. I had pretty good power on the flatter sections, but I ran out of steam quickly on the hills. The best part was seeing my son hang in with the big boys as they dropped me like a bad habit. No problem for me as they left me to ride with the ladies.:innocent:

BTW, not sure if anyone saw the newspaper story for my club's BATTY advocacy ride (http://www.unionrecorder.com/local/local_story_254222449.html) earlier this week.

Update - Today I rode 22 miles of rolling hills at 12.7 mph avg. I had pretty good power on the flatter sections, but I ran out of steam quickly on the hills. The best part was seeing my son hang in with the big boys as they dropped me like a bad habit. No problem for me as they left me to ride with the ladies.:innocent:

BTW, not sure if anyone saw the newspaper story for my club's BATTY advocacy ride (http://www.unionrecorder.com/local/local_story_254222449.html) earlier this week.


Good for you! I did 12 miles today myself. Averaged 16.1 mph with a few small hilly roads. You poor guy, having to roll with the ladies.....LOL!

Update - Today I rode 22 miles of rolling hills at 12.7 mph avg. I had pretty good power on the flatter sections, but I ran out of steam quickly on the hills. The best part was seeing my son hang in with the big boys as they dropped me like a bad habit. No problem for me as they left me to ride with the ladies.:innocent:

BTW, not sure if anyone saw the newspaper story for my club's BATTY advocacy ride (http://www.unionrecorder.com/local/local_story_254222449.html) earlier this week.

I've been off the back of groups so much this year that it seems like the norm. But, hey, we're riding!

Near the end on my second chemo adventure I did a fairly flat ride (all my rides are flat) of 17 miles in 1:15 which works out to about 13.6 mph average. Within a year I'd set a PR of 53:30. Chemo, and the weakness it brings, is temporary. It's benefits, you hope, are permanent. Tell the docs to turn the dial up to 11, BD.