BigPolishJimmy

New Personal Best

Last week was a new personal best for me, I got in 25 miles of riding. I know this is not very much for some, but It was great for me. My first 10-mile out & back of the season. Then I rode 6.5 to town to watch my youngest play baseball and 5.5 back. The trip there was longer because I took a shortcut but then didn't like the traffic on the major road and had to double back. Lastly I did my normal 3 out and back for a total of 25+ miles this week, 13 of them with my son. It was great but this week started out with just a little 3mile out and back due to storms a brewin. I'd love to keep the momentum going but riding in lightning is just plain foolishness. Also the lil woman is out of town this week visiting friends in LasVegas, so it's just me and the boys holding down the fort, riding time is going to be sparse.

New Goals

Some folks I know are going on a bicycle camping trip in the next couple of weeks. I think I've got enough in the postive side of the good husband account to go along with them. I suspect we'll ride the Kal-Haven Trail--35+ miles--from Kalamazoo to South Haven and then camp and ride back the next day. I've done plenty of camping--Eagle Scout Here--but not a whole lot of backpacking-style super light fit everything you're going to use on a bike. My tent is a 6-person monster, I'd have to get a trailer if I intend on taking that beast. I think I'd like something smaller and lighter, but It would give me an excuse to build a bike trailer with all the little junk bikes I have handy.

I've also decided to drastically reduce the size of the stable and give away at least 6 bikes to friends. I've got a couple of bikes that pretty much fit now, so it's time to send all the extras out to where they'll do some good. I've also got 2 garage sale bikes I plan to sell, hopefully they'll magically transform into bibs. My bike fixing hobby has really gotten a bunch of us riding and I'm really pleased about that.

Also I finally got a few moments to put in the garden yesterday and I can really feel an improvement in overall general strength and mobility. I felt that last year when I took up riding, but I lost it over the winter. It was kinda hard to get it back but I'm feeling very positive. I haven't really tried to loose weight again, but I will, right now I just want to concentrate on riding more and gaining distance and cutting out the fast food and really bad snacks.

Thanks for listening, I know I wrote a book, but somehow it becomes more real--and harder to backslide--if I put it out there for you all to see.

CACycling

Just keep doing what you can. There will be times when you can't wait to get on the bike but there will also be times when you think of lots of excuses not to (I'm not talking taking your life in your hands because of lightning storms just the usual "I'm too tired", "I'll do it tomorrow" kind of stuff). For me, those are the times when I force myself to get out there and ride. I feel so awesome when I get back I can't believe I wasn't going to ride. And the distance will come. I returned to cycling less than 2 years ago and 30 miles seemed impossible at the time. Now it something I squeeze in before church on Sunday. It isn't about how fast you progress, its all about progressing bit by bit. And remember, you are doing for you and your family. Time on the bike is a win for all of you.

Blanchje

Nice job. One of the beauties IMO of riding is challenging yourself to do YOUR best. Everytime you do you can bump your goal. Keep at it and enjoy.