This is my second year out on the bike after what I regarded as a very successful return to biking after 30 years+. Turned 61 this past February.

My doctor is after me to lose weight and get my "numbers" back to where they should be, especially my sugar; right on the edge of Type II diabetes.

I set a goal of 1000 miles last year, and I did 1035. My goal this year is 1050 miles.

Now here's where the "slump" seems to have come in.

At this point last year, I was about 340 miles towards the goal; only 65 miles so far this year. We had an incredible ten days of weather in late March here in Rochester, but I didn't get the bike out due to the residual salt left on the roads, although there was very little of that compared to most years because the winter was among the mildest in my memory. Then the weather turned in both April and up to May 15th; it just wasn't very conducive to riding after work and supper during that 6 week period.It really put me behind, but I don't like biking or watching live baseball in the cold!

One other thing that may have set me back was the fact that I had my gall bladder out on Jan.13th. Eight days in the hospital; had it out the old-fashioned way, not arthoscopic due to its condition. But I had a very good experience in the hospital. There were no post-op complications and I feel and people tell me I had a very good recovery. Especially for never having been in the hospital myself for anything more than stitches.

Part of my problem regarding my goal and my low mileage to date just seems to be a lack of enthusiam compared to last year. I know I seem to be more tired this year after certain activities and am wondering if it had SOMETHING to do with the surgery. I'm not ready to say it did, but I can't put my finger on anything else right now. It may be nothing more than the sophmore slump and less favorable weather early in the season.

And I am in NO way looking for any sympathy. Just relating this in case others have had similar experiences. My gall bladder hurt for all of about 8 hours on the day I went to the hospital. Once the medical staff honed in on that as the problem, their care and pain medications took care of it. It came out on the third day after getting a hospital bed and surgery time; I went home 4 days later.

Some I have serious ground to make up on my goal for this year and I am determined to do my best.

I will get my "numbers" tested in early August, so that is plenty of incentive 'til then. And my oldest son gets married in late September. And the weather has been great here since mid-May!

I feel better just relating all this to my friends here in this forum!