Up until a few years ago, I did 40-42 miles at least six days a week, and felt pretty good doing them. By the way, I am 74 years old, 6', 190#, and going down.

Then, one winter day, while shovelling snow, I wanted to lay down on the driveway and take a nap - no kidding.

Went in the house an called the Doc - he said come here right now - so in to the car we went. 10 minutes later, I was in his office, and then shuttled into the Cardiac Specialists office, to the Emergency room, to the Cardiac interventionist to insert 4 stents into the left side of my heart............. so that slowed me down! Then a torn and surgically repaired rotator cuff - it was just piling on!

Then when I was getting back on the bike, I developed a pinched nerve in my neck that has caused me all kinds of grief, and a lot of Pain Specialist intervention. Lots of meds, lots of spinal injections, and lots of physical therapy and exercise.

And, I have a number of other medical and disability issues.... But that's a non issue. LOL

Present day, feeling "pretty good" so why not get back on the bike,

It was a nice day, and five miles didn't seem very long - so off I went.

The next day, pushed it to five miles out, and five miles back - other than a tired and sore neck ---- not baddddd!

The third day, decided to go to the other side of that 5 mile town, which stretched it to fifteen miles, with no wind....... hey, I might be able to do this!

After a couple rainy cold days at home, the next one dawned warmish, but windy - so my buddy and I did a six and a half mile neighborhood ride, kinda late in the afternoon, after we both got done mowing yards, doing some yard/garden work, and went and planted the tomato's..

Today was pretty cold, and windy, so opted to not ride - and tomorrow looks like rain all day; which the tomato's will like. Soooo, it just might be grocery day.

But, I'm pretty sure the next one will be twenty miles - and more to follow, trying to get back to thirty by the time the days are warm.

Then, FORTY by the first of June, maybe Memorial Day, to represent my brothers............

Wish me luck, as, it hopefully, gets easier! No doubt, it will!