Originally Posted by John E

Pre-COVID I had been walking (12-to-15-minute miles) about 5 to 8 miles per day as part of my daily commute, plus lifting weights 3 or 4 days/week at the Y. Bicycling was relegated primarily to weekend mornings. Now that I have been working from home, I have been cycling 10 to 15 miles per day, usually including two or three pretty decent climbs. My resting pulse rate has been in the mid-40s for decades, but my BP creeps up to pre-hypertension levels, then back down below 115/70 when I put in the miles. When I was in peak shape in my early 30s, I was able to get my BP down to just over 100/60 (a big accomplishment for me), and my pulse rate around 43.

I grew up as an overweight, nerdy, physically inept kid with lousy coordination and muscle strength. Taking up bicycling, the one sport I have truly loved, has changed and saved my life from an early death from diabetes or heart disease. Keep riding!