Went out for a nice ride on my road bike. About 20 miles in 3 hours. Felt great for most of the ride, had chest pain about halfway through. A nitro tablet and 15 minute break fixed that. I'm definitely getting stronger and fitter and noticed a huge difference from just a few months ago. The weather was great and I had a light breeze to keep me cool. Scenery was outstanding and the bike path had enough hills to give me a challenge but not so many that I couldn't do it. I'm defying my cardiologists predictions and it feels great!!!

Sounds like you had a good ride, keep it up!

Thanks for the encouragement! I'm amazed that I managed to maintain an average speed of ~6.5mph for 3 whole hours!

Rode 10 miles today and got my bars re-wrapped in the afternoon. Another good day!

I post a weekend rides thread in Road each week ... feel free to join us there. We're not all racers or anything, we just like to talk about our weekend rides, whatever they may be.

Here is this weekend's ride ...
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...eptember-22-23

Are you recovering from a heart attack?

I've had 3 heart attacks and I'm only 30. I was exposed to some really nasty chemicals in the military that have wreaked havoc on my body. But hey, I keep on trucking. Quit smoking about a month and a half ago or so. Eating better, exercising. Trying like hell to see 35, with a little luck 40.

Thanks for the link!

You're very inspiring! I'm trying to improve my health also, and actually have to use my bike for errands right now, so cycling is playing a big role. I've noticed some improvements just in the past few weeks, especially on hills. At least we get to have fun in the body repair process

It got real bad for me this last winter and spring. Finally I decided I could die sitting scared on my couch or I could die enjoying life and getting better. I chose the latter. It hasn't been easy and there have been a few "oh ****" moments. All the same I'm happy I chose this path. Keep the wheels rolling Berta. When it looks impossible there is no shame in pulling over to regroup and take a break. It's ok to chop that hill up in a few short stretches or even walk up.

If you don't mind my asking , what kind of "predictions" were made by your Cardiologist?

That's pretty awesome Good on you!

He told me that I would be lucky to be able to walk from home to the coffee shop, about 1/8 mile, without experiencing "severe discomfort". Let alone ride a bike for 30 miles. I didn't get to this point overnight. A little over a year ago I had to stop driving because I was passing out. My heart wasn't pumping enough blood to my brain. A year ago November I had my 3rd heart attack. It was bad. The doctor said it was only a matter of time and family flew in from all over the country to say goodbye. I was in the hospital for months. When I got out I started walking where I needed to go instead of asking for rides. I like my independence. It was really hard at first, just walking the quarter mile to the grocery store would take an hour. But, I kept at it and it got easier. Within 3 months I was walking the 2 miles to the mall in about 75 minutes. It kept improving from there. Then I started going to the gym, then I got a bike. A far cry from the recommended bed rest. My cardiologist said if I wasn't dead by 40 I'd probably be in a nursing home. My goal is to prove him wrong.

If I had started taking care of myself 10 years ago I wouldn't be like this now. I ignored my doctors and didn't take my medication when I was supposed to. I smoked 4 packs of cigarettes a day, lived on fast food, used drugs, drank, all the stuff you're not supposed to do. It was denial, pure and simple. I was young and invincible living the rock 'n roll lifestyle. My first heart attack at 24 was relatively mild, I bounced out of the hospital in a few weeks. I got clean for a while but I slid right back into what I was doing before. My second one at 27 really opened my eyes, it was real touch and go for a while. After that I quit drinking for good and stayed clean for a year. This last one I had got me to kick the drugs for good and I completely changed my living environment, my friends, and habits. Things have gotten a lot better. What can I say, I was really stupid for a long time.

There are times where I think "why me" and I get down about everything. Then I think "freedom isn't free" and I think about the countless men and woman who have made far greater sacrifices. It's all good and I have no regrets. I've made my peace with God, mended relationships with my family, live life the best I can, and most importantly I haven't given up.

Don't ever give up. If you're out of ammo, then fix bayonets.

Hey treadtread,

excellent thanks you for sharing
i had a stroke about 8 months ago my dr said i could get better get worse or stay the same. im 45 i lived the lifestyle for a long time
i had to change my diet and cut out the alcohol. i bought a bike and i love it.. i ride every morning i avg 18 miles a day.. it gets better every day \m/\m/

Keep that up and you'll have to change your forum user name

I enjoy walking up hills even when I can pedal up them. It gets more variety into the exercise, and it's a nice change of pace. My theory is that the old ego thing of 'I have to pedal up this hill' is what fuels heart attacks.