There's a very tiny part of me that has felt a tiny slice of relief in the morning while looking at the thermometer. Old habits are tough to shake as I continue to generally prepare my work clothing the night before I go to bed as if I were going to ride in the morning. I still look at the thermometer to see what the day is like outside and go through the mental checklist of what I would wear.



Surprising that those thoughts still go through my head. The last time I rode a bike was on December 3rd, and before that, October 10th. I wish that I felt up to it physically. Since my last ride, I've been concentrating solely on my physical therapy and saving what little energy I do have for simply walking.

Yes, it's cold and we've gotten a bit of snow here in Minnesota, but I think I'd be much happier out there on my bike riding.

I leave with the family on Saturday for a long anticipated and much needed two-week vacation with the family. Because much of my life revolves around bicycles, the trip was booked back in April with anticipation that I would be cycling while at our destination. Another classic example of how planning is fraught with disappointment :) No cycling planned, but I do look forward to spending some time playing with the family.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone

Friday

I briefly entertained the idea of riding to work on Friday, an idea that was quickly dismissed once I was honest with myself. I know, I have to be patient... but I feel terrible.

With each step in the recovery process there comes a bit of excitement and happiness. Then, that gets tempered with a dose of cruel reality. I looked forward to getting the cast off only to come to the realization of how much the muscles in my leg had shrunk. I was excited to ride my bike, enjoyed it thoroughly, but am now paying the price 2 days later.

The exertion level was not high, the distance not far (15 miles.) But, today I woke up sore. I'm going to get out for a shorter ride this weekend and try again to ride next week.

For your visual enjoyment, here are a couple of photos of the new Surly. I hope to be able to make some further modifications over the weekend.

From Creamroller

From Creamroller

Ticket to Ride

Went to the orthopedist on Monday. The results of X-Rays looked good and I was released from the shackles of my “CAM Walker.” No more restrictive boot on the foot, no more leg-anchor to slow me down. I was given the green-light go-ahead to wear shoes, walk, and RIDE MY BIKE!

I awoke this morning at 4:47, 3 minutes before the alarm was set. I showered, dressed, and was out the door before 5:30. I am a far cry away from what used to be my morning routine.

A light dusting of snow had fallen over night. The temperature was around 20 degrees with a pretty stiff breeze out of the North-Northwest. Having hardly been outside for nearly 8 weeks, I second-guessed my own clothing chart and over-dressed.

I put together the new Surly last week, but it’s less than an ideal commuter. (The super-commuter is pending, just not sure how much longer I have to wait.) The fact that the Surly has no accommodation for racks is somewhat by design; it keeps me from carrying around too much weight. I missed having a dynamo powered headlight, missed not having studded tires, and missed my Brooks saddle… Yes, I did most certainly miss my Quickbeam this morning!

It felt fantastic to be on a bike. Happy to be outside, love the quiet of the early morning commute. My conditioning has much to be desired. I have little strength in the left leg and stiffness in the joint. The enjoyment of the bike outweighs the frustrations and pains of riding. I plan on breaking myself into conditioning and commuting, squeezing my rides to work and back in on the days that I don’t have physical therapy appointments. I had brought a change of clothes to work on Tuesday, so I rode in today with no load. I am going to work on carefully planning my days ahead so that I can ride relatively unencumbered until I can get back into shape.