My Most Recent Ride 2015 (Part VIII in a series)

Was starting to go stir-crazy sitting around with my foot. Then Jens insisted he could drive me somewhere. I decided to have him drop me off where he picked me up the last time he did the car thing. My foot felt mostly okay so, off we went.

It was mostly sunny when we started out. A few heavy clouds scuttled in while I was setting up the trike. Within the first 5 miles or so, I started getting sprinkled on. Then rain.... freezing rain. It left little ice pellets all over me. Guess who wasn't wearing thermals as it had been almost 60 F when we headed out?

In spite of that it wasn't a bad ride. Though toodling through the northern suburbs of Stockholm, it often felt rather peaceful and nature-y. Miles of the ride were on gravel or paved cycle paths hugging the shores of one lake or another. The end of the ride (under sunny skies, finally) was near the softly lapping waves of the Baltic on the parkland estate of a manor house from the 1600's.

We took it easy, staying out for 5 hours for 17.9 miles. Not a bad way to spend a day.

Terii

 

https://terii.wordpress.com/2015/05/05/free-free-muahahaha/

That's the link for my most recent blog post featuring the ride on April 25th from Sigtuna to Skånela. The first half of the post is just talking about a couple of local rides so the photos are in the latter portion. Lots of runestones, ruins, churches and even a 1600's manor house.

Terii

 

Finally got out for a ride today.

The foot started bothering me pretty bad again after the last ride. I hobbled into the health ward and saw someone about it. She recommended me to a physical therapist. I wasn't optimistic about getting a time before the weekend, but then she told there were emergency slots every morning between 8 and 9 am. She urged me to arrive at 7:45 or so to snap up a time.

I did just that. Fortunately, I didn't get Mrs. Grouchy PT. This woman was very nice and we babbled at each other in SweEnglish. I also took along my iPad so I could show her a photo of the trike which was much easier than trying to describe it to someone with poor English with my poor Swedish.

She agreed with my theory that a large part of this problem stemmed from my pedal boom being too long after having lost 23 LBS or so.

So, Sunday, I adjusted it. Oddly, shortening it didn't seem to affect my front gears in any way I could discern.

Monday was a beautiful day, but laundry was in desperate need of doing. This morning was grey, chill and wet, but I still stirred myself out the door for a ride at about 11 am.

It turned out to be a very short ride. Firstly, because I shouldn't be overdoing it while my foot is still healing. Secondly I hadn't tightened down my pedal boom properly after adjusting it. Any time I had to push with any particular force other than an easy spin, it twisted side to side.

I still managed to limp out about 3.4 miles for Loke's sake and to test the gears as well as I could with the twisty boom. They worked fine.

If it hasn't hurt my foot, I'll likely go for a ride tomorrow. A little further this time.

Terii

 

You can tell this is NOT my year to ride. Medical issues, vacations and work schedules have prevented much riding at all.

YET - I did get out for 20 miles yesterday. It felt great. After having severe back pain, I have really slowed down my intensity of riding. Back is good so far.

I will be in the office and have no vacations planned for the next 2 months. Then my vacation is the Greene County ride where I will be riding Rails-To-Trails rides out of Xenia Ohio. Got my room and have already registered so I am good to go. Now I just need to get my mileage up so I don't "bonk" on these rides.

Anyone else planning to ride it this year? Let me know and we can ride together!!

Here is a link if you are interested.

http://www.gcparkstrails.com/event-CyclingClassic.html

Click Here for copy of registration brochure

And they even have a picture of a trike on their brochure!!!

 

Seems to be a rough year for many of us.

Terii

 

As promised, I got out today. 17.4 miles. Temp in low 80s and low humidity. I got my first flat tire of the year.

Here is a picture I took along the way.

 

NICE!

 

That's a nice picture, Jon!

I have been riding, though the frequency has been waaaay down. Something always hurting and the rides just started aggravating me. In spite of that, I was trying to make sure I got out at least every other day.

Jens helped bully me out the door today. 8.7 miles under uninspiring conditions. Winds strong enough to fling particles a step above sand into my face, and a sky that couldn't decide if it wanted to be sunny, cloudy or spit down rain for the wind to add to the gravel. Temps chill enough to warrant my thin thermals. It's been a chilly May. People are complaining, but I don't mind. I keep telling myself 'At least we are melting or risking heat stroke on the rides and it's not snowing like that May vacation we had on Öland.'

You know though, it was a GOOD ride. I felt strong even in to the wind and most shocking given the past 8 rides or so, NOTHING HURT! Not my foot, my hip or even a single toe. For that alone I could ignore the capricious weather. I'm almost giddy with glee.

8.7 miles as I did a loop to go take photos of black tulips I spotted in a round-a-bout yesterday when Jens and I drove to the city forest for a walk with Loke.

 

Jon's picture reminds me of some of the greenways in the Brentwood/Franklin area in middle Tennessee.

I got out this morning under threatening skies. I am recovering from a cold and felt like I just had to get some exercise! Rode 12 miles and feel much better now. Sometimes you have to push yourself to get up an go! I always feel better after a ride! And I beat the rain too!

 

Getting back in the swing of riding again. Slowly getting my stamina back and bent legs.

Rode 40 miles so far this week and legs and back feel great. I just looked at Bike Journal and see I am 5th from the bottom of active RRI riders. Geesh!!!

And congratulations to Terii. She has racked up 359 miles so far and she rides in Sweden winters . That has got to be a personal best for you. Keep it up!!!

 

I mentioned in this thread, I had a flat. Well I had the chance to try a new bicycle tire tool called the Crank Brothers Speedier Tire Lever. If you would like to read my review click here.

 

Made it out today. Not a lot but 15 miles. I am with 2 miles of catching AD. Run Forest Run!!!!

 

Been riding off and on, but it's wildly inconsistent. Some rides (like today), I felt fit, strong and pain free. Others, I feel weak and have no energy. Really bad rides, I end up with random pains.

Today was a good one though. 11.11 miles, completely unexpected. Walked to the garage which was difficult and unpleasant, but once I was in the seat all was good. Loke was fairly energetic which is always heartening.

Terii

 

Sweaty ride today. First off the AC at my office broke. With temps getting into the high 90s today I closed up shop and went home where I can work from my home office. (Thank goodness!)

When I got home decided to ride my Corsa that doesn't get much use. Tires were flat so I had to pump them up. Had to swap out GPSs because the battery was dead on the one on the bent. Dug out my riding gear I store in the garage. Filled up TWO water bottles and went off on the hilly ride close to home.

The loop is only 10 miles but it is all UP AND DOWN which gives me an incredible workout. Got home soaking wet at 10 AM and it was already 91 degrees out.

I am trying to get ready for the Greene Trails Cycling Classic. which happens in July. Need to get these recumbent legs back in shape. There are getting there S L O W L Y!!!

I know I won't be first on the rides. My goal is to not be LAST!!! :

 

Goodness! I'm so glad we've gotten nice and cool again! The few days we had in the mid-80's without AC was bad enough.

Terii