Muscle

Well, I have discovered something I had forgot I had....Muscles. I used to work out at Ladies Choice fitness many moons ago....then moved and got out of the habit. Anyway, I had joined a place in Maryville and was "working out" then went on the Natchez Trace Tour...that had some HILLS let me tell you. Still working out...and found out today as I was climbing Walland Hill "Effortlessly" that all the working out and muscle building was really paying off. Later before we stopped to turn around I thought I would get a little "zip" in just for kicks. I was surprised...I was flying down the road in my middle chain ring up front and 2 gears short of top gear in the rear. I hit 23mph with almost no effort...I wasn't even out of breath. I was shocked and surprised at the power my legs could put out with a fraction of the effort I used to use. I can only imagine what I could have done with little had I gone to top gear up front on the big chain ring. Still I am just a little tyke compared to some of the big tanks in the group...Wow... I stopped and waited for them to catch up and told William about it...He hadn't even broken a sweat yet. Muscles are important when biking...
OH well, just my little highlight of the day.

 

Thats great HB, you will find that you get stronger and stronger the more you ride. I also see big gains when I do multiple day long rides. One famous pro cyclist once replied when asked why he was so fast said "I ride alot"

Ward

 

Speaking of muscles, anyone else (besides me) been watching the Tour de France? Did you gander at the size of their leg muscles!!!

I agree with Ward. I rode 70 miles this past weekend and I am not even sore. I paced myself but pretty much rode the whole ride with only one 5 minute break to fill up my water bladder.

Keila, don't know how you ride in the heat. Yesterday afternoon was HOT!!!

Where do you live? I have to ride from River Road and turn right on Ellijoy to get to the Coulter Bridge. Do I pass your house???

PS There were at least 40 cars Saturday morning parked with people who were riding that morning. That was at 8:30 am.

 

Ride in the heat? I don't think so...especially not after my last little stint on the Natchez...those people were crazy biking in 90+ weather. We went biking around 6pm yesterday...it was in the mid 90's but it wasn't humid. It actually felt dry and riding along the river made it cooler too. It was a good ride although it was short. I have decided to make better use of my cooling vest for longer rides. I will probably have it on when I do this months ride.

As for where I live, Jon, we live so close to Ellejoy that you probably do drive by our house. It depends on which direction that you are coming from.

The parking lot at Coulter bridge is ALWAYS packed of the morning on weekends...sometimes Sunday is just as bad. I am glad that the parking lot finally got paved. It is very nice.

 

Wow, Honeybee your kicking some Rocketriders butt. I just checked BikeJournal and you have the second most miles listed. No wonder those hills are getting easier to climb

Ward

 

Hey thanks! I need all the support and encouragement I can get these days. Not looking so soak up pity from anyone but my Neurologist told me I MUST stay active and healthy as I can because in 30 days...I start on chemo therapy :s3: and I am NOT looking forward to that it has some pretty nasty side effects. Also, keep in mind that William was with me on the Natchez and he already had more miles than me...so I am sure his stats will blow mind out of the water.

 

I too am a Cancer survivor and I will be pulling for you. Chemo is different depending upon the type of cancer you have and I hope yours will not keep you down too long.

Ward

 

Well, I actually don't have cancer...but the chemotherapy drug is used mainly for people with cancer, and also widely used to treat patients with (MS-myself) I have been on the websites looking at the information on the two drugs he told me to research...Novatrone which can cause dizziness, nausea, loss of balance, loss of hair, liver damage leukemia, and worse-congenital heart failure(death)...

Then there is Tysabri which causes dizziness, weakness, nausea, liver damage the list goes on and the worse case-Death. So...neither one seems to be good a good option (at least I think so), yet both are noted for their miraculous changes in MS.

I read all the standard side effects that most people with MS have and I don't exhibit most(those that are the most debilitating) That is why people are so shocked when they find out that I have MS. Here I am working out in the gym, riding long distance tours and living what seems to be a "normal active" life etc. etc. Well I don't need to write a book about it so I'll shut up now....sorry.

I have a lot of thinking to do.

 

HB,

It's extremely important to maintain your weight and protein status during chemo. The better nurished you are the easier it will be to tolerate the chemo. Unfortunately, chemo has a tendency to cause a loss of appetite. If that happens you will ned to make every bite you can get down count. If you want any ideas/suggestions I'm more than happy to help.

Good Luck. Remember, attitude is 80% of the treatment.

Mike

 

Whenever you are facing something like Cancer or MS you have to weigh all of the options and go with what feels right for you . I had testicular Ca just like Lance Armstrong did. He chose not to use one of the chemo agents as it causes fibrosis of the lung tissue. With his profession he felt that the risk was worth taking. I on the other hand with family responsibilities felt that I needed use whatever weopons there were to combat the CA.

Needless to say I have some fibrosis in my lungs. However, I have been cancer free now for over 15 years. The bike riding helps tremendously by increasing my working lung capacity.

My only suggestion is speak to as many people who have actually taken the medications as you can. My guess is that they would be glad to give their opinions of the medications and what you can expect. Many times what you read in the little handouts don't really have much meaning until they are happening to you.

good luck
Ward

 

Ward,

We belong to the same club! I too had testicular cancer and it has been 16 years ago since I had mine. I was luckier than you. Mine was caught earlier so I avoided chemotherapy and just had to do the radiation route. Still made me sick as a dog for 6 weeks, but well worth the outcome which is being 16 years cancer free.

That too is a reason I ride religiously. Staying active and healthy is a gift and I want to use that gift as much as I can.

But for someone who has fibrosis in their lungs, your riding puts me to shame! Keep it up!!!!

 

Really pushing hard on the bike keeps my lungs working probably better than most. If I lay off a while I will wheeze when climbing. yesterday I climbed about 3500-4000 feet in 42 miles and never wheezed once. My speed wasn't much to brag about and there was one section that for a while I just kept repeating "I am not going to walk this bike" in my head. In the winter at time I will have to use asthma medications but I really don't like the way they make me feel....So I ride

Congrats on the CA free

Ward

 

Wow, you guys are something else. It is really encouraging to hear of your stories and know that you take your health seriously. There are so many people out there that don't and then wonder why their health SUCKS! That makes me so

Anyway, I read various testimonials...but I still have my reservations about both. Speaking of reservations...one thing I have to strongly consider is all my Native American genetics. It makes treatment of any kind a totally different ballpark...I am VERY sensitive to medicines and most times can only tolerate ½ the doses...or not at all. Oh well, hat's off & thumbs up to all your survivors

 

Hey Keila,

Don't forget YOU are a survivor too!!!

 

Hmm, I'm not so sure yet...none of my mri's are coming back negative thus the reason for the more severe drugs. I am not sure I can consider myself a survivor yet...MS has no cure and it cannot be gotten rid of like cancer.

Anyway, I appreciate all the nice words and thoughts.


So who's up for a ride this month??? A beautiful scenic ride through the country? I haven't seen any takers yet...I hope many of you folks on here can come.