Epic Bicycle Trip

Second day back from vacation, I got up at 5:30 a.m. and rode five miles - including UP the "cardiac hill" behind our house. Did pretty good, I want to work up to 10-12 miles 2-3 times a week. We'll see if I can keep it up.

I am determined this year to do more of the things I like - biking being one of them. Here's a post to get the season started. Visited Japan recently, where bicycles are almost equal to motorized vehicles as a transportation medium. They do have motorized bikes, and it seems like they have taken this transportation mode way farther than we have. There are also many beautiful places to ride bikes. We went to "Joyful Honda", a Japanese super store. They had a great bike department, lots of nice bikes and great equipment. We found this amusing.. it's a girl's bike. The picture unfortunately is not too clear but the chain guard says "Do you like me? I love you. Full of dreams and full of hopes."

This afternoon we dropped my bike off at the Franklin end of the bike trail, then drove to Oil City and launched the kayaks from the Oil City marina. We had hoped for a peaceful float down the river back to Franklin; the river, however, was very sluggish and we ended up "getting our workout" as we paddled the whole way. Towards the end we were getting nervous that it might get dark before we made it! We did OK though and once we got back to Franklin I hopped on my bike and rode back up to Oil City to retrieve the truck while Paula stayed with the kayaks. It took us 2.5 hours to kayak from Oil City to Franklin, and took me 30 minutes to bike from Franklin to Oil City. Interesting. Thanks to my honey for thinking of this, and for letting me have a bike ride!

OK, so I didn't quite make my next milestone (mentioned in my previous post.) I have some time to reflect, reset, and start again - tomorrow.

This morning I was up at 6:00 a.m. which, since I am off today, gave me enough time for my ride. I did manage to complete my short circuit without shifting gears. Next challenge: A slightly longer circuit with a few more challenges (hills) and different terrain (not all paved.) I will hopefully start that tomorrow, and also get my clock reset so I'm getting up at 5:00 a.m.

My lofty plans and goals for making riding a regular part of my life again seem to run into road blocks on every side. I finally did manage a brief ride, and immediately set my first goal; do the same ride without shifting gears. I did not get up at 5:00 a.m., nor did I get up at 6:00 a.m. I did, however, manage to roll out of bed by 7:00 a.m., which still allowed enough time for my ride before church. I was pleasantly surprised, as I dusted off my trusty Gian Sonoma, to find (remember?) that I had the bike serviced just before putting it away for two years. With a little lubrication the bike was ready to go. My short ride has only a few hills so I'm hoping that riding the whole thing without shifting gears is an obtainable goal that will encourage me to press on and stay focused.

Well, I haven't been as faithful or as forward thinking as I had hoped. I have worked out a few times while traveling, but I don't yet have a routine at home. I'm still holding out for a new bike, but right now the financial situation at home would not justify the investment. Still, I am not giving up. I believe this can happen, and I'm going to hold onto the dream - although, as with all things in my life, I hold it "loosely."