My Recumbent Days

This morning I awoke very tired as I didn't sleep well, but I was determined to ride anyway. I headed out and the more I rode the better I felt. I even decided to devert from my usual, route and take in some other local routes. I added a new housing complex and the short but beautiful Etra Lake bike path.

I just completed my usuall ride but the temperature was above 94 degrees. It was humid that I was soaked within minutes of starting my ride. But the ride always is good for my mental well being. There is just a great euphoric felling when I ride. The heat has been extremly high everywhere in the country, and I feel that we were lucky compared to the Pacific Northwest.

Most of the streets near my home have been repaired or resurfaced with cheapseal and it just makes for a horrible rough ride. Not only rough there is lots of debrie that sticks to the soft surface. Not only does it slow the ride it forces you to bwe looking at the road ahead for naything to flatten my tires. There are a few roads here that were repaired and the patches are real smooth asphalt. Love those roads! I road 11.60 miles in very hot sticky weather, but still a great ride..

I didn't ride yesterday and I missed the feeling of freedom. Today I wanted to ride longer but I had things I had to do. So I rode my usual ride and headed home. Uneventful ride but loved every second.

I rode today in some very strong winds, but had a good workout. Nothing more to say than I am in pain as I got something in my eye. What a pain in the XXX.

Yesterday I spent a few hours installing a foam mat under my furnace. So inorder to do this I was on my left knee for a while. I woke up with a sore knee, but that didn't stop me from riding. After the first mile my knee felt good, so I continued for another 9.5 miles.

Today I intended to ride my usual ride, but my body just couldn't handle it. I didn't sleep well and when I got up this morning I was drained. But I knew if I didn't get out and ride, I would be worse off the rest of the day. I rode 8.67 miles then I headed home. I am glad I did ride.

Yesterday I had a very active day, and it took it's toll on my body. I woke this morning extremly tired, but I still headed out for my daily ride. I rode a bit over 10 miles in nice weather.

Today was just a fantastic day to hit the road. The weather was just beautiful and clear. The temperature was around 72 degrees, but laying down with the sun beating on me it felt hotter. I rode about 11.50 miles at a leasuring pace. The only problem was that people in cars feel they own the road and do stupid things. I won't even get into that as I might blow a gasket. Time to hit the gym for a strenght building session.

I rode 10.67 miles this morning under very cloudy and threatning skies. The ride was just great, I feel so good after a ride like this. I did find my recumbent legs need a lot of work as certain up hills were painfull. All in all I loved every minute.

Last night we had some very severe thunder storms and many branches have fallen. My ride was like an obstacle course, as I was dodging those fallen branches.

I set out early as thunder storms are predicted. I didn't want to be out in the open with no shelter. I rode 10.67 miles and I feel just great.

This morning I rode outside my usual path and explored streets and roads I have never seen. The only problem today was the excessive heat. It was 86 degrees at times.

This morning I planned on a long ride through the nature preserve, but that plan ended in the garbage. It was nice and sunny with very slight winds when I started my warm up loop through local streets. By the time I had ridden 1 mile the clouds appeared and the wind picked up. I continued on for another few miles and decided that I had better head for shelter. I made it home, but the winds were so strong that I had a hard time heading into them. The clouds were dark and the rain started, so all in all I was lucky. Total ride 6.11 miles.

It has been a long.long time since I have posted, and many changes have happened to my life. I am not going to get into these changes, but post about my rides and trike modifications. On May 19th I took a leasure ride through Monroe Township into East Windsor. I was a excellent ride to help get my bent legs back. And do I need to get them back I rode 10.21 miles with just a few up hills.

Felt really good to get out on the road and put some miles on the trike. I ordered new tires as mine are pretty well worn. They wore slightly uneven more wear on the inside than the outside. Maybe the wheels need to be aligned, but I doubt it chances are it is just from turning sharp at high speed. Well the ride went smooth the weather was sunny and warm with a strong wind.  Now I know to expect strong winds when I ride within the development, but they get less powerful when I leave and head out to the local roads.

I have rode many miles in what I thought was windy conditions, until this morning.  Last evening we had some very bad thunderstorms with extremely strong winds and heavy rains.  I expected to see a huge amount of damage, but I was surprised when I didn't see much of anything.  But what we did have was very strong winds the remains of the storm, that hasn't left the area.  I was fighting hard to maintain my speed, and on some of the hills I thought I would have to get off, but I pushed and pulled on those Frogs and made it over the top.

This morning I rode through my developement then out to route 33 through Twin Rivers and over the New Jersey Turnpike. It was a very relaxing ride, it allowed me to clear my head and get some tension out of me. I need to do this more often.  There was very little traffic, so I was very content riding and not having to share the roads with cars and trucks.  It was warm and muggy and the winds were as strong as they normally are around here.  Where I live is a very flat area and much more windy than my old home, and I thought that was a windy location.

I Feel so much better mentally and physically after a good ride. The riding relieves my pain and helps a huge amount with dealing with my grief. I think the more I put into my riding the less anger and anxiety I have. I don't think I ever stop thinking about David and his children, and how hard it is for Kate to deal as a single parent. I always felt dealing with a problem head on was the best method, but I have been slapped down as I know there isn't a solution to my grief and I will have to learn to deal with it. Easier said than done! The more time I have to think the worse things get, as I am a type A personality. Everyone says people deal with grief in their own way, but I wish I could find a way to do that. This Father's day was just a nightmare but yet I was able to see my daughter and my grandchildren which made me feel good but very depressed. I promise myself everyday that I will try my best to get better and not take my anger out on others. This event has change...

I knew my mind needed to get out of this rut and riding always helps to keep my mind occupied, so off I went this morning. I rode through my gated community then hit the local roads for a ride through the neighborhood that ajoins my home. It was a hot and windy ride but I felt much better when I got home.  I have to try to push myself for both my mental health and to help with my back pain. It is amazing how a little over ten miles can do for you mind and body.