Posted this in my 8-11-08 blog...

(8-11-08) Just a bike?

After a rough Thursday night due to the sciatica (nerve pain) in my back and legs I missed my workout on Friday. Nonetheless, I planned my "big bike ride" for Saturday - a 15-mile trip out to Mission Trails Park and back. What a surprise when Saturday rolled around... The fatigue and malaise from the past couple of weeks was gone! The nerve pain? Gone! How about that?! I had no idea why there was such a turnaround but all I could think was "Come on buddy! Let's ride!"

But as much as I like bicycling, the truth is at my current weight - 250 lbs - it's just not as much fun as it used to be when I was at 180! Duh! Even the smallest hills often cause me to chastise myself - "You call this fun?! Sheesh! This is hard WORK!!!" But it sure beats the heck out of being sick - sitting on the couch and flipping channels!

My heart rate monitor quickly reminded me that even after dropping 55 lbs this year, I'm still going to struggle with going up hills until I finally get back below 200... I was often hitting 150-160 bpm on the way out to Mission Trails Park. But finally, I was on the scenic road that winds between the 2 mountain peaks and thought about the first time I rode my bike through this beautiful place...

It was 1994. I was still hurting quite a bit from my divorce in 1993. My wife had run off with my best friend and I was still having a hard time making sense of it all. It was so bizarre and painful. I had been a runner since I was in high school, but at the age of 39, decided to take up bicycling. It was sure easier on my knees and ankles, but more than anything else it gave me a sense of empowerment. Despite all the turmoil in my life, when I was on my bike, everything was OK... I was working through all the emotional pain with a counselor and support group, but there was no doubt that my daily bike ride before work was the cornerstone of my therapy...

Those early morning rides were so much more than just a workout... Cruising through Mission Trails Park as the sun began to warm the early morning chill, I would often see rabbits, squirrels and even deer scamper as I whizzed by. I felt a connection to something so much bigger than my seemingly insurmountable problems...as if God was reassuring me...letting me know that He was right there with me...that everything was going to be alright after all...

A lot has changed since 1994... My challenges are different - mostly chronic illness - but I still keep going back to the bike to help me ride through the storms of life. I know it is "just a bike" and perhaps it's a stretch to think that divine intervention led me to become a "serious cyclist". But I believe that God not only brings people into our lives to help us overcome adversity, but also drops off a tool now and then to make the job a little bit easier...

The Saturday ride was 15 miles and today I ripped off a quick 11-miler. Not too shabby...not too shabby at all... Afterwards, I put the bike back in it's usual place - front and center in my living room. Once again, I couldn't help but believe that it was more than just a bicycle... "Thank You Lord, for my beautiful bike..."

Here's a photo of the bike - a 2005 Trek Madone and one of Mission Trails Park. How about that candy-apple red paint job?! Heavenly...wouldn't you say!!!





Mission Trails Regional Park - San Diego,CA

Very cool J. Very cool indeed. I agree with you completely. Some times God does hook us up with a tool. My bike is my stress relief too. No matter what is going on when I need to blow off steam I just hop on it and roll for it. I go where ever I go and I come home when ever I come home. (I'm single I am allowed to do that....)

I couldn't agree with more. I love the part when you said: "Those early morning rides were so much more than just a workout... Cruising through Mission Trails Park as the sun began to warm the early morning chill, I would often see rabbits, squirrels and even deer scamper as I whizzed by". Great work!!!

You are so right, I use my jogs outside as a time to reflect on God (when I am not so out of breath that I am thinking about staying alive : ), but it is a great quiet time.

Thanks guys for your thoughtful replies. I figured you would be able to relate. I also wanted to see if I could get more stuff going here in the cyclist forum.

Great post....and nice bike! I fell off a ladder and haven't been on my bike for 3 weeks. i'm unable to squeeze with my left hand making braking a dangerous proposition, nor can I put pressure on my left hand (nerve damage). I've been told another three weeks and the nerve should have recovered sufficiently to ride again or( hopefully not) or surgery could be in the cards. Anyway, keep the posts coming so I can live vicariously through you all.

Hi Scot - Hope you can get back on the bike soon. I was sidelined for about 7 weeks with a wrist fracture when I took a tumble on the bike. Finally getting some miles in. I did a 30 mile ride along the coast Saturday some I'm on my way. Good luck and hope everything heals quickly.

Thank you for the thread! I love it. I can relate (in ways) my training (in 2005) was my therapy and it was the time on my bike that made life okay. And I agree with you and everyone else (that agrees with you) that many times a bike ride is more than just a bike ride in the exercising sense--it is therapy--it is the time to connect with anything and the world just seems to be at a stand still (even when they're whizzing by and almost running you over). I love cycling! I've gotten out of the habit, because of excuse of not having safe roads (and I'm not really one for dirt--though I have a mountain bike). I find my mind and body crave cycling. YOU ROCK! Thank you everyone for the inspiration you are to me. Thanks to every cyclist that I see--you make my world beautiful . Have a GREAT RIDE!

I crashed on my bike back in September 2005. I broke my finger and retired my bike. I'd never broken a bone in my life and it kinda freaked me out! Last week I decided to bring it out, get it to the bike shop, and have a few modifications so I would feel a little safer on it. I had a little wider tires put on it, changed the handle bars so I don't have to lean over so far and had a few adjustments so it would just "fit me". I got it back today and had my first ride! It was great! It's been 3 years, so I am just getting started again! I am looking forward to getting back into it!

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Originally Posted by creativefocus I crashed on my bike back in September 2005. I broke my finger and retired my bike. I'd never broken a bone in my life and it kinda freaked me out! Last week I decided to bring it out, get it to the bike shop, and have a few modifications so I would feel a little safer on it. I had a little wider tires put on it, changed the handle bars so I don't have to lean over so far and had a few adjustments so it would just "fit me". I got it back today and had my first ride! It was great! It's been 3 years, so I am just getting started again! I am looking forward to getting back into it!

Hi Diana! I'm so glad to see you back on your bike. It'll be great to see you posting about your rides... Best wishes...Jim

Thanks Chrisdee for your kind reply. I know what you...I tried mountain biking but I just prefer crusing along on the road... Jim

It's just easier to get into the zone (with me) whereas mt biking, I have to think of the holes, maintaining balance on the bike (which has it's own advantages); but, I just love to road bike. I prefer the uphills, sweating and seeing if I can make it to the top without getting off and walking (which I have yet to do--but, I hope it never happens ), but the ride down....EEEEK! I don't like, not one bit. "I do not like them Sam-I-Am". Is there a century ride in your future?

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Originally Posted by Chrisdee Is there a century ride in your future?

Well, my plan is to gradually increase my weekly miles and my long ride on Saturday is up to 35-miles. I signed up for a 50-miler in October and want to return to doing time-trials in Spring/Summer 2009. But I imagine I'll have to squeeze a 100-miler in there somewhere!

Guess I'm just elated to have a big turnaround on the illness front and have been used to not looking down the road too far. But I have done a couple of centuries in the past and would love to do it again.

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Originally Posted by jshelton Well, my plan is to gradually increase my weekly miles and my long ride on Saturday is up to 35-miles. I signed up for a 50-miler in October and want to return to doing time-trials in Spring/Summer 2009. But I imagine I'll have to squeeze a 100-miler in there somewhere! Guess I'm just elated to have a big turnaround on the illness front and have been used to not looking down the road too far. But I have done a couple of centuries in the past and would love to do it again.

You are awesome! I am sooooo proud of you. ~Kimberly