For What It's Worth

A few years ago I mentioned something to my mom about a recent bike race. Her response was, "You still ride your bike?"

Given the flurry of FUBAR I've had after a still sea of some 20 years and who knows how many hours and miles, I now hesitate when anyone; even my mom, asks if I'm riding, will ride, or if I've bought Gavin a bike yet.

The sorry truth is that I am getting more out of riding the trainer or the rollers as rehab/reconstruction than being out on the road. The days I do get outside to ride, it's because of the friends who cajole me. I miss riding with them almost as much as simply going for a ride.

The devil is in the details and cross training the weaknesses of having spent way too much time on a bike in the first place is doing more good right now than a 3 hour ride in the rain could. I'll be honest, I'm a fish out of water in any athletic endeavor off the bike. Except Air-Hockey.

Because of the rehab workouts I'm now standing up straight throughout the day, not rolling my shoulders as if looking under my arm for that front tire of the wheel-sucking sprinter. I can do pull-ups. The plyometrics are getting the hip strong and even balancing the muscles from the previous pelvis break. One lesson I learned from that experience is to not rush a rehab. Another is to lower my expectations of Cadillac drivers' spacial awareness, but that is an entirely different rant.

So the leg speed is returning, wattage is low, heart rate is high. Flexibility is improving. Desire to ride the bike outdoors is gaining. Desire to ride in the basement waining. I can time trial on the same ride my friends want to stop for a cafe' break. It's all starting to come around. And no, I haven't bought Gavin a bike yet.