A Milestone Ride: 20 Miles!

from JoeUser Forums
I just finished what is for me a milestone in my recovery from December's car wreck. As some may already know my hip and pelvis were badly shattered and it has been some long months of recouperation and for about the past month or so I have been riding my 10 speed bicycle to help strengthen the affected hip.

When I first started trying to ride it was extremely painful and I was doing well to ride about a mile. Well today I took a ride in the country. I picked a destination exactly 10 miles from my house, that just happens to be a bike shop :) .

I filled my water bottle (mental note: next time remember ICE), checked my tire inflation, and set out. While the Florida sun was beating down as it is want to do, the 10 miles to the bike shop were pretty pleasant. That was the single longest ride I had done so far and I was only half way on the round trip.

The bike shop was closed, but I spent a few minutes peeking through the windows while I sipped down water which by then was pretty hot, and resting a bit. I then set out for the return leg of the trip.

I made it about 5 miles before I started to get really tired and feeling really hot. I spotted a shade tree near the road and stopped to rest underneath it for about 15 minutes before setting out again. I rode the remaining 5 miles to home.

I'm pooped. But it feels great. I've accomplished a milestone in my recovery, a 20 mile ride. I did have to stop and rest twice, once at the half way point, and once at the 3/4 point, but it's still the longest ride I've done to date.

Waaaa Hoooo!
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4,227 views 20 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
May I recommend this ride that's in my neck of the woods? Link

I think you could do it hands down!
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Good for you! The rides will get longer and the time to get to the destination will get shorter. You're doing great Mason...keep it up!
Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
yeah I'm familiar with the Hotter N Hell ride. I'll have to pass, at least for now.
I'm hoping I can be in shape enough for a century ride some time next year, but ummmm, maybe not THAT one.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Thanks Mano. I finally feel like I'm making some real progress in my recovery.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Mason..be real careful not to get dehydrated.... that can set back the healing process.. What we do here in the desert is freeze a bottle of water and take along another one of almost frozen water... by the time the first one is finished the second one is thawed out but still cold.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Mason..be real careful not to get dehydrated.... that can set back the healing process.. What we do here in the desert is freeze a bottle of water and take along another one of almost frozen water... by the time the first one is finished the second one is thawed out but still cold.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
LOL Mano. Yeah actually what we normally do here is freeze a half full bottle and top it off with water before setting out. I had forgotten to freeze it from the last time I used it.

If going out for a long trip that requires more than a single bottle of water I have a Platypus hydration bladder. I fill it with ice and water, strap it to my back, and can get drinks from the hose while riding. It's pretty convenient, holds about 3 liters, but is heavy when filled so I don't use it on shorter trips.
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top

All Right!  Damn, I have not done a 20 since about 20 years ago!  It is great to read of your progress and even better to see your attitude changing!

And yes, the ice! We are not as far south, but from April to October, we freeze the water bottles and by the time we want some, it is still ice cold!  I learned that from a friend as well.

Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
Thanks Dr Guy, making visible progress does help the attitude.

Honestly, that's the first 20 miler I've done in about 5 or 6 years. It would be a LOT easier with a good bike. Once I finally get to working and making a paycheck, that's at the top of my priority list.

My poor old bike wasn't exactly top of the line when it was new, but now it's in pretty sad shape with the gears pretty badly worn down. Ah well,for now it's better than nothing I suppose.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
That's excellent, Mason. I remember a time when you were proud of yourself for making it out to the porch to sit, and here you are riding 20 miles!

^^5 for you!
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
all right!!! 3 atta boys and 2 way to goes!!!
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
I remember a time when you were proud of yourself for making it out to the porch to sit, and here you are riding 20 miles!

Yeah I guess the scale does slide as I go. Thanks Dharma.

Thanks MM. I'm pretty happy about it right now. Not sure how I'll feel about it tomorrow morning when the muscles are all stiffened up.
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
Honestly, that's the first 20 miler I've done in about 5 or 6 years. It would be a LOT easier with a good bike. Once I finally get to working and making a paycheck, that's at the top of my priority list.


Seems that you are doing great with that one! But keep on truckin! I have a schwinn. I dont think you want that one! but it got me from here to there!
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
The Schwinn Super Sport is one of the models I'm considering. Here are the ones I'm seriously thinking about when and if I can ever afford a new bike.
Schwinn Super Sport Link

Trek 7300 Link

Trek 7300 FX Link

Giant Cypress DX Link

But if I could really afford any bike I wanted, it would be something like this Link
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
Oh yeah, definately gonna feel it in the morning ::
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
I guess all of the hard work I've been doing is paying off. I really expected to be very sore this morning. Except for the sunburn and the usual stiff hip, I awoke feeling pretty good.

I was pretty tired and went to bed a little earlier than usual, but my body has reacted quite well to yesterday's exertion and feels pretty good.

I was a little worried for a while after cooling down. I started seeing spots and my vision was blurred. I think it may have just been a result of becoming over heated. Possibly mild heat exhaustion. After I showered and drank another couple of glasses of Gatorade it passed. I'll make a point of carrying COLD water with me from now on as I'm sure it will help keep my body cooler in this Florida sun. And plenty of sunscreen too.
Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top