I tried a new route today. I rode up from Leawood South Park (119th and Roe) to I-Lan Park off Nall. I think I-Lan is a sister city to Leawood.
Anyway, my starting blood sugar was really high for some reason. It was right at 300. I was only going to do about three miles, but I felt good and rode four miles. The result was that I brought my blood sugar down a full 100 points. I might have had a bad reading at the 300.
My feet hurt again. I find that when I am not pedaling I stand on my right foot (on the pedal) and that makes my right foot hurt. It goes away after I get off the bike, but it is annoying.
I am ready for a new bike, I think.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Trip to the Bike Shop
I went to Bike Source and talked with Jason today. I am conflicted to say the least.
He suggested the Specialized Tricross. This would be a good tourer and would work right along with my goal to do the Biking Across Kansas Ride. You can fit this bike with a nice rear and front rack from Specialized. It has wider tires, but has the geometry of a road bike.
The Secteur is strictly a road bike. The Sirrus is strictly a bike path bike. The Tricross would do road, path and Katy Trail rides, though changing out the tires might be required. The cost for the base model of the Tricross is in line with a decent Secteur build.
One can do a lot on this bike, but I don't have the money right now. This bike plus perhaps a road bike and mountain bike will get you just about anywhere.
I still love those cruisers though. Anyway, I won't know until I ride some bikes, which will be very soon.
He suggested the Specialized Tricross. This would be a good tourer and would work right along with my goal to do the Biking Across Kansas Ride. You can fit this bike with a nice rear and front rack from Specialized. It has wider tires, but has the geometry of a road bike.
The Secteur is strictly a road bike. The Sirrus is strictly a bike path bike. The Tricross would do road, path and Katy Trail rides, though changing out the tires might be required. The cost for the base model of the Tricross is in line with a decent Secteur build.
One can do a lot on this bike, but I don't have the money right now. This bike plus perhaps a road bike and mountain bike will get you just about anywhere.
I still love those cruisers though. Anyway, I won't know until I ride some bikes, which will be very soon.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Short ride after a long day
Seems like I always get a reward for coming out here. I had a long day in class today and it's hot. This is becoming a lifestyle.
My reward today was another doe. Or maybe it was the same one. She was drinking from the creek as I crossed the bridge.
My feet hurt. It might just be the bike geometry.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Doing the Minimum
For me right now my minimum is five miles every other day. I want to work up to five miles every day, then expand on that. I kind of look at it as a price I must pay for being diabetic. I should probably walk the dog once a day too. If I can do a five miler after breakfast and a nice walk after dinner or before bed, I think I'm doing pretty well. When I'm walking the dog I can smoke one of those little cigars I'm fond of as well.
Eventually I want to work in gym workouts three times a week and longer weekend rides.
My schedule this fall is a bit uncertain. I know I will be going to school, mostly in the evening, but I'll also be working part-time at least. It's going to be very important to work in my exercise. I simply have to do this to combat my diabetes. I have seen the benefits in my blood sugars. This is not a luxury. It is a lifestyle I must live.
My hardest battle ahead will be shifting to a lower fat, low carb diet that is nutritious. Right now I get buy limiting my carbs for the most part, but I still eat like crap. I have allowed myself to take a pass on this issue as I get other areas of my life in line, but this is something I need to do sooner, rather than later.
Eventually I want to work in gym workouts three times a week and longer weekend rides.
My schedule this fall is a bit uncertain. I know I will be going to school, mostly in the evening, but I'll also be working part-time at least. It's going to be very important to work in my exercise. I simply have to do this to combat my diabetes. I have seen the benefits in my blood sugars. This is not a luxury. It is a lifestyle I must live.
My hardest battle ahead will be shifting to a lower fat, low carb diet that is nutritious. Right now I get buy limiting my carbs for the most part, but I still eat like crap. I have allowed myself to take a pass on this issue as I get other areas of my life in line, but this is something I need to do sooner, rather than later.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Ick
I put a new seat on the Townie. It was a cheap road bike seat I got from that bike shop I don't like that shall remain nameless.
I did my routine five miles. I was still a bit sleepy when I started the ride and never really got better. I do feel a sense of accomplish getting the ride in.
The seat is not so good. You need to be forward on the perineum for a seat like this. My feet went a bit numb. Must be pressing down on something back there. A little bit of sciatic nerve pain too. Perhaps if I angle the seat forward a bit, but that might just exacerbate the circulation problems.
Nice day though.
I did my routine five miles. I was still a bit sleepy when I started the ride and never really got better. I do feel a sense of accomplish getting the ride in.
The seat is not so good. You need to be forward on the perineum for a seat like this. My feet went a bit numb. Must be pressing down on something back there. A little bit of sciatic nerve pain too. Perhaps if I angle the seat forward a bit, but that might just exacerbate the circulation problems.
Nice day though.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
A Rewarding Ride
It's been really hot, so I got up early this morning to get a ride in. My plan was to ride four or five miles. My routine workout.
I really wasn't feeling it, but I got on the bike and just did it. At the turn around point I started feeling better. I always (well, usually) do.
On the ride back a doe crossed my path about ten yards ahead then paused there and let me pass close enough to touch her. I felt this was a little reward from nature or God or whatever for persevering. Some days you know you are just living right.
I see this as a sign that I am on the right track. I was really sick over the winter with the gall stones/pancreatitis. I see this as a sign that everything will be okay. I will beat the diabetes and be around for my kids.
Bicycling is the one sport I've done my whole life. Some of my fondest memories are bike rides with dad and a neighbor down the street. I want this for my children as well. I want them to be healthy and to have those great memories.
I really wasn't feeling it, but I got on the bike and just did it. At the turn around point I started feeling better. I always (well, usually) do.
On the ride back a doe crossed my path about ten yards ahead then paused there and let me pass close enough to touch her. I felt this was a little reward from nature or God or whatever for persevering. Some days you know you are just living right.
I see this as a sign that I am on the right track. I was really sick over the winter with the gall stones/pancreatitis. I see this as a sign that everything will be okay. I will beat the diabetes and be around for my kids.
Bicycling is the one sport I've done my whole life. Some of my fondest memories are bike rides with dad and a neighbor down the street. I want this for my children as well. I want them to be healthy and to have those great memories.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Bicycle Magazines
I started picking up some bicycle magazines. Some are better than others, but right now they all provide me with the cycle porn I so strongly desire.
The two magazines I like the most are Velo News (which has rebranded itself as Velo) and Bicycle Times, which is kind of a commuter/cruiser or alt bike culture magazine. It's put out by the DirtRag people, which is another great magazine.
Bicycling is okay. It's a magazine that tries to be all things to all riders, which has its obvious problems, but that's okay. I understand their issue. It does have some pretty good reviews of bikes, etc., and it's the kind of magazine you want around for the ads.
Bike is a pretty good mountain bike magazine. Mountain Bike Action is kind of the Velo News of moutain biking. I good mag in its own right.
Bike also produces a magazine called Paved, which as far as I know you can't subscribe to right now. It's for road bikes. Not bad.
Peleton is a great magazine. Racing, history of cycling, etc.
What is lacking is a good touring magazine. At least I have not found one. I think the Adventure Cycling Association might have one.
So far I have subscribed to Velo News, Bicycle Times and Bicycling. I think Peleton will be next and I might join the ACA to get their magazine. I suppose the mountain bike mags will be next. I have forgone my motorcycle magazine subscriptions in favor of cycling. It must be official - I'm hooked. I love Back Street Choppers. I'll have to pick that one up to satisfy my motorcycle porn urges.
The two magazines I like the most are Velo News (which has rebranded itself as Velo) and Bicycle Times, which is kind of a commuter/cruiser or alt bike culture magazine. It's put out by the DirtRag people, which is another great magazine.
Bicycling is okay. It's a magazine that tries to be all things to all riders, which has its obvious problems, but that's okay. I understand their issue. It does have some pretty good reviews of bikes, etc., and it's the kind of magazine you want around for the ads.
Bike is a pretty good mountain bike magazine. Mountain Bike Action is kind of the Velo News of moutain biking. I good mag in its own right.
Bike also produces a magazine called Paved, which as far as I know you can't subscribe to right now. It's for road bikes. Not bad.
Peleton is a great magazine. Racing, history of cycling, etc.
What is lacking is a good touring magazine. At least I have not found one. I think the Adventure Cycling Association might have one.
So far I have subscribed to Velo News, Bicycle Times and Bicycling. I think Peleton will be next and I might join the ACA to get their magazine. I suppose the mountain bike mags will be next. I have forgone my motorcycle magazine subscriptions in favor of cycling. It must be official - I'm hooked. I love Back Street Choppers. I'll have to pick that one up to satisfy my motorcycle porn urges.
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