Hey all!

My oldest and I rode our bikes everywhere today!

We started out going shopping (I gave the new bike trailer a workout) then we rode along with the March of Dimes Walk, went to the recycling center then out to one park for a Cub Scout meeting for my youngest son, then down to another park for a tournament weigh in (Walleye Tourney) then back home. Near as I can figure that is about 15 miles or so, about 1/4 of it pulling about 60 pounds of weight in the trailer....

So, the title says it all right now.....

Well, hello!

Yesterday both boys and I rode our bikes about half the day, shopping, to lunch and a ride by the river. About 10 miles all told. We are gonna ride some more this afternoon too.

My DW rode for about an hour with us yesterday! You could have knocked me down with a feather! But that's a good thing!

I have not been to the gym all week, that's a bad thing! But I have dusted off the total Gym in the basement and am using that when I cannot get to the gym. So that's all good!

Gotta run.....er....ride! It's bike time!

Well I figured I better add something here as it has been 9 months since my last entry!

I have begun working out again of sorts, due to being in physical therapy for my shoulder.

I use the stretchy rubber band thing from the P/T and I am using weight equipment at the P/T. I am doing several upper body, chest and shoulder exercises with the therapists.

I am also going to start the stationary bike and treadmill tomorrow and am going to start with the triceps and biceps and legs again.

The shoulder is slow going, but apparently progressing nicely. I am determined to do what the therapist says and not do something stupid that hurts my shoulder. That means not letting my boss convince me to move something too heavy etc. He does not do it from a position of power or being a jerk, he is just blissfully ignorant about how long it should really take to heal.

My oldest son is going to start working out too, he has his orientation at the YMCA with a trainer this week to give an initial assessment. He wants to play Soccer so he will need t build stamina, endurance and generally stretch and build certain muscles to avoid injury.

Well, for now that is it, but since I have pledged to maintain my course of exercise, my WOE and finally hit my goal this year, I will be posting here more!

Ciào!

Well, I think it is time to update the exercise blog...

Tonight my oldest son and I went to the Y and he had his orientation in the fitness center. They showed him how to use the machines and showed him a good game plan for his age and goals. He says he feels fine tonight but we will see in the morning.

I just hope he continues to go with me and do his workout as I do mine.

Speaking of mine....

I am now through with physical therapy and the Doc at the mobility clinic says I can do just about anything as long as I don't hurt myself. They have a workout routine that I am following with lot's of stretching exercises. My routine is basically the full circuit on the lifestyle machines, except I have to be very careful with 2 of the machines so as not to injure my shoulder.

So on two machines I am using 30 pounds on one and 40 on the other. As soon as these movements feel fine, I will up them by 5 pounds and see. I figure if I continue to work this way, I will continue to work the sore area and not injure it.

I am using the exercises prescribed by the PT to strengthen the muscles that are not injured to aid the ones that are. Just as the P/T prescribed.

So far, so good!

Guess what, it's me again!

Just a quick entry, like I said in my Journal I have a bass to play and I am gonna get to it! I feel like playing (poorly)a little Pink Floyd tonight, so my P bass is in the stand and ready to go!

Anyway, I am probably going to get released from the Workman's Comp by my doctor in 2 months (my next appointment). Right now I still have a few issues and certain things still hurt, and hurt enough to not want to do them. But for the most part I am getting better.

I have been lax in my exercising, but am picking back up again. And it is bike riding season! So I'll be commuting to work as often as possible, so that's a plus!

Anyway, gotta run!

Posted in my journal about my first Century ride today, even if I did only ride the 15k loop.....gotta start somewhere!
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthre...158#post7845158
C-ya!

Hey! I just remembered I have a gym log!

So, nothing to report!

Seriously I have done little since my bike was sent to the shop for the new tires and rims. And, since there is about a foot of snow, the riding is pretty much through for the season.

I will start going back to the YMCA and am also thinking of joining anytime fitness so I can work out whenever and in many of the places I travel too as well. I also have to see about new parts for the old Total Gym or just buy a new updated one. I like that machine!

So, till I can find a gym, see ya!

Hi

Well no gym progress to report, I just can't seem to work it in. But I have to find a way!

On the bike front things are moving nicely. I am going to ride 3 different century rides this year.

The first is the Menominee River Century Ride, this is the first one I did last year and my second ride in it. This year my son is to ride with me and we have a gentleman's agreement. We are signing up for the 80K but when we get to the 80K/40K junction we will go 80 if we feel fine or 40 if we want to wuss out.
http://www.mrcride.com/

The second is the Tour De Dickinson and that is about an hour away. This is our first ride in this one. We have decided that it will be the second largest loop we ride, no matter what. The website is not updated yet so I hope they get up to date soon!
http://www.tourdedickinson.com/

Then the last is the Delta County Century ride. This will be our second year riding this one. This one will be the long loop, no matter what!
http://www.deltami.org/events/event.asp?uid=440

Add to that the Ride of silence and the weekly Thursday night rides and it is a full season of pedal power!

I also plan to get the mountain bike out on the trails much more than last year as well! I will mosey on down to the local WORS race and see what that is all about. I will most likely go as a spectator. Better than being a couchtator....(sorry)
http://www.wors.org/schedule/event.php?e=2

I am also looking to host a ride from here to a town north of here and back. That is probably going to be a little more than a 40 mile round trip. The trick is to get enough people who want to ride and find a route that does not have us riding along US 41. I don't have a death wish nor do I want anyone injured or worse dealing with the idiots flying up and down that highway.

And back to the gym front, like I said, I haven't been in a while. It is funny my wife wont take the kids to the YMCA, but I always do. And since they like to use the pool and my youngest does not swim I have to be there. Leaves no time to work out for me. I have to find another time to go and work out! it has been too long!

Ah well...

Well, the ride tonight was a blast. There were only 3 of us but I got the lead bike spot. Made the others work for it! I kept the pace above 12 mph and we were done in 46 minutes! Normally we take an hour to do the 10 miles....

And the ride was between rain storms...never got wet.

I missed the Thursday night ride tonight...not happy about that. But then since I have all the time in the world right now, I can find lots of time to ride this weekend and next week, though I might need to skip the ride next Thursday too, due to a schedule conflict between my wife and both kids...can't be 3 places at once..so the ride may need to wait.

Tuesday Morning I did approximately 12 miles on my bike and then tues evening I did almost 14 miles with the local Boy Scouts Troop. Keeping 12 boys in line was quite the challenge for the 3 adults on bikes and the one in the follow up vehicle.

So there will be plenty of gym time happening soon and more frequent rides and much longer than my former commute of 2 miles round trip provided.

Well, two days ago in almost hurricane winds.....

Well it was 20 mph with stronger gusts anyway. I headed out into the wind and after 2 or 3 miles I said enough and went home.

Today I did 12 miles in the morning, a cold morning, and did almost 10 miles tonight with the bike shop ride.

I have also renamed my bike seat as the "Winemaker" as it really is good at squashing my grapes! The local shop owner is going to help me find a seat stem that has more forward or should I say downward adjustment for the saddle horn than the stock unit on my bike.

The problem is the bike is a hybrid designed for a more upright riding posture so the seat will not go the extra 1/4 inch lower in front like I need. I have the bar stem level and the bars angled forward to get a more road like riding posture. But the seat will not go any lower at the horn. So, I will see if any road bike seat posts 1) have more adjustment to facilitate a road riding posture and 2) fit my bike.

Tomorrow I plan to hit the gym as the weather here will be el sucko cold and possibly rainy....

Monday I took the Trance out for the 1st time this year! I found some trails in a local park so I took the bike out. After 4 circuits through the trails, I was bored so I went home. I'd be willing to bet this was only about a mile or so distance wise. Nice sized park as far as parks go, short trail ride as far as Mountain bike trails go. But it is nice to have another option in town in case my youngest wants to go trail riding.

On to the road biking....

The ride of silence was great! Almost 40 riders and we had a Police escort! This was our biggest ride to date. Last week got me in the mood to try and ride everyday if possible. We had the Ride of silence Wed and our regular ride Thurs.

Yesterday I put almost 14 miles on the Schwinn and today I put 16 miles on my Sedona. I came in early so as to beat an approaching storm. Tomorrow morning I will do at least 15 miles but am shooting for 20. Tomorrow night will be 10 miles more!

I have yet to make it to the gym....

Just a quick update. After this mornings 20 mile ride I now have over 100 miles in this week. It started with the MRC ride and we did the 40k loop plus the 15k loop.

So that was 35 miles on Sunday in the ride, 12 miles Monday, 25 miles Tuesday morning, 10 miles Thursday, and 20 miles Today! I think that is the first time in many dozens of years that I have topped 100 miles in a week.

Also with the new dog, I walk her at least once a day for at least 1/2 hour so I am getting more than enough exercise!

Still no gym though...just walking, bike riding and the obligatory stretching before or after...

And to report no cramping issues since the ride on Sunday. Stretching and staying hydrated!

I do REALLY need to get a more modern road bike! The 35 year old Schwinn is a great bike and I will most likely never kill it, but on the longer rides it is just not practical or comfortable. I am still going to use it on the Thursday night rides and keep working to "dial it in" but I do want a lighter bike with more modern gearing for the long hauls.

I plan to get out to some real trail systems next week and the following weeks with the mountain bike. There are a alot of nice trails not too far from here!

So, last week I out on over 100 miles. this week I have put on 0 miles!

I did walk the dog for over a mile today so all is not lost. If it is dry tomorrow morning I may put 10 miles or so on the bike. Time will tell.

I regret not taking a bike down to Milwaukee with me over the 4th of July. I could have logged 20 miles or so on Sunday and another 10 to 20 on Monday morning. I miss those bike paths!

Well How-deee!

I haven't updated here lately...so here we go. As the season shorten, good days to ride a bike are getting fewer and fewer. We are still doing the Thursday night rides (we call it the "Tour De Taco" as the restaurant across the street from the bike shop has Mexican Night on Thursdays) the ride leaves at 5pm now and takes us on a 10 mile loop. I can add another mile for riding there and back to the bike shop.

And yesterday was a great day for a bike ride, and since the schools were closed for voting/teacher in service my oldest rode with my friend Lynnie and her 2 kids. We did 20 miles and what a beautiful day it was!

then we walked the dogs about 2 miles.

Today I walked the dogs for about 1 mile and rode the bike and trailer to the store and loaded up about 50 pounds of groceries.

Gonna start going back to the YMCA on a every other day basis as it is starting to get damned cold in these parts and I hate bike riding in the cold!

Also one of the bikes will be once again mounted on the trainer in my office for the cold, stupid winter.

I have also finally settled on my next road bike that will relieve my 36 year old Schwinn Continental. it will be a Schwinn Le Tour Classic, either a 2010 or 2011 model. Steel frame baby!