first ride after covid

 

In my last post, I pointed out that I was recovering from COVID, and had had a number of other difficulties and disappointments during the year; I don't even have 70% of the bike miles I could get in a year when I was working (and I've been retired for a couple years).

COVID had me pretty weak, and even after the infection passed (both times; I was one who got a Paxlovid rebound), I found that even the low exertion of household tasks (like doing the dishes) wore me out to the point I needed a nap; sometimes I was taking three naps in the same day. That, on top of my inconsistent riding performance this year, had me worried whether I'd ever be able to keep up with a group ride again.

Another leader had been dropping hints about a ride over the weekend, but I'm sure I'm not ready to keep up with that group. Tom H, however, sent out an email to some folks about a ride today, the day after Christmas, of about 20 miles on the D&R towpath. I figured I'd try that - I expected the worst that might happen is that it would be clear that I couldn't finish, and I'd turn around and go back the way I'd come. I didn't reply to his email, but I resolved to go.

I almost didn't, and I almost turned back, even when I was in the car on the way. I was sure I'd get dropped; I was sure I wouldn't be able to finish; do I even still like to ride my bike? Maybe I should just stick to mechanic work. Maybe I should give up the bike entirely.

It was cold to start; well below freezing. I have clothes for riding in this weather, but it was another reason to turn back, if I needed one. 

I got to the start at Washington's Crossing, where Heddy was waiting; she emerged from her car and said she wondered if she'd overdressed. (I don't think she had done.) Moments later, Tom rolled in. I hinted at my concerns, and he hastened to assuage my worry - we would probably do fewer miles; it was straight down the towpath on the PA side, then back up the NJ side, and nobody was interested in dropping anyone. A moment later, Martin G rolled in on his mountain bike, bursting with Trenton-area history and trivia, promising a travelogue along the way. And we were off.

I hung back on the outbound trip, and for much of the way through Trenton. It became clear I wouldn't get dropped, and that I'd finish with the others. As we came north by Cadwalader Park, Martin suggested a roll though... and I got ahead of the others, partly driven by the aging man's frequent companion, a gift of urinary urgency. Martin gave a history lesson around the park, pointing out landmarks and landscape features. That was cool.

I continued to lead the group the rest of the way back, heading for the rest room. When I emerged, I didn't see any of the others - it turned out they were griffing up the mileage so they could complete annual totals (the weather through the end of the year does not look promising), they explained so when they returned a minute or two later. We said our goodbyes, and I headed out to complete an errand on the way home.

I'm tired (there is a probable nap in my immediate future), but I'm not crippled, and I did complete the ride. And I'm no longer thinking of giving up the bike entirely. I'm still not ready to do forty-mile-plus rides, but I also think they might be achievable by summer. I've got to get some fitness back, but I have hopes of being able to do so.

Maybe I'll see you on the road. I'll probably wave, and ring the bell.

Ride page (not that you're actually going to look...).