Pretty good one of me. That one, and the one below, by fellow Free Wheeler Bobbi B. The better-looking guy on the left is Albert.
I've been singin' the blues about my poor physical condition; I let myself get out of shape over the past year-plus, and then I've been put on a number of medications - if Lance Armstrong was taking performance-enhancing drugs, then these are performance-diminishing drugs. I've been adjusting the dosages and administration times of the meds (I'll argue about this with the doctors later... yes, I've got multiple doctors now, and they're all young and hopeful and smart, but I'm going to live my life), and I've gotten to a point where the effects of the meds are less disabling. I've been riding a lot, and testing both my speed and my endurance.
Club member Marty A posted a ride that was a longer version of the "Double Trolley" Ride he did a couple weeks ago. This one was to be a bit over thirty miles, and, with the four-and-a-bit mile ride from home to the start and back, I figured I could get forty miles in today, most of it with club members around to bail me out if I got in trouble (and The Excellent Wife [TEW] would be available to come rescue me if needs must). Forty miles is longer than I've gone in several months, since a ride with some of my faster friends ended with me winded, disappointed, and depressed.
I'll save you the anxiety and suspense: I did pretty well.
We had eleven at the start at Village Park in Cranbury.
That one above of Marty is pretty good, don't you think?
TEW, below, parked at the start, but didn't ride with us.
The route goes out by road to the top of the trolley trail, loops around, comes back on the trolley trail, and returns to the park.
Marty does a good job of keeping to the pace, and, while the route is not quite as flat as an LP record, there are no demanding hills. I had a good time, and I like the people on this ride.
We don't stop at a store of any kind on this one; instead, we stop at the West Windsor Community Park.
Marty added some miles to make this route longer than the last time, but I understand he's re-thinking his decision and will probably go back to the earlier route and distance. Whatever. This was a good ride for me today, and a sign that maybe my strength and stamina is improving. I'm glad it did it. (I'm glad I was able to do it!)
