An Update From DC

This past week has brought a lot of changes.  Some of them positive, some of them not.

Diet

I believe the paleodiet works.  I think it could work for me.  However, it’s a trial and error process to get there.  Since I started the paleodiet I’ve been suffering depression and lack of energy.  I’ve also had dizzy spells.  I don’t have the drive to figure out how to adjust the diet, so I’m switching back to my previous diet.  I need to watch what I eat.  I used to track calories, but I’m not going to this time, unless I start gaining weight again.

My new-old diet has helped me feel better, mostly.  My energy level shot back up quickly.  The depression is fading, but not quite gone.  I’m still having minor dizzy spells.

Biking and Travel

I’m writing this from a hotel room outside of Washington DC.  My wife is here for work, and I drove to meet her.  I’ll be heading home in a few hours.

I brought Nermal with me to ride around DC.  I’m glad I did, but I’ve had some mechanical problems with the bike, and may be retiring it soon.  Kristy joked that I should have a “funeral” for the bike, and make an ID card identifying the bike as a “parts donor”.

I rode just over 30 miles on Friday, and did some sight seeing around the capital.  It’s Cherry Blossom time, and a beautiful spring day, so the crowds were out in force.

On Saturday, I only rode about 10.5 miles, because I turned back due to the mechanical issues I mentioned.  I didn’t want to walk back to the hotel.  I spent most of that ride in Alexandria.

I have to admit that the Mt. Vernon trail is rather nice.  It was heavily used while I was out.  There were many cyclists, runners, walkers, and what not.  I saw three trike riders.  I stopped and talked to Michael riding a Greenspeed X5.  He was kind enough to let me take it for a short spin.  Now I have another item to add to my wish list.  🙂

I’m a bit underwhelmed by the “bike friendliness” of the area.  Although the trail was nice, getting off the trail and unto a major artery in Alexandria was met with much honking, yelling, and even the flashing of a badge.  I later looked it up, and I was allowed in the road.

In the part of DC itself that I rode in there weren’t actual bike trails, but simply wide sidewalks that were also used as bike paths.  This was not ideal, especially with the crowds.  In fairness, it was faster than attempting to ride in the streets, where traffic was mostly stationary.  I also managed to fall over while coming to a stop in front of hundreds of people.  That was embarrassing.

There is a bike/pedestrian path along the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge.  This path makes it possible to easily ride from Alexandria VA over to Prince George’s County MD.  I wasn’t able to find any good bike riding on the Maryland side.  There were a lot of riders going back and forth across the bride, many of them with children.

Bicycle Indecision

I’ve put a lot of miles on the new Surly LHT I bought in January.  I’m still having comfort issues with it.  I’ve ordered a new stem from Bluegrass Bicycle to raise the handlebars (I’ll be picking it up on Monday).  I’m hoping that it will help.  I rode the recumbent to work on Wednesday, and had forgotten just how comfortable it can be.  I can ride many miles on the Surly, but do I want to?  I can climb steeper hills with the Surly, but I can climb most hills on the ‘bent, and walk the ones I can’t ride up.  I won’t be buying another upright bike until I’ve made up my mind about this.  Poor Nermal (the cheap hybrid that is now broke) will not be replaced.

Bicycle Commuting

Kristy will be home on Monday also.  I’ve ridden a lot of miles while she was gone.  I can’t let that stop.  I love the way riding makes me feel.  It isn’t even just about weight loss anymore.  It’s a combination of things.

• Weight loss
• Save money on parking and gas
• More freedom from car issues
• Sense of accomplishment
• Endorphins!

I get cranky when I don’t ride, so to be a better husband and father, I must ride often!

Weight

My weight had dipped when I started the paleodiet.  It’s now gone up a little, but seems to be holding steady now.  I haven’t been weighing as often.  I’ve actually quit focusing on weight as much as I used to.

I’m trying to find a healthy balance in my life for everything.  I tend to obsess over things, so I’m taking a temporary hiatus from weighing myself.

Pictures