I went two weeks without riding the bike to work. That sucks. I’ve also been attempting to grow a beard. Yesterday, I forced myself out the door on two wheels for the trip to work.
I’m glad I did, even if the scraggly beard did little to keep me warm.
I’ve been doing well. I’ve lost weight, eaten better, and had no beer. The only weak spot is riding. I haven’t been on the bike much.
On the way home from work today, I stopped at the store to pick up a few things and grabbed a six-pack of beer. I couldn’t help it. I’m enjoying one of the bottles now. I’m considering it a “mental health break”.
I won’t be riding to work tomorrow, as I’ll be working from home. Friday may be the one day I do that this week.
Tim and I met for a ride out to the Long Run / Floyd’s Fork area. This is series of parks being connected by new sections of the Louisville Loop.
Unfortunately, being at the eastern edge of the Metro means it’s a rather urban ride to get there.
I met Tim for coffee to start our trip. Within ten miles I was feeling weak. I considered bailing on the ride. Tim cajoled me, and we continued. I tried to keep my whining to a minimum.
Once we arrived and rode some of the paths, we took a short excursion on foot through the brush to enjoy a view of the creek.
We looped around and headed to the southern end of the finished section of path. There’s a fence up, but I figured we’d get around that, and check out the new construction. Unfortunately, a park ranger was there (on his bike), locking the gate.
We eventually headed back, and again I struggled on every hill. At one point Tim told me he couldn’t ride back at 10 mph, but that 13 mph would be okay. We almost immediately came to a hill that brought me to 6 mph. Ugh. I was not strong today.
Tim didn’t leave me far behind, so I struggled on. Eventually, once back on the busier roads, my speed went back up (adrenaline from traffic?). We finished up the ride with another coffee.
I got 45 miles in, but never felt like a cyclist today. Some days are good, some are not. I’m still glad I got out and exercised. I’ve been using Google Fit on my phone recently. It thought I was walking for 70 minutes of today’s ride due to my slow pace. Yikes.
My wife met me at The Post, a local pizza place, where I had a sandwich and iced tea to drink. It was difficult to not order a beer.
Now that I’ve showered, I’m finding all of the sore spots from today’s ride. Ugh, again.
I haven’t been posting about my rides, and I’ve complained about not riding nearly as much, but I do ride. Here’s a quick rundown of some recent, memorable rides.
Cold Camping
On November 13th, Tim and I headed to Shelby Lake outside of Shelbyville for a lakeside camping spot. The ride was pleasant, if a bit windy. We had a cold, windy night to contend with. I was uncomfortable for much of the night, even though I was able to get a fire started. The return trip brought us a good breakfast. 80+ miles over two days and a beautiful campsite – not bad.
November GAR
On November 22nd, Timothy put on another GAR (Gravel Adventure Ride). This one left out of New Washington Indiana. I rode my rSogn, as my Fargo, which is usually my gravel bike has some drivetrain issues.
I felt like an actual cyclist during the first half of the ride… then the wheels feel off and I struggled. Still, I pulled myself through under my own power for 57 miles.
Christmas Ride
My wife and I drove to Crestwood to visit her brother. We had a nice brunch. I had brought my bike with me to ride home. It was appropriately decorated.
It was only 29 miles, but it felt good to get out. After getting home, Tim and I went to one of the few bars open on Christmas for a couple of beers.
Rainy!
Tim and I headed out on the Sunday after Christmas for a 50-mile road ride. The day started with 70-degree temperatures, rain, and wind. I was wearing shorts – a decision I later regretted.
The first 30 miles weren’t bad. It did rain hard, but I don’t mind getting wet.
The return trip was supposed to have a tailwind, but at our mile-30 store stop, the front came through, the wind changed direction, and it got cooler.
If you look at the elevation profile on the GPS track below, you’ll notice it gets crazy after mile 30. That’s not reality. The pressure-based altimeter couldn’t handle the weather change. In reality it was dead-flat.
The temperature had dropped into the low 40s, we had a stiff headwind, and I was still wearing shorts. Brrrrrr.
Tim asked me where the ride registered on my fun-meter. I told him that some rides are more fun in retrospect.
Today
Although I didn’t get out for a New Years Day ride, which I did a few years back with Tim, when it was 9 degrees, I did get out today. It’s starting to feel like winter. I think it was low 40s. I’m meeting up with him in the morning for another ride.
I’ve done other rides besides these. I just wanted to get a sampling out there. Tim, Timothy, and I did an overnight camping trip to Jefferson Forest in the rain. That was memorable.
I’m trying to really ramp up my riding this year. Wish me luck!
I did pretty well losing weight from 2007 to 2011. How? Mostly through tracking everything I ate, and exercise. The bicycle was only part of the exercise.
Since 2012, I’ve been horrible about my food and beer consumption. I’ve done short-lived half-measures to attempt to get back on track. This morning, January 1st, 2016, I weighed-in at 275.4 pounds. That’s unacceptable.
I’ve also wasted a ton of money on beer, and dining out. I need to be more responsible with everything I do.
2015 was a terrible year for my diet, exercise, and cycling. I rode my bike only 2,424.3 miles for the entire year. In comparison, I rode 5,502 miles in 2011. I haven’t regularly tracked my calories in years. I haven’t weighed regularly in months.
It’s a new year. This changes today. I will not drink beer at all during 2016. I will track everything I consume. I will track not just bike rides, but other exercise. I’ll make it a point to do “training rides” where I push myself faster, even if they are short rides.
My goals? Same as always. I want to lose 5 lbs a month until I reach a weight of 175. I want to ride longer rides (like I did in 2009-2011) without suffering. I want to get faster, fitter, and thinner.
I’ve almost spent as much time working on bikes in 2015 and riding them. I need to simplify.
I attempted to sell my Big Dummy, but I didn’t get any buyers. I’ve since disassembled it, to part it out – again no buyers. It’ll remain in pieces for the time being. It’s put away out of my way.
The recumbent needs work, and I really don’t enjoy riding it much anymore. It’s also put away in a non-rideable way.
The rSogn (now with drop bars again) is my primary bike. It has rack, fenders, dynohub lights, and can do nearly anything. My Space Horse is a fun lightweight single-speed. I may use this for the flatter training rides.
The Fargo has some drivetrain issues currently, but I intend to get it fixed when I have the money. The Fargo comes in handy for the awesome “middle of nowhere” rides we sometimes do.
The tandem is rideable, and I won’t be changing anything for a while. It’s almost never used now. I am a bit disappointed in Diane since she pretty much gave up on bicycles.
I still want something like a Disc Trucker, but I don’t have the funds for it.
Why haven’t I written since August? Good question. I’ve spent most of my online time on Google+. I’m cutting back there. I’ve also spent too much time on the couch with Netflix. I’m cutting back there too. Tim has complained that the bike blogs we follow have been going dark. I’m going to try and write more to fight the trend.
Physically, my body has been weird. My neck was better for quite a while, but I have other, new pains. In just the last week, the neck pain seems to be coming back, but I’ve decided to ignore it for a while. I want to wait at least five years before getting surgery. I’m hoping that a better diet, weight loss, and exercise can help the neck this time.
Stick around for more. I’ll be here.
Tim convinced me to ride with him at Waverly Park this morning. The last few times I’ve been there, it was a sufferfest. I’m out of shape and overweight.
I’ve not been on the bike much recently. I haven’t ridden the Fargo in months. I prepared the Fargo last night, and Tim picked me up this morning.
Tim and I agreed that he’d ride ahead, and turn back and meet me again. He’s currently a stronger ride than I, and he’s better on the technical stuff.
Early on, I had shifter issues. I realized that if I stayed in the three lowest gears it would be fine. That’s enough for Waverly, which is rather hilly. I struggled soon into the ride. I wasn’t even sure I was on the right path for a while, but I was.
When we got to my favorite stretch of trail, Tim calls it “flowy”, I was able to increase my speed and enjoy it more. Tim still pulled away into the distance.
Once I was alone again, something happened. My mind went somewhere else. I lost track of time. There was no thought, no me after a while. Just flowing stretches of trail. I’ve experienced this before on a ride, but it was a number of years ago. I had forgotten it. I don’t think I was like that long. Tim had turned around to find me, and the skidding of his tires on dirt in front of me brought me back to reality.
Later in the ride, I managed to drop the chain off the bike twice. It was still a great ride.
We stopped for coffee on the way back. That was a good start to the day.
I have other, big, changes coming in my life. More later.
Buying a car has been bad for my bike commuting. I’ve driven most days since buying it.
I did get back on the bike yesterday, and I wore my “Zombie Raccoon” Bike Commuter Cabal jersey for a 30-mile round trip yesterday (errands along the way).
Today, I was back in the car, mostly due to a poor night’s sleep.
The Big Dummy is prepped for tomorrow.
My average weight for the week ending 7/11/2015:
264.3 lbs
Down from last week:
0.5 lbs
Down since I re-started on 6/1/2015:
10.3 lbs
Weight until goal:
89.3 lbs
I mentioned I was going to start posting my weekly average weight posts again… well, here we are. My new start was 6/1, when I weighed 274.6 lbs.
This round of weight loss is mostly due to less beer consumption and a bit of self-control on what I eat.
Yesterday, I rode the single-speed Space Horse up to the coffee shop to meet with my daughter. We hung out a bit before I rode home. Later I met up with Tim for a single-speed ride around the parks before we stopped for a couple of beers.
When it was time to head home, I had a flat. Boo! After getting a bit dirty, the flat was changed and I rolled on… and stopped at another bar for another couple of beer. Oops.
Writing these weekly updates will hopefully keep me focused on the goal, rather than the beer.
After buying a car on Monday, my bike commuting took a hit. I drove the car everyday until yesterday (Friday). On Friday, I rode the bike. I did it partially because I like riding my bike, and partially because Diane wanted to take the car to check it out. She hadn’t driven it yet.
The ride in was pleasant, if a bit cloudy. Along the way on Camp Ground Rd, I saw some “road treasure.” Road treasure it rare on my commute, but often times you’ll find something interesting. A number of years ago, I found a slightly scuffed, but functional iPhone. I returned it to it’s owner. Friday, I found a cheap screwdriver. I’ll keep it.
Shortly after arriving at work we had torrential rains. I’m glad I made it in first. The rain came and went all day. I’m glad Diane didn’t leave the sunroof open on my car.
The rain stopped about ten minutes before I left work. There were plenty of puddles on the way home, but I never got rained on. The fenders kept my bike mostly clean.
I changed my commute route slightly. There was a short stretch near home that was the most stressful. Routing around that saves me stress, and adds 2.5 miles to my round-trip commute. I’ll take it. So the new round-trip commute is 28.5 miles.
After a few years of living car-free, things have changed. My life changed. I married Diane. I got another dog that doesn’t easily fit on a bike. My new job is farther from home.
Although Diane has her Explorer, it is hers. It’s also older, and I wouldn’t trust it on a long trip. The benefit is that it was paid for in cash.
Yesterday, I paid a visit to CarMax (where I bought my Nissan Frontier in 2009) and bought a 2012 Honda Civic.
After getting the car, I went to the grocery store and thought over the decision. I’m still going to get around by bike for most things. The car gives me an “out” for those days I just don’t feel up to riding. It also gives me the ability to drive to Michigan to visit my mother without the hassle of a car rental, or the risk of the Explorer breaking down.
Although it’s an econo-car, it’s the nicest car I’ve owned. It has only 21,000 miles on it. It has more gadgets than I know what to do with. It connects to my phone with bluetooth. It has a sunroof. Fancy.
Diane and I took it for a drive last night, and brought both dogs with us. Yes, my car got the “dog hair treatment” on the first day.
If I regret the purchase later, or if life changes again, I can sell the car, assuming I pay off enough of it by then. I did with the Nissan.
I did drive the new car to work today, but I’ll be on the bike tomorrow.
The (mostly) no-beer June thing paid off, as did the longer commute and watching what I eat.
On 6/1/2015 my weight was 274.6. It slowly dropped from there. Weekly averages below:
| 6/6 | 274.3 |
| 6/13 | 271.3 |
| 6/20 | 269.9 |
| 6/27 | 268.7 |
| 7/4 | 265.8 |
My average weight for the month of June was 270.4.
I look forward to posting weekly updates on the weigh-in every weekend.
I still ride a bike too! As you saw in my previous post, I re-configured the rSogn to be my daily commuter. It works, but I now have two bikes that aren’t rideable. I need to fix that. I’m also planning on another bike for later in the year.
I had Friday off work, so Tim and I rode single-speed bikes around town. Unfortunately I consumed way too many liquid calories after the ride.
Five more months to lose weight before Gravel Grovel.
The recumbent isn’t really working for me as a commuter bike. I rode the new Space Horse (single speed) on Friday, but I had to install a rear rack to do so. That’s not the point of that bike, so I removed the rack.
The rSogn, with it’s drop bars, still hurts my neck, but it has a dynohub and fenders – so it’s an ideal commuter bike. I removed the drop bars, installed the Albatross bars, recabled everything, and added the rear rack. It’s ready to haul me to work tomorrow.
Since I was working on bikes I also worked on the Fargo and Space Horse, which I took outside for a group picture.
Later, Diane and I took the Big Dummy (not pictured) out for dinner.
28 miles today. I had to run to the bank before work. I had a late day at the office, then rode home.
The temperature was nicer. Traffic was lighter. That’s all nice, but I’m really tired. I’d forgotten how exhausting the longer bike commutes can be.
I still intend to remain car-free – well, except Diane’s car, but she drives that.
Yesterday was my first day at a new job, but I drove. I wasn’t sure where I would park a bike, change clothes, and I had to drive a little ways away for a drug test. Yep. Safest to drive on the first day.
Today was the second day. Yes, I rode my recumbent. It’s about a 26-mile round-trip, so I wear bike clothes, and leave extra time.
I headed west on city streets that aren’t too bad. There are worse roads where I’m headed, but I bypass them by taking the Louisville Loop.
I spend a fair amount of distance in a bike lane on Campground Road. It’s not horrible.
The area is an odd mix of woods, ugly industrial, a huge power plant, and a few residential neighborhoods.
The worst part is probably the chemical factories. The smell bothers me as I ride by.
Heading home is just the reverse route. I got 26.5 miles on the odometer today.
A co-worker who rides a bike wanted to try my ‘bent. I let him ride it around the parking lot.
I’m hoping the longer distance commute will help me get fitter again.
Last Wednesday, I realized time was running out before I start my new job and have to go back to the daily grind. I posted on G+ asking about locals for an overnight bike camping trip. Nobody was very certain of availability. So I improvised and whipped out a quick 5-day plan of about 250 miles. I’d ride alone if necessary. I had just a couple of hours to plan and pack. Diane was flabbergasted.
Wednesday – Day One
After a trip to the ATM on my loaded recumbent bike, I headed north. I detoured around some of the bridge construction mess, and eventually crossed into Indiana on the Big Four Bridge.
I noticed the cables for the new downtown bridge are partially done.
I cruised through Jeffersonville without stopping by Flat 12 for a beer. I continued up to Utica, where I could see the progress on the new east-end bridge.
I continued to Charlestown, where I did have a beer, a half-sandwich, spinach salad, and copious amounts of water at Charlestown Pizza. I probably had too much of something. I felt “sloshy” while leaving. Ugh.
Shortly after leaving town, the rain started. I don’t mind riding in the rain. The glasses making it hard to see does bother me.
At this point I had to deal with hills. Oh well. I’m fat and old. I’m attempting my longest (in days) tour while being at my fattest and most out-of-shape since I got a bike. I went slow. I walked up hills when I had too.
The rain stopped after an hour or so. The roads were gorgeous.
I made it to Clifty Falls State Park after sunset. I paid the fee, set up my tent, and went in to take a shower in the nice facility their just as a torrential downpour began. It rained a lot Wednesday night.
I slept poorly. It was hot and muggy in the tent, but I couldn’t open the rainfly due to rain. I couldn’t leave the tent due to bugs (I had already washed off the bug repellent in the shower). I read my Kindle for a while. I think I finally fell asleep at 3:30 am or so.
Thursday – Day Two
I woke surprisingly late at 9:00 am. I can’t normally do that while camping. I unzipped the tent to a pleasant day, and my ‘bent leaning against the picnic table.
Timothy contacted me about meeting up at Hardy Lake, where I already had plans to swim. I packed up and headed out.
Weather was a bit mixed, and this was probably my slowest day on the bike. I was a bit stressed, getting sunburned, and trying not to make Timothy wait too long.
Due to spotty cell coverage, my conversation with Timothy was difficult. I rolled into Hardy Lake, down to the beach, and took a swim with my waterproof camera. I didn’t see Timothy.
Just as I was leaving the water, Timothy came rolling up on his bike. He had apparently been at the park for a couple of hours, but missed the beach. He was down at the boat launch enjoying the view.
We rolled out. Our destination was Delaney Park, which I believe is a county park nestled into the hills of Jackson-Washington State Forest.
It was hot, then it rained. I was slow. I complained. I think Timothy pulled ahead to avoid hearing my complaining.
We rode a little gravel. We rode a few hills.
I needed food and more caffeine. We stopped at a Subway restaurant in Crothersville (where I stopped in a 2011 tour also). In the 2011 tour, I went into that Subway to hide from a storm, and ate while I was there. This time, I went there to eat, and ended up waiting out a storm.
The second half of the day was mostly flatter terrain. We were in ancient river valleys between “knobs”. As we approached the park, bigger hills were visible, but our path took us around them.
I had been under the impression that Delaney Park was private, but I now believe it’s a county park.
We arrived, set up camp, and were immediately set upon by a severe thunderstorm. It had scary-strong winds. We took shelter in the laundry area of the laundry/restroom building. It appeared to be a sturdy block building.
The winds passed, and we wandered about, watching the deluge flood down the hills and eventually into the lake. Surprisingly, both tents and bikes were right where we had left them. Timothy’s was fairly dry. Mine was soaking wet.
I didn’t have real food with me, and had intended to eat at the restaurant in the park – which was closed. Timothy saved the day with camp food.
After eating, we settled in for the night. The rain had tapered off. I wan’t able to fall asleep easily, so kept the rain fly open on one side to watch the lightning bugs flicker in the stand of trees a ways a way. It was hypnotic.
I’d like to say I fell asleep in that bliss. I did not. The “residents” who have full-time sites there were loud and boisterous. There was a very loud strange bird flying from tree to tree. The frogs were very vocal – including one very close to my tent.
Eventually things quieted down, but the rain started again. I closed the rain fly, and fell asleep eventually.
Friday – Day Three
I woke at about 5:30 am. It was raining. My tent was dripping on me. Packing up in the rain is difficult. Timothy was still asleep. I tried to go back to sleep. I considered the absurdity of camping in the rain, of bike touring, of many of my life’s choices. I was unhappy.
Then, at 7:00, the rain just stopped. That’s my cue. I got out of the tent and quickly started packing.
We made coffee and more camp meals, and headed out. Salem was our immediate destination for a more substantial breakfast.
There was one brutal climb on the way that I walked most of. The rain did not hold off. Often there was just a drizzle. A few times it was a downpour. We took shelter under a tree briefly.
We arrived in Salem looking for a breakfast place I had been before. Apparently they don’t exist anymore. The best we got was excellent doughnuts and mediocre coffee.
Our destination was Spring Mill State Park, which is just a short distance from the town of Mitchell. Timothy thought that heading to Mitchell first for a substantial meal would be a good idea. I agreed, and off we went.
I had already scoped out The Hub Restaurant online before the trip. It’s a simple, family restaurant, but the staff was friendly and the food was good.
While there, more weather warnings were issued. My gear was pretty wet. I suggested we skip the camping and go across the street to the Mitchell Motel. Once checked in, and had our bikes secured, we walked to the local liquor store for a six pack of beer to share.
I slept like the dead.
Saturday – Day Four
I woke with the 7:00 am alarm. We were packed, check out of the motel, and across the street at the restaurant again for breakfast when they opened at 8:00.
After a hearty breakfast, we headed out.
It had rained all night and most of the morning. There flood warnings scattered around the area.
My planned goal was Buffalo Trace Park in Palmyra. Timothy was going to ride with me, then ride home. He was going to have a much longer ride than I.
I was really struggling to keep moving. I was having knee pain. I was wet and miserable. Along Vincennes Trail there was high water across the road. We consulted the GPS, and took an alternate route.
We made another short detour to visit Beck’s Mill. It’s an operational water-powered mill. Timothy wanted to buy a bag of grits. Apparently they can’t operate with flooding and were closed.
We continued further along Vincennes Trail. We came across another, longer, deeper flooded stretch. It didn’t look good. There wasn’t an alternate route that wouldn’t add significant mileage. It wasn’t flowing water, so it was safe. It was a matter of submerging parts of the bike that shouldn’t be submerged. We decided to try to carry our loaded bikes the distance. Neither one of us managed, and instead set the bikes down, and pushed across.
Yes, both my hubs were submerged. Timothy had the same problem, along with his bottom bracket. The lower part of my panniers were also dragging in the water. It was a long slog down the road before it wasn’t underwater.
At this point, I knew the tour was over. I was too sore, too tired, and would need extra time to clean and fix the bike at home. We continued to Palmyra, found a diner, and I called my wife to come pick me up.
I still rode about 200 miles in 4 days. I’ll take it. I’ll do it again… later.
A number of years ago, I bought a 1980s Raleigh Record converted to a single-speed. I liked it. It was comfortable. I eventually had headset problem and a poor repair attempt damaged the fork.
I later bought another 1980s road bike – this time a Bridgestone 400, but it was just a little too small for me.
After researching for a while, I was unable to find another old frame I liked that was for sale locally. I decided to go ahead and buy something new.
I decided on a frameset from All-City called the Space Horse. It comes complete as a geared bike, but if your order a frameset, you can pick your own parts.
On Your Left Cycles ordered the frame and parts. I brought in my old tires, freewheel, crankset, bottom bracket, and pedals.
Build list:
I provided from my parts:
After getting the bike home, I put lights, GPS, and a cheap saddlebag on, and went for a 24 mile ride with Tim. The bike rides wonderfully. The drop bars have a shorter reach than I’ve had before, and these may be the drop bars that allow me to continue to ride drops. The soft, rubbery bar tape is quite nice too.
I’m still waiting on the covers for the cable mount bosses on the downtube.
I’ve got some plans for different light mounting ideas, and a small bag up front.
I don’t intend to put racks or fenders on this bike. I want to keep it simple, light, and fun. This bike helped me to feel like a cyclist again today.
No, this isn’t about the bike yet. Sorry. Soon, I promise.
I’ve had the same glasses for four years. I wear them every day. It was time to replace them.
I rode 3.5 miles to the vision center yesterday, and got a full eye exam. This included the “picture of the retina” thing that they charge extra for. My prescription is unchanged in one eye, and slightly changed in the other.
I can still see okay through the old glasses, but the lenses are quite scratched and the frames are worn.
I picked out a similar frame, and it’ll be more than a week before my glasses are ready. As “retail therapy” it’s not as satisfying as a new bike, but it is more useful.
When I left, I took an alternate route through some neighborhoods. I needed a few extra miles. I was eventually dumped onto a busy road – but it has multiple lanes and I usually take the lane. This time, there was road construction, and there were only two open lanes. I did something I almost never do. I rode the sidewalk until I was past the construction.
Even with “no beer June” going on, I had a little beer on Wednesday. Yesterday was worse. I parked myself at Four Pegs for hours and drank. Then I went home and took nap. Diane wasn’t very pleased with me when she got home from work.
Anyway, I’m back to no beer for the rest of the month.
Yes, retail therapy is probably not healthy. I’ve taken money I’ve not spent on beer this month and ordered a new bike. This is just a tease. More later, once I have it and can take pictures.
Yay! I get to stay employed! Yay! I get a week and half off between jobs! Boo! I don’t get paid for that time off!
My contract job ends this Wednesday. It’s been a fun 18 months, but it’s time to move on. The new job is direct-hire, long-term thing. Good. I’m tired of contract. The pay is good. The atmosphere seems nice (an arcade machine in the break room, and casual dress code), but the commute has the possibility to be ugly.
Driving, it’s ten miles each way. Much of that is roads I would not want to ride a bike on. I can take a 13-mile route on the bike, and have a good stretch of it on a bike path – that even goes through the woods for a while. That’ll be nice, until winter comes anyway. They won’t clear the path.
So, I’m looking at riding 26 miles a day, five days a week. I’ll be getting 130 miles per week just for commuting (assuming I don’t wimp out and take bus/car/Lyft). This should help with my weight loss (which has restarted since giving up beer on June 1st). I also hope it improves my fitness. I still have that goal of racing Gravel Grovel in November.
Until then, I’ll have some spare time for putting in miles. I’m considering a short tour. I’ll have to keep it cheap for budgetary reasons.
Tim convinced me to get up this morning for a ride. The rSogn was the steed of choice. It hasn’t been ridden much. It’s the only bike I have that still have drop bars, but I figured a few hours wouldn’t kill my neck too bad.
After meeting at Sunergos for coffee, we headed toward Iroquois Park. It has some climbs that I struggled on due to being out of shape.
Near the top is a pleasant grassy field – a small refuge in the city.
We headed back, and had more coffee at Breadworks, then back to my house where I loaded some maps on his GPS. At 28 miles, it was a pretty nice way to spend a morning.
There’s something about nice round numbers or dates that appeals to me. So today, June 1st, 2015, is a new start.
As mentioned yesterday, I’m not drinking beer during the month of June. I’m not a fan of liquor and I rarely drink wine, so those aren’t an issue.
I weighed myself this morning. I’m 274.6 lbs. That’s pretty unacceptable to me, but not as bad as I feared. I will continue weighing, but I’m not sure about posting here, as I always fell behind that in the past.
The first time I lost weight and wrote about it here, my life was simpler. I was single. I had nothing going on besides a job.
Now, I’m married. We have a new dog (who’s destructive and high-maintenance). Although I’m working now, I’m actively seeking a new job as the current one ends next week.
I’m playing volleyball again this year, at least in the summer, outdoor in the sand. I don’t enjoy indoor as much. I played today and had a good time, even without drinking any beer.
My eating habits have deteriorated in the last couple of years. I need to fix that. I’ve started that today, just by eating less. I’m not tracking calories at this point, but I probably need to do that. It certainly worked for me last time.
I’m rolling around some ideas about how to limit my beer consumption once this month is over. I don’t have anything decided on yet, but it needs to take bike miles into consideration, so I can earn beer by riding more. As much as I was drinking the last few months, I’d be riding to Indianapolis and back every few days.
I had a job interview downtown recently. I rode there in a suit.
I also had an interview on the East End, but I drove due to distance and weather.
Wish me luck!
My weight gain has continued. I’ve also continued to drink too much beer.
I can’t (yet) commit to quitting beer, but I can commit to quitting it for a month. June is that month.
Since the weather has been nicer, I’ve been riding the bike more. Nearly 100% of my transportation has been by bicycle. I’m not riding enough “other rides” though.
I have less than two weeks left at my current contract job. I’ve been interviewing, and hope to have something lined up soon.
I haven’t been weighing in quite some time. I do know I’m about 280 lbs, so I’ve basically gained back 80% of what I lost. That is depressing.
Since going to friction-shifting on the Fargo, the ten-speed rear has been a bit of a pain.
Tim recommended a short ride at Waverly this morning. I got up early and replaced the ten-speed chain and cassette with 8-speed equivalents.
I’m too fat and I struggled a bit. Afterwards we had coffee.
In other news, I’ve made changes to the Big Dummy. It’s also become my primary commuter bike. I’ll have more on that later.
Timothy has been putting on Gravel Adventure Rides for the Louisville Bicycle Club. I attended one last month.
Tim and I went together. I think we had a total of six riders. The ride started in New Washington Indiana. This route is nice for only having one big climb.
My memory isn’t clear, as I didn’t write about it right away.
Timothy and the other riders mostly stayed ahead of Tim and I. Tim stayed with me. I was struggling to keep any kind of pace whatsoever. The first half of the ride, I never took my camera out.
We stopped at Jendy’s Pizza in Hanover. It started raining at that point.
My new waterproof camera is perfect for rain, but I was too busy to use it. I let Tim take pictures.
The ride was cut a bit short at 35 miles. I enjoyed getting out, but had a weak day on the bike.