Hi and welcome to my blog. First, I should start with some background information. In my teens before I got my driver’s license, I spent many afternoons riding my entry level 10-speed bike in Kentucky when the weather permitted (sometimes even if the weather didn’t permit.) My friend David and I called bike riding “exploring.” We would take off with no map and no clue where we were going, just enjoying the ride and exploring where the roads might lead us. We took two “big trips” in our exploring career. First, we road from Anchorage, Kentucky to my grandparents home in Lebanon, Kentucky one day… about 66 miles of beautiful, hilly terrain. We turned around and rode back home the next day. We stopped at every little small town on the way and mailed our parents post cards. I recall mailing post cards from Taylorsville, Bloomfield, Springfield, and Maud (post office was in a house!) We had taught ourselves to play basic harmonica songs, so we would stop on breaks and play harmonicas to the horses and cows. We got pretty good at mooing at the cows. We had several moos we thought were perfect! Our second trip, we packed a tent on the bike and were going on a leisurely 300 mile circuit for Spring Break in April. We left home after school on Friday with sunny skies and temperatures in the high 70s. We camped out at a farm the first night at a relative of David’s. The next day, we approached our first destination of General Butler State Park, and the weather had turned to freezing rain. We were totally unprepared and amazingly, left home with no wallet, no money,… just the food we packed. After stopping at a gas station to warm up, David was the first to recommend the obvious solution. “How about I call Mom and have her come get us?” We swallowed our pride, got home, and that night it snowed several inches. Wow, we were young and ignorant! However, we did have fun riding our bikes. It wasn’t for the exercise back then, it was for the “exploring.”
My wife bought bikes for Christmas a few years ago because she knew how much I loved riding as a youth. We went for a short ride and almost collapsed! We were both so out of shape. It was actually dangerous! I didn’t think I was ever going to catch my breath! After a few repeat trips, we gave up. Then I heard about Electric Bikes. After over a year of research, I decided to buy two Optibikes for my wife and me. The bikes arrived just before Christmas. We have been on some short rides and biking is fun again!
First obstacle… I hate to publish this, but it is part of the challenge/opportunity. I have had hemorrhoids for years and my doctor has been encouraging me to get them banded. Well, after about a week of riding, my hemorrhoids were actively bleeding. At my first doctor’s appointment of the year on January 19, my doctor had approved the Optibike Weight Loss Challenge for me, but advised I take care of the hemorrhoids first. I was too impatient, and paid the price. So yesterday, I met with a specialist and get the first of three internal hemorrhoids removed on March 9. In the meantime, I am walking, watching my diet, and getting prepared for “exploring” again. I look forward to a fun and adventurous year.
Oh yes, starting weight on January 19 was 270. At 5’7″ in height, that is classified as at least obese and probably morbidly obese. 2011 is the time to change that!