First Ride of the New Year

Wasn't much, but I took my first ride since by Back Surgery November 30th. Went a whopping nine miles. All the body parts are in good working order but a bit alot out of shape. Gotta start somewhere, so rack up 9 miles to start the new year off with a bang whimper. It'll get better.

Nothing like a nap after a "tough" ride.

Family Ride

This is an 11 mile ride that I take with Carrie and Byron around the neighborhood. It starts at our home in Agoura Hills, CA and goes through Westlake Village and Oak Park. We stay off the main streets when possible and just cruise. We may end up at Starbucks for awhile so Carrie can get a coffee fix and Byron and I can get some eats.

Map of my Family Ride on Google Maps

My Catrike

Catrike Expedition

I usually keep the the bags and panniers on. On family rides I'm the one carrying jackets, extra water, food and of course the picnic blanket. On local rides I'm always prepared to stop at a farmers market.

The bracket on the left is for GPS or any other cool electronic gizmo.

Delta Air Sound air bottle

Delta Air Sound Horn

Pepper spray

for the pup that shows its teeth

while coming my way.

Dual flag mounts.

I keep a DiNotte light on the trike at all times as a running light. Second lower bracket is for another light for night riding.

Before

After - All lit up with DiNotte lights and alot of reflective tape.

Betzi

Back From Back Surgery

I just turned 56 and this is what I end up with.

It’s been three weeks since undergoing a double micro, state of the art, surgery for my messed up back. It was worth spending the last two years finding the right doctor as well as trying non-invasive therapy, and taking a break from my back to repair my shoulder.

Not pretty but it's my reality.

I’m ready to start cycling again. I’m even good to go with hiking again. And I thought my hiking days were over. What could be better then cycling to a cool trail head and then put on the ole underused hiking boots and step into the backcountry.

My Catrike Expedition has served me well while I was figuring out what to do with my painful spinal column. Now that I’m fixed up and feeling young again I seriously considered getting back on two wheels, recumbent style. I even thought about a traditional diamond frame bike for all of ten minutes. After some serious consideration about riding a recumbent bike, and even bringing one home to try out for awhile, I decided to stick with riding in comfort on my trike. I came up with many reasons not to get back on two wheels. At the top of the list was the simple fact that sooner or later everyone takes a fall when riding two wheels. Last time I took a tumble on a bicycle I broke a rib and tore a shoulder. I was younger and healed without much to do. I am living proof that our boney infrastructure starts falling apart at the age of 50 and I’m now 56.

I’m sticking with a tadpole type trike. There is no way I would go 40mph down a hill on a bike. On a trike 40mph is cruising speed. So what if going up hill takes a little longer, at least I’m riding in comfort. There are many other good reasons to ride a good performance trike such as those made my Catrike. So, trikes it is.

It doesn’t matter what your cycling on just get out there and cycle.

Ojai Bike Path

Cycling the Ojai bike path, California, with the family.

Hitting the Road 1969 Style

Came across this picture of yours truly from 1969. I was 15 years old then. Yep, I was a big fella back then. Not much bigger today just less hair. Alot less hair.

Yes kids there was color film when I was a teenager.

Nice socks stud !

I'm standing next to my road bike that I proudly build up from cheap parts. It served me well. My mom insisted on taking this picture as I was preparing to take another overnight ride up the coast highway from Los Angeles. When you ride the coast highway in southern California today make sure you have life insurance.

A recumbent bike sure would have been nice back then. I remember that hard leather seat like it was yesterday. Ouch!

Dummer

"There is no force more potent in the modern world then stupidity fueled by greed" Ed Abbey