BTWD Fallout
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So…. after being inspired to give cycling to work a shot, and actually managing to do the 21 miles to work… and then realizing someone fooled me and that it was (as mentioned in other threads) actually a bike back to home as well!…. I was pleasantly surprised with myself in actually making the 42 miles without killing myself. So, I biked in today again. I knocked about 45 minutes off my BTWD time (because of no pit stops lolol) and 11 minutes off my ride home (ok, so it’s mostly downhill on the way in). My metro ride, including hopping a bus to the Medical Center metro, is usually about 1:20. My ride in was 1:37. I’m thinking as I work to get in better shape, I can beat the Metro time.
A little background, since I’m new here. I’m 42, live in Bethesda, work in Suitland. I’m an average cyclist, it’s been 10 years since I was “really” doing serious rides. I used to mentor/coordinate the Cycle Across Maryland/Teen Challenge program in Anne Arundel/Howard counties, have done several CAMs including a few centuries. But 10 years later, I found myself at 255 pounds and arthritis slowly stealing my life from me. The arthritis is still there, and it’s pretty bad, but it’s mostly confined to my spine. Cycling actually is a freedom for me, as I don’t feel pain when I’m riding. OK, well, some pain, but it’s not back pain and that’s like heaven for me. The cycling will help to strengthen everything, hopefully increase some bone density, and will improve me mentally as well. I’ll still be in tons of pain, but hopefully I can deal with it better, and even a 5% decrease in pain is a huge life changer for me.
You all seem like a nice tight-knit group of people, hopefully you’ll welcome me in to the family with a friendly nod on the trail
I’m not as angry as I look when I’m cycling LOL Oh, I also got my son in to cycling, so he rides with me occasionally. Here’s a pic of us from Bike DC.
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edit: and yes, I’m still a little pudgy, but hopefully the rides to work and, eventually, riding back home too will get me in to “fighting” shape! So no “moobs” or “mitts” comments, thanks LOL
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