Category: Biking

I went bike riding with the guys yesterday. To be fair, it was only my second time out this year. But by the time I hit 15 miles, I felt like crap, and I was going to bonk. It took everything I had to get back to the beginning of the trail where we parked. “Old Plank Trail” lived up to its billing. The initial 5 miles were smooth, and the rest was like riding on a metal washboard or wood planks. This trail is in Frankfort IL and runs for about 25mi but we only ride 20mi – Strating at the grain silo – riding West until the end, and then back to the beginning.

A couple of things – first, the cicada mites weren’t that bad for me, (I only got 5 bites) not so for the others. Second, my ass hurt like hell due to a slight seat movement and no amount of padding was gonna change that. Third, the planking was only adding to the hurt. Fourth, my aerobic fitness was sorely lacking (this was the worst part). Usually, I prepare a couple of months before I attempt this. It didn’t help that the second half of the journey was all uphill. I guess I did pretty good compared to the others, I only have 5 bites, some of the other guys have chest welts.

The “Motley Crew”…

You can see the “Grain Silo” behind Rey. Which is where the trail actually is.

-Rat

So Saturday at noon, Vikash and I went to do the “Old Plank Trail” in Frankfort. It was windy as hell and we only got 2.5mi in and Vikash got a slow leak and we had to turn around and head back to the car. Which was fortuitous, because by the time we made it back to town, his tire was completely flat. We drove to Rick’s and he got his tube replaced and we went our separate ways. Anne Marie and I later went to the hospital to visit her mom. We stopped by “Doughs Guys” bakery to pick up some cookies on the way. Kevin was at the hospital and she was in and out of consciousness.

On Sunday, I did some needed cleaning and then we went to “Ashford House” and had a traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner with potatoes and carrots. Yummy, with a cup of rice pudding for dessert. We stopped in at Winstons and grabbed some traditional brown bread for this morning’s breakfast.

-Rat

My mother-in-law has been in the hospital, and she needs your prayers. She is fighting dementia, UTIs, and a spiral fracture of the femur, not to mention having undergone leg surgery to have a rod inserted of course, with screws to said femur. And did I mention she is 91? I’m hopeful but of course, contrary to my normal, I’m not optimistic. She’s a tough Irish girl from County Mayo, but not that tough. Ugh.

This week on Monday, we got the bikes out for our first ride of the season. Tomorrow, we are going again to a different trail – slightly longer and straighter. This week when it hasn’t been cold, it’s been raining in the mornings. I’m trying to stay active with a focus on recovery, but I need slightly more time during the day – about an extra hour would be wonderful.

Had my gloves on… was chilly…

-Rat

I finally got out on a bike last Friday, it was about 70F outside and it was lovely!

I picked my bike up from Richards and they did a really nice job on it! New wheels – yay! Saturday, we went to the outlet mall and walked most of the day and I was beat Saturday night. Sunday, (Easter) was a day of recuperation. I still have to put a new battery in my cadence meter and take my little speedometer magnet from my old wheel. But other than that, I am ready for this season.

-Rat

We got bikes out today. I rode my hybrid and Vikash rode his road bike. I had put 2 new sensors on. One broke (cadence) in the first 10min forcing me to go back to find it on the street. We carried on though and finished the standard trail (Tinley Creek North) in about an hour and a half. Our normal time is around an hour. There was still a bit of snow in places – not on the trail. Although it hit 72, the water in the ponds and lakes was still frozen over. It was awesome to get out today.

-Rat