FEBRUARY 13
After much research, Tim & I decide to ride as part of an organized ride. The two biggest benefits of an organized ride are that the organizers provide breakfast & dinner in "tent cities". They also provide transportation for your camping supplies & gear. We figure we can pack tight and only have to carry about ten pounds on the bikes.
My mid-life crisis ride will be from Buffalo, New York to Albany, New York. This is a distance of about 405 miles, although actual mileage will be more due to rides to the tent cities, the pre-ride ride, and things like that.
Most of the ride will be along the Erie Canal.
For my birthday, Tim sent off the registration & fees. I'm hopeful, even though I am still walking with crutches.
To see a wonderful presentation about the Erie Canal,
including Songs of the Erie Canal, click on the map.
FEBRUARY 26
I've been cleared by the doctor to ride my bike again. It is approximately 20 degrees here in Rochester, New York. The practical solution seems to be to buy a set of Keitler Rollers. These are a seemingly low-tech training device. Three rollers on which you balance your bike and ride. Looks easy when someone else does it!
The catch is that you can never stop pedaling or you fall off with a big THUNK! Five minutes on the rollers must be equal to at least five hours of riding on the road. The big advantage over a stationary bike is that you really do have to pay attention and work at "Riding the Rollers."
MARCH 11
It is not snowing and it's above 40 degrees so we dressed in layers and hit the roads. It was nice to get off those rollers and actually go somewhere. I'm starting to realize just how old and out of shape I am!! For the first time I wonder if I can really do this Rolling for Rescue event.
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