Bicycling for Health

AS Oct 1 approaches and I continue to train for my impending ride, I consider the potential health benefits and risks of embarking on this task.  Several folks have encouraged me; and an equal number have scoffed and told me how crazy I am.  Many others say nothing; but the sideways glances speak loud enough.  Whatever, I'm committed to this, and look forward to it more with each passing day; not to mention that several folks are now counting on me to keep the commitments I've made to them. 

The potential health benefits are obvious, losing unwanted weight and improving overall fitness.   The risks are less obvious, but well known to anyone who routinely rides a bike in areas where they must share the trail (road) with others, especially other vehicles.  I've had a few close calls with vehicles at intersections (all my fault), loose dogs on established trails popular with walkers and bikers, and several near collisions with pedestrians who are either too slow, too inattentive, or too inconsiderate to "share the road."  I know what some of them are thinking.  "Hey, what's a bike doing on a bike trail!?  There's also the risk of further injury to an already trashed back, especially when I don't get my foot out of the clip quickly enough to avoid performing a slow roll for amused witnesses.

Oh, yes, about that dog poop!  There's ten feet of grassed border on both sides of this trail.  Do you think you could clean up after your dog, or at least escort him or her to a less traveled dump site?  Do you know what it smells like and feels like when you get sprayed by poop vaporized when you hit it at hight speed?  Never mind.  You don't care, do you?  Makes one wonder, "Who do you take out first - the dog, or its owner?"  

You learn alot about others when you're out biking, most of it good.  Most riders are considerate and openly friendly, exchanging greetings and moving on.  Others look right through you, as if to say, "Who gave you permission to speak to me?"  More than once, I've said "Good morning", quickly realized my mistake, and found myself muttering, "Maybe not!"  Depending on which gear they're in, your time to assess their demeanor varies; but, I'm a people watcher; and I enjoy sizing people up, so to speak.  I'm good at it; and yes, even thought it seems non-PC to do so, I "profile."  I'm sure this stems from survival skills learned during my military time in days of old (Go Army!).

I could write a book about my interpretation of others' apparent mental state and station in life just from my brief observations of those I share the trail with.  Some are quite colorful, literally, decked out in the latest, most colorful skin tight fashions, mounting the most high-tech gear.  Others are like me - "Hey it fits, it's mine; and it doesn't interfere with my movements.  What's wrong with that?"

I love the whooshing noise the younger folks make when they zip by in their brilliantly painted aerodynamic garb, riding bikes fresh off the engineer's designing board and weighing less than the Camel Back I wear.  I look at those thin little, high-speed tires, and I think, "No way, dude!  You put me on top of a pair of those; and there's gonna be one loud explosion!  Not to mention the wreck that seems to go on forever, even if filmed at normal speed."  Most of these young guys, and a few young gals are flight students from the Navy base at the end of the trail.  They can afford the gear, they're required to remain in top physical condition; and it suits them well.  They can also get away with their near-naked appearance.  Makes one reminisce about how it used to be before age, family responsibilities, infirmity, and wisdom set in.

It always takes me aback when I encounter the non-sociables, folks who don't speak, folks that are apparently too preoccupied and distracted by personal problems, private thought, or social status to offer more than an irritated or alarmed glance.  "You talking to me!?" 

In the process of planning and equipping myself for this ride, I've met several new friends, renewed some acquaintances with others, and enlisted moral support from family members.  Some of these folks have sponsored me with donations to help defray trip expenses, and others, business owners, have provided promotional assistance, biking equipment, and maintenance support.  I'm very grateful for the way they've encouraged and supported this venture.  Still others have pledged to pay me so much per mile completed that will be donated to the American Legion.  Thank you all!  I'll do a better job of acknowledging your contributions soon.

In Sept of '05, back surgery permanently altered how I walk through life, literally.  Whereas before my surgery, I had been able to walk for hours and miles on end, and enjoyed doing so, three fuzed disks left me temporarily partially paralyzed with fairly severe leg pains and the inability to stand motionless or sit upright for more than a few minutes at a time without causing my left leg to fall asleep.  The standing and sitting limitations persist five years later; and this has helped add a great deal of unwanted weight to my body.  I can deal with that; but, as I discovered last week when I was learning how to use my new shoes and pedals with clips, I don't do well with falls.  After several days of fall-induced sciatica, I'll be more careful to plan ahead.  In fact, I won't use the clips at all when riding in heavier-trafficked areas.  I don't think I'll be able to endure many repeats of that maneuver without returning to the days of paralysis and near-constant pain.