Monday, 7/29/2024

                            

2024 MILEAGE - 2538.1

After taking both days this past weekend off, I got back into riding today with a real blast from the past. The tremendous, groundbreaking, highly acclaimed TV miniseries Roots was broadcast in the fall of 1977. At that time, I was a college junior up in Minnesota, and consequently saw none of this show that it seemed all of America was talking about.

Today I decided to begin to remedy this hole in my education (OK, nearly a half century late), and watched the first episode during my ride.

This gave me a ride today of 20.5 virtual miles in 1:02.

Trailer for Roots

Friday, 7/26/2024

                            

2024 MILEAGE - 2517.6

After taking yesterday off, working on composition, today during my indoor ride, I watched the rest of 1776, which I had begun on Wednesday.

This gave me a ride today of 21.2 virtual miles in 1:45.

Trailer for 1776

Wednesday, 7/24/2024

                          

2024 MILEAGE - 2496.4

Due to my continuing health issues, I once again chose to ride inside today. During the ride I watched the first hour of 1776, a 1972 historical musical drama film based on the 1969 Broadway musical of the same name Set in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776, it is a fictionalized account of the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Interestingly, portions of dialogue and some lyrics were taken from letters and memoirs of actual participants of the Second Continental Congress.

It is long enough that I chose to watch just the first hour today, leaving me roughly 80 minutes for tomorrow.

This gave me a ride today of 12.6 virtual miles in 1:00.

Trailer for 1776

Tuesday, 7/23/2024

                         

2024 MILEAGE - 2483.8

I continue to experience pain and discomfort in a high muscle on the right side of my chest, as well as in my back and core, and so am currently hobbling about with the aid of walking sticks. Because of this, I felt uncomfortable with the idea of riding outside, so I stayed in to ride this morning.

Today during my ride, I watched Episode 8 (Humility) of Season 4, The Chosen.

This gave me a ride today of 14.2 virtual miles in 1:03.

Monday, 7/22/2024

                        

2024 MILEAGE - 2469.6

I didn't ride over the weekend, as Saturday I was preparing for a piano solo at church, and then yesterday doing it. On top of that, the back problems I was experiencing early this year have returned with a vengeance. At that time, I attended several weeks of physical therapy sessions, and while I am not at this time resuming therapy, I have begun again the exercises they gave me, and look for that to help.

Today during my ride, I watched Episode 6 (Dedication) of Season 4, The Chosen.

This gave me a ride today of 13.9 virtual miles in 1:03.

Friday, 7/19/2024 - 35th outdoor ride of 2024

                       

2024 MILEAGE - 2455.7

Today I did my first outdoor ride since July 2, as I continue to inch my way back towards regular riding. I rode (very slowly) the Platt/Packard Square on a superb day -- bright sunshine, and 77° when I began around 12:30. up to 80° when I finished. and with very low humidity.

This gave me a ride today of 13.5 miles in 1:59.

Relive video of today's ride

Thursday, 7/18/2024

                      

2024 MILEAGE - 2442.2

July 2024 has been the most abysmal month of riding for me since I began riding regularly in 2015. I fell on the evening of June 27 (walking on the sidewalk when I reached a portion that fell away some 5 or 6 inches, abruptly and without warning, and I didn't see it and fell, striking my side heavily against the cement curb. It evidently caused some significant internal bruising, as I have experienced significant pain and discomfort in my upper back, my chest, and my rib areas (and continue to experience this to a degree, though it is steadily lessening). 

I have only ridden on two days since then, but for the most part have been allowing myself to rest and recover. I think, though, that I am finally experiencing enough improvement to resume regular riding, so I allowed myself an indoor ride today, while watching two episodes of The Chosen (Episodes 5 [Sitting, Serving, Scheming] and 7 [The Last Sign] of Season 4).

This was encouraging, and (weather permitting) I hope to be able to ride outside tomorrow.

It gave me a ride today of 25.2 virtual miles in 2:07.

Wednesday, 7/3/2024

                     

2024 MILEAGE - 2417.0

I had planned to ride inside this afternoon due to the heat and humidity we are experiencing. But I ended up scaling back even from that plan.

Last Thursday night, while walking, I fell when I passed a spot where the sidewalk dropped away sharply and unexpectedly, and I didn't see it. Falling on my side on the curb, I was soon up and moving due to adrenaline and didn't really think much of it. 

Now, however, I'm feeling it, as I must have incurred internal bruising in the rib area—there is pain each time I inhale, particularly vigorously. Because of this, I've decided to cool it for today at least.

Tuesday, July 2, 2024 - 34th outdoor ride of 2024

                    

2024 MILEAGE - 2417.0

This morning I began my ride at 6:25 in brisk conditions (54° cool, that felt invigorating, and climbed to 66° during my ride). I rode the Platt/Packard Square, but had to do it the slowest I've ever ridden.

Last Thursday night I fell (at a spot where the sidewalk unexpectedly dropped off about 5 inches on the side), and landed hard on my side on the curb. Although adrenalin kept me going at the time, it has since become evident to me that I sustained significant internal bruising, as I experience pain whenever I inhale (especially vigorously), and I had to ride rather gingerly today.

This gave me a ride of 13.6 miles in 2:02.

Relive video of today's ride

Monday, July 1, 2024 - 33rd outdoor ride of 2024

                   

2024 MILEAGE - 2403.4

I didn't ride yesterday, taking my frequent Sunday rest day, and also because Michelle and I went, along with my daughter Christy and grandson Danny, to watch the Toledo Mudhens (the Detroit Tigers' top farm team) play the Louisville Bats (the top farm team of the Cincinnati Reds). Toledo lost, which was unfortunate, but nevertheless we all had a magnificent time!

Today, then, I began about 2:10, and rode the Platt/Ellsworth Rectangle in brilliant, unbroken, and dry 74° sunshine. I cannot remember the last time I had better conditions for a ride.

This gave me a ride of 11.7 miles in 1:34.

Relive video of today's ride