While the weather has not been the best, cold and windy, last Thursday I rode over to Bloomington.  It was  a 35 miler and yesterday, 4/20 (no weed for me) another 30.  The knee is coming along well but not perfect.  I am not using clips so all riding, inside and out, is mashing.  No big deal since I mashed across America but I had gotten used to spinning with clips.  Just to let me know some motorists are still idiots, during yesterday's ride, a truck pulling a trailer passed me with little room to spare.  And, yes, it did capture it on my bike cam.  I posted it on my FB webpage.  There were no cars coming from the opposite direction so I am still somewhat perplexed as to why drivers are so stupid.  The only thing I can come up with is that they are IDIOTS.  On another note, I set another record at MidWest Orthopedic.  My left shoulder has been a problem for years.  Last March it bothered me so much I had them put a shot of cortisone in it.  Well, it finally wore off and the arm began hurting.  I go back to get it  treated.  After the x-ray the doc looked at it and declared "that is the worst shoulder joint I have ever seen". It needs replaced.   Yea, another record.  Another shot but this one lasted about 3 days and the shoulder is problematic.  It looks liked another surgery but I will need to see how it would effect my future biking.  Stay tuned, there's always something.

Have ridden my bicycle 120 miles the last seek.  Longest ride was 35 miles to Goodfield and back.  My earlier ride was 30 miles with virtually no wind.  But the Goodfield ride was with a 12 mile SSW wind.  It was a little more than I anticipated and consistent with rides prior to my new knee.  I finished it but I could feel it.  My speed was nowhere near what I wanted but that was my intention.  Speed will come later.  In fact, Sunday I rode to Eureka lake and back and increased my speed so  now things are progressing nicely.   Hopefully, Friday I will ride to Bloomington (40 miles) and eventually ride to LeRoy (55 miles) with Champaign 100 miles the ultimate goal by the end of  summer.  The above photo is the first without the knee wrap and I noticed it immediately.  More later

Bicycling in this age of CoVId 19 solves three delimas. First, it relieves boredom. I mean, really, how many episodes of The Andy Griffith Show can one watch. Secondly, it increases social distancing. Other than cars on the road, the only person near me was at least 5 miles away. Thirdly, it provides the needed exercise to burn off alcohol consumed from watching too many episodes of the Andy Griffith Show. And fourthly (I know, I know improper grammar) for me, it contributes to my rehabilitation of the new knee. So, dust of your old bike, take it to Russells for a tune-up or buy a new bike at Russells and hit the road. Yes, an unashamed endorsement for Russell's Cycling and Fitness Center. See you on the road. Here is my mileage for today's ride

This may be my only post about the COVID19 virus that is currently devastating many areas of the country.  As a bicyclist I can promote three positives of biking that contribute to my attempts at avoiding the deadly affliction.  In my case, it promotes social isolation.  I usually bike alone so I cannot infect anyone and cannot be infected by anyone else. (On the road if I encounter a rider coming in the opposite direction I will acknowledge with a nod of the head as a hand wave might throw off the deadly virus in their direction.  If I'm passing someone, I will ring my bell, pass them by three feet and not breath in their general direction.) Okay, those last two comments were my attempt at humor.  That's a good start.  The second positive is biking is, obviously, physical exercise.  This is especially important when self isolating.  Sedentary activities, especially at my age, or at any age for that matter, are not an option.  Gyms and other exercise centers are closed.  Biking, inside or outside, for me involves vigorous spinning usually burning between 600 to 1000 calories depending on time or distance.  And, the third positive is that it continues to re-hab my knee.  Not that everyone needs knee rehab but it is great for knees, good or bad.  I know, I know, there are other forms of self isolating exercise but this is my narrative and I'm sticking to it.  Therefore, I will encourage everyone to try a little biking to get through this dismal time in human history. More later.

                                                                    7 mile bridge

Aha....beautiful Sunday here in central Illinois.  With the temperature over 60 degrees  it made for a great day to take a bike ride around Tazewell County.  After church and some carbo loading at Busy Corner in Goodfield I'm ready to trek thirty miles.  On the drive from Goodfield I noticed the direction and actions of several flags that dot my usual routes in the area.  Much to my disappointment and chagrin, the flags looked like the flags planted on the moon....straight and rigid.   When I arrived home I checked the weather channel and discovered the wind was from the south at 15-20 mph gusting to 30 mph.  As most of my readers know, I have biked in those conditions and one thing I can say is that it takes the fun out of biking and makes it work.  I'm retired, I don't work.  And, I do not want to put undue stress my new knee.  So, Mr. Wimp reared his ugly head and I resorted to biking on my trainer in the basement watching Cash Cab.  But, it looks like next week the temperature will be in the fifties most days.  My knee is getting better each day so I'm looking forward to getting back to my distances prior to the TKR.  Conditioning will be the next goal so I ready to get after it.  More later.

                                                      Another granddaughter pic....couldn't help it.
Rehab update-Yesterday the temperature rose to a mild 58 degrees in Central Illinois in late February.  My usual biking cutoff temp is 50 degrees.  The wind was also a light 8-10 mph from the WSW.  So the conditions were ripe for an longer bicycle ride.  I have continued riding at the gym and on the trainer in my basement but riding outside on the bike is a different animal.  After my usual pre-trip regiment, prepping the bike, dressing in five layers, etc. I was finally ready to go.  My goal was to determine the current condition of my TKR on an extended basis.  Eureka lake was my destination and with no break return home.  Including small side treks it totaled 25 miles.  I know, I know.  After my past rides this should be a piece of cake.  But I am amazed that I am proud of doing that ride.  The result was that while I still need to work on speed and conditioning the knee felt great afterwards.  It looks like my next outside ride will be to Goodfield and back for a total of 30 miles.  From there I will work to reach my goal of biking 100 miles by the end of summer.  Therefore, I feel I am making excellent progress on the knee rehab. And, at my last doctor appointment the Dr. stated that complete recovery is still 6 month away.  Now, that's really good news.  More later.

Rehab-update.   No outside biking since last entry but indoor cycling is close to what it was before knee replacement.  Two hours at the gym, alternating with hour and a half in trainer followed by once a week in the therapy pool at the gym.  So since my flexion is where I want it to be but not as good as it is going to get.  I am working on regaining the level of conditioning I had attained prior.  On a side note, I saw my surgeon for a 6 month visit.  He was pleasantly surprised how my recovery has progressed.  He did admit it was a very difficult replacement do to the fact the knee was so bad. Because of that fact he implied my rehab levels would take longer. He also indicated I still would improve up to a year from the replacement.  All in all a good report with the best yet to come.  As this is a blog dedicated to my biking adventures forgive me for adding pictures of my grandchild....but she is so damn cute I can't help it.  So there!!