Weather finally turned nice.  Since last Sunday I have ridden four days for a total of 140 miles.  While the distances are getting back to normal, speed is down quite a bit.  I'm not sure I am too concerned at this point but we will see.  I am getting more encouraged about doing my first century since the new knee.  I'm still shooting for early fall but with the current heath situation it remains in doubt.  I'm also resigned to accept the fact the knee is as good as it's going to be.  The only problem is I would like a bit more flexion but it is what it is.  Another oddity.  It seems like fewer and fewer cars pass me giving me the whole lane even though no cars are approaching from the opposite direction. Also, my route to Bloomington is getting more and more crowded since the eastbound lane accessing the interstate are under repair. Thursday I took route 150 and on several occasions pulled off the road to let traffic pass.  The traffic was brutal so I may need to find another path Looking forward to my next century

                                           Cannon in LeRoy square

Riding is coming along quite nicely.  The weather is such that outdoor biking is getting better. Some days were quite windy so I continued indoors.  Last week with 4 days of riding  I accumulated a total of 140 miles.  On Friday with proper wind conditions I decided to ride to Downs.  That was supposed to be a 45 miler.  It would have been the longest ride during my recovery.  Ronni would pick up at that point. When I arrived at our meeting point I could tell I had a lot of "fuel" in the tank so I decided to finish my ride in LeRoy, a 55 miler.  So I arrived in LeRoy and felt I could have made it to Champaign  which would have been a 100.  But discretion being the better part of valor I hopped in the van and went home.  The good news is the knee felt pretty good.  Still not as flexible as I would like but good enough to ride distances.  It looks like I will be able of accomplishing  my goal of a century before my birthday.  Hopefully that will happen.  Stay Tuned.

This week showed me how much conditioning and flexibility I lost since the knee replacement.  While I completed two 40 mile rides in the last two weeks, this week I completed four rides. Monday was another 40 miler but I did not have to contend with any negative wind conditions.  Wednesday was a 35 miler on what  I consider my regular route.  But the difference was I had to contend with a 12-15 mph wind from the SE.  On the ride back into the wind it took a great amount of effort to finish.  But finish I did.  Friday's ride was another 35 miler and I was totally out of gas when I returned.  I am no where close to the speeds prior to the new knew. So, Saturday with the wind down somewhat, I did a "quick" 25 miler and was pleased with the result.  Therefore, in the last 8 days I rode 135 miles.  This is my realization at this point.  Conditioning is not coming as quickly as I hoped.  I still need to work on more flexibility.  Hopefully I will overcome these inadequacies and regain the ability to ride greater distances so hopefully complete a century by the end of summer. Stay tuned.

                                                         11 years ago-Cross country ride.

Good week for a bicyclist.  Weather for the most part was acceptable for outdoor riding.  I am still in the testing the knee mood.  Aside from my normal basement on the trainer routine, I rode outside on two occasions.  My first was a 40 miler to the east side of Bloomington.  Because of traffic diverted from the interstate, my usual route along 150 was a bit more crowded than normal.  But, thank goodness, there were no close calls or obscenities directed at me.  After arriving at my destination, I felt I could have finished in LeRoy, 15 miles for a total of 55 miles. I decided to not overdue it.  The knee was feeling pretty good so why push it?  The following day I tacked on another 35 miler so I rode 75 miles last week.  All in all a good week for bicycling but it appears the weather for the next week is not favorable.  The knee continues to improve but is not 100%.   Just a reminder, this week begins the eleventh year since my cross country ride.  Amazing.   I still keep in touch with many of my fellow riders from that adventure.  Razed at his ability to accomplish that ride at that age.  Stay tuned.

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