I didn’t feel like working out yesterday but I headed into Weaverville to ride my bike for 35 – 40 minutes. I decided to ride the flat and gentle areas along the road behind Safeway. I parked my van near the Senior Center just off this road. The attempt created a problem for me, physically and mentally.
In the loop I was riding there were three inclines. I made it up the first 5 and then coasted down the opposite sides catching my breath. The incline above was my 6th and I had to stop before I reached the top. I was exhausted and coasted back down and to my van.
Ten minutes after I returned to my van I was dizzy and nauseous. I was a wreck. How in the world would I get ready for a cross country trip?
So, my physical condition at this time is that I can ride 40 minutes on a flat surface for a distance of 5.5 miles. I’ve trained 10 times in 3 weeks, fewer than I had planned as I’m working up to 5 training sessions per week. Also, winter is coming up and the roads will be unsafe to ride for a while, so I’ll have to train inside on a bike trainer using my recumbent bike, or purchase a recumbent stationary bike.
I have either 29 (to May) or 33 weeks (to June) left to train. My inability to ride a recumbent up small inclines (that I could ride on my trail bike) is very worrying, especially since mountain passes are on the trip agenda. I see a way that I can increase my outdoor training rides: purchase a pedal assist motor right now. I would be able to get up inclines with pedal assist (or full throttle control — no pedaling) and I could continue on the flats as I build up stamina and strength. Hopefully I can, with pedal assist now, get in shape that would allow me to use pedal assist on mountain passes and regular pedaling on everything else.
So, today I’m heading out for a 35 minute ride on my usual route. Time for me to think. A pedal assist system is over $1000 (the best and most reliable). But when will my VISA spending like a drunk sailor stop? This is probably not the only road block (pun intended) I’ll run into during preparation for the trip. Also, I’m sure that the trip itself will have many surprises, both rewarding and challenging. And so I continue positively towards my goal.
Tight Lines!