Exercise, especially bicycling has been number one in managing BG in the 36 years since being diagnosed as T2DM. There are a lot of stress relieving activities, for me, being out on my bike is the best.
I have been cycling but it has been indoors. That is helpful but not as good.
Saturday, I got my road bike out of the shed and gave it a wash, Birds had been using my saddle as a toilet Both my bikes have electronic shifting and power and speed sensors. I charged both bikes’ shifting batteries.
This morning I made sure all gizmos were operative and I donned helmet, shoes and took off.
It felt so good to be out. Sadly this spring is not giving us a blanket of wildflowers, some Indian Paintbrush and primrose, not a bluebonnet in sight.
As to metrics, my BG dropped from 144 to 120, my aveage speed was slower than a Kenyan marathoner (12.4mph) I did go faster than a Roger Banister at 15.5mph. Roger broke the 4 minute mile. My average power was not enough to light a 100w lightbulb at 92w, but I did hit 240w for a brief spurt.
Ah the days of 16mph averages and hittiing max power of 450w are probably over, but the upside is I am out there again.
Oh and I don’t think I’ll be doing the customary birthday ride next Monday of 76 miles.
My bikes have Shimano Di2. The biggest advantage my opinion is they are very stable, seldom if ever needing adjustment. The disadvantage is having to keep the battery charged. That’s not awful.
Mike, just keep enjoying yourself. After I retired I upgraded an 8 speed Cannondale Synapse to 11 speed Ultegra mechanical. Why, because I wanted to do some hands on bike related wrenching. Oh, boredom was a factor. The original setup on the bike was adequate. I was a bit faster on the new group set.
I still ride that bike in the bedroom.
My road bike is a Linskey titanium R240. The 1st TI bike I ever saw was a Fuji in 1993. I drooled over that bike as the owner and I rode 60 miles together.
I found the frame and fork on Craig’s List and after a year I bought it.
I was planning to build it with Ultegra 11 speed mechanical, but I couldn’t get the gearing I wanted. I ended up buying the Di2 part by part from Amazon which was cheaper than the mechanical group sets.
The other bike is a gravel bike that I bought used from The Pros Closet 2 years ago. It has Di2 and hydraulic disc brakes. I’m not a big fan of disc brakes from a maintenance point of view. If the brakes need service, it won’t be by me.
Ahh, interesting stuff. I’ve lived on gravel for the past 25 years, so the trek mtb types have worked well, but I just haven’t spent much time on that particular hobby (along with several others …) due to general busyness of life. But boy it feels good to ride when I have the chance, takes me back to age 5 and coaster brakes and riding riding riding every chance I got.
Sorry to hear about your wife! I’m scarce on this site so missed hearing that.
They have more stopping power especially in the wet. They are a lot more complicated to maintain. Bleeding them is quite a process. I’ll gladly pay someone to do it.
That makes 2 bike things I won’t do, trueing wheels and disc brakes. I did clean the rotors today with 90% isopropyl alcohol.
Congratulations. I got on my recumbent this past weekend and it was glorious. Wow I love the open road. Tunes cranking and showing off for the neighbors. I am one cool dude on my 2025 Catrike - 559
I’m really sorry to hear about your wife @CarlosLuis
Im really glad to hear you have got back in the saddle. I got a bike through the Cycle to Work scheme here and Im lucky enough to live on a cycle path so can pretty much do the entire journey to work off road so it’s been brilliant. I love my bike! Closest we get to flying.
Why the absence of wildflowers, do you think? We are in peak daffodil season here, lots of yellow around with the forsythia too.
I’m glad you have a safe route to commute. Some states are bicycle friendly so but Texas- not so much.
Our roadways normally have wonderful wildflowers thanks to Lady Bird Johnson (LBJ’s wife) and her cohort of women. They would distribute special packets of seeds to toss them out of car windows.
In my area it has been droughty for several years. That may be why the blooms have been declining.
I saw a little cluster of Blue Eyed Grass. Those little blossoms peaking out of the grass Along with wine cups are a real treat.
I’m glad you have a safe route to commute. Some states are bicycle friendly so but Texas- not so much.
Our roadways normally have wonderful wildflowers thanks to Lady Bird Johnson (LBJ’s wife) and her cohort of women. They would distribute special packets of seeds to toss themout of car windows.
In my area it has been droughty for several years. That may be why the blooms have been declining.
I’m sad also to read about the loss of your partner. Good to fill your time with other things that you love to ease the grieving.
Too chilly here in the Berkshires for pleasant riding yet (19 degrees F last night). What you know as Indian Painbrush in Texas is different from the orange hawkweed that I gre up with in MA, but AKA Indian Paintbrush by some.
Carlos, I am so sorry to learn of your wife’s sudden death. Sounds like you’re doing what you can to navigate the world and move forward after your tragic loss. I’m a hugger. So sending virtual hugs to you.
Both my bikes have electronic shifting and power and speed sensors. I charged both bikes’ shifting batteries.
