First Since 2022

We were both uncertain about how we would fare, but it was time to try.

Due to health issues, we didn’t ride the bikes at all last year. At this very time last May, I was spending my first of three weeks with a catheter. What fun! I had already had one prostate surgery in February and had been catheterized for a week back then, but in May 2023, I was waiting to do it all over again. 

But let's get back to bike ride.

We were willing but apprehensive. How would I fare steering the bike with my rotator cuff issues? How would our bodies cope in general after a two year layoff with us well into the second half of our seventies? Would we even remember how to ride our bikes?

Well, to deal with the last question first, what they say about never forgetting how to ride a bike is true. Once you learn, you never forget. I learned almost 70 years ago, but this old codger can still do it.

The plan was to take it easy. We had decided that we would stick to the local streets and stay off the more demanding trail for our first ride. But we didn't do that. Instead of passing by the park we stuck our noses in, and Sue took this photo.

Somehow or other, once we were in the park we just kept going. So much for taking in easy along the wide, paved streets.

Once we were out of the woodsy part of the trail for awhile and before gong back into the next woodsy part, we took a selfie by a bench with the river in the background.

Sue implored a passerby to take another photo  

We continued along to the trail bridge that passes over the river and took a photo before turning back.

Upon our return, when we were back at the park, we sat at the bench overlooking the river foe a few restful minutes before pedalling the last few blocks to home. 

One might ascertain that we were feeling quite pleased with our old selves.

It's peaceful there, so I took a short video clip, but it didn't capture the sound much.

The roundtrip was only about 6 km which we took quite slowly, but it felt good to be able to do it. I am not sure if my shoulder was impacted more than usual. Time will tell and, whatever the case, I managed.

Of course, Sue made a composite.