8.53 Miles
Sunday I went for a bike ride with F, and we rode 8.53 miles! I wanted to make sure I went farther than the day before. Unfortunately my butt-bones -- or "sit-bones", as cyclists call them -- were pretty sore from saturday's ride. After all, I haven't ridden a real bicycle in a couple of years now. But yesterday I shifted around until I found a manageable position, then I went riding anyway. Now of course my butt is even more sore. I know I will toughen up with use though.
The knee (or more specifically, the lower quadriceps muscle and the quad tendon from with the graft was removed) is still pretty weak. I only managed to average 10 mph again, and I was definitely slowing down for the last couple of miles. I have enough power to pedal, but not to actually push. I also can't stand and pedal at the same time, which is unfortuate...that's a good way of giving your bottom some relief when you ride over bumps. I did it though, and I know that biking will help me get stronger!
It was fun. It was a lovely day, and we rode through some pretty neighborhoods. My bike's seat seems pretty well-designed. In the past, my crotch has gone numb on long rides. I was on the bike for probably 45 minutes yesterday though, and although my butt hurt like heck, I didn't go numb! So that's a good sign; maybe I won't need to buy a new one after all. I'll decide in a couple of weeks. My left pinky finger did numb up though, so I think I should invest in some biking gloves to take pressure off the heel of my hand and all the blood vessels that go through there.
The knee (or more specifically, the lower quadriceps muscle and the quad tendon from with the graft was removed) is still pretty weak. I only managed to average 10 mph again, and I was definitely slowing down for the last couple of miles. I have enough power to pedal, but not to actually push. I also can't stand and pedal at the same time, which is unfortuate...that's a good way of giving your bottom some relief when you ride over bumps. I did it though, and I know that biking will help me get stronger!
It was fun. It was a lovely day, and we rode through some pretty neighborhoods. My bike's seat seems pretty well-designed. In the past, my crotch has gone numb on long rides. I was on the bike for probably 45 minutes yesterday though, and although my butt hurt like heck, I didn't go numb! So that's a good sign; maybe I won't need to buy a new one after all. I'll decide in a couple of weeks. My left pinky finger did numb up though, so I think I should invest in some biking gloves to take pressure off the heel of my hand and all the blood vessels that go through there.
