Grandpa Rides Again

 Today's Roundabout Route Tracking 

After my bizarre low blood-sugar meltdown episode last Wednesday, I was more than a little apprehensive about taking off on another ride - for any distance, that is.

For one thing, my strainings and struggles while blacking out had damaged several parts of the Catrike.  It had been loaded up into the back of our SUV by some helpful bystanders while I was bei9ng treated inside the ambulance.
They may have done some of the damage but I suspect it was mostly my own doing.
The left front fender was detached.  The plastic visor on the helmet was loose on one side.  The electronics pedestal was bent at an odd angle and almost broken.  The left hand rear view mirror was loose and wouldn't stay in position.  The chain was off the sprocket. 
Should I go on?  I can't quite think of all the various things that had to be fixed before I could even ride off again.
SO that took a couple hours.  I had a fair size list of items to purchase, thus good excuses for taking a ride, so that was an additional motivation.
Finally the beast was ready for at least a test ride.  I had a bunch of flattened cardboard boxes to take to the recycler, after which I planned on towing the B.O.B. trailer to the north end of town to our favorite local Big Box Store (initials WM) and load it up with my desired purchases.
Thankfully the recycler is only a few blocks from our house, because when I got there it was obvious they were no longer accepting cardboard.  So I had to turn around and take the unwanted cardboard back home.  Until I find another cardboard recycle joint, I can burn the stuff in my garage's wood heater.
After tightening the mirror mount and replacing a broken bungee cord on the instrument pedestal, I again embarked.
Still a tad nervous from the abortive ride Wednesday night, I again found pleasure in pedaling under my own power.
It was COLD today.  We had our first snow last night, though little was left today, but I did NOT get overheated like I usually do.
My blood glucose THIS time had been  195 when I started riding, and had actually RISEN a few points after this short ride back and forth, and I worried that my insulin pump infusion set might not be working.  Deciding to try riding again in hopes of burning some of it off, I rode to the other end of town.
The farther I rode the more my enjoyment and confidence returned.  Not wanting to suffer another low blood glucose (BG) attack, I paid close attention to my sensations as I rode.  I usually start to get confused when BG drops, but I didn't notice anything this time and I arrived safely at the store.
After loading my purchases on the B.O.B. trailer and tying them down with bungees, I tested my BG again before riding back home. 
It was MUCH improved:  114
My current doctor recommendations are that my BG should range from a about 80 to 120, so I was within "recommendations".
I ate a single cookie for a precautionary measure and turned toward home.
Unlike my usual habit, I didn't ride the furthest streets to add more mileage today.
Mission Accomplished.  I am back, although with a large measure of caution to avoid problems.

Ride Started: 1:07 PM           Ride Ended: 3:38 PM
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.5 Ending Battery Voltage:  12.9
Lowest Temp: 38 F Highest Temp: 64 F
Beginning Blood Glucose: 195    Ending BG: 114
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 6.95
Overall Average Speed      Moving Avg       Max Speed
 2.8 MPH                              6.0 MPH            18.9 MPH
Total Trip Time                    Moving Time      Stopped Time
 2 hrs 27  minutes               1 hour 9 mins      1 hour 18 mins

Grandpa is Not Invincible

 Wednesday Night Trail of Tears

 I had a very scary experience Wednesday evening, 9 December 2020.
Jacque and I rode our trikes over to the local chiropractor, a mile or so away.
I needed to get some glucose meter test strips, so I had planned to ride my trike on over to the local Big Box Store (WM) to purchase same, while Jacque rode on back to the house.
I was feeling a bit woozy when we exited the bone-shaker office, and for some odd reason I didn't think to test my blood glucose before I rode onward.  As I rode the familiar and easy route toward the north end of town, I was getting "foggier and foggier" in my brain, still not thinking to simply pull over and test my glucose. 
I was really in a funk by the time I got to the stop light at the overpass going over Highway 60, less than a quarter mile from my desired destination.
The only thing I can vaguely recall from then on is a state of total fear and confusion.  I could not figure out where I was or what was going on.  A weird vision like a frightening cartoon played in front of me, with various strangers looking at me, trying to talk to me, asking if I was all right, etc, etc.  I didn't recognize any of them, nor the settings around me, though they were normally familiar settings (I was seeing the nearby Murphy's Gas Station, with various cars in and out, but I just could not process anything in my mind.)  I felt trapped, like I couldn't move, being "stuck" in this horrible nightmare of strangers around me and unrecognizable surroundings.  I wanted help and relief, but not from all these weird strangers that kept floating in and out of my vision.  I responded angrily to all those who approached me or talked to me.  I began crying out for Jacque to help me, hoping she would somehow be able to get me out of this mess of weird visions and sounds. She wasn't there and I continued to suffer, totally unable to understand what was going on.  I was helpless but fought fiercely against all the strangers who approached in this weird nightmare setting.
I began to see a weird armored door at my feet, with a glassed-in shelf to my right containing bottles of some sort, almost like a medicine cabinet.

I was still agonizing for Jacque to rescue me, and eventually a gal who looked somewhat like her appeared, though I didn't recognize her for several minutes and didn't respond to her at first. 
Finally, I realized it WAS her, strange though she still seemed.
As I began recognizing my surroundings, I realized I was in a rescue van from Mercy Hospital, and Jacque was rubbing my head, trying to calm me down, and a female and a male medical team were working on me, having implanted an infusion tube in my wrist, pumping glucagon into me, trying to bring me OUT of the most Horrible Insulin Reaction I've ever experienced.
- I had ignored several warning signs of low blood sugar.
- In the past, I've always been able to deal with low sugar episodes, stuff something sweet into my mouth, etc.  I keep my pants, trike, and other vehicles stocked with sweets for just such occasions.
- BUT this time I was completely hopeless, and likely would have died had no one stopped to help.
Thankfully, several people did help, and put up with my abusive behavior trying to reject them.

SO, now I have suffered a horrible thing:  Realizing I need to pay better attention to all situations and GIVE UP the idea that I can always deal with things myself.  BAH

 

Grandson Goes for a Ride w/ Grandpa

 Jacque has a young lady-friend who comes over every week or so for sewing sessions.  A winsome young man, 5 years of age, comes with her, and often is a handful to "entertain".  I get a huge kick out of him.
I'd been thinking he might enjoy going for a ride with me on the trike.
Since it's a single-seater, naturally I think somehow I can fit him in the B.O.B (Baby On Board) trailer.  Since this young feller is a tad too grown-up for Baby status, but not old enough to trust he'll hang on without trying to jump, a solution was desired.
Wondering about adapting a car seat, finding the huge expense of buying a new one, I went shopping at one of our local thrift stores a couple weeks ago.
Sure enough, I found a very nice one, for the princely sum of $5 cash.
With a fair amount of backyard engineering, I was able to mount it in the B.O.B. trailer. 
Today I finally got to try the monstrosity out.  It was frightfully cold when we first started, but warmed up quickly as the sun shined upon our countenances.

Not knowing how much or little he would enjoy the back-seat view, we went around a couple of local blocks.  No screams of delight, but no cries of anguish either, so we rode onward.  Passing cars seemed to enjoy his waving at them.  Great Stuff.

The black coat and hoodie make my passenger almost invisible...

Ride Started: 12:34 PM           Ride Ended: 1:30 PM
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.8 Ending Battery Voltage:  12.8
Lowest Temp: 51 F Highest Temp: 61 F
Beginning Blood Glucose: 67    Ending BG: 113
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 4.25
Overall Average Speed      Moving Avg       Max Speed
 4.5 MPH                              6.5 MPH            22.1 MPH
Total Trip Time                    Moving Time      Stopped Time
 56  minutes                        39 minutes        17 minutes

 

More Long Journeys (aka Wally World)

 Friday Beer Run Route Tracking 

 I always enjoy finding a "useful excuse" for taking a trike ride, and yesterday I decided I needed to restock on DRB (Diet Root Beer - for the uninitiated).
Now, there are at least 2 grocery stores selling such stuff almost next door:  The closest being like 3 blocks away.  But that less-than-a-mile distance would not even get the blood circulating much more than lounging in my chair at home. 
So, of course, I go to the furthest one within the city limits.  
Following such logic, I could also ride to any of the stores in Cabool, only 8 miles east of us, and gain a few more miles.  Whatever.
As I was parking the trike at the Big Box Store, latching the locking cable, etc, a couple of old-timers (almost as old as I) approached me apologetically and wanted to "ask a few questions".
Always happy to proselytize for Jesus and Recumbent Trikes, I was happy to oblige.
They of course were curious about the trike, how comfortable it might be compared to upright bikes/trikes, what the trailer was for, and....... How Far had I ever ridden on it ??
It took me a moment or two trying to remember, and finally I told them "Well, I rode it 50 miles on my 50th birthday, but that was over 20 years ago !!"
They talked between themselves, wondering if either of them could possibly ride such a contraption.  I offered to unhitch the trailer and let them take it for a spin around the block, but they both agreed they didn't think they'd better, with knee problems etc.
Then, of course, when  I got home and told the tale to Jacque, she reminded me I had actually ridden 70 miles for my 70th birthday.  Such is my sagging memory nowadays:  Not only do I fail to remember a lot of things, the things I DO remember either didn't happen or at least not the way I think I remember.
Looking back in my cycling blog, I finally found entries detailing such long distance feats:
- In May 2017, I did a 70 - mile ride in NM for my 70th birthday, and
- In May 2018, I did a 72+ mile ride in Ohio while RVing for to celebrate my 71st birthday.
Somehow I have fallen off that wagon and haven't evidently even thought about doing similar rides for each subsequent birthday.  I turn 74 in May 2021 - I'll think about it.  We'll see.  All I gotta do is live that long in today's super-crazy world.
I might collapse and croak on such a trip but there are worse ways to depart this world...

Ride Started: 2:39 PM           Ride Ended: 3:54 PM
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.8 Ending Battery Voltage:  12.8
Lowest Temp: 51 F Highest Temp: 61 F
Beginning Blood Glucose: 67    Ending BG: 103 (Obviously Ate some Snacks)
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 5.26
Overall Average Speed      Moving Avg       Max Speed
 4.5 MPH                              6.8 MPH            24.2 MPH
Total Trip Time                    Moving Time      Stopped Time
 1 hour 10  mins                    46 minutes        24 minutes

Recumbents: Ultimate Shopping/Commuting Vehicles

 Thursday Wandering GPS Route

Thursday, 19 Nov, was another beautiful sunny and relatively warm (60F-something).  A perfect Day for a Leisurely Trike Ride.

We had visitors in the morning, including a lively young lad who shall remain nameless in this weird world we now inhabit.  He is a ball of fire, and I often have tried to think of any way I might be able to take him with me for a trike ride to see if he wouldn't enjoy it.
There's no practical way I know of to carry him ON the trike with me, either in front or in back, since it's a short chassis with no room on the back.
Thus the B.O.B. trailer comes to mind, of course, since B.O.B. originally stood for Baby On Board.  This young feller is no baby, but whatever.  I searched online for child carriers for bikes & trikes and could find nothing satisfactory.  PLUS such gadgets are super EXPENSIVE.  Mercy.
Looking at child car seat prices proved marginally less expensive. 
Online sales prices, new or used..... BAH.
We have a Thrift Store just a few blocks away that I've often donated to but never entered as a customer, so I thought I should check there for a used unit.
What would you think but they had ONE car seat on display, lightly used and mostly clean, for the shocking price of $5.00.  I took it off their hands and loaded it on to my B.O.B. trailer with glee.  

Then - as I was saddling up to wander around town a bit for the fresh air and exercise - Jacque buzzed me on the cell phone, informing me she was at her nail salon but had forgotten  her wallet somewhere in the house.  Since I'm always in the mood for running errands or whatever on the trike, I assured her I would be along within 20 or 30 minutes, more than enough time for her pedicure to proceed. 
Made it fine, then went shopping around a bit.  The B.O.B. trailer was now loaded a bit heavy and I found myself huffing and puffing a bit more as I went up & down the slight grades on the way home.

Ride Started: 12:12 PM           Ride Ended: 2:16 PM
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.5 Ending Battery Voltage:  13.0
Lowest Temp: 62 F Highest Temp: 67 F
Beginning Blood Glucose: 180    Ending BG: 53
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 6.19
Overall Average Speed      Moving Avg       Max Speed
3.0 MPH                              5.6 MPH            25.9 MPH
Total Trip Time                    Moving Time      Stopped Time
 2 hrs 5  minutes                 1 hour 5 mins       59 minutes

 

Cold but Sunny and Clear

Today's Spotty GPS/Radio Tracking

I got out and rode today a little earlier than recent trips:  The sun gets low and it's almost dark around
five-ish.
Which means it gets pretty cool this time of year.  This day, Tuesday, was nice and sunny all day,  The temperature got to almost 60, and I didn't wear an outer shirt or jacket when I took off.
Riding through a couple of shady streets convinced me I had erred, and I stopped and pulled my light windbreaker out of the rear pannier and it helped mighty well.
I had wanted to extend my mileage by exploring another route on the west end of town, but I wanted to get something useful done before sundown, so I rode pretty much a usual route.
My diabetic bad feet makes fellow sufferers wonder how I tolerate cycling, with the pressure it puts on the sore feet.
For one thing, my feet get tired while riding, as does the rest of me.  BUT, unlike walking, I notice cycling allows pressure to be alternated between the legs and feet:  On the left pedal-stroke, my right foot feels little pressure, and likewise for the other stroke.

I got home about half an hour before actual sundown and was able to re-wire Jacque's treetop cable pulley clothesline.   I had erected it a couple weeks ago, using synthetic clothesline, and it kept stretching and
often allowing wet clothes to touch the ground underneath.  I had to order it online, but I found some 1/8" braided stainless steel cable to replace the synthetic stretchy stuff.  After some struggle I got it succesfully up in the air.  Now all we have to do is see how it does with heavy soggy clothes draped on it.

Ride Started: 3:10 PM           Ride Ended: 4:05 PM
Beginning Battery Voltage: 12.9   Ending Battery Voltage: 12.9 Lowest Voltage: 12.9
Lowest Temp: 57 F Highest Temp: 67 F
Beginning Blood Glucose:  115   Ending BG: 103
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles:   5.37
Overall Average Speed      Moving Avg       Max Speed
   6.7 MPH                           8.0 MPH            20.0 MPH
Total Trip Time                    Moving Time      Stopped Time
  48 minutes                       40 minutes          8 minutes

Exercise is Good for Me ?

Friday Evening Ride Route 

I've been busy doing all sorts of strenuous activities.....

Like cutting trees down to make room for Jacque's upcoming Sewing Room Addition, like cutting those monsters into stove lengths for  splitting into firewood for the garage stove, splitting same with the big heavy wedge maul....
Raking leaves, building and burning piles of trash wood and leaves, yada yada...
Almost everything BUT cycling.  Now, much of this other activity is strenuous - but not really aerobic.  

 

I'm also getting into the age 70+ range of ailments and weaknesses.
One of these is prostate trouble.  The pills prescribed to me by the doctor (tamsulosin) are pretty awful for "side effects".  I seem to suffer more side effects than benefits from such pills.  I was researching prostate problems a couple days ago, and one of the things I read that was supposed to help was.... "Exercise".
Well, POO.  I seem to get a lot of exercise that aggravates my back and feet, but I realized I have fallen way behind in my goal of trike riding "at least a few miles a day".  So yesterday, Friday 13th,  I waited almost all day before I finally dragged the trike out of the garage and took off.
It was just a bit after 4:00 PM and I had theoretically an hour or so for daylight,
but the sun was already low on the horizon.
I rode up the hill past one of our Church friends lives, then out west on Clouse which turns into Wheeler Arch Road which eventually leads to the Mountain Grove International Airport, inhabited mostly by crop dusters.
I got within a quarter mile of the airport, where I had planned to turn around, and decided I would turn around early and get home without needing the help of my headlamp.
I wore my cold weather mittens along with an extra shirt and my reflective yellow light cycling jacket.  I did NOT get overheated.
Of course I didn't notice any immediate benefits from the ride other than the enjoyment.  But I DID sleep much better than I've done lately.
Then today, Saturday, it rained and poured all day and I wasn't brave enough to ride in the slop.  Hopefully I can get re-motivated and make almost - daily cycling a habit again.

Ride Started: 4:02 PM           Ride Ended: 4:46 PM
Beginning Battery Voltage: 13.5 Ending Battery Voltage: 12.9 Lowest Voltage: 12.9
Lowest Temp: 52 F Highest Temp: 59 F
Beginning Blood Glucose:  145   Ending BG: 103
Stats from the GPS: Total Miles: 4.82
Overall Average Speed      Moving Avg       Max Speed
   6.1 MPH                          7.1 MPH            18.2 MPH
Total Trip Time                    Moving Time      Stopped Time
  48 minutes                       41 minutes          7 minutes