Looking back at the calendar, I see I have only biked to work once in January. Bummer. I'm committed to getting past my neck pains, so this may last longer. But with the streets free of ice and snow it's getting harder to resist.
The lack of riding has not left me completely inactive. I'm running and working out on my lunch breaks, but I've still put on a bit of weight lately. I'm confident that commuting would have curbed that occurrence.
I looked at my road bike hanging in my shop last night and briefly wondered if I'd be able to get serious about riding it this year. The answer quickly pushed doubt away, "Heck yes I will!" I won't let an injury take me away from what I love. At least not yet!
Anyway, with the desire to ride growing within me, I had to at least write about it. Ride on!
January 28, 2011
January 18, 2011
Ergo
I've been dealing with a little pain in the neck lately. It started off a much bigger pain in the neck, but mostly it is nothing more than background noise now. Except when it's not.
I've had plenty of neck pains, and usually they last no longer than a week. You know the kind: wake up in the morning and feel a sharp shooting pain when you look one direction. The pain fades day after day until you forget you ever had it.
This particular pain in the neck chose to go the opposite direction. It grew day after day for 2 weeks. My method of ignorance was ineffective. Then I played a friendly game of flag football and woke up the next day almost unable to lift my head out of bed. The pain continued to grow that week too. With some drugs and physical therapy, the sharpness of that pain disappeared, but the sharp-edged nerve-pinch feeling remains when I turn my head...or look up...or look down.
I'm 5 months into this now, and I'm finally tired enough to take another crack at PT. I cringed this morning when the therapist informed me that my riding position could be adding to my pain. I secretly brushed off that suggestion because I have only ridden 1 week of the last 5 weeks. Also on the chopping block is the ergonomics of my work desk.
It's tough to accept direction to change things. Ugh.
On the positive side, my PT appointment was timed such that riding to work was the best option today!
I've had plenty of neck pains, and usually they last no longer than a week. You know the kind: wake up in the morning and feel a sharp shooting pain when you look one direction. The pain fades day after day until you forget you ever had it.
This particular pain in the neck chose to go the opposite direction. It grew day after day for 2 weeks. My method of ignorance was ineffective. Then I played a friendly game of flag football and woke up the next day almost unable to lift my head out of bed. The pain continued to grow that week too. With some drugs and physical therapy, the sharpness of that pain disappeared, but the sharp-edged nerve-pinch feeling remains when I turn my head...or look up...or look down.
I'm 5 months into this now, and I'm finally tired enough to take another crack at PT. I cringed this morning when the therapist informed me that my riding position could be adding to my pain. I secretly brushed off that suggestion because I have only ridden 1 week of the last 5 weeks. Also on the chopping block is the ergonomics of my work desk.
It's tough to accept direction to change things. Ugh.
On the positive side, my PT appointment was timed such that riding to work was the best option today!
December 22, 2010
Die-Hard Commuting
Last year I was proud to ride through the entire winter. I was beat by the weather only once, when my chain broke in 6 inches of snow. But that's because it only snowed once last year.
This year has been an entirely different story. I've been beat down by the packed snow ruts and berms. I've found that I personally do not care to put myself in great danger for the sake of claiming to be a die-hard commuter. In short, I have limitations on my bravery (read "stupidity" if you are not a cyclist).
But you know what is great? Reading. I love reading while riding the bus.
This year has been an entirely different story. I've been beat down by the packed snow ruts and berms. I've found that I personally do not care to put myself in great danger for the sake of claiming to be a die-hard commuter. In short, I have limitations on my bravery (read "stupidity" if you are not a cyclist).
But you know what is great? Reading. I love reading while riding the bus.
December 16, 2010
Out of Sync
Monday I started riding again after a couple of weeks of bussing and driving to work. It was nice to be out. About 2/3 the way to work I found myself waiting behind a car at a red light. I wasn't thinking about much at all, but eventually I realized the light seemed to be a really long. I then wondered why this felt different. I quickly concluded that it was because I never wait at that light! I generally make a right turn at that intersection if ever the light is red. So pleased to be on the bike with my heart-rate up, I had completely forgotten to apply the proper decision-tree. I've corrected this behavior now.
December 13, 2010
Curb Reveal
After a week of rain and above-freezing temps, the curbs are mostly visible again, and I'm back on the bike! Loved the commute this morning. It really felt good.
I love my single-speed commuter. A speedy descent down nemesis hill this morning brought back the fun in commuting! Single-speed = simple: rather than measuring speed in miles per hour, I measure it in blocks coasted before I can pedal again. This morning it was 2 1/2.
I love my single-speed commuter. A speedy descent down nemesis hill this morning brought back the fun in commuting! Single-speed = simple: rather than measuring speed in miles per hour, I measure it in blocks coasted before I can pedal again. This morning it was 2 1/2.
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