Happy Again / Bike Seat Blues

It doesn't take too much to make me happy.

Today I rode in a pace line with 4 of the stronger riders. The ride was 52 miles and I averaged 15.5 - way fast for me. This is not something I accomplished on my own. A pace line allows you to go faster because the front rider cuts the wind. I am psyched because I was able to keep up (although I was not able to lead) and I am getting more comfortable in a pace line. Thank you to Ellen, Hannah, Mary and Judy.

By the way, it rained. Only our third time to ride in the rain. We have been most fortunate with weather.

I am also happy because my eating has been better. That always makes a big difference for me. Being with the group and eating well for my body has been a balancing act. I just passed on lunch at an Italian restaurant. I would have enjoyed the comeraderie but the picky way I order irks some people and Italian is tough in the first place. Sometimes it is hard for me to know what constitutes taking care of myself.

Bike seat blues. After my last tumble I had to replace my right shifter/brake mechanism. The bike shop put my bike on a rack which necessatated moving the seat and I haven't been able to get it quite right since. First it was too high, then too low, then twisted a smidge to the left.... I haven't had any real body problems on this trip but since the seat thing my left calf has been cramping, my left quad had been sore and my right hip has been achy.

So last night I treated myself to a massage and it was great, a structural integration type massage. The fellow was a great masseuse with a great life story. Robert was in a head on collision with a drunk driver who was killed. Robert was told he would never walk again. A judge awarded him the drivers estate, 2.4 million, to be used to make himself as whole as possible which was fortunate because the insurance companies pretty much refused most treatments as "experimental" because they considered his case hopeless. He learned of a French doctor who replaces vertebrae with ceramic prostheses and artificial disks and he was able to fly the French doctor to this country to get the surgery. Robert also has an artificial hip and other parts (I can't remember all of them). He had to give up soccer but he bikes - has done a few centuries - and because structural integration was a big part of his amazing recovery he found a new career.

Tomorrow is an 80-something ride, the day after is 70-something, then the last day! Even after all this riding I still feel a mite apprehensive when the next day is a long mileage one.

I really appreciate your comments! Hearing that another sag driver took grief, another person swam with a cell phone, another rider whose best friend was her bike, friends who take the time to follow - well - I feel cheered by every comment. Thanks!