Fourth ride, expanding my route.

Again, a picture perfect day for a trike ride. Crystal clear blue skies, a nip in the air, but I still worked up a sweat in a sweating shirt.

I feel so comfortable on the Silver Rover, I started to pull some larger gears on downhill, and achieved 18 mph. I am still dropping back to first gear on the up hills, and today I felt some discomfort in my socket. I think the new socket will solve those problems. My residual limb has shrunk 2 cm. since this socket was cast over 6 months ago. I have to wear additional ply of socks to avoid rubbing a skin breakdown. We are waiting on Medicaid to process the approval.

I did a longer route today, still feeling out the rising and falling elevations, just in my protected little playground. There is one huge steep hill that will be fun to go down, but too steep for me to go up, so I am using other streets, with a more gentle grade.

I am feeling a wee bit tired, more than exhilarated like my last ride. I challenged the status quo, and my muscles feel the burn.

I know after the first 8 minutes, while the lactic acids burn off, I can count on some pain. After that phase, then the quads are just eating glycogen and chugging right along.

At 2:08 pm, my blood sugar was 280, and at 3:43pm my blood sugar is 131 !

It is not the miles, nor is it the speed I crave. It is resolution of my type II Diabetes that is my ultimate goal.

I want to keep eating well, in proper portions, and ride at least every other day. I know there is a time when I will ride two-a-days--a early morning ride and an afternoon ride. I have been down the road before.

I will soon look back upon these short entries, and see from where I came.

One thing is for certain, I am no longer 400 lbs. and challenging the weight limit of the Silver Rover (type-E8). And that is a good thing. I don't own a scale, I am too OCD to have such a device. If I am losing weight, it will show when I go to get my finger stick for the warfarin. If it is the same, I know I am trading fat for muscle.

I don't know about water. I know I take a diuretic and I have started drinking coffee. I am limited by my bladder. I think it would be a good idea to carry a urinal bottle. If I need to make a pit stop, it is a lot of trouble getting my feet unhooked and finding a bush to step behind. In the recumbent seat, it is much easier to drain my radiator and pour in in the grass.

Well with that visual to keep simmering in your head, I sign off for today.

 http://www.velozone.com/activity/view/2387032   to see "By the numbers"