The last nine days have seen me return to normal.
When I signed out a week last Friday I said that I intended to go for a ride on my new bike which I did. I actually rode about 44km which is my longest ride since my accident in 2000. I cycled across Noosa to Sunshine Beach and followed the coast road (David Low Way) to Perigien Beach where I stopped for a coffee and some banana bread. The David Low way has several steep grades which had put me to the test and I was feeling a little tired. I had intended to complete a circuit via the inland roads to get home but this would have added about 10km so I returned the way I came. I made it home OK and averaged about 18kph while riding. A far cry from my 25 to 30kph averages 11 years ago. I suppose riding with a dodgy leg and being in my mid seventies instead of early sixties could be having some affect. It looks like my riding distances will have to be limited to 50 to 75km a day in future. The weekend of my accident I had ridden 150km in one day carrying my full camping gear over a fairly hilly route.
On the Saturday I drove down to Mudjimba to ride with my cycling club. I decided to stick with the 30km ride and we rode back up the David Low Way to Coolum where we had coffee. I managed the hilly ride OK. I think that I was the oldest rider but wasn't last up the hill around Point Arkwright which is quite steep. When we got back to the cars we had averaged just under 20kph which isn't too bad.
On Tuesday I had to return to see my GP to get my Pathology results. I didn't have any problems this time and my results were OK and my blood pressure back to normal so unless i have any problems I wont be going back for about four months.
I also made arrangements for my own funeral. Actually I signed up for a pre-paid funeral plan. This means that what ever happens from now on I will be returned to Noosa for cremation. This means that Helen wont have to try and find the money at short nice providing of course that she outlives me1 I made the arrangements with the same funeral director who arranged Margaret's farewell and strangely enough had no adverse feelings.
The rest of the week has been normal with one MOW run and my usual Thursday shopping day on my old bicycle. I also did a 25km ride around Noosa on Friday followed by a 30km club ride on Saturday on my new bicycle. S and K would know this ride as it was around Caloundra from Dicky Beach to Golden Beach via a circuitous route. Coffee was at Golden Beach looking out over the Pumicestone Passage.
Today I am cleaning up the house and doing my washing. I am also putting together my camping gear and clothes for my weekend away in Grafton NSW with the Bike Friday Club. Louis goes in kennels on Tuesday afternoon and I'll drive the 500km to Grafton on Wednesday. The next four days will be socialising with the other members and going on rides around the local area. I shall limit my rides to 50km each day but the younger members have a couple of 100km rides planned. On Saturday there is a dinner where we will also raise funds for Guide Dogs. One of our members is Earl http://community.bikefriday.com/specialneeds/pamhaigh . We finish up on Sunday with a morning ride to a communal lunch stop before returning home. I will stay in Grafton overnight and drive home on Monday. Louis will come home Tuesday morning.
I am hoping to be able to blog from Grafton as i will be taking my old laptop with me and I have a mobile broadband wireless account and dongle.
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