Old Rock and Roll Highway 67

I was born in 1967, so when I saw this sign, "Rock and Roll Highway 67," I had to have a picture with it. So it means nothing really, but it's fun. Connie, Patti, and I took a bicycle ride on Old Hwy. 67 on Sunday, and I finally got my picture. The sun was shining, and the ride was great, but bumpy. That's a great metaphor to life right? Beautiful, but often bumpy. The past three months have been a bit bumpy for me. Mom died on November 1st. Since then, there hasn't been a day that I haven't wanted to talk to her. I graduated with my PhD in December without her there. I've had so many "if only" thoughts since we lost her. I try not to dwell on things that can't be changed, but rather on how I can contribute to making a lasting difference for my children. I think a lot about how they will remember me. My mother had a beautiful soul. But how do my boys think of me, I wonder. I guess the real question is, "How do I want my boys to remember me, and what do I still need to do to make that happen?" If I wanted them to remember me as a good cook and housekeeper, it's a bit too late for that. Though there are a few recipes they do come to me for...none of them ever turn down my pumpkin bread. Their childhood memories have already been formed, but what are the adult qualities that I want my boys to remember about me? I want them to know that even though I'm not always able to stand behind them (both physically and metaphorically), that I will always stand beside them. They can always count on me. So the next chapter of my life will be spent building the legacy that I will leave to them, building the image of myself that will form their memories of me.

Back on the Saddle Again

After a very long, hot, bicycling-free summer, the temperature has finally started to break, and during the early morning breezes, we've been able to hop on the bikes and enjoy a few rides!  We've checked out Old Highway 67, the stretch from Texarkana to Mandeville that cars do not use for anything other than to turn into driveways.  We rode for about ten miles a couple of weekends ago and encountered only one car.  While we were out that day, we were passed by a group of serious cyclist (probably the Edge City group) who were riding on the modern Highway 67.  They were riding in a straight line and pedaling in unison - a very fine-tuned group.  But the goals of our group are different!  We're a social group, not much concerned about how quickly we get somewhere, just that we enjoy getting there.  However, we do want to ride fast enough and often enough that we reap the health benefits of cycling.  Wouldn't mind shedding a couple of pounds either...

This morning we hit the Nix Creek Trail and headed downtown.  We cruised by the Perot Theater, stopped at the Scott Joplin Mural, and rode along Union Station.  I never get tired of the Downtown Ride.  This is the one area in town that does seem to be bicycle friendly.  I'm so glad that the trail allows us to make the connection easily.

Traveling

I've just returned from a couple of trips lately.  One to Savannah, GA and one to Chicago, IL.  Savannah is a very bicycle friendly city, and I was so jealous that I didn't have time to rent a bicycle and see the city via two wheels.  If I ever get to go back, I'll try to schedule a work-free day into the mix and enjoy the scenery.

There were actually a lot of cyclists in Chicago, but it did look a little scary to me.  There were bicycle lanes, but they were narrow.  However, the cars seemed to respect the bicycles, unlike my experiences in our city. 

Seeing the ease with which cyclist and walkers got around in these two cities, each of which are much larger than ours, made me wonder why I feel so unsafe when riding the streets.  I think it comes down to respect; drivers here think that cyclists do not belong on the road; therefore, if there is an accident, then it must be the cyclist's fault - simply for being there.  There's got to be a way to change this...it may be that we have to lobby for bicycle lanes before anything will change.  What do you think?

      

While I was in Chicago, I walked to see the Harold Washington Library Center, the world's largest library building.  Unfortunately, I was there before it opened for the day, so I couldn't go inside, but the building took up an entire city block.  Someday I'll see the inside!

    

Texarkana Area Recreational Pedalers (T.A.R.P.)

It has been a hot summer, and while that has slowed the cycling down a bit, it hasn't stopped us altogether.  In fact, we've put together a small group and we call ourselves the Texarkana Area Recreational Pedalers.  In early June we were riding on Saturday mornings and on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  Now that the temperatures are so hot, we're limiting our rides to early Saturday mornings. We've picked up a couple of new friends and hope to add even more in the early fall.

We've been riding in downtown Texarkana enjoying the murals and history of the area.  We notice something new each time we ride.  We have also enjoyed looking for the "Little Doors" that local artists have painted and placed throughout the downtown area.  In all, I believe there are about 50, though we've found only about 20.

Why My Sudden Obsession with Exercise and Diet?

I don't know if it happened one day, or over a week, a month, or even a year, but I suddenly found myself feeling uncomfortable doing everyday things.  Like crossing my legs felt awkward, or it became harder to reach around and unbutton or unzip clothing.  My clothes still fit, but they were snug. 

I was talking with a friend, and we did the math.  If a person gains three pounds a year (doesn't sound like much, does it?), over a ten-year period, that's thirty pounds.  If he or she happens to keep that momentum going, over twenty years, that's sixty pounds.  So, I happened to find myself somewhere in between.

Then I began to look around.  I found that it's not just me.  Young and older alike, there are a lot of my companions out there who have gradually let the weight add on.  Similarly, I have allowed this to happen to my son.  In  the summer of 2010, he had an accident and broke his hip.  That summer he was sedentary; therefore, he put on a few pounds.  We thought that he would easily work them off as soon as he became active again.  He's a soccer player and runs a lot.  However, it hasn't been that easy for him.  Paired with the fact that he enjoys video games and junk food, I have realized that it's time to do something for him before it's too late.

I want to encourage others to jump in here with us and make a lifestyle change.  You don't have to be overweight to reap the benefits of healthier eating habits and exercise.  There are all kind of benefits:  more energy, clearer skin, enhanced coordination, social opportunities, etc.

Bicycling is just one venue, but it's my choice!  It has given me greater confidence.  I'll ride on the streets now, and that scared me to death in the beginning.  Always keep in mind that extreme caution must always be observed when you are riding where there is vehicular traffic.  There is absolutely no room for error!

Bicycling is most fun with a friend or in a group!  The most fun that I have had is riding downtown when the traffic is almost nonexistent.

So, I'm in this for the long haul.  I've lost ten pounds so far, and I don't feel uncomfortable crossing my legs anymore!  As I gain more confidence I want to use the bicycle to commute more.  Texarkana is not a very bicycle friendly city, but I want to wisely choose the places that it's safe enough to ride.  Riding the Nix Creek Trail to the Farmer's Market on 9th Street is awesome! 

Random Update

So, several days have passed since I last posted, as have many fun rides.  In particular, we have been riding downtown a lot.  We take the trail to 9th Street and then get on Broad.  We enjoy that after 6:30 or so, there is very little traffic in the downtown area, so we're able to sight-see.  On Mother's Day afternoon, my sister and I rode to Broad Street, then got off and pushed our bikes so we could look for "Texarkana Little Doors."  Local artists have painted and hung about 50 miniature doors throughout the downtown area.  Though they're not really hidden out of site, it is a challenge to find them. 

I've joined the National Bike Challenge, an online movement that counts the miles entrants have ridden and is calculating them for May thru October (I think).  This week alone I've ridden over 60 miles.  While that's not impressive to some, it's epic for me!  I'm enjoying every minute of it.  I'm getting ready to venture out into some new riding areas though.  The trail is great, but I'm ready for new scenery.

On National Bike to Work Day, Connie and I met on Senator in front of Arkansas High and rode to Texarkana College.  There's no other way to describe that than FUN!  Coming home was a tad bit harrier.  Crossing State Line was downright scary.  We did it though.  And I bet we do it again!

The Beginning

I jokingly ask friends and family, "Who'd have ever thought my mid-life crisis would be bicycling?"  I embarked upon my passion for cycling at 45 years old.  It began with a few rides down the neighborhood trail with my twelve year old and grew from there.  After I had been biking the same trail for a couple of months, I thought I was getting pretty good at it (arrogance is never good) and began to grow tired of the same path day after day, so I contacted a local bike club to see if I could ride along with them.  While I was excited about my first ride with the club, I was also a little skeptical, so I asked Chuck to drive me and to be available if I couldn't finish, and it's a good thing that I had him on call because, well, I had a lot to learn about biking.

When we arrived, there were two very nice gentlemen who assured Chuck that they would stick with me.  We hadn't gotten started well before the man riding behind me who was many years my senior yelled, "Is that as fast as your legs can peddle?"  So, I did try to make them go faster, though I said, "Well...yes, I believe it is."  We had not been a mile before I knew that I would not be finishing the twelve.  We had not gone three miles before I was pretty sure that I was going to throw up, and by the time we finished half the ride, six miles, I tasted blood...really, I did.

I knew then that I had to put myself in training.  Though I do not aspire to break any speed records, I do want to be able to hang with a team for twelve miles.  Most of the time I just want to ride at "my pace" for fun and fitness, but there are times when a little speed is necessary, and I want to be able to peddle a little faster.

So today, I'm still not that fast...up to about 15 easy miles...10 miles an hour, give or take.  That's still not as fast as the bike club riders.  They were riding about 13 mph, and they're considered the recreational riders.  I'm getting there, though.  And persistent.