July riding stats: I'd rather forget past couple of weeks

Redmond Derby Days in early July

A wave of melancholy sweeps over me whenever I see anyone riding a bicycle these days. I also get a slight ache in the groin.

I've been ordered off the bicycle twice in the past month by doctors: the first time to get a better reading in a prostate screening exam; and the second time to aid my recovery from a prostate biopsy (don't know results yet).

I'll be free to start riding again later this week. Mentally, I can't wait to start cycling again. Physically, I'm still a little too sore to look forward to climbing back onto the saddle.

People in the neighborhood have seen me in the car more than usual. The checkout lady at the local supermarket asked me what happened to my bicycle. I always come in wearing my helmet and carrying a backpack for groceries.

“I can't ride. Doctors orders.” I thought I could leave it at that. She persisted.

“Oh. Did you hurt your ankle?”

“No. Higher than that.”

“Hmm. Is it your neck or something?”

“No lower. It's where I sit.”

“Ohh. Ouch.”

I should have gone into the details. She deserved it for being so nosy.

Anyway, here's the tale of the tape for June. In January I set out to ride 4,000 in 2007. I had no idea I would face so many obstacles along the way.

July
Total: 209.3 miles
Needed for goal: 333.3 miles
Difference: Minus 124 miles

2007 goal
Total : 2,017.1  miles
Needed so far for goal: 2,333.3 miles
Difference: Minus 316.2 miles