1st Post Diabetes Diagnosis Ride

Well, diagnosed with diabetes type 2! Both parent have it and all grandparents so what are the chances? Yes I was given the news but no way am I upset or surprised. I had been telling Gina for a couple years that we really need to start watching our eating habits. so although this ins not good new, it's almost a blessing. Now I have a reason to watch what I eat and my weight, perfect for cycling as well as health.

Doc told me I have 3 choices. Take meds to lower the sugar level, take meds to squeeze the crap out of my pancreas, or diet and exercise. Hmm tough choice! I don;t take meds and I will not so I picked the healthiest solution! Something we should have been doing a long time ago. So this week I ate the suggested foods. 3 ounces salmon, some veges, a cup of potatoes and so on. I actually felt really good all week and since I "have" to eat breakfast, the smaller portions don't affect me on a normal day.

Just this week alone with the change, I am 4 lb lighter! Yeah baby! So today we went to ride and I sure felt strong. We only did 36 miles but it was windy and we averaged 16.7. Mike took a pull for about two miles which was much appreciated. I pulled the rest but felt good. I will say after the ride I was tired so maybe I need to adjust or take in some extra stuff on ride day. Giving up the big spaghetti dinners didn't help the the way I felt today as far as intake. But hey, once I get this body down to a skinny Beanz, what I eat should be even better as far as nutritional values.

FTR, brother is 2 years older and having problems as a result of his diet. Plus he had a mini stroke a couple years back at 51. He chose the wrong path but not Beanz! Hell no, I plan on keeping my woman happy till I'm at least 80! After that is all a bonus!:-P

My father diagnosed type 1 back 40 years ago has shown me what happens to diabetics. Couple of amputated toes, loss of sight and worst of all, dialysis.

Let me just say, I would be a freakin' fool to let this happen to me. I've known better and I know better. I've been lazy and I take responsibility for my condition so starting this past Monday, life has changed for both Gina and I ! :-)

A still from Ron and Dixie's GO Pro!

                                                                              Peace!

                                                            Gina pulling the troops!

                                          Gina kickin' it in her bright orange socks! :-P

Saturday (Kenny & Sheila)

36 miles on the trail with Gina @ 16.2 average. Ran into a couple at the start we had seen on the trail a few times. Kenny & Sheila! We had a chance to talk for a bit. They have been riding for a couple years now and they come all the way from Wrightwood to ride! :-O Friendly couple and a few bike stories exchanged, you know me! Ron and Dixie caught us from behind then rode with us for a while til they pulled off into the wind. Ran into Mike at the coast who rode back with us. Then Mark and Gail rode up right as we were about to leave. We didn't have much of a chance to chat since we were in a hurry to get back home today. Grandson's baseball game. Wouldn't you know it, being in a hurry I forgot my camera. Thank goodness for cell cams! :-P

Good Ride Saturday SART

What goes through a rider's mind? This is always so puzzling to me. Myself? I know there are faster stronger riders out there so when I get passed, I'd feel like a fool trying to pretend that I was "stronger". First of all, if a rider catches me from a mile behind, he caught me for a reason, he's faster, simple fact!

Happened to us on Saturday. FTR, I'm doing the pull the entire time, holding a pace that is good for Gina. Heading into the wind I see a rider far ahead. NO, I ma not trying to catch him, again I am setting a pace for Gina. Something to give her a workout but something she can handle since she is the slowest of our group. We end up catching the guy doing our pace. Not once did I try to lift the pace. We begin to pass, there are 5 of us. the first 3 pass then the guy lifts the pace. He won't let Mike and to pass, he hugs and crowds their sides. A bit later he ends up at the rear. OK,no problem but why not let us all pass safely then hop on the rear?

He sucks wheel for 2 miles then sprints around. OK ha ha! He gets about 30 yards ahead and after "MAYBE" 1/4 mile the wind hits his ass and he's fading fast ha ha! I'm just laughing and tell Gina, uh another one of those riders ha ha! Naturally I'm going to roll up on the guy again. Though his sprint did not impress me, I will say I was impressed with his kit, very impressive!

He's looking back again and again to see where we are. We roll right by him one of those tiny little inclines of the underpass. A little short 10 yard incline but he made it look like he was climbing Baldy Road ha ha!

As I was rolling by he looked back and sort of shouted, "SHIIIIIT!!". Uhh OK ha ha! He gave it one last kick then faded to the back of the line once again. Then he sat there for a good 6 miles sucking wheel. Once we hit the last stretch to the coast he sprinted around once again ha ha!

I just figured, wow what a poser! I guess I wasn't he only one who noticed his silliness. When he sprinted around I noticed Jose was on his wheel. Few seconds later Mike goes flying by too! I know these guys are going to embarrass his ass ha ha!

So they pull away and soon enough I see the guy fade as Mike and Jose ride by, he hops a wheel but can;t keep up ha ha! So then Gina says go ahead, go chase him if you want, I'll meet you at the coast. Nah, it's more fun when Gina passes them too! I tell her just keep our pace and we'll pass him once again anyway. Sure enough about 1/2 mile before the coast he sees us coming up once again then starts bobbing his head hard on his bike. Umm that's not going to help you ha ha! Again he can't keep the pace, the guys are way ahead and the girls are now passing you to ha ha!

Oh well, it was a valiant effort but the foolish look on his face was entertainment enough for me when the girls rolled by him...once again! :-P

Warming Up!

Hot ride today but at least we got a chance to ride. The minimum temp was 93 according to my Garmin. 36 miles @ 16 average, not bad for not much time on the bike. Gina suffered on the way back but hey, we rode! :-P Started with Jose then had Mark and Gail join us on the return. Gail has been watching her intake and wow, 20 lbs lighter. It shows, little skinny Mini! :-P

                                                                           Jose

                                                                                Alex

                                                 Wow, Gail dropped 20 lbs, looking skinny!

Aw, cute little red head girl!

                                                           Fritos, are those Fritos?

                                             Everybody appreciates a good close up!

                                    Wow, if I didn't know that was skinny Gail......................

No Drip Travel Size Container ???

Have you noticed the MIO containers are leak proof? We use water bottles on the bikes that are of the CamelBack brand. You can turn them upside down and they don't leak unless you squeeze them. NO DRIPS! Well after using this MIO stuff for a few days I noticed they have the same technology built into their small bottles. Only about 3 inches high. I took one apart and filled it with water. Closed it back up then tested it. YUP! Doesn't leak. I figure this would be something useful for taking along things like cream or fluids of some sort on sporting adventures. Sometimes one has a cream, sun block or something to take along but doesn't want to lug around a 12 inch container. Pretty cool I think!

Just over 3 inches, perfect for travel! The container is filled with water and I'm holding it over my keyboard, NO DRIPS! :-)

Another Winter Day in Cali

36 miles with the gang. Gina did very well after being really sick with a cold and cough for nearly 2 weeks. 16.0 average. Pics for now.