First Post - A Little Background

I have discovered an interesting thing about being 61 years old. All of my kids are raised, my work for the world is done, my last remaining parent has been nursed through her final years. It came, for me, as a question: "What now?" I attempted, after my mother's death, to resume doing the things I used to enjoy most, like fishing and photography. It was fun for awhile. I found quickly, however, that the old, familiar activities were no longer enough. I had done them all before. Ho Hum ... another bass. Yawn. I have no need to go back to work and no desire to do so. I enjoy being a grandfather and spending time with my kids and grandchildren. Too bad for me (maybe good for them) that they live too far away to see every day. So, what now? Time for the rocking chair on the porch? Make my will and start planning for the nursing home? Nawwwww! What I needed was something new in my life, something sufficiently interesting and challenging to rekindle my passion for living.

That's how I came up with the idea of going off on a cross-country bike expedition. I'd contemplated that fantasy many years ago while suffering through seemingly endless business meetings, but the time was not right. Life was too busy and demanding. My life now definitely is not busy or demanding. So, why not now? When I discussed the idea with my wife Patti, she thought it sounded like a fine idea. She also suggested that we use recumbent bicycles instead of the traditional delta frame models. Actually, she suggested recumbent trikes. Trikes have many advantages for old farts like us. They are, most of all, extremely comfortable compared to traditional bikes. No numb hands, no numb arms, no numb shoulders, no numb butts. Almost as importantly, trikes are very hard to tip over. And the fall isn't far if you do. Riding a trike is like sitting comfortably in your lawn chair, just watching the world go by. All of this comfort and safety is perfect for an old grandpa!

We are just in the beginning stages of this new adventure. Purchased our trikes in February. Started our training in March. Our training goal is to be able to ride at least 50 miles per day comfortably before we start serious touring. Getting there may take awhile. After five years of taking care of my mother -- a 24 hr/day, 365 day/year, never go anywhere kind of job -- we are starting from fitness ground zero. Getting off the couch without assistance was becoming problematical for me. Where are we after one month? That will be the subject of my next post.