The First 500

It's November and all too soon we will be moving into 2016. This year, 2015, has of course been a difficult one for me but now the worst is over, and I feel better than I ever believed that I could. All sorts of good things await me in 2016 but let me first enjoy the here and now.

Since my operation in June I have had not one day, not a single one, where I have had any kind of sustained stomach pain or any kind of tummy-related illness. I feel simply fabulous.

Fabulous, but not fit. I am riding my bike again, but not as far, nor as fast, as I did when I wasn't ill before my operation. Of course, I was often ill. In fact, as fitness only comes after sustained (ie consistent) exercise, I was never really fit. I had too many periods away from my bike when my bottom was cemented to the loo.

It is quite possible then, that I may hope to get at least as fit as I was before, maybe even fitter.

So how am I doing?

Well my first ride was 3 miles. My longest solo ride has been 35 miles, and my longest tandem ride was a tortuous 55 miles, after which I felt that a bullet to the head would have been kind. Altogether, in a great many little rides, I have covered about 500 miles, the greater majority of them enormously pleasurable.

Miles ridden with friends are usually better than miles ridden alone, miles ridden with friends in good scenery are even better. And miles ridden with friends in good scenery and nice weather are best of all.

So here's a picture of me riding with all of that.

I have set no firm targets, but I did dare a little hope which was that by the time Christmas came, I would be able to ride 30 hilly miles. So I think I am home and dry on that one. I'll feel I am somewhere near to normal when 50 miles solo do not exhaust me.

Did I mention that it was hilly around here? I think my first 50-miler might be in a flatter, warmer Spain, in the New Year!