Grandpa Richard Speaks

Grandpa Richard loves walking. Unfortunately, I injured my left heel, and too much walking aggravates it. Cycling does not seem to bother the heel. I used to race, and so I should get back on my bike.

I still own my original racing bike. I got an estimate of $250 to service it, as it has been in storage for about 20 years. All the bearings would need work, the spokes would need tuning (and possible replacements), and I would need new pedals to fit the style of cycling shoe in use today.

Instead, I opted for a $250 mountain bike. Definitely on the lower end of pricing, but I figured I would just be using it for light duty riding. Lately, though, I have been doing 1 or 2 rides a week of about 20 km round trip. Not much compared to my former daily training rides of at least 35 km, but definitely more than light duty.

What to do??? I will have to think about my old bike again. It would be more comfortable for the longer rides.

In the meantime, yesterday was my longest ride of the year. I cycled down the Humber River Trail to the mouth of the river, where it enters into Lake Ontario. I estimate about 15 km one way, making it a 30 km ride. Some nice scenery along the way, which led me to add a new “to-do” item – take my camera and go for a walk along the Humber.

(the photo, for those who do not recognize the scene, is of me standing on the shore of Lake Ontario, and the background is of a special walking/cycling bridge over the mouth of the Humber River)