Beth is pictured with my bicycle, which she has lovingly spiffed up and replaced the tires. David and I picked it up today from her house. I’m so thrilled to have it back and in such beautiful condition. She promises to go accompany me on rides in the spring as I get back into shape. She’s training for a very long ride so perhaps she’ll get a decent ride to and from my hous, if not exactly with me. I tend to be one of the Slow Riders of America, and I may be initially even slower than usual, but she assures me that will be okay. She’s the originator of the Slug Velo ride, so she understands slowing down for the speed challenged.
I discovered Slow Riding in Amsterdam. Everyone there rides three speed bicycles (it’s flat so one doesn’t need the fancy gears necessitated by Portland hills). Bicycles are the most reasonable form of transportation because getting around by car is a nightmare there. And everyone wears regular clothes, no spandex or gortex, and rides 8-10 miles per hour. I loved it. It was so relaxed. I had a great time riding around. One doesn’t need a shower when one arrives at one’s destination. There’s a difference between running and walking and there’s a difference between riding at top speed and riding at a leisurely pace. I’m not trying to break any speed records when I ride. I’m just trying to get somewhere and have a good time while I’m doing it. Of course, I live at the top of a fairly steep hill, so I get a workout by the time I get home, whether I want one or not. Many a time I have wished longingly that we lived in Irvington or Hollywood instead of at the top of Alameda ridge when I was pedaling home late at night after a long day.
So, my last chemo is on Wednesday. I had one really good day this past week but I’ve been pretty tired in general during this “good” week. With each chemo treatment it gets a little more difficult so I’m very glad this is the last. Howard is coming home tomorrow so he’ll be able to accompany me on that fateful day.
I did have some fun on Friday night. Jonathan Coulton, my favorite songwriter, was in town and we went to see him at the White Eagle. We met Glen there, who had saved us a table. Jonathan Coulton played all our favorites. When I had my mastectomy I made a CD with all my favorite songs to be played during the operation. I had a few of his songs on it. When Skullcrusher Mountain came on, they had to stop operating for a few minutes because everyone was laughing so hard.
I discovered Slow Riding in Amsterdam. Everyone there rides three speed bicycles (it’s flat so one doesn’t need the fancy gears necessitated by Portland hills). Bicycles are the most reasonable form of transportation because getting around by car is a nightmare there. And everyone wears regular clothes, no spandex or gortex, and rides 8-10 miles per hour. I loved it. It was so relaxed. I had a great time riding around. One doesn’t need a shower when one arrives at one’s destination. There’s a difference between running and walking and there’s a difference between riding at top speed and riding at a leisurely pace. I’m not trying to break any speed records when I ride. I’m just trying to get somewhere and have a good time while I’m doing it. Of course, I live at the top of a fairly steep hill, so I get a workout by the time I get home, whether I want one or not. Many a time I have wished longingly that we lived in Irvington or Hollywood instead of at the top of Alameda ridge when I was pedaling home late at night after a long day.
So, my last chemo is on Wednesday. I had one really good day this past week but I’ve been pretty tired in general during this “good” week. With each chemo treatment it gets a little more difficult so I’m very glad this is the last. Howard is coming home tomorrow so he’ll be able to accompany me on that fateful day.
I did have some fun on Friday night. Jonathan Coulton, my favorite songwriter, was in town and we went to see him at the White Eagle. We met Glen there, who had saved us a table. Jonathan Coulton played all our favorites. When I had my mastectomy I made a CD with all my favorite songs to be played during the operation. I had a few of his songs on it. When Skullcrusher Mountain came on, they had to stop operating for a few minutes because everyone was laughing so hard.
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