Trike Life
October 2008

MUSCLE MEMORY  

As most of you know, I went through some major surgery on August 22, 2008, so I was not able to ride until the week of September 18, when we went on a short (50 mile round trip) Dinner Ride with Chapter GA-S. The ride posed no problems, since most of the trip was on I-85 (straight highway, set the cruise and steer).

Well, two days later on Saturday, the 20th, we, and another couple, put about 140 miles on back-roads. By the time I got home I was bushed, my back was hurting, and my muscles were sore. As Trikers know, Trike riding needs more upper body strength than 2 wheeling since we steer and do not lean. My muscles still had the memory of riding and posture; but the stamina was lacking. After going from riding at least 100 miles a day, to not riding for 4 weeks… and then putting on 140+ miles, it proved to me that you have to ride pretty constantly to stay in shape for riding.

If you do not ride that much, don't try to put on a lot of miles in one day without a lot of stops to relax, walk-around, stretch, drink water and just generally loosen up.

RIDE - RIDE - RIDE - AND BE SAFE.