Alea iacta est

Ok, it is put up or shut up. The ribs are almost healed, I've been riding again and it's time to set the date to finish the trip. Therefore, Theresa and I will leave Marco on the 15Th and hopefully arrive in Kentucky the 17Th and I'll start biking again on the 18Th of September. As soon as I start biking I'll hit mountainous terrain, ugh, and up till now, I am still having trouble leaning forward and standing on the pedals. It will be a tough start given my layoff, but, I want to get over the Appalachians before winter arrives. I'll start slow and if it takes me longer to cover the miles, then so be it. In preparation for the return, I've trimmed some more gear and will drop the front panniers to decrease weight and wind resistance. Hopefully those changes will make the bike easier to maneuver in the hills. I am looking forward to continuing the trip because September and October will be a great time to be along the Blue Ridge, the colors should be spectacular.

Roll on Down the Highway--BTO

It has been over six weeks and the ribs are getting better. In fact so much better that I have been biking again. When I first got on the bike last Saturday I was nervous. Nervous not so much for the expected pain but for my lack of confidence on the bike. The fall I experienced was the first in 14 years of biking in all kinds of conditions. Until July, falling and getting hurt was the least of my worries. I could control anything, I thought. So, Saturday as I sat on the bike preparing to start the ride I was a little shaken with all of the "what ifs". As best I could I shoved those thoughts aside and started out. I met two other bikers, Jean and Pat, at seven am on the corner where we all meet. During season we have as many as ten bikers meet for morning rides but during the summer months it's mostly just Jean and I who brave the summer heat. This year Pat and Vic stayed through the summer so Pat joined us. For the first time out in about two months I did OK. I could tell I've lost the peak condition I had when I left Bardstown but was able to cover 15 miles of the route we normally ride. Certainly not as fast but never-the-less I was able to ride again and without too much pain. I have ridden the bike several times since and am getting more comfortable on it. Perhaps by the time the ribs fully heal I will have pushed the memory of the fall out of my mind. For now, I am just riding the bike without the gear on it but pretty soon I'll load it up and start pushing to get back on the road. I still want to complete the trip before the end of October.

Carry on Wayward Son-----K.

Clean and sober I am, no more pills. I still have some low-level, dull pain but nothing like a month ago. Being off the pain medicine and having an occasional moment of clarity has helped me put the accident and surrounding events back into perspective. I knew before I started the trip that everything was on the table, anything could happen. When I look back on the trip, I can't help but think of the things that could have happened and be thankful. Now, I can't say I've put the dogs of Kentucky out of my mind but after all, dogs are animals and unfortunately a very small portion of people are too. I met both. But you know what? The things I saw, the good people I met, and the experiences I had far out weigh the disappointment of not finishing the trip as scheduled. Now, I'll finished the trip. It's just my nature. My ribs will heal and I'll ride again. But I'll be taking something with me back on the road that, until now, I really didn't fully appreciate. I've got Peeps! I've got backup! My wonderful family, friends near and far, school kids in a classroom in New York and even Coastguard units in Tampa and North Carolina are pulling for me. Thank you all. My short walks are getting longer and I am getting some stamina back. I am not exactly sure but hopefully I can get back on the trail sometime in September. I want to finish before All Hallows Eve.

Sitting Upright

Today marks three weeks since my encounter in Kentucky. This past week I didn't do very much except catch up on TV and eat. I am still taking some pain medicine but the pain has decreased considerably. Hopefully by the end of next week I'll be totally off pain pills all together. As for my recovery, I am disappointed that it is taking so long but I have reconciled myself to a slow recovery. But,I was able to do more this week than last. For example, I am now able to pick up something as heavy as a small pappillon which comes in handy several times each day. Also when rising from a prone position I can maneuver my body toward the right and swing around so I can get up without pain. And I've started taking short walks during the day and that has helped me both physically and mentally. I have always thought walking is one of the best exercises you can do and if you can walk you can be healthy. Even though I have been walking I haven't ventured out in public yet because I am still scared of being around crowds of people. The last thing I need at this point is a cold or flu or a quick jab in the ribs. I was lucky this weekend. In addition to Theresa I had my daughter Kristi to assist me. She is a good gofer and didn't complain one time when I asked her to freshen my glass of tea. I even sent her on a mission to replace my Ipod. I thought all along the only thing missing was my camera. Not so. I went through all my gear and discovered that my Ipod was gone. I hope whoever has it enjoys Baby Got Back. Anyway, I've replaced all my missing items and am on the way to recovery. My Air Force buds are planning a fall mancation and I'd like to participate even if I just drive the golf cart.