I’m starting anew; sort of. Today is the first time since my surgery that I tried riding the road bike.

It was great to be on “Scottie” again; but it seems my hand and wrist aren’t quite ready for it yet. After about five miles, things started to feel tired and strained. Good thing I was at least halfway back home by then!

Now I have to relearn how my Garmin works. All those different buttons! On top of that, as soon as I began my ride, the readout screen showed a “low cadence sensor battery” message. Getting into that sensor to change the battery is still a bit much for my hand; so I had to walk the bike to the shop.

I have no idea what my heart rate was, because I forgot to wear the chest strap. Note to self: put that thing where I’ll see it for the next ride! But I’m pretty sure I stayed in Zone 3 today.

It looks like tomorrow will be very windy. Since I’m starting anew, as it were, I think I’ll stay off the levee. Maybe I’ll ride in the park; or maybe I’ll put the bike in the trainer. 

Just now I’m cooking brown rice for a Hoppin’ John variation. This one will have pintos and great northerns. Tonight I can do the chopping work; and tomorrow I can finish it up. This cooking project will let me use up three cans of stuff; and that’s a good thing. I still have quite a stash.

It’s going to be hard work for my hand; but I need to cook up some good stuff to eat. I’ve missed my Hoppin’ John variations. Oh, and today I thought up a new treat: dipping banana into hot cocoa mix!