I have had my mitral valve, one of the main heart valves, repaired just 18 days ago. I wasn’t given much detail about how I should treat my recovery but one thing that I have learned is that I need time. I’m told to listen to my body but my body is struggling to acceptContinue reading “Back to biking after a heart operation.”
And now for the rest of my life…….
After waiting for 20 months from the diagnosis of a heart condition, I have finally had an operation to repair it. It may seem infeasible to those living in many countries but the cost to me here in England has been zero. Absolutely nothing. The surgery I’ve had may have cost £40,000 or more butContinue reading “And now for the rest of my life…….”
Our new house and the mountain biking possibilities.
We are moving from our house in Lancashire, a house we’ve lived in for nearly 28 years. Soon our home will be a former fisherman’s cottage on the north coast of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The view from the front window is pictured above. A major motivation for the move is that our only son has settledContinue reading “Our new house and the mountain biking possibilities.”
The Biggest Possible Change….
I’m waiting for a heart valve repair, which should return me to regular mountain biking, amongst other things. I’m now told that the operation should be in January. Maybe being retired has given my wife and I too much thinking time because we have now decided to make the biggest possible change to our lives.Continue reading “The Biggest Possible Change….”
Two rides on my E bike.
Last week I rode my longest E bike ride so far. I had already covered around 6 miles locally, using the bike for utility purposes, then 18.54 miles on a road ride. I climbed 938 feet during the ride but only took the energy meter, which is mounted on the handlebars, from 4 bars toContinue reading “Two rides on my E bike.”
Flower of the Week, 20th October 2024.
We have acquired about a dozen Acers or Japanese Maples in our garden over the years. They seem to cope well in positions from fairly shady to full sun. All ours are of the finer leaved Acer Palmatum type rather than the broader leaved Japonica. They exist in a wide range of leaf colours fromContinue reading “Flower of the Week, 20th October 2024.”
Are you thinking of buying an E bike?
I see more and more E bikes whilst out riding and am currently riding one myself. Unfortunately I have no choice since I’m waiting for a heart valve to be repaired, which means I have to moderate my level of exercise. I don’t imagine that, without this medical issue, I’d have chosen to have electricContinue reading “Are you thinking of buying an E bike?”
Flower of the Week, 28th September 2024.
After our delphiniums had flowered in the summer we cut them back to the ground. Now they are blooming again. What an autumnal treat!
Flower of the Week, 24th September 2024.
There’s no doubt that autumn has begun in our garden, though we do still have some gorgeous flowers. Whilst the acers in particular are showing their autumnal glories above, the rudbeckia, Black Eyed Susan is still a brilliant yellow. The Sweet Peas continue to perform whilst, to the left of the photo, we have plentyContinue reading “Flower of the Week, 24th September 2024.”
Good to get out.
Sometimes I have a specific aim for a mountain bike ride. It may be a particular route or to achieve a time on a preplanned ride. Often I like to go to a trail and repeat a short section to practice riding skills. Yesterday, though, I just wanted to get out on the bike toContinue reading “Good to get out.”
Mountainbiker 