Beat the Streets

 

Beat the Street

Sweetwater, Texas

 May 6, 2021

At last. We got in a ride. Tours looked a little iffy earlier this year, but more and more rides are opening up as controls ease.

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Good turn out. 

I kept looking for someone from San Angelo, but never spotted one. Too bad.

Christine had told me no photos of her this time, so I had to sneak up while she wasn't looking.

Beat the Streets is a timed race, so all of the hopefuls were bunched up front while we recreational riders hung back and spaced out.

Routes were 71, 49, and 33 miles. 

We chose the 33 mile route and were glad as we hadn't ridden since last November.

And it seemed that more hills had grown since our last time here.

What was a welcome growth were the roadside wildflowers.

Another hill. Yep. The route was full of them. However, I will have to admit that they were short rollers and none that I recall were over 6 degrees.

The lake out in the middle of nowhere reminded me of the Andrews ride years ago.

Even the dam crossing looked familar.

Contrast of energy sources. Hard to tell, but the oil pump was bracketed by wind turbines. 

Speaking of wind turbines, I forgot to mention that on three of the four legs of the ride, we had a 20 mph wind in our faces or on our shoulders.

There were a few level stretches so I had to document one. 

Not sure what the structure was, but a nice mural on the side. This was at one of the water stops.

On the outskirts of town was the W A S P muesuem (Women Airforce Service Pilots). They were having their grand reopening this day, and there was a big crowd joining the celebration.

Lined up in fromation were planes that the W A S P flew during WW II. Look up the history of the W A S P for some good, interesting reading.

Soon after the Muesuem, we were entering town. Ride about over.

Most of the awards had been announced but some volunteers were ready to answer any questions.

Food truck in the parking lot. We had a yummy lunch of hamburgers and fries. Good recovery food even though we had not exerted ourselves. One can rationalize, "Well, I burned this many calories, so I need them back."

Speaking of back, we are looking forward to next year's ride to see if the wind flattened any of the hills. 

Thanks to the event organizers, the volunteers, and their sponsors. Appreciate you.

Forgot to mention: In April I had a first biopsy of my cancer site. Results: "NO EVIDENCE OF RESIDUAL CANCER'    . !!!

    Mid-Jume I will have my first PET scan since treatment. Have my fingers crosses as to verifying no spreading of the cancer in any other part of my body. Will wait and see.

Status Update

 

March 22, 2021

Radiation Therapy Department

Oncology Department, Shannon Hospital

San Angelo, Texas

I always like to start my stories with a T Shirt of the event. This was my "graduation" date of completing radiation therapy.

Radiation therapy team, Roger and Misty, the staff that put me on the road to recovery.

They even gave me a Certificate of merit acknowledging completion.

Tradition has it that you "ring the bell" upon completion of treatment. Thought I would pose with the T shirt that my son in California sent me.

It best represents how I feel about this whole ordeal. 

Now, how do I REALLY feel about the last six weeks, 

Am I over treatment? No. My last chemo treatment was to be last Friday, but my white blood count was too low for the dosage to be administered safely. So, my last treatment is scheduled for this coming Monday. I don't know if they hand out certificates, but I'll let you know next week.

Status Report

 Roy and his bike

February 2021

Status Report

Cycling tours, stories, and incidental posts may be limited for a while.

First, most of the organized rides for 2021 are presently listed as TBA on cycling sites such as WheelBrothers. Rides may be limited to local until more tour organizers decide to charge onward.

Secondly, Monday, I start a regimen of chemo/radiation therapy and I will have to wait to see how my body reacts to the treatment. Have been told it would go on for 4-7 weeks. We will see. 

Christine and I are eager to get back on the saddles and explore Texas. I plan on going to as many tours as possible even if I have to ride the 10 mile courses. If I do the10's, I may have found a way to beat Christine to the finish line and regain my bragging rights.  

Hope to publish more soon.