Well - my 65th birthday celebration is almost over, having successfully reclaimed a bit of my life.

[Ms. Toad]

The last time I rode 150 miles on my bike was in 2015, before breast cancer (2016) - when surgery and radiation stole my summer, before my work chased away my employee, was too poor to replace him - but still doubled our workload (2018 - and ongoing), before my spiral fracture of my right leg (2019), before sarcoma in my right arm (2020), and before COVID.

I decided to take back control of a little bit of my life by riding (at least) one more MS 150, so I didn't just look back and say "guess 2015 was my last ride." So for my 65th birthday (literally the day before and the day of) I rode 150 miles through the cornfields of Michigan. 33 others who rode at least 75 or 100 miles the first day (and I wasn't the last one in on day 1). I don't know how many rode the longer routes the second day - but it was a few more since the rain on day 1 encouraged a lot of folks to skip day 1.

Here's me crossing the finish line on Day 1, waving to the adoring crowds



The 75 on Day 2 took me a bit longer (nursing a sore achilles tendon that hit at about 50 miles on day 1). I was the last rider in - playing leapfrog with the SAG vehicle. They would speed past me to the next corner (where there were signs), wait until I arrived, grab up the signs as soon as I saw the direction of the arrow, then speed past me to the next corner. AKA: How to tell someone they are the last rider without telling them they are the last rider. About 20 folks cheered me in at about 5:30 (the ride formally ended at 5:00), with the DJ playing, "I hear it's your birthday."

Best birthday in a long time - maybe ever.

We spent yesterday playing tourists in Frankenmuth (celebrating birthday and 40th anniversary (9/11)). Not precisely where we would have chosen for a big anniversary, but we were there and I'd taken the day off from work (first in longer than I can remember).

On the way in to work this morning, I got my Pfizer booster (65 on Sunday, 6 months from last vax on Monday - but we were on the road yesterday).

Only one more "You've hit 65" thing to do - sign up for Medicare. That's next on my schedule.

[SheilaAnn]

1. Happy Birthday to you and you obviously had a great one. Here's to many more! n/t

[Ms. Toad]

10. Thanks!

[Nevilledog]

2. Now that's a birthday!

Well done and Happy Birthday.

[Ms. Toad]

11. Thanks!

[TreasonousBastard]

3. Happy Birthday! And a grand thing you made of it.

[Ms. Toad]

12. It was delightful!

[chia]

4. Happy birthday, happy anniversary, and congratulations. YOU ARE AMAZING.

[Ms. Toad]

13. Thanks!

[malaise]

5. Happy Birthday

Enjoy the celebrations

[Ms. Toad]

14. I thoroughly enjoyed it -

well, aside from the nagging pain in my achilles tendon.

[Tanuki]

7. Congratulations on so many levels! And notwithstanding your good-natured

self depreciation about finishing in last place, you achieved so much more than everyone (including me) who didn't even attempt something so ambitious and challenging. Well done!
🚲 🍾 🥂 🎁

[Ms. Toad]

16. I had my spouse all primed to make sure they let me finish -

Hey - it's her 65th birthday, as long as she's close let her ride in! (As far as I know, no one even thought about SAGging me in - they set an end time, but I've never seen them SAG anyone who is close to the finish line. There was one other person leaving the last rest stop as I pulled in, so I wasn't too far out. . . much younger, and I know they SAGged her between lunch and the next rest stop because they didn't think she could finish in time.)

[Tomconroy]

8. Happy Birthday! 150 miles is super impressive now matter how fast you go.

[Ms. Toad]

17. Thanks!

[babylonsister]

9. Happy, happy birthday and that's a huge

accomplishment! I'm impressed!

[Ms. Toad]

19. I was afraid I wasn't going to be in good enough shape to make the ride -

I'd delayed signing up as COVID got worse and I was afraid they would cancel it - which also hindered my motivation to get moving to be prepared. And my spouse sold her car with the hitch, so that meant any riding I did required climbin 4-8% grade hills at the end of a ride.

So I finally set smaller goals - on my bike around the neighborhood (with smaller hills), then riding to work without assistance (a 32 mile round trip with about a 5% grade, half-mile hill). I let myself walk up as much as I needed - as long as I didn't call for my spouse to come pick me up with the jerry-rigged bike rack from before we had a hitch. Each time I walked up less. (I had to walk a bit on this ride, since the balance on my recumbent makes it impossible to start uphill - and if I have to stop to cross a busy street I feel safer running the bike across.

I still wasn't in the shape I should have been - but as long as the ground is relatively flat I've always been able to ride pretty close to forever. It may take me a while, but I can get there.

[Freddie]

15. Happy Birthday!

Sounds like an awesome day! I WANT my booster but I got J & J in March so I’m waiting for the official recommendation. DH is getting his Pfizer booster Friday, he’s a tot of 63 but takes a medication that makes him eligible.
Seems like a lot of us turning 65 around here, my “big birthday” was a week ago. My son called and I reminded him that I’m “officially old” and the brat said “Mom, you’ve always been old.”

[Ms. Toad]

23. Spank that brat!

My daughter got a friend to crochet a hat, purse, and collar scarf for me.

[Walleye]

18. Way to go!

[Ms. Toad]

24. Thanks!

[Jilly_in_VA]

20. HBD, as my Swamp Rats put it

And you did it! Congratulations!

My baby brother turned 74 on Saturday. He quit running when his knees gave out and he had to have them both replaced. Now he also rides his bike. A lot. It seems the thing to do. And it looks like your ride was beautiful.

[Ms. Toad]

25. The ride was beautiful from about noon on Day 1 through Day 2.

The morning of the first day was miserable (50s and raining). They allowed people to start late - but I started close to the original start time. I figured I was going to get wet anyway - it wasn't the first time I've done a long ride in the rain.

But I sure enjoyed everything after around noon on Saturday.

[spooky3]

21. Very cool! Nt

[Ms. Toad]

26. Thanks!

[twodogsbarking]

22. Could I interest you in a supplemental Medicare plan?

Happy Birthday and many more.

[Ms. Toad]

29. I'm exploring the Medicare Advantage plans -

I've got good insurance through work - but the dental is poor (at least for my dentist) and vision is so bad s to be non-existent. If I cn get a $0 premium plan that provides supplemental coverage for weak spots I may sign up. (Otherwise I'll just be doing Medicare part A until I decide to stop working.)

[twodogsbarking]

33. Study hard. Watch who you trust. Best to you.

[Demsrule86]

27. Happy birthday...and good for you riding again.

[Ms. Toad]

30. Thanks!

[MLAA]

28. Way to go!

[Ms. Toad]

31. Thanks!

[CentralMass]

32. Happy Birthday and awesome job on the 150.

[Ms. Toad]

35. Thanks!

[lillypaddle]

34. You are amazing!

Congrats and happy birthday. And this, from an adoring audience of one:

[Ms. Toad]

36. Thanks!

And I will be very sad when I have to give it up.

I had to switch from my road bike to a recumbent in 2013 when vertigo made it unsafe for me to ride a road bike on the road (a sudden stop might have toppled me into the road since I couldn't straddle the bar AND put both feet on the ground). I wasn't ready for a trike yet - but that will be my next step-down (I hope), rather than giving it up.

[Ms. Toad]

39. Thanks!

And I will be very sad when I have to give it up.

I had to switch from my road bike to a recumbent in 2013 when vertigo made it unsafe for me to ride a road bike on the road (a sudden stop might have toppled me into the road since I couldn't straddle the bar AND put both feet on the ground). I wasn't ready for a trike yet - but that will be my next step-down (I hope), rather than giving it up.

[Jon King]

37. Now that my friends, is a rock star!

Keeps getting knocked down, keeps getting back up. Well done!!

[Ms. Toad]

40. It's all over if I don't get back up . . .

And I'd rather it not be.

[yonder]

38. Happy Birthday AND congratations....

....on your health recovery and the 150. That's a pretty darn good milestone. Color me impressed.

Our kids and their SO's either ride or race. A lot. So, last time I tried a big ride with them, my ass became so sore from the saddle, I was mostly walking toward the end. I can see a recumbent in my future. So can my butt.

[Ms. Toad]

43. Saddle advice -

Go commando with a good chamois-covered crotch pad. I always got ulcers on long rides because I thought it was gross to go without. It's a lot less gross than getting ulcers.

Firmer seats are, a bit ironically, easer on the butt than harder ones on a road bike (too much slipping on the seat I think).

Recumbents are hard in a different way. I weight more than I should, so sitting on any seat for 8 hours sometimes makes me sore - but it's just weight (and road bounce) on the back of my rear end that makes me sore now. So I'm saddle sore in a bit different way on the recumbent.

The biggest comfort difference I find is in my shoulder/neck area. On my road bike I ride on aeor bars - so in order to see traffic coming I am constantly tipping my head back. By the end of even a short ride my shoulder used to ache for hours. It doesn't any more!

[yonder]

50. Thanks for the good advice. The shoulder-ache aspect is an issue also.

Leaning recumbent, I think.

[Ms. Toad]

52. I love mine! n/t

[lpbk2713]

41. You celebrated your birthday in style.

You're not getting older. You're getting better.

[Ms. Toad]

44. Thanks!

[Hortensis]

42. Wow, just wow! You are amazing, Ms. Toad, and I LOVED reading this!

[Ms. Toad]

45. I'm glad you enjoyed reading it

Not much good news for a long time - so I was hoping hearing about someone taking a bit of control back in a chaotic world would be fun.

[Hortensis]

54. Worked like a charm. Read it to my husband too. :)

[Solly Mack]

46. Happy Birthday!

What a great way to spend your birthday!

[Ms. Toad]

48. It really was -

Just me and my bike, sun, cornfields, not much traffic and no responsibilities for the day (other than making it to the end of the ride) - and even that was optional since that's what they have SAG for!

[Kali]

47. wow and congrats

Happy Birthday too!

[Ms. Toad]

49. Thanks!

[lagomorph777]

51. Wow!!!!! Congrats!

[Ms. Toad]

53. Thanks!

[peggysue2]

55. Congrats!

And happy B-day, along with that bicycle ride after a long medical journey. Must have felt grand.

[electric_blue68]

56. You've had some tough years. Congrats on a return to Cycling!

And Happy Birthday! 🎉

[Ms. Toad]

59. I have.

It isn't until I start listing it out that I think, "wow - that's a lot!"

But I'm mostly on the other side (I still have to do scans every three months for the sarcoma for the next 3 years or so - it's a very aggressve cancer). While I'm going through it I mostly just thnk about putting one foot in front of the other to do the next thing I need to do to get to tomorrow.

[electric_blue68]

60. I've had those one foot in front of other times. The Best of Luck to you!

[Wild blueberry]

57. Wow! Happy Birthday! Congratulations!

Well done, you!

[Ms. Toad]

58. Thanks!

[ProfessorGAC]

61. I Turned 65, Last Thursday!

Happy bday!
I can't get booster yet. Too soon, and I'm Moderna. But, my wife is good for it in October.
Glad you had a good celebration!

[Ms. Toad]

62. Happy birthday to you, too!

My spouse is a Moderna gal. She's going to check at the health department and see if she can get a booster. My understanding is that they are working on a half-strength dose. Too bad - she's the one who really needs it, since she can't keep her mask on!

[ProfessorGAC]

63. I Read The Same

I saw that about the half dose, too.
But, it's possible that they would consider immuno-compromised as different that the general population needing a booster.
Makes sense, I think.

[Ms. Toad]

64. When I signed up at CVS,

it looked like they would take immuno-compromised Moderna folks.

[ProfessorGAC]

65. Interesting

I know I saw them tell a guy yesterday (he brought his parents in for the booster) that it was too soon for him, but he should come back in a couple weeks.
There's no way this guy was even 50. He wasn't going to be 65 two weeks from now.
So, I'm thinking they have some leeway to make their own judgments on vaxxing people.

[LeftInTX]

66. Congratulations and Happy Birthday!

[Ms. Toad]

67. Thanks - and it was a happy birthday!

[BeckyDem]

68. A very happy birthday tp you!

[Ms. Toad]

70. Thanks!

[TuxedoKat]

69. Happy Birthday!!!

What a great way to commemorate your birthday. Now on to RAGBRAI!!! Google that!!!

[Ms. Toad]

71. Without Googling -

week long ride across Iowa, IIRC.

Now running to google to check . . . looks like 8 days rather than a week. But close.

Ohio has GOBA - but hills and I aren't friends, and I can't easily take a week off.