Farewell to my lovely red e-bike…

I have written before about my lovely red e-bike that I bought and have treasured. Unfortunately, with my knee operation and now my back operation, the planets just don’t seem to have been aligned for me to be able to ride it. One of my main priorities post my back operation was to get back on my bike and be able to go for rides on it.

So, in the leadup to my operation, I did a lot of thinking about my goals for the future once I healed. Among those goals was getting back on my e-bike. Also, to get back to bowls and to spending more time with my husband going for lovely walks along the river and other lovely local walks. However, I had a lot of time to think in hospital and I decided that I had to let go of something that might possibly cause significant risk. That thing – unfortunately – is riding my e-bike. The stark reality is that riding my bike and the risk that creates is not a wise thing to do.

Therefore, after much thought, I decided to sell my bike. I am disappointed, but I came to realise that the risk of my falling off – which is pretty high – and therefore potentially injuring my back again, was an unacceptable risk. So, I have decided to sell it and today the new owner is picking it up. I will sad to see it go, but I made the choice to sell it for the good of myself and my family, especially my husband.

When I bought my bike, I was probably in my late 50’s or early 60’s. I had always ridden bikes throughout my life to varying degrees. I knew with my Parkinson’s that it was important to exercise and for exercise to be successful, it needs to be something I enjoy. My bike seemed the ideal thing. It also helped me to get home safely if I became too tired to pedal. All, in all, it seemed perfect. But, throw in some injuries followed by a period of rehabilitation and it is just not that easy.

So, I did the sensible thing and put it up for sale and it is being picked up this afternoon. I will be very sad to see them drive off with my lovely bike, however, I know the wisest course of action has been to sell it. It doesn’t make it any less sad.

It is a difficult thing to realise that at 64 years of age, that I have to think about my choices and minimizing risk. It is the sensible thing to do. To realise that the high risk of falling off my bike is not one I need to take. My health issues – which include Parkinson’s – need to be acknowledged more and for me to move on with the rest of my life, still not wrapping myself in cotton wool, but being more risk aware.

There are times when I don’t feel anywhere near this age. There are times when I feel older than I am. It is hard to acknowledge that I have reached the age where those who love me, may want me to be more cautious and risk averse. However, not allowing me any risk will mean that I basically cannot do anything!

I am going to find another way to exercise and I hope that my lovely red e-bike goes to a good home where they will go on many adventures together.

My husband and I will find our own adventures.

Some may be old adventures revisited.

Some will be new adventures.

But I am confident there will still be adventures to be had and memories to be made.

Here is the Podcast version