The Schwinn was back when, in this region, Schwinn could only be bought at a Schwinn dealership. I knew that model was coming out and I saved and save. The owner of the shop thought I was buying way outta my league, I know, as his most avid bike-riding adults were purchasing that road bike. How I loved that bike.

There was no craigslist. I just watched the papers and had gotten to know all of the LBS (local bike shop) owners. If they had something new coming in, either from a manufacturer or as a trade-in, they'd call. I'd also visit their shops almost every weekend. Yes, I was a bike freak! LOL.

I do get high if I spend more than 5 minutes in a bike shop. Lol.
I do not go into them often anymore because I will buy a bike I cannot even ride right now, or do something similar.

Rehab? It's complicated. I will try to be succinct.

In a nutshell, I have some form of a sensorimotor polyneuropathy combined with a neuromuscular disorder. It affect my hands and feet -- strength, function, coordination. Spasticity, pain, weakness, etc.
The neurovascular pain syndrome in my feet/lower legs is incredibly painful.
It gets better and worse, in episodes. It can be exacerbated by different factors. (It is known as CRPS/RSD.)

*** Trigger Warning re: Random Public Assault ***

I've also had a TBI (traumatic brain injury), which I feel is improving a lot!

Approx 4 yrs ago, I was in a small city park, visiting on a bench with my elderly mother. She had been ill and was improving and wanted to get out.
So we'd decided to go to the nearby small city and walk, talk, get a bite to eat.

I was seated on the bench, talking with her, when someone came up behind me, grabbed my hair/head and started shaking my head back and forth as hard as he could. I felt like my neck muscles were being torn and like I was being scalped!

Since he was behind me, I could not do a thing. I could not reach the person with my leg/foot or a hand/fist. I was at his mercy. I was also being punched in the head, repeatedly.

Why? I have no idea. The person was paranoid and aggressive. Truly random. No words or "looks exchanged" with the person. I did not even know the person was around, as I was approached from behind the bench upon which I was sitting.

It was broad daylight in a park and other people were watching. Eventually, other people started walking toward us, shouting at the assailant. The guy let go of me, throwing me forward from the bench and I had landed on the ground. He ran out of the park and was headed into the crowds of people at the open marketplace on the next block. I had such an adrenaline rush, I jumped up and ran after him. I did not want to "catch" him, I wanted to be able to tell the police where he was when they'd finally showed up.

On the way out of the park, there was an officer parked in a car. A guy from the park was running with me, chasing after the assailant. He summoned the officer in the car and the officer started running with us. He called for assistance and other "beat officers" met us on the street and all officers went directly for the assailant (for an arrest). The assailant took 3 officers to the ground. Wow. I could not believe it. I was standing there watching 3 officers laying on the ground! What now?

A couple of squad cars pulled up and the officers had gotten up off the ground. All of them went for the assailant. They were able to subdue and handcuff, arrest.

The assailant was able to have charges dismissed due to a long history of mental illness. I saw the person once he was stabilized and he was horrified with what he had done. He had gone off of his meds even though this had happened before. He was visiting from a different state, had decompensated, and was living in the park, from all I had later learned.

Although I was able to chase after him, I was a hurting unit. It took a couple of hours for me to feel the pain. I had plans and kept the plans, yet ended up in the ER in time, as the swelling increased, etc. I was very dazed/confused, etc. Severe headaches and more. It was considered a TBI. I had to stay on high dose anticonvulsants for 9 months, along with other meds. I have been able to decrease the doses of anticonvulsants, yet I have never been able to stop the Depakote.

I guess it's difficult to be succinct with that one?

Since I am getting better from the TBI, I am hoping I can now work on the rest of the medical issues with PT and regain enough strength/function to ride bikes again, even at a lesser pace/intensity.

If you are near Boston, I understand why you might not ride road bikes.
I would not ride in most of the Greater Boston area, on the road.

Great July 4th celebrations in your area. I hope you'll have some fun!


WC