New Jersey or BUST

North Carolina to southern New Jersey is a VERY long drive, especially if you are alone.  I filled the time with Sirius NASCAR radio, the Blue Collar Comedy channel, and Radio Margaritaville.  Due to being in a seated position for so long, my back ached and my legs longed to stretch.  It was such a beautiful day, unlike yesterday, and I had to remain couped up in my little car.  Don't get me wrong, I love my little Yaris, but I would have loved to have been able to take some time and take the E-Go down and ride it, especially along the trail the follows the Canal along the Dismal Swamp in NC.  If my husband had been with me I would have, but being alone, I knew doing so would make the day longer, I had soooo far yet to go. 

The E-Go fared well on the  Gordo for the whole ride home.  The straps remained secure and there was no sifting.  When I got home I immediately took it down, and then took off to my husband's place of employment (2 miles from home).  After a brief visit I went on another 2 miles to my friend Melanie's home.  After a brief visit I cam home.  8 miles total. 

The next time I will have an opportunity to ride will be Saturday, when I go to Weight Watchers.  I am not expecting a good result there as I have not been very well disciplined lately.

Go, Go, Gadget, E-GO!!!

At 4PM the rain stopped, the clouds parted, and the sun came out.  I got out and rode at least 4 miles around my mother-in-law's neighborhood.  It felt so good to get out and just go.  I avoided the puddles, and was able to stop and talk to people who took interest in the E-Go.

I love attention!

Rain, Rain; Go Away. (I Wanted To Ride My E-Go Today)

On Monday I took the E-Go to Lewes, De, where we participated in a family event.  I managed to ride the E-Go around my sister-in-law’s development in Lewes, De.  It was only 2 miles, but lightly hilly (rolling) but still a workout. 

   

Tuesday the day was spent going from Lewes to New Bern NC, via Arlington Va.  The E-Go was on the back of my Yaris the whole way, without incident.   I am feeling a little more confident with the way I mount it on the Gordo, and I am able to do it myself.  I just need to be careful with how I lift it up onto the rack.

I had planed to ride the E-Go from my current location, south of New Bern NC, into downtown New Bern.  It would be a 10 mile ride, each way, on fairly flat roads.  However, there is a storm system just west of here, and torrential downpours. 

Even if I felt comfortable riding in the rain, the wind is just too much.  So here I sit, (sigh) drinking a mega cup of coffee. 

There my E-Go sits.  My mother-in-law was nice enough to let me bring it inside. 

  I will be leaving here early tomorrow; maybe I can get a ride in before I go.

Tab A Goes Into Slot B (With The Assistance Of A Hammer, Scissors, and Duct-Tape)

I went to my parent’s house for the NASCAR race today, and took the E-Go with me on the Gordo (bike rack).  While I arrived without incident, I do not believe I had it mounted properly.  Too much wobble.  When I took it down to show it to my mother, I attempted to ride it in her ½ mile long driveway, which is not paved.  From indications in the owner’s manual,  I knew it would not be an easy ride, I did not count on impossible.  I did get it moving, but what an effort.  As always, my mother was impressed anyway.

When my husband arrived we remounted the E-Go and I brought it back home.  We mounted it a lttle differently, and lower in the frame.  No wiggle.  I took it down by myself because I need to get accustomed to the activity.  On Monday I will be driving it to Lewes De, and on Tuesday I will be driving it from Lewes to NC, via Arlington Va.  

A week lost in HELL

OMG, it has been one HELL of a week.  Sunday I was not able to ride the E-Go, Monday I was traveling the Tenn for work, then got stuck in Charlotte NC due to a missed connecting flight to Philadelphia.  I did not get back to NJ until noon on Tuesday.  I should have stayed home, but went in to work to drop off the company car and got roped into doing an assist that had me out until 1:00 AM Wednesday morning.  Got back to work on Wednesday at 9:30 AM and at the end of the day I was exhausted.  I went to see Dr. Frank on Thursday morning, and then it rained.  Friday I was at the office until 9PM trying to wrap up my months worker because I will be off next week. 

Today was the first day I rode the E-Go in a week.  I missed it so much!  I have to go to NC on Monday and will be gone until Thursday.  It is bad enough i will be without my husband, so I will take the E-Go.  Today I purchased a Hollywood - Gordo 2 bike rack so I can take the E-Go with me.  Once i got it home I but the E-go on it to get a feel for driving with it.  This is going to take a bit of practice to get it properly situation on the back of my Yaris.  I then drove the Yaris sans E-Go to the local Pep-Boys to have the care serviced, and rode the E-go home from there. 

Today I noticed a person filming me with a video camera as they drove by. 

Say Cheese!

Needs Must When The Devil Drives...

Yesterday I needed to get new glasses.  No matter what time frame they promise (one hour, HA) plan to spend the whole afternoon.  If I had known how long it would take i would not have slept in, but would have gottone up early and gone out on the E-Go. 
As it was the errand took all afternoon, then I needed to spend time with my parents (I am good like that).  then I needed to pick up a vehicle from work for my business trip today.  By then it was after dark, and my area is hardly bike-friendly during daylight hours.  So I did not ride yesterday.

Today i was up at 2:30 AM and out the door to Philadelphia.  From there I cought connecting flights to Memphis Tenn, and then drove into Arkansas. It is a long trip for a short meeting, then back to Philadelphia by Midnight.  I could have spent the night, but I am more comfortable in my own bed.  Sleeping in my own bed when my Husband is out-of-town is hard enough; sleeping in a strange bed, alone, in a distant city is depressing, and unless I upgrade on my own, it is a $40, flea-bag room in  a Notel-hotel.  No thanks.  However, the flight out of memphis was delayed, so I missed the connection out of Charlotte.  At this time I have been comped a hotel room in Charlotte until tomorrow morning.  I just want to get home.

So tomorrow I will flex some time and get out on the E-Go after work.  I have missed it.  I have noticed that since I started riding my back has not hurt so much.  This could be from the exercise of the lower back muscles, or it could be a residualaffect of the steroids that were injected into my knee.  Time will tell.

I NEED PARTS

Last night I was up very late trying to get the store sight for Elliptigo to open, without success. I guess they were doing maintenance to the servers, but it was damn inconvenient fir me (damn our need-it-NOW lifestyle!).  it was up this morning, and i was able to price o ut the rollers and tracks.  buying them as a set of four is about 10% less expensive, and probably a better idea.  I also want the toe cages, water bottle, and emergency kit.

I did go to a bike shop yesterday to pick up some things, but I will be taking some of them back. I got an Co2 inflater, a bottle cage, and a Velcro strap mount. these will be returned as I like the ones offered by Elliptigo better. instead of Velcro, ElliptiGo's is held in place by a tension band that locks in place.p

Pushing It

OMG, what a day.  My husband drove me to Amanda and Rob’s house.  Before I could leave, Rob got up on the E-Go again.  Amanda was not up for it. 

From there I rode to my Weight Watched weigh-in.  It was 6 miles with some significant hills.  At two points I had to stop and walk it.  I was pushing hard enough to feel a little nauseated.  The tradeoff was going down the other side of these hills, which was awesome!  It was wicked fast.

During the ride I noted a clicking noise on the left track.  My husband met me again at WW, and said he saw something in one of the rollers.  I will need to get some replacement rollers.  I will also have to be more vigilant with wiping down the tracks. 

I decided to take a picture of myself every Saturday to chronicle any changes in my appearance during the next 12 months.

One Town Over

I called ElliptiGo's main office today.  They have touch-up paint, so I ordered some.

The rest of the day I was really jonsing to get home and ride.  This happened, eventually.  I rode it further than I have all week. Usually on Fridays we (a social group of adults age 33 to 50) gather at the home of Amanda and Rob. The use to live fairly close, so I would walk there, and then my husband would arrive later on his way home from work.  Last fall they moved to the next town over, approximately 5 miles away.  Tonight that was my destination once I got home from work.  The plan was for me to ride the E-Go over, and then my husband join me there.  The E-Go could then be brought back in the back of his truck.

I started out at 7:45PM.  When driving, I usually utilize the major roads to get there, but tonight I decided to utilize some residential streets and avoid the traffic. 
The trip took about 20 minutes (5 miles). Not too shabby. There were some hills and I was able to ease into 2nd and 1st gear smoothly. It is still a learning process.
My rout had me cut through some high end neighborhoods.  The impression of other people was not "OMG, what that?" but rather, "oh look, one of those."

When I got to Amanda and Rob's house they were intrigued by my E-go.  Rob is an engineer, and was not able to leave it alone once he saw it.  He asked to ride it, and after a brief demo, he got up on it.  After a few faltering attempts the gain a good gliding rhythm he found his comfort-zone, and took off up the street.  He was able to steer it and stop it like a pro.  I was very impressed.  Amanda also wanted to try it, but she was in the process of cooking, and by the time she was able it was too dark outside.  This necessitated a change of plans.  Instead of bringing it home, we left it there, securely locked in their garage.  In the morning we will return, and I will get Amanda up on it for a ride.  I will then go from there and ride it farther than I have so far.

Tomorrow I intend to ride it to my WeightWatcher meeting. 8 miles with significant inclines.

Industrial Art and Baklava

I could not wait to get home today to get on the E-Go and go for a ride.  Every time I take it out I go further, and get a little more confident.  Today I was able to let go of the handlebar with my left hand without feeling like I was losing control.  Stopping is still a bit awkward. 

Today I rode the E-Go to the store where my husband works. It was 2 miles there and back, with traffic. Still getting use to the feeling of the gears. I never had a bike with gears, so this is a whole new experience.  More looks, comments, and one curb shot that left a scratch (ARGH).

I took a little time to really look at the lines and loops that make up the frame.  Am I the only one who sees the Industrial Art of this device?  It is such a mixture of textures:

• the pink powder-coat.
• the carbonized arms
• the silver rims separating the black rubber of the tire and the black spokes
• the sprocket linking the arms to the wheel via open chain.

And all of this is a functional sculpture that actually has a utilitarian purpose. It moves, it carries, it comes alive as you manipulate it to move with you in what feels like a symbiotic relationship. When I am on it i feel like it is an extension of myself, and when I am not...it sits prominently in my living room where I can look at it and contemplate the beauty of sculpture.

At $1700, you bet your ass it is in my house when not in use.

Right now I am in the mood for Baklava, and I know of a good Greek diner that has some.  Yum!

Now he wants One Too...Just Not PINK!

My husband was pretty sick with Strep-Throat the day I went for my initial test ride of the ElliptiGo, so he was not able to ride it.  Then he left to visit his mother the day after we brought it home last week.  He came home  today, and we took my ElliptiGo to the local athletic field parking lot where he got to ride it for the first time.  He was able to get it going like a pro, and was a natural on it.  while he was riding it a woman came up to me and said "I know it is yours because it is Pink, tell him to get his own."  My husband was very impressed with the brief work-out, and said he would like on of his own, because he was not riding "Pink".

When he gave it back to me, we took a trip around the neighborhood (he rode a regular bike).  He was able to observe the reactions of the the people who see my pink ElliptiGo. He was amused.  It was a lot of fun to get out together.

I Am An Alien.

Well, that is how I feel.  it is really kind of funny, the reaction of the people who see me go by on the ElliptiGo.  Those who are observant see me coming from a distance and get the idea that I am not riding a standard bicycle.  The watch me approach, and nod or say hello, seem impressed.  Then there are those that are not observant, and presume I am on a bike until I am passing them.  at that point I get the "Whoa, what is that thing?"  I have had people call out that they want to tr it and ask to ride it.  SERIOUSLY? I am not inviting Mayhem to take my "Mid-life Crisis" out for a spin (Reference the Mayhem Allstate Insurance Adds).

Today as I was riding on Main St I had a line of three cars pull up one-by-one and pace with me for a few moments, getting a good look. It was a little creepy, but understandable.

Today was my second ride, and I went twice as far as I did a couple of days ago.  If felt good.  Starting and stopping are a bit awkward, but I guess that will com in time.  Balance and steering is also a challenge, and it reminds me of how I felt when I was learning to ride a two wheeler.  I can feel my core muscles working, but they are not use to it, so it is not yet a fine motor response. 

I went looking for others near me that have ElliptiGos, but had no luck.  I posted to the company facebook page:

ME: · Looking for people in my area to get inspiration from. I just got mine this week, and would like to get some support. South Jersey.

• Michael Bradbury Not from your area, but I can tell you that improvement comes amazingly fast if you just 'do it". I've got just over 400 miles on mine and the difference in my physical conditioning is nigh on amazing. MAKE IT FUN! Ride somewhere "cool" if you can. Ride around neat things to see. Be out at sunset. You'll find a whole world of fun out there in the fresh air in the evening (or whenever you can ride).
 
• ME: Just riding around my area has been quite a show. Today I had several cars in a line taking turns driving along side of me to get a "good-Look". I LOVE riding it. I was told I got the last BCA-Pink one, and I love it! 

The First Ride...

Ok, on Wednesday night it was too late to ride the ElliptiGo by the time I got it home and unpacked. Thursday morning Dr. Frank injected my left knee with a steroid, and told me not to put any stress on the knee for at least 48 hours. Saturday morning my husband left to visit his mother (out of state) and to fill that empty void, I had my 4-year-old granddaughter with me until this morning. Today is Mother’s Day, so I have been with family. Now I have a moment to myself and am gearing myself up to take the ElliptiGo out for a first time.

Here is my problem; I feel very self-conscience. It is an awesome machine, but what if I mess up and ended up looking like an idiot. Funny how much confidence my husband brings me. He would be disappointed if I waited until he got back (several days) to take it out. I hope I don’t look too ridicules, or like a klutz. It is so pretty, I do not want to mess it up.

(1 Hour Later)

I took the ElliptiGo out on the maiden strole, just around the neighborhood. I rode past the ball fields where there were a lot of people. got some odd looks, but they were focused at the machine, not me. From there I rode down a few side streets until I came back to the house. It was Fun, and I did not realize how much effort I was excerting until I stopped. I almost threw up when I got off it. It was a lot of work and I could really feel the core action.

Musings

I have not been doing well with my WeightWatcher tracking this past week and expected to have a weight gain.  To my surprise I lost 2 pounds.  The only thing I can attribute it to is the lack of swelling in my knee, thanks to the steroid shot I go on Thursday.  I must admit the left knee look better, or at least more like the right one.

This morning my husband left to visit his mother for a few days.  I will be spending some time with my 4-year-old grandchild today, and will not be able to get on the ElliptiGo until she goes home, sometime tomorrow.  Children this age can run you ragged! 

When I got out of bed this morning my husband suggested that I take the ElliptiGo out for a ride. I really wanted to, but decided to take it out later in the day (after work) as I did not want to do anything to aggravate my knee before my appointment with the specialist, which was only a couple of hours later.

At 8:00 AM I went to the Rothman Institute in Sewell, NJ to see a sports Medicine Specialist. I was forewarned by various websites to wear shorts, so I wore a short/skirt combination, commonly called a "Skort". As soon as I arrived my knees were x-rayed in a standing, slightly bent, and seated position (from overhead). I was then seen by one intern, who manipulated my left knee this way and that. When I was asked to straighten it from a bent position, i heard this grinding sound that I have heard before. Maybe it was because it was the focus of the moment, or that the small room was very quiet, but it sounded like someone was walking a crushed glass.

Then the doctor and a second intern entered the room. My doctor is Dr. Franks, who showed me the x-rays. He showed me where some slight degeneration to the meniscus could be seen, and that was age related. He then showed me the overhead shot which showed I have a couple of prominent bone spurs on my knee-cap (and smaller ones on the right knee). I also have one at the head of the left humorous (anterior) which is part of the cause of the grinding noise. He told me that as I have not had any significant injury, and there is a history of joint issues in my family, this is largely hereditary. Dr. Frank then did his own examination of my knee, and was not at gentle as the intern. When he pressed on the knee-cap, it elicited a yelp out of me. He told me it was necessary to judge the movement of the knee-cap and what I felt was the bone spur. (Ouch). He also confirmed my suspicion of a Bakers Cyst, but said it was very small, and not significant enough to go through the trauma of an aspiration (thankfully).

He told me that the primary treatment for my situation is an eventual joint replacement; however, I am not there yet. He told me that the current treatment plan will focus on delaying the need for replacement for as long as possible. He has developed the following course of treatment:

• Steroid shot in the knee to reduce inflammation.
• Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles associated with a knee-cap.
• Script for a brace I will wear when engaging in strenuous activity involving the leg.
• Not running or "impact activities" until further notice.

 Dr. Frank advised me that he approved of my use of an elliptical at the gym, as well as the pools. I told him that I had believed he would tell me not to run, and for that reason I invested in an ElliptiGo. Dr. Frank told me that he was not familiar with it, but was in favor of me using it if I felt comfortable with it. He then stuck a needle in my knee and gave me the steroid shot. He instructed me to avoid any strenuous activity for 48 hours, including bikes and elliptical. I commented that I just brought the ElliptiGo home last night, and had not yet ridden it. I told him that if I had known about the restriction I would have gone for a ride this morning. He smiled, shrugged his shoulders, and suggested that life can be hard like that sometimes. Basically, he told me to get over it, but in a nice way.

I told Dr. Frank that if I could run, I would not have invested in the ElliptiGo. I told him that I would like to submit the cost of the machine to my health-care provider to see if they might cover the cost. He suggested that it was worth a try. I was provided with a script that stated "No impact sports or activities (running)."

I told Dr. Frank that I intended to see if the Vertua Physical Therapy Center is in my healthcare network. He told me that he was not familiar with them, but if I was going to go there, he wanted me to keep him advised of my care there. He said I would be his "Guinea-pig" in regards to their facility. He then told me that he wanted me to make my first appointment with the Physical Therapist now, as there can be a waiting list, but he wanted me to schedule the first appointment for AFTER my follow-up with him in two weeks.

Got it!

After 5 days of waiting, my Pink Elliptio had arrived at the store for pick up.  It is definitely a PINK one.  We brought it home and unpacked it, but then it was too dark to try it out.  I will ride it tomorrow after I see the doctor about my knee.

Today I have been doing a little research on my decision to invest in an ElliptiGo.  I discovered a Blog I think I will be following.  It is called Stand Up And Ride, and the blogger is Ken Hanes, the Founder and President of GearForTheGo.  He has obviously had a lot of experience with the various designs of “Stand Up Riders”.

Mr. Hanes has a post from last June that gives a very objective comparison between the StreetStider and the Elliptigo.  His advice is to look at the terrain you will be using and what kind of a workout desired.  The Streetstrider is an elliptical machine on wheels that you can ride it outside.  The ElliptiGO was designed to emulate running and just happens to look like a bike. Both machines work well in areas that are flat.  Streetstider is good it you are cruising around the streets and the parks for your workout.  However, it is not good for hills and the two front wheels affect the steering on crowned roads and in narrow spaces.  It is in these conditions that the ElliptiGo has the upper hand.  Also included in this post is comparisons of Workout Efficiency, Convenience, Personal Story, Foot pedals and Pedal Stroke in general.

Earlier today I took my husband to see the ElliptiGo that I rode on yesterday.  He was not up for a test ride, but he definitely gave it a serious technical inspection.  Scott (the store manager) was there again.  He assured me again that the one I was getting is Pink, and it was the last one in stock.  Pink is very important to me.  Breast Cancer has touched me through others.  I am not a lacey-pink person, my pink is edged in black leather.

Scott said it will be here on Wednesday...4 days away.  It is so hard to wait.

A few days ago, I saw the ElliptiGo featured on the ABC local news.

While it is not a 3 wheeler, it had the same steering as a bicycle, which I am use to.  I found a dealer in my area, Leisure Fitness in Mt. Laurel, NJ.  I went up there this morning and met the store manager, Scott.  After signing some necessary paperwork, I was allowed to test ride the ElliptiGo that was on display in the parking area behind the store.  I was amazed at how easily I was able to just get up on it and ride.  Not that it was not awkward, but I took it for a ¼ mile ride without incident.  When I got off it I was amazed to discover that my heart was pounding.  It did not feel like it was all the much effort in action.

So I went back in and asked if they still had the Pink model that they sold last fall, which donated to Brest Cancer Research. Scott said that there were 3 left in the warehouse. 

If the inventory is correct, one belongs to me.