The battle to get a grip on my health isn’t a straight line. It has rewarding ups, but in equal amounts, It serves you with some serious bummers from time to time. That has been reflected in my writings here. But today, it’s time to celebrate.

I have been changing quite a few of my old habits. I had to, if I ever wanted to live a more healthy life. Most of the times, I write about the physical challenges and the adventures I have riding my trike. But the real change has happened in the kitchen.

I made it. Unsupported. Just muscle and grinding teeth. At the top, a warm feeling of pride and accomplishment filled my veins.

What seemed a far reached dream a couple of weeks ago, became more and more realistic over the past week.

A little while ago, a fellow recumbent rider told me about an event on the Ford Proving Grounds near Lommel in Belgium. It’s a day where they open the track for a free ride for all cyclists. Where usually, the track is off limits to the public, they open the gates for all to discover around 29 km of the 80 km in total the grounds have to offer.

Four days - Four rides
A ride across the border - 96 Km
A ride around town - 23,8 Km
A ride along the canals - 122,7 Km
A ride to Scherpenheuvel - 116,4 Km

Up till this point, the only professional help I took in my battle, was from my general physician. A 7-session online course on diabetes left aside. And that was fine. I had to start somewhere of course. But over the past weeks, I could feel I was reaching the limits of what he could do, and what my body could take.

Sometimes, motivation to move forward hides in unexpected corners. Often, I look at my health as my main motivation. And that is plenty of course. Especially since the results are there already.

But today I saw an article about the “Warmste Week”. That’s an annual week, organized by Belgian radio station Studio Brussel, which benefits a variety of charities. This year, the main theme is “invisible illnesses”.

Today I went for a shorter ride. Just over 56 km, to visit a cousin. I’ve been having a little issue with my body.

DID I JUST DO A TOUR?

Let’s start with the answer: Yes I did it… I think?

I’ve gotten to know the bike packing community as a rather close and welcoming one in the short time i’m cruising in it. Yesterday, I posted about the steps I’m taking towards my first tour

I’ve mentioned it before. I want to go on tours one day. And if I could, I would embark on the first one today. But I’m sure it wouldn’t be the most epic ride.

Today marks the day I’m riding my trike for a whole month. And what a ride it’s been. The trike has fulfilled every expectation I had before I bought it, and then some.

I’d been wanting to visit the Trike Shop in Zonhoven for a while now. People kept telling me what a great guy Yvo is, and how happy he is to share the tons of experience he has.

While the weather has turned for the worst again here in Belgium, I’m making plans for the future. The first weekend of may, I’ll be joining the Belgian HPV federation, on their tour.

Yesterday’s ride was a bit of a challenge. It had me navigate between rain showers the whole time. Belgium is known for many great things, but the weather isn’t on that list unfortunately. Especially not in spring.

At the end of my most active week to date, my body firmly puts my feet back on the ground. I’ve done more than 250 km over the past 7 days. And while I’m proud of that little milestone, it also brought up some small issues. This morning I woke up to a body telling me something.