I started thinking of some kind of folding or modular system for the camper. I need storage for my gear, and that part can’t be part of the folding system of course. It should fold over or around that part, while the gear still has to be accessible from the outside without setting up the camper. The first ideas are already building in my head. In fact, I already started designing them to a buildable plan.

This all adds up to where I stand today. And that’s a lot further than I could have imagined in Januari this year. Because I started this journey only eight months ago. Then, I could hardly walk for a couple of hours. By now, I had a 174 km ride in a single day. Back then, I weighed around 20 Kg more then today. At my heaviest, that’s even about 50 kg difference.

Riding the trike, I noticed I may not have been using my power in the most efficient way possible. Since I don’t have electrical support on the trike, a well considered choice, I will need every watt I can squeeze from my legs. Especially on longer or more challenging rides. And definately because I have some real challenges coming up in the following days.

Hey all, it’s been a while since my last post. And I could see in my inbox that some of you were really getting curious about how I was doing. Let me tell you early on, that I’m doing great. I had a great time going on holiday with my wife, and I even did my first real tour right after that. This all sums up to over 700 km since my last post. Not bad if you ask me, especially since the weather hasn’t been great. I navigated rain showers and thunderstorms on more than half of the rides I did. Welcome to the fabulous summers in the lowlands. There’s even more news, but I’ll come back to that.

Those first 30 Km on the trike felt like a big win. And yet, Doing more then 130 km in one go a little while ago, didn’t even feel as a limit. It made me wonder what’s really possible.

You will probably understand drinking is of the utmost importance. Any given day, I drink at least 2 liters of tap water with lemon or lime juice in it. Over the past few days, I have had days where I drank up to 4 liters of water not including the coffee or my high-protein chocolate milk. And that’s without any workout. If I would go for a ride in this weather, I feel I should add 1 or 2 liters of isotonic drinks, just to compensate for the sweating and loss of salt and minerals. That would bring the grand total at least at 5 liters a day…

I was moved and touched by all responses I got from my followers, to yesterdays post. Many send me messages voicing their concerns. That’s really touching, and it helped me to make the decision today. It made me realize that sometimes, it’s just too soon. Or just not worth it.

I find myself in doubt. As I write this post, I’m close to 24 hours before the gates open for the next edition of the cyclontrack event at Francorchamps.

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.

Most recently, I added a dietician to the group of professionals. I chose her, for her experience with diabetics, and her willingness to think outside of the box. I’m not seeing her to loose weight. I’m seeking her assistance to make sure I get everything I need, on my way to get healthy.

After just over a week of resting, the ING Cyclontrack event at the formula one circuit of Spa Francorhamps offered a great occasion to test my legs again. This time, the weather was much better than the last time. As you may remember from post 20, the weather was pretty horrible the first time. With temperatures in the high 20’s today, it was all a lot more inviting.

Having days where you just don’t feel up to the change is ok. It’s part of the process. Then, it’s important to take a step back and look at what you already achieved.

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

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

I’ve mentioned it before, and it will be a big part of my progress: I have to adapt to what my body tells me. And to the circumstances of course. For the past month or so, I have been planning two big milestones: The Cyclon Track open ride on a formula one circuit, and my first real tour in the Dutch province of Zeeland.

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”.

From day one, I have attacked my training rides more or less in the same way. Based on how I felt before I set of, I decided how far I wanted to ride. Then I checked the weather app for the wind, and I started peddling away. I did it that way, since I prefer to start with a headwind when given the choice. Just because it’s easier on the way home. Given the wind doesn’t suddenly change direction of course.

Just a short message to let all of you know there’s a video of the tour I did with the Belgian HPV club. Johan van Benthem has recorded some beautiful parts of the ride, including some great shots of yours truly. Enjoy.