I’ve been writing about being led to explore using a bicycle for longer range transportation as one way to try to deal with my recent move to Iowa, where local public transportation does not exist.  https://kislingjeff.wordpress.com/?s=bicycle

My friends in Indianapolis heard about this when they would ask about my plans for retirement.  I was very touched with a large number of people contributed to help me buy a good bicycle for this purpose, including my co-workers at Riley Hospital for Children, and friends from North Meadow Circle of Friends, and my friends at the Kheprw Institute (KI).  In addition, Dr. Robert Tepper, a life long friend and the Director of the Infant Pulmonary Function Lab where I spent most of my career, gave me a great backpack designed to be used with bicycles, that included a sleeve to carry a laptop computer.  The backpack is designed to hold the pack away from ones back, keeping sweat away from the pack itself.

One of the first things I did was buy the bicycle, a Cannondale Catalyst 4, the best bicycle I have ever owned.  I’m very thankful to all of my friends for making this possible.  It is a lightweight 21 speed mountain bicycle with a rugged frame and wide tires.  We added a portable tire pump and a mirror my Dad recommended, which works very well.

I’ve been concerned about my stamina, since about two years ago I could no longer run very far at all.  I started out slowly, but so far things seem to be going well.  There is a very nice bike trail in the woods from Indianola to a lake about 8 miles to the north—route below.  It is a pretty steep incline, with a change in altitude of 1,233 feet.  The small lake is picturesque, and I plan to take my camera on future trips.

Thanks very much to my friends for making this possible!