Geri,

I didn't see anything on Currently in TX so I'll try to answer you here.

I was a pretty avid rider pre Tx; 100 plus miles a week at a pretty high avg mph mostly with groups that would drop you in a heart beat so you better keep up. I say that because when I finished Tx I was so weak and had such horrible dry mouth and had been off my bike for months I couldn't even think about the pack ride. I did order a Camelbak to try to solve the dry mouth thing and I guess I got up the courage to go out on my own about 3 1/2 months post. It was December but still warm enough to enjoy a good ride. I did 8 miles and hated it because I had to take my hand off the handle bar to put the water mouth piece in my mouth about every 7 seconds. Then came our cold season and my tax season so I wasn't able to get back on until May of the next year. I still had dry mouth but I found that I didn't need the constant water as long as I didn't try to talk so I was able to ditch the Camelbak. I still rode by myself but by July I tried riding with my group and sure enough they dropped me but I kept them in sight and finished the 30 mile ride. By the end of summer I was not only keeping up but I was pulling a lot and I was actually a much better climber and a faster rider probably since I had lost a few pounds. Probably also had a chip on my shoulder reclaiming my life back from cancer.

It's now Tax season so my bike is lonely again.