This photo speaks volumes...
I DO MORE BY 7 AM THAN MOST DO ALL DAY!
This was an appropriate door prize at one of our Chamber of Commerce member meetings...
Pieter wore it while biking.
Both of us used still the regular bikes with 7 gears on August 28, 2017.
No doubt, Pieter has followed a Healthy Heart lifestyle during his entire life!
Grateful that God let him stay with me through his 95th Birthday + 1 day...
November 24, 2022 on Pieter's solo E-Bike ride.
Our local airport...
September 3, 2023 and exactly 13 years past Pieter's quadruple bypass + stent in neck
A 15.57 km or 9.66 mi trip.
We started out with our 3–gear Dutch Batavus Cambridge bikes
Then the 7–speed Schwinn Wayfarer
followed by all Trek bikes the 9–speed FX and the Trek Verve+ 3 was a male E–bike that we replaced with the easy stagger frame version of TREK Vale Go! 9D EQ S
Pieter had searched on his iPadPro for an Electra and for me as well. Even with me sputtering at first as I had no heart problems. Pieter insisted in saying: "Listen, we always have done things TOGETHER!"
So I gave in...
Quite an impressive all time distance biked by my Pieter: 10,167.7 km or 6,317,9 miles!
On april 2, this year, he biked to Kroger for shopping
10.53 km or 6.6 mi
April 5, he biked to Walmart for shopping
10.77 km or 6.69 mi
Sunday April 7, Pieter's final bike ride with a coffee break at Country Club 14.6 km or 9 mi
Pieter's biking over 2024—11 hours, 187.1 km or 116.2 mi and 18 activities
Related link:
Bike Rack on Murano Platinum | previous post by me
My Pieter went to Heaven on April 30 | previous post by me
{Fly with us to Jakarta, Indonesia} | Pieter did more than 1,500,000 miles in the air... FOR WORK!
Our Year on WHEELS | also showing our longest ride ever
I feel anyone who can keep up with exercise and outdoor activity lives longest, and it looks like Pieter did both. He did a great job of keeping track of his trip and mileage. I keep track of my mileage, but with just a simple odometer. And on the bike path it is easy to read the mile markers if a person did not have a tracking device. I was riding these past weeks while it was only 50 outside,and by the time I finished and hour and 1/2 later it was 75. What a change in temps, I started out bundled up, and then sweating at the end. Finally getting some rain today, too little too late, but am grateful for it. Will be back to sweating hot and riding tomorrow. I am glad you shared Pieter's choice of bikes. MIne is and FX 5. Lynn and Precious XX
ReplyDeleteDearest Lynn and Precious,
DeletePieter definitely has proven that to be true as he stayed active and especially with outdoor activities! We both have enjoyed our Strava App for walking, biking or whatever you want to set it on. The FX bikes were great but Pieter needed more support due to his heart condition. I've enjoyed riding mine.
Hugs,
Mariette
Such an amazing man your Pieter was, Mariette. All that biking even after having had previous heart surgeries - Wow! He was determined right up until the end.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Dearest Martha Jane,
DeletePieter was amazing and he did what his heart surgeon had requested him to do. Never will I forget the time that I went with him for his first check up after open heart surgery and to see Dr. Fady Wanna's face light up when he exclaimed you are probably my first and only patient that followed through with all I said! Made me feel very proud of my Pieter!
Talking about determination—my Pieter had an iron will! Only 7 hours before his death, he got up from his bed to use the bedside toilet. I heard him and rushed over, he stood upright and I saw that he'd used his final strength. Helped him and called the nurse for getting him up and into bed again as I could not manage that on my own... Incredible!
Hugs,
Mariette
Hello Mariette, There is no doubt that Pieter was a marvel on all levels, and that you were always right there next to him. About the 7AM business I will give you no argument. If I by chance am up at 7AM, I try to go back to sleep. On the other hand, I often accomplish a lot after midnight, when my brain seems to function the best. Still, over the years I have been amazed (and a little jealous) at the tremendous lot that you and Pieter always seemed to get done. It seems that as a couple you were heaven-made to be the best support for the other.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Dearest Jim,
DeleteWell, I sure can identify with you being a night owl as I needed absolute quiet time for my brain to function at its best. Felt always so good to come to bed and having accomplished complex things. Now, I'm more converted to Pieter's early riser pattern and I love to sit up at 6:00 AM after having fed the kitties first. You get so much done before noon. We indeed have supported each other and I still feel that support even now.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hace tiempo que dejé de montar en bicicleta y ahora no sería capaz de hacerlo. El ejercicio físico que hago ahora es el de caminar.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo.
Querida Antónia,
DeleteCaminar es igualmente bueno. Pieter tenía problemas de rodilla y su cirujano ortopédico le sugirió que anduviera en bicicleta, ya que no hay peso ni presión sobre las rodillas. ¡Los dos solíamos caminar mucho juntos!
Abrazos,
Mariette
Pieter's tshirt I LOVE IT. I do more by 7 am than most do all day too. No bike riding but
ReplyDeleteearly morning walk and then chores. I admit to losing steam about 4 pm. LOL
Hugs to you and the precious kitties.
Cecilia
Dearest Cecilia,
DeleteAs I've explained in Spanish above, Pieter had knee problems and his orthopedic surgeon advised to start biking as there is no pressure nor weight on the knee. So from walking a lot together we both started biking. Still hoping to manage to get back on my bike...
What a great expression—losing steam about 4:00 PM!
At least you are very honest about that.
Hugs,
Mariette
I love that tee shirt too! Pieter, and you, have been incredible role models for aging well, taking care of yourselves and being as active as possible. Truly inspiring!
ReplyDeleteBTW, my sleep usually is so poor (chronic issues) that I lose steam by mid afternoon much of the time. Lol. But I can get a heck of a lot done earlier in the day! 😁
Dearest Kim,
DeleteThank you and we both laughed out loud when Pieter won that t–shirt as a door prize.
Keep working and staying active is a MUST for aging well, Pieter was living proof of that. Even with his role as a caretaker, he still managed to reach 95+1day...
My sleep has been very poor due to the constant pain but somehow I manage to get enough rest and love to start the day early.
Hugs,
Mariette