Today Is A Good Day | Quietly Recalibrating Life | Weight Loss & Retirement Reflections | Ride Along

A quiet winter road ride through Dorset and the New Forest, with reflections on weight loss, heart rate, riding slower vs further, and what “active retirement” really looks like.
No training plans, no hype — just an honest ride and some thoughts along the way.

This ride wasn’t about chasing speed or setting targets — it was about getting out, riding steady, and letting the thoughts flow.

Filmed on a winter weekday morning, this road ride passes through Christchurch, New Milton, and into the New Forest, with reflections on:

Active retirement and finding rhythm without pressure

Losing 20kg steadily and sustainably

Heart rate changes, zones, and riding by feel

“Further or faster?” — and why further is winning right now

Fuel vs reward, sugar spikes, protein, and consistency

Riding solo, road awareness, and winter cycling realities

Cycling has become less about performance and more about longevity, independence, and enjoyment — and that shift has changed everything.

If you’re navigating fitness, weight loss, or life after full-time work, you’re not alone.

Stick your thoughts in the comments — agreement, disagreement, or your own experience is always welcome.

🚴‍♂️ Active Retirement - Ride. REST. Refuel. Repeat.

Help fuel our rides ☕. - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/wheelers...

Gear We Use and Recommend:
⭐️ CYCPlus e-Mini Pump: https://www.cycplus.com/?ref=pmzusniw coupon WAL
⭐️ MagicShine code: ​wheeler15. - https://magicshine.com/products/
Wahoo/GoPro/Light Front Mount: https://amzn.to/3BHeVYU
Stans Race Sealant: https://amzn.to/3n2zTKV
Dyna Plug: https://amzn.to/2WTslzj

🚴 Ride Stats — “This is a good day”
Date & Time
Monday 22 December 2025
Start: 06:43

Location: Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole

📏 Distance & Time
Distance: 58.18 miles
Moving time: 3:25:46
Elapsed time: 3:57:08
Elevation gain: 1,785 ft

⚡ Power & Work
Weighted average power: 235 W
Average power: 199 W
Max power: 752 W
Total work: 2,454 kJ

❤️ Heart Rate
Average HR: 142 bpm
Max HR: 169 bpm

🚴 Cadence
Average cadence: 72 rpm
Max cadence: 153 rpm

🚀 Speed
Average speed: 17.0 mph
Max speed: 35.7 mph

🔥 Energy & Conditions
Calories: 2,454 kcal
Temperature: 5 °C

🖥️ Device
Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM

Strava:
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