Captain Rick Atridim achieves 89% of World Trek to combat High Blood Pressure …. 22,000 miles Walked / Bicycled since 1999

Captain Rick’s ‘Round-the-World’ Walking/Bicycling Trek to combat HBP

In 1999, at age 52, I was diagnosed with HBP (High Blood Pressure), placing me at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. My doctor urged me to develop a healthier diet (less fat, cholesterol, salt, sugar, alcohol) and a daily exercise routine.

On New Years Eve in 1999, I made a resolution to begin eating healthy and walk a mile or more every day for exercise. It is a resolution that I have faithfully fulfilled over the many years since.

The death of my father from a heart attack a couple of years later fortified my resolution. I sharpened my diet and increased my daily walking routine.

In 2005 I bought a bicycle and added a bike ride to my daily exercise routine.

On New Years Eve, preceding 2006, I expanded my resolution to walk/bicycle the equivalent of once around the world … 25,000 miles. With only a few thousand miles logged, I knew this was a very tall resolution that seemed endless and impossible … but, it was a goal that I was bound and determined to achieve.

I logged my miles every day since the beginning of my trek in 2000. In 2009 I began publishing my progress. I did so to recognize my difficult achievement, but more importantly to remind me that I had a long way to go and to help give me strength to carry on … and to give courage to the many people who have HBP and ‘walk in my shoes’. I am now in my second last year for completion of my 25,000 World Trek. What once seemed like an impossible, endless goal, is now just beyond a few more bends in the trail. I anticipate completion of my World Trek in 2020.

I have worn out about 20 sets of shoes walking 10,000+ miles during my World Trek, now in its 20th year. The best wearing set achieved 767 miles. They were inexpensive Dr. Scholl’s. Several expensive shoes wore out in less than 200 miles, proving that cost does not equal endurance. The expensive shoes also proved to be among the least comfortable. The shoe heels and soles are usually the first to fail. I am currently rotating 6 sets of shoes ranging from almost new to over 200 miles so my feet experience varying levels of newness and mileage each day. I add a new set of shoes to the rotation every 50 miles. The 4 newest sets of shoes are Wolverines purchased at DSW for about $60. I found them to offer the best comfort and wear, regardless of cost. The oldest set has almost 200 miles and still feels like new. The heels and soles show little wear. I install Dr. Scholl’s Double Air-Pillo Insoles in every new set of shoes and replace them every 100 miles. They increase comfort and reduce wear on the heels and soles of the shoes.

I have worn out 2 bicycles and many sets of tires, biking 11,000+ miles during my World Trek so far. My third bicycle, a 29” Mongoose Ledge 3.1, already has 4000 miles on it and still rides like new on its second set of tires … FlackJacket Hardrock’rs. I LOVE riding my Mongoose.

Photo of my 29″ Mongoose when it was new … 4000 miles ago

People have asked me how I am going to celebrate the crossing the finish line of my 25,000 mile World Trek in 2020. I tell them … “if I am fortunate to make it, the next mile I walk or bike will be the first mile of my next World Trek.”

View Annual Log of Captain Rick’s HBP World Trek

Captain Rick Atridim achieves 82.5% of World Trek to combat High Blood Pressure … 20,532 miles Walked / Bicycled since 1999

Captain Rick Atridim: Began as a New Years Resolution in 1999, I pledged to walk and bicycle the equivalent of once around the world … 24,901 miles, to combat a diagnosis of high blood pressure. It was a very ‘tall’ resolution, but one I have faithfully fulfilled for the past 18 years. I hope to reach my goal some time in 2020 and inspire others to commit to a trek for heart health.

My Progress for 2017:

Walking: 644 miles (Trek total: 9,673 miles)

Bicycling: 912 miles (Trek total 10,859 miles)

Walking + Bicycling: 1,556 miles (Trek total: 20,532 miles, 82.5% completed)

Average: 4.26 miles per day (Estimated year of World Trek completion: 2020)

Age: 70

Read more about Captain Rick’s ‘Round-the-World’ Walking/Bicycling Trek to combat HBP including stats from previous years and personal history that compelled me to make this trek become a reality.

The Purpose for this post is to inspire people with High Blood Pressure to Exercise for Heart Health

Reporting my annual achievements helps inspire me to keep up with the routine. I hope it will inspire others, including YOU … the person reading this.
I urge everyone reading that has been diagnosed with High Blood Pressure to get very serious about combatting this disease … before it consumes our body via a heart attack or stroke.

I welcome YOU to post your story, thoughts or questions about High Blood Pressure or my HBP World Trek on this post or Captain Rick’s ‘Round-the-World’ Walking/Bicycling Trek to combat HBP a tab always visible at the top of my blog.

Captain Rick achieves 76% of Goal to Walk/Bike equivalent of once around the World to combat High Blood Pressure

Captain Rick : I am fortunate to announce 76% completion of my 1999 New Years resolution to walk/bicycle the equivalent of once around the world (25,000 miles) to combat high blood pressure. I hope to reach my goal in 2020.

In 1999, at age 52, I was diagnosed with HBP (High Blood Pressure), placing me at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. My doctor urged me to develop a healthier diet (less fat, cholesterol, salt, sugar, alcohol) and a daily exercise routine.

On New Years Eve in 1999, I made a resolution to begin eating healthy and walk a mile or more every day for exercise. It is a resolution that I have faithfully fulfilled over the many years since.

The death of my father from a heart attack a couple of years later fortified my resolution. I sharpened my diet and increased my exercise routine.

In 2005 I bought a bicycle and added a daily ride to my to my daily walking routine.

On New Years Eve, preceding 2006, I expanded my resolution to walk/bicycle the equivalent of once around the world … 25,000 miles. With only a few thousand miles logged, I knew this was a very tall resolution … but, it was a goal that I was bound and determined to achieve.

Over the past 18 years I have worn out over 20 sets of shoes walking 9000 miles, with the best pair achieving 767 miles, an inexpensive pair of Dr. Scholl’s. Several expensive pair ‘bit the dust’ after a couple hundred miles, proving that cost does not equal endurance. As an experienced walker and engineer, I hope to blog about the design of today’s shoes in a future blog post. Shoe companies could learn an abundance of knowledge. 

I have worn out 2 bicycles and many sets of tires, biking 10,000 miles. I am riding my third bicycle, a 29” Mongoose, already on its second set of tires. As an experienced biker and engineer, I hope to blog about the design of today’s bicycles in a future blog post. Bicycle companies could learn an abundance of knowledge. 

I logged my miles every day since the beginning of my trek in 2000. In 2009 I began publishing my progress. I did so to recognize my difficult achievement, but more importantly to remind me that I had a long way to go and to help give me strength to carry on … and to give courage to the many people who have HBP and ‘walk in my shoes’.

Captain Rick’s ‘Round-the-World’ Walking/Bicycling Trek Progress Report:

Goal status as of January 1, 2017

Completed Distance: 18,976 miles (30,539 km), 76.2% of Earth’s 24,901 mile circumference

Remaining Distance: 5,925 miles (9,535 km), 23.8% of Earth’s 24,901 mile circumference

Estimated year of World Trek completion at current rate of 4.26 miles per day: 2020

Annual Progress History:

2016:

Walking: 630 miles (Trek total: 9,029 miles)

Bicycling: 925 miles (Trek total 9,947 miles)

Walking + Bicycling: 1,555 miles (Trek total: 18,976 miles, 76.2% completed)

Average: 4.26 miles per day (Estimated year of World Trek completion: 2020)

Age: 69

Captain Ricks Log of World Trek Progress History

Captain Rick achieves 70% of Goal to Walk/Bike equivalent of once around the World to combat High Blood Pressure

Captain Rick : I am proud to announce 70% completion of my 1999 New Years resolution to walk/bicycle the equivalent of once around the world (25,000 miles) to combat high blood pressure. I hope to reach my goal in 2020.

In 1999, at age 52, I was diagnosed with HBP (High Blood Pressure), placing me at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. My doctor urged me to develop a healthier diet (less fat, cholesterol, salt, sugar) and a daily exercise routine.

On New Years Eve in 1999, I made a resolution to begin eating healthy and walk a mile or more every day for exercise. It is a resolution that I have faithfully fulfilled over the many years since.

The death of my father from a heart attack a couple of years later fortified my resolution. I sharpened my diet and increased my exercise routine.

In 2005 I bought a bicycle and added a daily ride to my to my daily walking routine.

On New Years Eve, preceding 2006, I expanded my resolution to walk/bicycle the equivalent of once around the world … 25,000 miles. With only a few thousand miles logged, I knew this was a very tall resolution … but, it was a goal that I was bound and determined to achieve.

I logged my miles every day since the beginning of my trek in 2000. In 2009 I began publishing my progress. I did so to recognize my difficult achievement, but more importantly to remind me that I had a long way to go and to help give me strength to carry on … and to give courage to the many people who have HBP and ‘walk in my shoes’.

Captain Rick’s ‘Round-the-World’ Walking/Bicycling Trek Progress Report:

Goal status as of January 1, 2016

Completed Distance: 17,421 miles (28,036 km), 70.0% of Earth’s 24,901 mile circumference

Remaining Distance: 7,480 miles (12,038 km), 30.0% of Earth’s 24,901 mile circumference

Estimated year of World Trek completion at current rate of 4.41 miles per day: 2020

Annual Progress History:

2015:

Walking: 628 miles (Trek total: 8,399 miles)

Bicycling: 982 miles (Trek total 9,022 miles)

Walking + Bicycling: 1,610 miles (Trek total: 17,421 miles, 70.0% completed)

Average: 4.41 miles per day (Estimated year of World Trek completion: 2020)

Age: 68

Captain Rick’s entire progress report: Captain Ricks HBP World Trek

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Interesting ATRIDIM NEWS JOURNAL Links:

About Captain Rick … Atridim

Captain Rick’s new Bicycle

Walking

Bicycling

Captain Rick’s Photography

Captain Rick achieves 64% of Goal to Walk/Bike equivalent of once around the World to combat High Blood Pressure

Captain Rick: I am proud to announce 64% completion of my 1999 New Years resolution to walk/bicycle the equivalent of once around the world (25,000 miles) to combat high blood pressure. I hope to reach my goal in 2021.

Captain Rick’s ‘Round-the-World’ Walking/Bicycling Trek Progress Report:

Goal status as of January 1, 2015

Completed Distance: 15,811 miles (25,445 km), 63.5% of Earth’s 24,901 mile circumference

Remaining Distance: 9,090 miles (14,629 km), 36.5% of Earth’s 24,901 mile circumference

Estimated year of completion at current rate of 4.19 miles per day: 2021

Annual Progress History:

2014:

Walking: 647 miles (Most Miles Walked in 1 Year, Trek total: 7,771 miles)

Bicycling: 882 miles (Trek total 8,040 miles)

Walking + Bicycling: 1,529 miles (Trek total: 15,811 miles, 63.5% completed)

Average: 4.19 miles per day (Estimated year of completion: 2021)

Age: 67

Captain Rick’s entire progress report: Captain Ricks HBP World Trek

I welcome your comments, likes, shares and following of my blog! (If not visible, click the red title at top)

Interesting ATRIDIM NEWS JOURNAL Links:

About Captain Rick … Atridim

Captain Rick’s new Bicycle

Walking

Bicycling

Captain Rick’s Photography

Captain Rick rides a 29” Mongoose in final leg of Round-the-World Trek to battle HBP

Captain Rick: I now ride a new 29” Mongoose bicycle. It replaces my previous 26” NEXT, which served me well for 5052 miles along my 25,000 mile “Round-the-World Trek” to battle high blood pressure. It all began as a New Years resolution way back on 1/1/2000, at age 52, to exercise for heart health and help lower the high blood pressure that I was diagnosed with. I started walking several miles a day…every day. In 2005, I purchased a bicycle to compliment my walking. Somewhere in the process I raised my goal to achieve the equivalent of walking/bicycling once around the world (25,000 miles). I continue to enjoy a daily 2 mile walk and 3 mile bicycle ride almost every day. I am in the final leg of my journey and hope to reach the finish line sometime in the early 2020s when I am in my mid 70s. My greatest desire is that this blog post will inspire others to make a commitment to exercise for heart health.

Click above image to view it in HDTV format via Captain Rick’s Flickr Photostream

Click above image to view it in HDTV format via Captain Rick’s Flickr Photostream

Features of the Mongoose 29” Ledge 3.1 Mountain Bike

• Light weight aluminum frame and alloy rims
• Front and rear suspension
• Front disk brake, rear shoe brake
• 21 speed Shimano derailleur
• SRAM front/rear twist shifters 
• Front quick-disconnect tire

Riding a 29” is an entirely new bicycling experience

I am amazed at the difference 3” in wheel diameter makes. Every time its wheels go around , the bike travels nearly a foot farther than a 26”. There is something about the ride that makes it feel like I am riding a big ‘machine’…rather than just a bicycle. Mongoose has done an excellent job producing this great ‘riding machine’.

Mongoose

Made by Pacific Cycle, which is owned by Dorel Industries, Mongoose has been around since 1974 and is one of the world’s top bicycle manufacturers. Its line of bikes includes BMX, comfort, hybrid, mountain, and road bikes. Available in specialty bike shops, sporting goods stores, and mass-market stores, the bikes range in price from $300 to $350 for comfort bikes, $280 to $800 for mountain bikes, and $2,700 for its road-bike model.

Update on Captain Rick’s 25,000 Mile Round-the-World Walking/Biking Trek to combat HBP

Each New Years, the anniversary of my bold 2000 resolution to walk/bicycle the equivalent of once around the world, I update my accomplishment stats on this special page on the Atridim News Journal menu:
Captain Ricks HBP World Trek

On January 1, 2014, I achieved the 57.4% of my goal (14,282 miles). I am please to report continued good progress during 2014. I will report the new totals on the above page shortly after 1/1/2015. Until then, I will be walking on…and riding a new 29” Mongoose.

I welcome your comments, likes, shares and following of my blog! (If not visible, click the red title at top)

Interesting ATRIDIM NEWS JOURNAL Links:

About Captain Rick … Atridim

Captain Rick’s HPB World Trek

Walking

Bicycling

Captain Rick’s Photography

Captain Rick achieves 57% of his ‘Round-the-World Trek’ to combat High Blood Pressure

Captain Rick: What started as a New Year resolution in 1999 to combat High Blood Pressure with a daily walk…adding a daily bicycle ride in 2005…became the equivalent of a round-the-word trek…25,000 miles…now 57% complete with 14,282 miles (22,985 km) walked and bicycled. It is a seemingly endless, but enjoyable trek. I am bound and determined to reach the goal line some time in 2022 at age 75.

Photos: Captain Rick and his bike

I have worn out a couple dozen pairs of shoes and almost two bicycles and several sets of tires.

Captain Rick’s ‘Round-the-World’ Walking/Bicycling Trek to combat HBP

In 1999, at age 52, I was diagnosed with HBP (High Blood Pressure), placing me at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. My doctor urged me to develop a healthier diet (less fat, cholesterol, salt, sugar) and a daily exercise routine.

On New Years Eve in 1999, I made a resolution to begin eating healthy and walk a mile or more every day for exercise. It is a resolution that I have faithfully fulfilled over the many years since.

The death of my father from a heart attack a couple of years later fortified my resolution. I sharpened my diet and increased my exercise routine.

In 2005 I bought a bicycle and added a daily ride to my to my daily walking routine.

On New Years Eve, preceding 2006, I expanded my resolution to walk/bicycle the equivalent of once around the world … 25,000 miles. With only a few thousand miles logged, I knew this was a very tall resolution … but, it was a goal that I was bound and determined to achieve.

I logged my miles every day since the beginning of my trek in 2000. In 2009 I began publishing my progress. I did so to recognize my difficult achievement, but more importantly to remind me that I had a long way to go and to help give me strength to carry on … and to give courage to the many people who have HBP and ‘walk in my shoes’.

Captain Rick’s ‘Round-the-World’ Walking/Bicycling Trek Progress Report:

Goal status as of January 1, 2014

Competed Distance: 14,282 miles (22,985 km), 57.4% of Earth’s 24,901 mile circumference

Remaining Distance: 10,620 miles (17,091 km), 42.6% of Earth’s 24,901 mile circumference

Estimated year of completion at current rate of 3.29 miles per day: 2022

Annual Progress History:

2013:

Walking: 494 miles (Trek total: 7,124 miles)

Bicycling: 712 miles (Trek total 7,158 miles)

Walking + Bicycling: 1,204 miles (Trek total: 14,282 miles, 57.4% completed)

Average: 3.29 miles per day (Estimated year of completion: 2022)

Captain Rick’s World Trek Progress Reports and Stats for prior years

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Associated ATRIDIM NEWS JOURNAL Report Categories and links:

About Captain Rick … Atridim

Captain Rick’s HPB World Trek

Captain Rick’s Photography

Walking

Arizona “Dry Heat”: Phoenix set 4th hottest all-time record: 119F (48C) at 2% humidity … Where is the hottest place on earth?

Captain Rick: June 29, 2013 was a ‘toasty day’ in Phoenix as the temp set the 4th highest ever recorded … 119F (48C). It was the warmest temp I have experienced since calling Arizona’s ‘Valley of the Sun’ home back in 1996.

At just 2% humidity, it actually was pleasant, especially in the shade. The main reason is because sweating is difficult when humidity is that low. The only way that temps can climb this high any where on earth is for the atmosphere to loose almost all humidity.

I enjoy Arizona “Dry Heat” much more than the humid heat I experienced in most other places … where the sweat flowed continually on a hot day when temps were ‘way down’ in the 90s F. I also enjoy Arizona “Dry Heat” much more than the wicked winter cold and tons of snow I have experienced in many other places in winter. I will always remember a winter day in Minnesota back in the 1970s when the temp dropped to a record low of –40F (–40C). The windows froze with ice from top to bottom. It took 3 weeks for the ice on the freeways to melt with salt. Most vehicles did not start. So, thinking back … if I am asked to rate Arizona’s “Dry Heat” on a scale of 10 … I give it a resounding 10.

I captured the above photo and edited it to record this and previous record high temps recorded in Phoenix.

Where is the hottest place on earth?

Many people think that the hottest place on earth is the Sahara desert in Africa. Not true. Hotter places exist in the deserts of the southwestern U.S.

After I posted the above photo on my Flickr photostream with a share to my Facebook page, I received a question from Marra Racz: “Hi Rick, what do you think of us in Lake Havasu:))?”

After a bit of research, I replied “Checking the records, I see that Lake Havasu holds the Arizona State record all time highest temp ever recorded … 128F (53C) set on June 29, 1994. That is just shy of the all time high of 134F (57C) for the US set in Death Valley, California on July 10, 1913, which is also the official world record for the hottest temp ever recorded.” I found an unofficial record in Libya of 138F (59C).

I asked Marra about her experience with the heat in Lake Havasu. She replied: "On July 1st 2001 I arrived to Lake Havasu City. The long trip from Los Angeles with all I have wore me out. The climate is cruel in summer time and summers are very long. There is no spring or autumn in Lake Havasu, just hot, hotter, hot like Hell days."

I try my best to report both sides of the story. Arizona’s “Dry Heat” is not for all. I hope Marra can find a way to ‘stay cool’ in Lake Havasu. I urge Marra to capitalize on enjoying those early morning hours … the hours I utilize for my daily 2 mile walk and 3 mile bicycle ride. They are the finest hours of my day.

I welcome your comments, likes, shares and following of my blog! (If not visible, click the red title above)

Associated ATRIDIM NEWS JOURNAL Report Categories:

Weather: https://atridim.wordpress.com/category/weather/

Captain Rick: https://atridim.wordpress.com/category/captain-rick/

Phoenix: https://atridim.wordpress.com/category/phoenix/

Arizona: https://atridim.wordpress.com/category/arizona/

Photography by Atridim: https://atridim.wordpress.com/category/photography-by-atridim/

Pet Talk: Cheerfulness is contagious, but don’t wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier !

Captain Rick: Cheerfulness is contagious, but don’t wait to catch it. Be a carrier.

I often walk and bicycle the Heritage Trail in Gilbert where it meets the Paseo Trail in Chandler along the Consolidated Canal in the Phoenix East Valley of Arizona. A few years ago, it was rare to hear one greet each other as they biked, jogged or even walk past each other. I started a trend of saying ‘Good Morning’ with a smile to everyone I encountered, even if they were on the far side of the canal. It took a long time, but today almost everyone walking, jogging or biking that stretch of trail says at least ‘Morning’ when passing. Granted, there are still some new-comers with music or phone buds in their ear, who seem to be ‘spaced out’, but I must conclude that this section of trail is probably the most cheerful any where around. Besides that, I lost track of how many friends I have met along the trail…including lots of four-legged ones…like the one pictured below…who sums up my trail travels with excellence.

If you are traversing that section of trail and see a man wearing a large rimmed straw hat and saying ‘Good Morning’ with a smile, you will know it was Captain Rick.

View Captain Rick’s entire ‘Pet Talk’ series: https://atridim.wordpress.com/category/pet-talk/

I welcome your comments, likes, shares and following of my blog! (If not visible, click the red title above)

Captain Rick passes 1/2 way mark in his walking/biking trek around the world

Captain Rick: What began as a New Years Resolution in 2000 to walk for health, became a 20 year  commitment to walk/bicycle the equivalent of once around the world – 25,000 miles (40,000 km). 13 years later, at age 65, I am pleased to share my achievement of passing the half way mark. Since 2000 I have walked 6,630 miles and biked 6446 miles for a total of 13,076 miles.

 

Photos: Me on the left. At center are my old leather Dr. Scholl’s shoes which hold the record for most durable from among dozens that I have worn out over the years. The photo was taken when they had logged 500 miles. On the right is my second NEXT bicycle, when new. It’s a 21-speed with front and rear suspension and a front disk brake. I added a comfortable wide gel seat.  Its original tires wore thru in a few hundred miles. I replaced them with Kenda Kross tires with a set of thick-wall tubes and liners to prevent flats. The bike now has 4000 miles logged and still going strong. No flats and enough tread remaining for a few thousand more miles.

Shoe Tips: I have worn out dozens of shoes since 2000. I have worn many brands from all price ranges. My experience and data shows that the big name brand shoes score among the worst for comfort, durability and cost per mile. The worst pair cost about $100 and lasted only 100 miles before the inner heel area and the sole failed, resulting in whopping $1 cost per mile. Imagine if your car cost that much a mile to drive. On the other end of the spectrum is a pair of Dr. Scholl’s shoes that I bought way back in the early 2000’s. As I recall, I paid about $30 for them. They were one of the most comfortable shoes ever. I walked 500 miles in them, before retiring them as shown in the above photo. They currently hold the record for the most durable shoe. They still have more miles left in them if I get desperate for a good walking shoe. Considering they cost only $30 for serving me well for 500 miles…that relates to a cost of only 6 cents per mile…far less than the expensive name brand shoes. I have been looking for a pair of shoes that can measure up to those old Dr. Scholl’s, but I have had no luck to date. Shoes of that quality are no longer made.

Bicycle Tips: As a mechanical engineer, I can tell you that NEXT is one heck of a great bike and its economical. Its sold at most Wal-Marts at a cost of about $200. I don’t know how it fairs against the expensive bikes. I wonder if, like expensive shoes, their high cost is worth the money. So far, my Next has cost me only 5 cents a mile to ride. I wonder if the expensive bikes can claim that? I wonder if any of them would last a 4000 mile ride, as my NEXT has…and remains ready for more riding of perhaps a few thousand more miles.

Bottom Line…Challenge yourself: It doesn’t matter if you have the most expensive shoes to walk in or bike to ride on. What matters is that you walk in the shoes you have and/or ride the bike you have…and do it every day. Make a New Years resolution or just a personal commitment to get out there every single day to hit the trail to exercise for your health.