I didn't push real hard, stayed seated at all times, reached a max speed of 19 mph on the flat and only biked about 4 or 5 miles. Felt fine. In fact, it's really easier than walking.
I have not received my new bike parts yet. I can't believe I spent $140 for shorter crank arms... like 1/2" is going to make a difference. (The difference between 155 and 160 cranks is 0.20"). So, I'm getting the 160mm crank arms, a 34t front chain ring (to replace the 36t) and some larger flat pedals. Should make the climbs a bit easier. I'm hoping to commence some climbing and more aggressive biking in 2 or 3 weeks, or after I meet with my Dr. in 3 or 4 weeks.
I just heard from my bike climbing friend Bill M., he had a resurgence of his Afib and has been forbidden to do strenuous biking, so I'll be back to soloing it. I really think Bill's Afib is due to genetics, life long endurance training, and alcohol use. He told me he had cut back to "4 beers a week" and only 2 cups of coffee a day instead of a whole pot. He told me there were years where he was drinking up to 3-4 beers/day 5 days a week.
By next week, maybe I'll try standing on the pedals and raising the HR. My R calf is still significantly smaller than my left. The one additional thing this non-weight bearing has achieved is that the arthritis in my R foot has improved. I can do 30 bodyweight calf raises with that foot in bare feet lightly supported with my hands. No way could I have done that before the surgery.
Tomorrow, will do my first wildflower hike of the season.
Peaked this morning at 149 lbs so I'm really needing to watch my weight.
This is what I used to look like when I was a track athlete... May of '21, 140 lbs, during that glorious championship WL season. I'll get back there, soon after I can start aggressively rowing and biking.
Cyclists may be at slightly greater risk of Afib than other endurance sports people.
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