My Comeback Ride - Cool Starry Bra

Today was my first ride after total knee replacement on May 9th so, 16 weeks, 2 days. My last ride was on 4-22 at LACR. I started my PT the first week of June. For the record I'm 61 and fat and slow, ain't gonna sugarcoat it. Anyway, before surgery I told my doc that I ride dirt bikes. He said he couldn't see why I couldn't continue after I healed up. On my last follow up on August 3rd he said go for it, the more active I am the better my knee will be.

So, fast forward to today. I pack up and head out to Milestone to see how it goes. I'm on a 17 FC450 btw. I didn't intend to spend all day out there, just wanted to see how my knee and leg would feel. I head out and do about 6 easy laps . The track is a little sloppy, typical Milestone, some decent lines and slop off the lines. I felt a dull ache that is consistent with how my knee feels going up and down stairs right now when I moved from sitting to standing, no big deal. I don't have any ache in the bones that were cut and drilled and glued or in my calf or quad. I actually feel like I am in better shape now that I was before I had my surgery. My legs felt pretty strong. Big props to Team Physical Therapy in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. I head back to the pits to cool off and drink some water.

Back out for round 2. I decide to push a little harder and all is going well enough. After about 4 laps, I end up in the slop sideways with my TKR leg behind me. Scary but no pain. Nice. A couple laps later I dab pretty hard, again from the slop. Again, no pain in the knee/leg so I decide to call it a day. My brain is telling me to do things I know I need to ease into so I listened to my body that disagreed. It was a very encouraging day for me. A different doctor might have told me no more riding. At that point I might have some doubts about riding and I at least would have had that nagging me in the back of my mind when I did go riding. My PT advised I give it another month to get a little stronger before I rode again. Today, I just had to know what was going on.
I did have to weigh getting my knee replaced vs. the possibility of not being able to ride again but I was just too miserable with constant knee pain to go on. I am totally glad I did it and not just because I can ride. I couldn't be on my feet for more than 15 minutes and any walking on uneven ground was really painful. It was so bad it took half a day to mow and edge my lawn and I have a small lot. I am actually doing more now and longer that before TKR.
I'll also add that today was my first ride with a new 6d ATR2 helmet and Rockwell goggles. I will say I didn't think much of the helmet. Literally, once it was on my head I never gave it a second thought. What a great helmet. Rockwell goggles were a very good fit in the helmet and on my face.

TLDR:
1. First ride since total knee replacement on May 9 and I didn't die.
2. 6d helmet is a really great helmet.
3. Rockwell goggles worked as advertised.
4. Enjoyed In-n-Out on my way home.