Only 2 weeks ago I suffered an injury that at the time was set to derail the rest of my cycling season.
Initially told that I would be off the bike for 4-6 weeks, I prepared myself for the worse. After a week in a sling I was told by the orthopedist that I shold heal fine with time and to try and get as much movement back as was pain allowable. That day, without thinking, I jumped on a bike to verify a customers complaint of poor shifting.
Whoa, I'm riding a bike I thought.
So last Sunday I tested the shoulder on the bike. First on the indoor trainer (OK no pain) and then outside. A little weak but no real pain after 2 hours.
I decided that the weekends stage race, at least the road race, was doable and proceeded to get some more miles in to fully get the shoulder ready for the race.
What started out as not being able to raise my arm above my shoulder pain free on Monday turned into a mostly pain free shoulder by this weekend. Why the improvement? I can't say.
Dead Dog stage race
I rode the road race and finished exactly where I did last year, about 15 minutes down on the leaders. Not being a climber I was happy with it.
The Criterium went better and I finished 8th. Time to work on the upper end power, so I can do better in the upcoming races.
At the time trial I borrowed a teammates TT bike and turned in a decent time for having not been doing any tt races this year.
Next weekend Niwot Criterium
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Touch my truck again and I'll f'n kill you
I will limit my anger to this short post. Someone keyed my new truck Friday at the bike shop. I'll put money on it that it was one of the teen f#%koffs that "work" there.
There is a chance that it wasn't (0.5%), but I doubt it.
I'm seriously considering another job move and letting the service shop sink and deal with the lack of a manager. Within the month I'll make a decision to move on or not. I've worked too long around competent individuals and this is my only regret to employment outside the military.
on a better note, I'll try to get some miles on the road tomorrow.
There is a chance that it wasn't (0.5%), but I doubt it.
I'm seriously considering another job move and letting the service shop sink and deal with the lack of a manager. Within the month I'll make a decision to move on or not. I've worked too long around competent individuals and this is my only regret to employment outside the military.
on a better note, I'll try to get some miles on the road tomorrow.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Due to injury, I sped up the proposed purchase of a new vehicle. Unable to ride I had to rely on automotive transportation to get around. My Tacoma was a manual transmission. Not ideal when I'm not sure when I'll be able to use my right arm.
A few phone calls and a heckuva deal later I was driving down the road in my new Tundra.
A few phone calls and a heckuva deal later I was driving down the road in my new Tundra.
Very sweet!
Sore and alive
Well looking back on my accident I can be thankfull that it wasn't worse. My body would have been draged off the trail by a mtn lion and no one would have found my body.
for those of you wondering, the Stumpy got off with a chewed up grip and brake lever, no other apparent damages.
I'm looking forward to the Ortho/MRI visit to make sure all is well for a speedy recovery.
in the meantime here are a couple of pics pre accident
for those of you wondering, the Stumpy got off with a chewed up grip and brake lever, no other apparent damages.Lucky bastard.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Season Over
Today marked a dramatic turn-around in my cycling season. Through my own fault of not turning the "Brain" setting on my Stumpjumper 3 clicks off of the full firm setting I was thrown hard to the ground on a steep downhill section. I had run this section 5 times prior with no problems. Having the setting full firm made my bike handle likje a bucking bronco on the dirt berms that are set up to prevent 4wheelers from climbing the hill.
End result was a non correctable launch off the 3rd berm upside down. I landed on my right shoulder hard enough and painfully enough to believe that I had broken my collar bone.
After a 3/4 mile walk I encountered Gary and his 3 dogs that graciously assisited me. Not only did he drive me to the ER, but he also gave my dogs water as they awaited my return to the trailer. I was very lucky, as I was way back from help and no cell phone, to have crossed paths with Gary.
He runs the taxidermy shop in Cheyenne if you ever need some work done.
The doctor at the ER after looking at the x-rays informed me that I had endured a grade 2 shoulder separation.
I was looking at 4-6 weeks off the bike. End of season.
He's a cyclist himself and told me most cyclists take only 4 weeks due too their high level of fitness and health.
I was only dabbling into the purchase of a new Tundra (automatic trans, more power to tow, and huge rebate) but now it may be a neccessity.
Stay tuned for updates, I still need to see an orthopedic specialist and have an MRI to ensure there is no damage that needs surgury.
End result was a non correctable launch off the 3rd berm upside down. I landed on my right shoulder hard enough and painfully enough to believe that I had broken my collar bone.
After a 3/4 mile walk I encountered Gary and his 3 dogs that graciously assisited me. Not only did he drive me to the ER, but he also gave my dogs water as they awaited my return to the trailer. I was very lucky, as I was way back from help and no cell phone, to have crossed paths with Gary.
He runs the taxidermy shop in Cheyenne if you ever need some work done.
The doctor at the ER after looking at the x-rays informed me that I had endured a grade 2 shoulder separation.
I was looking at 4-6 weeks off the bike. End of season.
He's a cyclist himself and told me most cyclists take only 4 weeks due too their high level of fitness and health.
I was only dabbling into the purchase of a new Tundra (automatic trans, more power to tow, and huge rebate) but now it may be a neccessity.
Stay tuned for updates, I still need to see an orthopedic specialist and have an MRI to ensure there is no damage that needs surgury.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Weekend getaways
I'm off again in the Airstream for another weekend of relaxation and riding. Till the regular racing season resumes I'm enjoying these days.
If I can find where I placed my camera I may even take some pics of the washed and waxed 'Stream.
Yes Carter, the Lakers will lose.
If I can find where I placed my camera I may even take some pics of the washed and waxed 'Stream.
Yes Carter, the Lakers will lose.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Cubs on Fire and Lakers suck
Chicago Cubs are ripping it this year. Go Cubs! (are you happy sis?)
And as an avowed Kobe/Laker Hater, Go Celtics!
Wind was at 30mph with gusts in the 40s out of the west while I was riding home this evening. I think I got up to 14 mph on a steep downhill.
And as an avowed Kobe/Laker Hater, Go Celtics!
Wind was at 30mph with gusts in the 40s out of the west while I was riding home this evening. I think I got up to 14 mph on a steep downhill.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
the weekend
While some teammates were out doing the Colorado State Time Trial championships I was pre-riding the Laramie Enduro course.
I towed the Silver Bullet up to the summit at about 8700 feet Friday night and setup for the early 8am ride start (early for me as on weekends I usually get the sleep that I miss during the week).
I powered up the trailer for AC using my truck converter to enjoy some TV before heading off to sleep. I need to find a 1000 or 2000 Honda generator in the future.
Day broke and I let the pups out for their morning romp while I enjoyed breakfast and ESPN radio.
It was chilly but calm and I suited up for 30 miles of fun.
I met the others at the Tie City trailhead after riding about 20 minutes of warmup. There were about 40 riders of varying abilities and rides. Full suspensions, rigid and suspended single speeds, and many 29ers.
The fitter/faster riders is where I fell in and we quickly separated ourselves from the others in a group of 10 or so before we held up at the first turn onto a single track (Windy-Windy trail) through a closed fence. This went on for most of the ride. The faster riders separating themselves from the rest. I somehow found myself always at or near the front. Able to stay with whoever was on the front be it climbs or single track. At one stop I mentioned that I hoped to finish the race in 7 hours and another rider who said he did it in just over 7 hours said that the way I was riding I would have no problem. I hope he's right.
I finished the ride Saturday with a ride up the arduous Headquarters Trail finish. Definitely a section that will be hard after 65 miles or so of race. I'll be using my cyclocross skills on the really rocky sections to not lose time.
After making it back to the 'stream. I let the dogs out while I relaxed. I had rode fairly hard (actually really hard for me) and was dead tired.
I got in touch with my teammates that rode the State TT to see if we would have a jersey to show off to our sponsors but no such luck. The categories we race in are so competetive that if you win you are sure to have a good run at Nationals if you choose to go there.
I may have a go at it next year when I get the new bike but we'll see.
Sunday: 2nd half of the Enduro pre-ride and also a baby shower/party for my teammate KOB. I had already planned on the pre-ride weeks before the party that I had excused myself. that and the price of gas just to drive down to Evergreen would have been a present in itself to show up.
I slept 12 hours the night before and was still tired. I got up at 6 and had breakfast, fed the dogs, and waited for daylight to warm the area. It had rained for about 6 hours the previous afternoon/night. It was still damp outside but the worst item was the wind. It was whipping. I hadn't seen this on the weather forecast. It was so bad that the trailer was rocking and the dog crates had blown into the truck and a few yards past. I was in no mood to rush out into the 40 degree temps with 30 degree windchills to ride the 2nd half of the course that included at least 1 high water crossing (there were 2 up to the chamois and many other lesser crossings)
I went back to sleep and eventually slept until 10:30. I must have been dead tired.
I think I should do this more often on non race weekends. It allows me to unwind/relax more than I thought possible.
I eventually rode the course backward to the start of the days ride to hear the stories of the return riders. Tales of frozen feet and water up to the chamois were the norm. Eventually I rode back the 8 miles that me and the dogs rode out and crashed at the 'stream again.
I made it back home where the grass had grown another couple of inches and were awaiting shortness by lawnmower. A couple of hours later and not nearly enough grass cut (I should really buy a riding lawnmower) I headed inside to watch the Cubs defeat the Dodgers and the Celtics pull out another home win.
Back to work to earn the $ for a Honda generator.
I towed the Silver Bullet up to the summit at about 8700 feet Friday night and setup for the early 8am ride start (early for me as on weekends I usually get the sleep that I miss during the week).
I powered up the trailer for AC using my truck converter to enjoy some TV before heading off to sleep. I need to find a 1000 or 2000 Honda generator in the future.
Day broke and I let the pups out for their morning romp while I enjoyed breakfast and ESPN radio.
It was chilly but calm and I suited up for 30 miles of fun.
I met the others at the Tie City trailhead after riding about 20 minutes of warmup. There were about 40 riders of varying abilities and rides. Full suspensions, rigid and suspended single speeds, and many 29ers.
The fitter/faster riders is where I fell in and we quickly separated ourselves from the others in a group of 10 or so before we held up at the first turn onto a single track (Windy-Windy trail) through a closed fence. This went on for most of the ride. The faster riders separating themselves from the rest. I somehow found myself always at or near the front. Able to stay with whoever was on the front be it climbs or single track. At one stop I mentioned that I hoped to finish the race in 7 hours and another rider who said he did it in just over 7 hours said that the way I was riding I would have no problem. I hope he's right.
I finished the ride Saturday with a ride up the arduous Headquarters Trail finish. Definitely a section that will be hard after 65 miles or so of race. I'll be using my cyclocross skills on the really rocky sections to not lose time.
After making it back to the 'stream. I let the dogs out while I relaxed. I had rode fairly hard (actually really hard for me) and was dead tired.
I got in touch with my teammates that rode the State TT to see if we would have a jersey to show off to our sponsors but no such luck. The categories we race in are so competetive that if you win you are sure to have a good run at Nationals if you choose to go there.
I may have a go at it next year when I get the new bike but we'll see.
Sunday: 2nd half of the Enduro pre-ride and also a baby shower/party for my teammate KOB. I had already planned on the pre-ride weeks before the party that I had excused myself. that and the price of gas just to drive down to Evergreen would have been a present in itself to show up.
I slept 12 hours the night before and was still tired. I got up at 6 and had breakfast, fed the dogs, and waited for daylight to warm the area. It had rained for about 6 hours the previous afternoon/night. It was still damp outside but the worst item was the wind. It was whipping. I hadn't seen this on the weather forecast. It was so bad that the trailer was rocking and the dog crates had blown into the truck and a few yards past. I was in no mood to rush out into the 40 degree temps with 30 degree windchills to ride the 2nd half of the course that included at least 1 high water crossing (there were 2 up to the chamois and many other lesser crossings)
I went back to sleep and eventually slept until 10:30. I must have been dead tired.
I think I should do this more often on non race weekends. It allows me to unwind/relax more than I thought possible.
I eventually rode the course backward to the start of the days ride to hear the stories of the return riders. Tales of frozen feet and water up to the chamois were the norm. Eventually I rode back the 8 miles that me and the dogs rode out and crashed at the 'stream again.
I made it back home where the grass had grown another couple of inches and were awaiting shortness by lawnmower. A couple of hours later and not nearly enough grass cut (I should really buy a riding lawnmower) I headed inside to watch the Cubs defeat the Dodgers and the Celtics pull out another home win.
Back to work to earn the $ for a Honda generator.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
rain for 2 days, really
A day of rain coupled with a strained knee ligament (the product of sprint intervals and not enough post ride stretching) has allowed me a day or 2 of no pedaling. But with bikes piled to the ceiling at work waiting for tune-ups and what not I've had no room to enjoy it. My acreage should be plenty green when this weathe is all over.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Dirt Weekend
2 days of riding the Stumpjumper on parts of the Enduro course in preparation for the pain to come. 70 miles and tons of climbing over 2 days have left me feeling strangely... stronger. after day one I was really tired and sore. but after day 2 I felt great, just a little tired. I even took a sprint around the A loop of single track at Curt Gowdy state park on a S-Works Epic compliments of Specialized bikes demo unit. That bike performed like a true race horse and even though I was tired, I easily rode my fastest lap ever for the 5 mile loop. I usually never rave about a bike much as I generally think of them as tools to reach the finish line. Some are stiffer, some are lighter, and some ride smoother than others. I really don't think it matters much as long as you are properly sized to the bike and you like the ride. I think this is the first bike I ever rode in which I was raving for minutes after getting off of it. I am so stoked that I have a job that allows me to get the best equipment in the sport I love at cost or below. I can't wait til January so I can get an '09 S-Works Epic. Time to start selling all the other bikes in preparation.
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