Helmet Advocacy is NOT Fear Mongering
Sometimes the things you like the most can also upset you the fastest. There is a blog that I truly enjoy reading from Copenhagen called Copenhagenize The Planet. I absolutely love most of their messages because it usually has to do with their outstanding bike culture (that makes me drool in jealousy) and a message of how bikes can co-exist very peacefully with cars.Read the rest of this entry »
Filed under: Bicycle Advocacy, Bicycle Safety, Bike Trails, South Dakota Bicycle Coaltion, helmets
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Out of the Saddle
Out of the saddle...for just a week or so. The prognosis is better than expected. Even though the battery of tests done to me before the X-Ray even had the PA expecting a break, it turns out that all I really have is a hairline fracture and some small bone chips that might not even be from this injury. Lots of deep bruising strain on the old muscles. He applauded me for knowing not to stick out and try to catch my fall with my wrist. SOMEBODY else could learn from me!The worst is when he had me try to squeeze his fingers and he rotated my arm for a supination test. I about screamed! The X-Ray tech wasn't much better as he contorted me in all the ways that already hurt.
I admit this was better than I expected. I expected it to be fractured and in a sling for a few days. If I wouldn't have went, my arm would probably be screwed up for life. Since I went, everything's fine. I'll take that trade off I guess.
I might not be ready for the Intramural bike race, but the important rides will still see my smiling face. I can't miss the Margarita Ride or Schnoctobeerfest. They are two of the biggest fall classics in the area!
Filed under: Bike Trails, Injuries
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It’s Just a Flesh Wound
The story behind the previous story you read HERE. Doctor appointment at 9:15. Update to follow.I was the best damn combat cyclist there was. There I was preparing to bravely go across enemy lines (get on Catalina Ave right outside my house)
I was only a short distance inside of enemy lines (about two houses away) when I started to question if some of my weapons of mass destruction --real ones, not like the ones Iraq supposedly had-- might be slowing me down (why did I put my bike lock in my shorts pocket? I'm not stopping anywhere that I'll need to lock up my bike?!?!) I realized that I must remove this potential threat before I accidentally got killed or killed other friendlies(I don't need the lock...I think I'll stop and remove it from my pocket and take it home).
As I started to reach into my pocket to remove some of my WMD stash (take the lock out) I hear the voices of the enemy swiftly infiltrating from the West (Carson was walking down the sidewalk and screamed "HI DADDY!"). I flinched and was in the process of dropping a tactical nuke (my lock) to the ground when I started taking sniper fire (I had to switch hands on the handlebars/brakes so I could catch the lock falling out of my pocket and still try to stop in one swift motion).
Bullets were flying everywhere (I dropped the lock anyway) and then I took a mortar shell to the back wheel of my bike (I squeezed the front brake a little too tight and the back wheel popped off the ground and swung to the side) and I was thrown about fifty yards (damn bike nearly fell on top of me). By the grace of God I was only hit by sniper fire on my steel pot (I have a nice dent in my helmet from thumping my melon on the road) but I survived with nary a scratch thanks to the people who invented Kevlar for my lid (the people at Bell who constructed such a fine helmet).
The enemy was celebrating their conquest of the fallen bicyclist (Carson, my neighbors, and a couple girls walking by) with even a slight laugh from one the enemy combatants (I think it was one of neighbor girls). The crack medical staff risked their own lives to pull me out of harms way (Laura came running out to help me up as I laid sprawled out on the pavement). I could see by the look on her face that I might not make it although she tried to comfort me (she really did look worried).
It was then I noticed at least three open compound fractures with blood gushing everywhere (a couple real minor scrapes but an arm that hurt terribly). It wasn't until I woke up from surgery the next morning (woke up in bed) that I realized that something was definitely not right (did I really break my arm?). Against Doctor's (Laura's) orders, I left straightaway to go right back into to my war duties as a combat cyclist (I rode my bike to work). There were many times throughout the day that I felt like I might succumb to my injuries (again, see the list on THIS post), but I soldiered on, making sure to leave it all on the battlefield.
When this war is over (tomorrow), I am sure to have my arm amputated and a prosthesis attached (x-ray'd) at Walter Reed Hospital (Sanford Vermillion Medical Clinic). I'm hoping for a full recovery so I can return once again to be a combat cyclist (healthy bike rider).
The moral of this little story is twofold:
1. Always wear your steel pot (helmet), unless I don't like you, then it's entirely up to you.
2. If your going to have a crash story, make it memorable (with minor artistic liberties to add spice)
Filed under: Bicycle Advocacy, Bike Trails, Biking Stories, Injuries
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Is it Broken or Not?
That has been the question of the day around work. Apparently the swelling in my arm and the fact that I have been keeping it tucked in tight to my body is a dead giveaway. Who'da'thunk? Just to make it even more obvious, the nice folks from the Physical Therapy department gave me a sling to keep my arm in this afternoon. The question of the day seems to be: Is it broken or not? The answer to the question is: undetermined at this juncture.Working in the School of Health Sciences has it's definite advantages. I had a PA instructor look at it this morning, manipulate it around and say that he believes that I probably fractured the radial head. They also told me that if I go into the doctor that they will X-Ray it and if it is indeed fractured all they will do is put me in a sling and then basically tell me to lay low for a few days. Then I'll have to start use it sparingly otherwise the elbow will actually become more stiff and painful. Sounds good to me! No doctor is always a good thing!
Then I ran across a couple of the Physical Therapy faculty and they think I should get an X-Ray because they are worried about possible 'displacement'. I was a bit too busy today to think about going to the doctor anyway, so lets leave it in the sling for a day (or maybe two, or three) and I will then consider getting an X-Ray -- procrastination is a must when going to the doctor.
Things that I did that caused excruciating pain today (in no particular order):
* Putting my hand in my left pocket - I was lopsided after I figured this out. Moved everything to the right.
* Trying to open the cupboard door to get the cereal out.
* Any bump in the road that I was stupid enough to leave my hand on the handlebar for - you didn't really think that a little thing like a possible broken bone would stop "the streak" did you?
* Opening any door.
* Opening a bag of chips.
* Picking up my coffee cup for a drink (yeah, I eat/drink left handed)
* Zipping up my fly after a trip to the bathroom -- possibly TMI, but also about the most painful thing I did all day.
Tomorrow is decision day. Will it hurt bad enough to make me go to the Doctor? Should I go anyway? Should I "man up" and just suffer through it all?
Oh yeah! How did this all come about? That's a story of epic proportions that can only be told in it's own upcoming post.
SPOILER/MOVIE (coming soon to a theater near you!) TAGLINE: One man. One bicycle. One will to survive. Follow the epic struggles of Biking Brady as he traverses dangerous enemy terrain in a hail of sniper gunfire.
Filed under: Bike Trails, Injuries
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Spearfish Canyon in Pictures
Hey! We found our battery charger for our camera! For those who have never been through Spearfish Canyon, take the time to do so. On a recent "tagged" post, I named this as my ride I would do daily if I had to pick only one. After looking at these pictures, tell me how you could possibly disagree?
Long gradual but beautiful climbs.
Caves dot the canyon walls.
Speaking of canyon walls.
It was a gloomy, cold day that threatened to get worse with potential rain.
More swerves and curves
Bridal Veil Falls
On the way down the hill with a brake that was far from working properly, a piece of bark from one of the logging trucks "jumped" up on Laura's crank. Since we were not pedaling much on the descent, she took a picture of her passenger.
Filed under: Bicycle Advocacy, Rides
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The Grocery Getter Gets an Upgrade
I took the picture below to show the upgraded capacity--from 30 to 45 gallons of cargo space with the grocery getter--and then the redneck in me started thinking: What if I used a couple bungee cords and used both containers for bigger loads???......Jeff Foxworthy/Bill Engvall would be so proud!
Filed under: Grocery Getter, South Dakota Bicycle Coaltion
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The Sioux Falls Crit
CDV and I made our way up to Sioux Falls to watch a criterion (crit) race today, partially to see what it was like live, but mainly to root on some friends.In the Junior race, Jim Wynia from Platte smoked everybody by about half the course. For the first three for four laps, CDV and I kept yelling that somebody was right on his tail. Unfortunately after awhile he could see the other competitors when he was making his return so the "make Jim work harder" plan quit working. He did ride hard though and easily coasted to the FIRST EVER SOUTH DAKOTA CRIT CHAMPIONSHIP (it was the first race of the day).
In the CAT 5 race, the MuSCLe raced and young Mr. Wynia hopped right back in to race again. There was an entrant that we were NOT expecting to see, but he ran darn well indeed. Who was this masked (- Car) man? Justin Manning from Vermillion was running as part of the Central Plains Cycling team and ended up getting second. Travis Krueger also ran this race (part of our MS Bike Tour team and former USD Coyote) and was right with the leaders the whole race, but ended up just not having enough to try to push for the win. IF that boy ever seriously trained, it would be scary though.
In the Women's race, Travis' sister Laura took the two "bonus" laps and won a set of tires and $50 cash. On the final sprint she got screwed as a girl came from the far OUTSIDE of a four lane road and pushed Laura to the far INSIDE by the end of the sprint. Laura pleaded her case to the race official, but it didn't sound like anything was going to become of it. It was a pretty crappy deal from our vantage point.
The last race we watched was the "kids" race as two of the younger Wynia boys raced a short lap. It was more for fun than anything, but the brothers were "in it to win it" as they sprinted on their mountain bikes while most kids had mountain bikes or 20"ers.
After a quick trip to Scheels and HuHot Mongolian Grill, CDV and I skipped the bigger races and came home. I'm sure they were exciting, but we just didn't know anybody in them.
We did see many familiar faces in the crowd as the FAB boys were helping out at corners. CDV and I spent quite a bit of time with the kErnEl as the corner he was on had a high wipe out probability. Much to our chagrin the only wipe out was on the other end of the course. We also seen Dirk, MinusCar, the MuSCLe, CycleSD, Bald-n-Surly, Hellimat, Cheryl & Warren, The Krueger's, and The extended Wynia clan.
CDV and I both agree it was a morning well spent. We had a blast and the day was perfect. Part of me wishes I would have taken my bike along, but part of me was quite happy where I was. It was a good time and I hope they continue the race. It was well done indeed! Good show chaps!
Side note: The Apple Fritters at Starbucks are a dollar more and half the size of the fritters at the Royal Bake Shop in Centerville. God Bless small town bakeries!
Filed under: Road Trips, Sioux Falls Crit, South Dakota Bicycle Coaltion
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Saturday Apple Fritter Ride
The last time we rode to Centerville on a Saturday morning, Cathy Jo took me "back to the day" when I used to get a treat from the Royal Bake Shop as a young lad. Now it's becoming somewhat of a tradition when we go to Centerville. Oh sure, FAB has it's "Coffee and Donuts" ride and it's a great ride meandering around streets and bike path of Sioux Falls, but would they ride 50+ miles for their donuts?Today CDV, Kwen S., Darin W. and I headed to Centerville and picked up Cathy Jo along the way (she was only about 4-5 miles north of Vermillion by the time we ran into her coming south). It was a little chilly this morning, yet another sign that Fall is just around the corner. It was a great ride made even greater by the presence of this at the half way point:
As we left Cathy Jo to head back to Wakonda to get back for a wedding shower, she said "Have an apple fritter for me". I took that challenge and ate two. You're welcome. You also owe me 75 cents.
Filed under: Bicycle Advocacy, Rides
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Votes Are In
The winner for Margarita Ride VII T-Shirts: Red with White Lettering
Okay, so it was as democratic as I could be without doing a whole new poll to include PINK for Cathy Jo.
Filed under: Margarita Ride, South Dakota Bicycle Coaltion
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My First Fixie Fix
Last night, after many of us gathered for food, drinks, and cycling stories galore, eDLoNNie took me over to my nephew's house so I could borrow his fixie. The main reason is that the upcoming Schnoctobeerfest is a single speed/fixie ride. The other reason, I have to see what the draw of a single speed/fixie is all about. Well, I may still be wondering.I admit that although I'm a fairly strong rider, I'm not a cycling nerd. I can do minor repairs, but we have Rich at the bike shop and he is...well...a legend. Why try to do things that Rich will not only do much faster, but much better. It's not that I'm not interested in it, I am. However, with three kids, most of my 'free' time needs to be riding, not building and such. That being said, I'd like to try a build this winter.
Okay, back to our fixie story.....
Dear nephew: What in the hell were you thinking with this gear ratio? This thing is set up basically for track racing!! Let's set the scene: My road bike runs a 53 x 11 as a max gear, which I have to be absolutely hammering and probably with a decent tail wind to be in. Why on God's green Earth did you build this Motobecane with a 53 x 13 gear ratio?
I took this out tonight and about blew my knees out just getting it started. I do admit that it was fun on the open road as I'm pretty sure that I was considerably over 30mph on it. The shocked look on the dude on main street that I blew by quite handily told me that the bike is fast. I can't imagine climbing a decent hill with that beast though or going on a fifty miler.
One of two things could potentially happen riding this bike any distance:
1. I'll blow out my knees and never ride again.
2. My thighs will grow to roughly the size of my waist and nobody will ever want to ride with me again in any hammerfest ride.
Number one is much more likely. More research is necessary to decide what to do now. I'm not saying it was a failed experiment, but I do think I'm leaning more towards a single speed build rather than a fixie. What am I getting myself into?!?!
Filed under: Bike Trails, Fixie
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