4th day of school still rolling

No time pretty tired but I had 43.? at 12.0 mph...pretty quick for as tired as I am.

I Rode My Bicycle I Rode My Bike!

Well Tuesday night I rode my bike, but did not have time to blog. I did twenty minutes at an average speed of 15 MPH. This was a little odd seeing as I have was riding and NOT going anywhere. This will take some time to get used to it. When I rode Tuesday Night I also was wearing sandels and no bike shorts.

Well this morning I took DII for a stroller ride after DI got on the bus for school. We walked for abount an hour and came home. I did about 1/2 of my bike lap in the neighborhood so I am guessing about 2.5 - 3.0 miles. It was good to be outside. After DII napped this morning we did a few errands and I decided I needed to ride. We both went into the basement and I set up a movie for DII and a bunch of toys. This time I had my shorts and shoes for the ride. I rode about 8 miles in about 30 minutes, but I forget what the average speed is... I was just happy to be on the bike for 30 minutes. It will take a few days of riding to get back in the groove. I am hoping to ride for at least an hour and a half over the weekend.

On the NEGATIVE side it is still a bit uncomfortable to grab the left side of the handle bar. Hopefully that will change in the coming weeks so we can all ride together on DM's next visit.

BIKE RIDES, WARHAMMER QUEST & TRADER JOES!!!!

Number Nine

I had so much fun in the demo boat I was in last Sunday that I decided to buy one. After all, it was on sale and it was in my color. 6 feet 4 inches of pure playboating fun! As the marketing blurb on the website says, "It combines a fast, loose hull that hops and carves with a deck profile designed to maximize pop while maintaining fluidity during linked vertical moves." Aww yeeah. Now all I need are skillz.

Wet and grimey but good

Hopefully I'll say more next time but I must wake in 6 hours two days (forgot to reset ) 86.1 miles (forgot back pack at work today had to double back a bit. But I did ave 12.1 mph for the two days. I need 1 more mph but it will take a long time. It ahas been very wet and dark in the morning with many bunnies and squirells and non visible joggers. My light worked better today after dying yesterday (ccharge chord must have been loose). Very tired but glad for miles under my belt.
Later.

A New Riding Partner

FGB and I went for a ride which ended rather abruptly about two miles into the ride FGB fell and split his knee open. The young man didn’t cry and was willing to forge ahead but being the caring father that I am I decided we should go home and clean his knee first. By the time we got the flap of skin free from debris It was too late to ride. FGB surprised me and asked to ride the next day. So when we got home for church we both mounted our mountain bikes and went for a 25 to 30 mile ride. It finally happened! Riding with FGB on this ride was like riding with one of my IL pals. He’s even excited about winter riding. There’s nothing like a little wipe out to get the bicycle juices flowing. Seriously though it’s a real pleasure to ride with FGB.

I Want To Ride My Bicycle!

Well today I went down to Performance and picked up the trainer, CK's order and a couple Bottle Cages. They were nice enough to take the box to the car and I was wondering how on earth I was going to get it into the house. Well Darth II and I went to Meijer for some much needed shopping and when I got home I had to slide the box. It slid EASILY with one hand. Since it was in the back of the Van it was high enough for me to grab it with my right arm only and bring it in!!! YESSSS!!!
I brought it to the basement to where the bike already was and opened the box. I was able to assemble it and get my bike on with one hand!!!! Now all I need to do is grab the front wheel block from CK and I am good to go!!

The TREK 7300 Indoor Bicycle

Gapers!

A while back a friend described a term she borrowed from the hardcore backcountry ski world-- gaper. Apparently it's used to describe newbie skiers. They reach the top of a hill and stare down the run, eyes bugged out and mouth agape, as if they had just seen a vision of their impending doom. It's a term that translates well to the whitewater world.

This friend decided to make her first attempt on the Class III Chili Bar run on the SFA this past weekend and invited me along with what she described as some of her fellow gapers. I was all for paddling so why not! For some reason, I figured she was exaggerating the newness of the group, so I somewhat disregarded the "gapers" comment and assumed that everyone else had already done the run. Also for some reason, I wasn't fazed by the plan of doing the entire 20-mile stretch of river. It makes for a long, fun day at high flows, but it was going to be a race against daylight at the 1800 cfs we had.

Sunday morning, I meet up another friend at a local kayak shop to pick up boats to demo. The rest of the group trickles in, and we head up to the put-in. On the way up, this friend asks about the group, and I say, "Yeah, I think they've all done Chili Bar before." Ah, assumptions.

As we're getting our stuff together at the put-in, the trip organizer approaches me and asks if I'd mind being the lead boat for the group. Visions of leading everyone into the middle of a giant hole for a group trashing briefly flashed through my mind. So I said, "Umm, I don't mind. Sure, why not!"

The eight of us assembled and I asked who hadn't done this run yet. Five hands went up. Gulp.

We warm up through the first few little rapids, then comes Meatgrinder, the first Class III rapid of the run. It's a quarter-mile long rapid with lots of rocks and shallow water. Nothing terribly difficult, but you don't want to be upside-down and you really don't want to swim there. Having had an informal education on this run myself, I'm not certain what the "official" line is supposed to be. So I paraphrase the movie Better Off Dead and tell the group to go center-right, and if a rock is in their way, turn.

I start down, and all is going well. Further down the rapid, I drop into a little hole. Nothing major, but a bit of a surprise. I eddy out just in time to see the rest of the group, one by one, punch through the same hole on my exact line. It turns out that a couple people did roll in the rapid, and there were a couple scraped helmets to prove it. But at this point I could tell it was a strong group, especially considering so many first-timers.

We continue down the river, hitting a couple play spots along the way. Then we approach Troublemaker rapid, the biggest one of the run. For a moment I thought I had taken the group too far down to scout which would have been disastrous! But we make it with plenty of river to spare. We take a look at the rapid for a bit and are asking about the consequences. I mention that you really don't want to go far left, that's really nasty. And there's a rock in the middle of the rapid-- gunsight rock-- that is barely covered by water. You can go to either side, but you really don't want to go straight at it.

A couple people in the group want to see someone (read: me) run it. So I head back and prepare for my run. As I approach the top of the rapid, I realize I'm off my line and headed right toward the hole I meant to go right of. I drop into and get flipped. I roll up just in time to see the bow of my boat pointed straight at gunsight. Crud. The boat goes straight over the top of the rock and slides about 4 feet down the back of it. It pencils into the water below and then vertically emerges to the surface bow-first before leveling off. That was kind of fun!

Some of the others made it through the rapid without a problem. One person rolled at least twice. Another ran the big drop backwards. But everyone had fun. We were tempted to run it again, but we had been on the river for 5 hours and were only 1/3 of the way to the planned takeout.

The next 6 miles or so is a Class II run. We paddle through it with some haste, stopping and spending some time at the prime play spot on the run. We arrive at Greenwood Creek, 2/3 of the way, about 2 hours later. It's now 5pm. We smartly left one car at this point, and 5 of us decided to take out here. The other three continued down the final Class III run.

We drop off the demo boats at the kayak shop just before closing time, and then head up to the put-in to get cars. We arrive there around 6:30pm and notice that the river is now very low, down to fish flows. Hopefully the group that continued was able to ride the bubble down. Or hopefully they at least had headlamps!

Bottom bracket, nope

Thought my BB was going bad always at the tiop of left crank stroke tocked up. Finally figured out hitting battery for handle bar light but when I would look it shifted back out of the way. Solution: Plan really, unscrew mound for frame pump and don't use mount just put pump in trunk and mound 2nd bottle cage (verticle one ) for holding battery. Darth is to pick up cage for me maybe. We will see. Not much brakes in the rain and tired (4AM) so 2 hours to get home in rain ( few stops, coasting from lock ups so 43 miles at only 11.1 avg. Consecutive Work commuting days (1).

Clean Bike, Sore Elbow and Waiting

Well Sunday marked the first day I went near my bike since the fall. My BIL was here mowing the lawn so he got the bike down for me. I spent some serious time cleaning it so as soon as I get the Trainer I can start riding. After cleaning it up and then lubing it my BIL brought it to the basement for me. So there it sits in the finished basement pretty shinny and ready for the trainer. I still will probably do a bunch of touch up cleaning and then spend a bunch of the winter cleaning it as I ride inside. I will also spend some good time practicing fixing and adjusting everything so by the time the Spring comes along I will be pretty good at "Wrenching" I may also look at some different additions throughout the winter so everything is set and perfect for next season. 2007 I want to do at least 1 Century and maybe even get involved with a few ORGINIZED rides...

I did however push it too much this week for reasons outside of my control and am paying for it. My ELBOW has been really sore and I have slept very little since the fall. Saturday Night was probably the worst getting maybe 3 hours of sleep. I even tried sleeping in the recliner last night... No Luck... Such is life I guess...

Ride On!

Proud Husband

Mrs CK rode today. getting dark and we saw deer romping. 3.5 miles but after the turn atound she couldn't get back in the big Chain ring. She says she wants to get the shifting fixed and wants a new helmet (a mythical one that keeps bugs out). She also hates her feet slipping and wants clippless which she used on the exercise bike. I am afraid of this and want her to get more riding and maybe raise the seat, also try Mrs. Darth's bike. She says afraid to get new bike so get me new bike and she can use mine but I would probably have to spend 15-1800 to get wheels = to mine and I like my bike...I like that it is funtional and well equiped but beat up looking. Yeah I may want to upgrade the seat and cranks somewhere down the road but it fits my purposes fine so I don't know. I can get hers fixed maybe and I'll use it and she can use mine.
What I need is for DM and Darth and Handi all to get together so she can try different bikes and have the skills of DM who is better at fitting than me. Maybe in the next couple months. I am excited with too many possibilities running through my head.

Do the slog so you can blog

Yesterday I went to work to preposition a couple days of clothes and shoes and supplies. I was apparently slow. The headwind seamed to swirl and mold to my every turn both ways and it was rainging. There were a few people to try to catch so I pushed to hard on the way in and did not hydrate well enought or eat I guess. Actuallly I think pre-ride drink debt was the culprit but I made it home wet but happy. Really struggled the last 7, just not feeling well. I will get the groove back. 43.5 miles 11.4 avg. avg over 12 for trip in.

Two night(s)

Got back from Mundelin job and feeling good just becasue that was three days of riding in a row Yesterday I had a staff meeting at 9:30 pm so I didn't even leave until 8 so that wqas dark riding both ways. I avoided the rain all three nights. I would love a breathable rain coat with pit zips and back vent that keeps water out but lets water vapor (sweat) pass out so you don't slosh in a pool of your own sweat. These a pricey though so I'll probably wait. Yesterday on the way I saw 3 deer who were running but stopped when I got them in my helmet light. On the way home I narrowley avoided running over a racoon speed bump but at least I remembered where it was tonight and planned ahead. I don't prefer the night although yesterday as the meeting went late riding at 11PM was very peaceful and light on traffic. I do like having ridden though. I am not sure if I will keep riding to the 2nd job next week when the main job goes. Unsure of hours but if I am trapped until three everyday (I know I am for first two days, then the 2nd ride will be hard as there is so little turn around time. I have to sleep and eat sometime! I will have to get up extra early to catch a bus to a meeting Monday for the main job 4:00 AAM instead of the normal 4:15. 4:15 AM is bad enough. Goodnight.

More Damage Found From the Fall

Well

When I fell and did my elbow in I know I hit my head and smashed my teeth together. My teeth hurt for a few day, but then all the meds kicked in and I forgot. I had my Dentist check out the left side when I was there for my normal check up. Turns out I Chipped a Tooth. Not a big chip, but big enough to have to have it smoothed out under a local... Joy!

When I fall...I really know how to cause the damage...

Three Rides

The last three rides were nothing spectacular. The first of which was a 30.7 mile ride through the beautiful farm land of Indiana. The average speed was 14.6 MPH. While I was riding I wondered, “Is this what it’s like for CK to ride?” You see I had a pinched nerve in my hip, the sciatic nerve I think. I have to stop throwing my hip out as a place for the baby to rest. Anyways the pain was pretty constant but I managed to ride through it. CK you’re my hero. I haven’t been finishing work until late so the second ride was a race against the setting sun. 18.3 miles at an average speed of 17.1 MPH. The third ride was a trip to Walmart with FGB. Fifteen miles at an average speed of 13.9 MPH. I was proud of FGB, soon he’ll be leaving me in the dust. Again the rides are great but I find myself talking to CK, Darth, and HR even though they aren’t there. Am I going crazy?

Positive Doctor Visit

Well I had my first of two follow ups with the Doctor today. He was very happy with the movement I have regained and that my pain is almost nothing just sitting around. We discussed the rest of my recovery and everything looks good. I did ask about riding and he said I can start doing regular activities as I see fit with the pain. He does not suggest I do any heavy lifting or high stress activities, but I should be able to bike in the next few weeks. I have a September 13th Final Follow up and I will probably ride outside after that. Hopefully my trianer will come in the week and CK and I can clean up my bike and get it setup in the house. I can then ride hard inside for a few weeks and then when all is good do a long outside weekend ride with the guys!!!!

I would LOVE to be able to do one last long ride before the cold hits!!!

Do I see 50 in the future?

DM will have to try to make it up for one last ride...

Short and clanky

Last night I rode to the Mundelein job, leaving at 5 for pleanty of time to wipe down, cool down, and change for class at 6:30. It was still in the 80's so I did not go long sleeve on the jersey, even though I knew it would be cool on the way home. It is a bit frustrating that I have to change in a bathroom and stuff wet bike clothes back in the pack becasue they are lesss than pleasant to put back on but as I rode down 176 doing the section between fairfield and hawley and I saw the traffic stacked on the other side I was not sorry one bit. 6 miles each way is not enough to get into any kind of groove and my 2nd light which is slung under my top tube clanks back and forth, but it is bright (only thing I don't like is that there is no flashing mode) and it has good and wide spill.
Light 1

It makes a good companion to the light on my helmet (I wish the cable was a bit longer from battery to light).

This light is more focused and has 3 brightnesses plus a flash mode. With both lights together I can see in front of me in different stages although I still keep it below 18 or 20 mph and more around 12-15 becasue it's not a HID and I can over drive it. But HID's are about $500
or more apparently.

I still get the willies at night but I haven't done it that many times yet and I am hypersensitive to sounds etc. The golf course noise of the sprinklers activating scared me half to death. I hope to go into savings mode now and save for inevitable repairs. I am sure that the good trek interchange panniers with built in rain covers would be a good next expense as well as a new seat. Maybe I could try trading Handy seats for a bit and I hope that further rasising my seat will smooth my ride and reduce some of my clanks, I did raise it quite a bit but apparently more is needed. 1:04:35 for 12 miles averaging 11.1. In a way the night is spooky but also peaceful and quiet. Someday it would be a fun group ride.

EDITED BY DARTH-CYCLE to shrink Links...

Not much new

I drove today because Darth needed emergency child care and I drove to performance becasue I thought I would be picking up a trainer ( I had to order it) But I hate driving. I haven't been blogging my rides becasue they are just errands and I forget my computer, but I guess I will try to blog more ....just seems boring. I have a 2nd power light now a 15 W bike Planet monster so I am set for lights now I supose. Maybe the wife will take some pics some night. I may not ride to mundelein when Wauk starts next week just becasue with 415 getting up I may need to make it home before 10:45 at night. I'll keep you guys posted.

A Week's Worth

Not to be too boring but I have taken four rides in the past seven days. The first was a thirty-one mile ride; the second was a twenty mile ride; the third was an eighteen mile ride; and the fourth was a ride on my mountain bike for an hour and a half. Of course the riding has been interspersed with farm chores and visits from friends and family. The crowning achievement of this week was that The Dirt Magnet family made six gallons of apple cider or juice. It looks and tastes like apple cider but I’ve been told that it’s not cider until you have two kinds of apples in the brew. Whatever whether juice or cider it’s good.

One Week Since the Fall

Well it has been one week since I had the fall. I am about to go completely nuts! I went for a walk to get lunch today. The boys and I walked about1 mile to the Pizza Place in the strip mall at the entrance to the subdivision. We also picked up Slurpees for the boys at the 7-11.

It has been two days since I have taken the heavy duty meds. I am now on Tylenol 3 which is Tylenol with codine... The other meds were just too much for me. I felt like I was in another world and not myself. It was probably not a good idea to leave me alone when I took those. The pain was gone, but so was I. I could hardly see and reading was a difficult task. Trying to understand what people were saying and actually being able to talk were also difficult tasks. I think the final straw was when I was having troubles remembering "How To Pee" I actually had to think about it... D'oh...

Now today I think I would have been better off on the stronger meds. My arm really HURTS!!! I am all alone today with the kids so strong meds are out of the question. I might have to break down and take 1 strong med before bed. The T3 is doing nothing for me other then make me a little tired.

Today is truly a day when I wish everyone lived close by. I could really use the company.

I think next week after I have my followup with the Dr I am going to look at a Trainer for my bike. I would really like to be riding again...At least in the house...

1 week with no biking.. only about 7 more until I am healed... If I am lucky...

Busy Mclory Trail

Went back to Northbrook and after lake bluff it was very very busy. If I would have gone straight when it crosses Sheridan I think it goes right down to the lake, maybe sometime I'll check it out 56.2 miles 11.2 sllow avg. 4:52:40

A slow Performance

I wantedto return the white jersey I got the other day and order a gold one (if they didn't have the size in the store) and get some price matching refunds. I rolled out about a quarter to Noon. Off to Lake Bluff. I had remembered to use sun screen. I turned right but then decided to go back to le left (North) as the train station seemed nicer than a bush to water, but rooms were locked so I got back on my bike and headed South. I made it to the park DirtMagnet and I had made it to before and turned right, following my cue sheet. I was slowing some to read cue sheet from time to time. There was a little bridge rise before I got to one of the train stations ( you ride through train parking lots ). Looking at print out I didn't notice hil, slowwed and plopped. I have an abrasion and bruise on the back of my arm but all is well. I continued on roads etc and back to path and through Rivinia. Path continues but I turned on County line (lake/Cook). Speed limit is 35 and not bad until you get to the 41 interchange. Over that and 500 feet left after light and I was at the shopping center. Took care of stuff at performance (but forgot to reorder shorts) and went next door to Garden Fresh for gatorade, bananas, and a fresh made Italian Roast beef, mustard and lettuce on rye. Very good. I ate the large half and stowed the rest. I was dragging after mile 42 or so...my toes really hurt and my legs/hips would kill when I stopped and restarted so I coasted and ligfhts to try to time etc but a nice day. I had raised my seat last time I was at Darths and may do it again but my knee was bothering me...Just neeed to build my miles and tolerance I think. A good future route that is right by Botanic gardens too! 5:03:15 56.8 miles only avg 11.1 total miles 2591 since Oct 15th.

First Fall Off to ER

Well I fell on the red trail tonight. I had stopped to see if someone needed help. The were resting... Fogot to unclip fell in grass...No big deal. Talked for a moment and started getting back on my bike... tire turned funny from last fall... Started to get on slipped backwards oh hill landing on me left arm... Thought was just a stinger... parted ways with guy I was talking with. Got on bike and rode a mile before the pain hit me...HARD... Rode 4 mile home in pain since some idiot forgot his phone. Now waiting for sitter so we can go to er...

I guess I have a nice gash on my knee, but I do not feel it...

When I get back I will let you know...

It is official... I "Broke My Elbow!"

"Head of the Radius Fracture"

Heavy Duty Drugs...

End of riding season for me!

Rides, Chores, and Fishing

Friday I went for a ride. The wind was out of the North which was great as instead of heading South I was able to head North and see some roads and scenery I hadn't seen yet. I road 47.3 miles and it was beautiful. I crossed a Northern section of the St. Joe River and a section of what I believe is cedar creek. I did run into two big black mutts that stood in the middle of the road looking at me. They were neither aggressive in their posture or playful and since I was unable to discern whether they were friends or foes I decided to back track a little and avoid the confrontation. Of course I passed tasselling corn, growing beans, gardens aplenty, and beautiful sunlit fields of various other farm crops. The average speed for this ride was 16.2 miles per hour and the only thing missing was riding partners.

Saturday began at 9:00 am at Grandma's old farm. I spent 7 hours on a steel barn roof pulling out the nails that hold the steel sheeting in place. The process was back-breaking. After we had pulled the nails we then began dragging and pushing the twenty foot long sheets of metal over the edge of the roof so they could "float" down to the ground below. We finished about half of this building but there are others to be done so there will be no shortage of upper body work for this city boy in the midst of his metamorphisis to farm boy. As soon as the work was done for the day I showered and headed up to my parents for a relaxing evening of fishing. The fishing was good and Sunday afternoon I made a large batch of coconut fish and an even larger batch of cajun fish to feed the 6 adults and 12 children that were present. On monday after work I was back at the farm carrying bags of old magazines, jars, and assorted other odds and ends down the stairs and picking up apples and plums and sorting them out. This is getting to be a bit like work. Call me crazy but(t) I'm enjoying it.

To and Fro

Yesterday was nice, running into the Darth Clan and then back home a little late but I had my light. Today I rolled out about 2 PM and tried to go to the ATM, but it was out of service, so back down to Main st. to bonner etc. to Darths.

I needed the Performance receipt to get price differences back when I go to return shorts. I would like to say when I go to pick up shorts but they shipped the wrong size so I have to return them when they come in. Then I went back to Waucondaland passing Garland and thinking of my trusty partner in IN. Off to Hardware store for 3 bungie cords and 3 furnace filters and a quick jump to Jewel for cottage cheese, soy milk (2/$5) filet's of beef 2/$7, lean beef burgers 2/$3 and a loaf of whole grain bread. I forgot on the counter the lunch meat and 2 dark chocolate bars. Something like 21+ miles, didn't care...just happy to not use gas.

New Gear

Well today I finally purchased some new gear. I picked up my new Dual Pedals, Shoes, Pedal Wrench, Brush, and a spare tube for Mrs Darths bike and Mine... After my first ride with the new shoes and pedals I needed to do some adjusting. I had not screwed the Cleaks in hard enough on the shoe and they were loose. The Pedals also needed to have the binding loosened. Over all it worked pretty well on my first ride.

This evening I decided to go for a ride with the family and on our way down the street we see a BRIGHT orange jersey... CK was riding our way. So we rode for about 25 minutes together. I did ride clipped in while pulling the boys in the trailer, but am happy I have the dual sided pedals. Nice to know I do not have to ride clipped in...

Next big test for my new equipment will probably be Tuesday when I hit the RED trail...

39:59

Well I finally did it. After being so close a week ago I was able to break the 40 minute mark. I just made it! Even though I had two MAJOR slow downs. Auto Traffic and getting strangled by my iPod. I had to slow down to unhook the iPod as it got caught between my helmet and neck strap. I also had to slow to an almost stop getting to Darrell Road... So much traffic I could not cross...

Stats

39:59
13.6 Average Speed
Very Tired Darth-Cycle

RED TRAIL AND BACK...

YES!!!!

A Little Dancing to get some Exercise...

The Darth Boys doing a little dancing...

It's Hot Out There!

Tuesday I went for a 20 mile bike ride. The wind was blowing at about 20 MPH from the SW again so of course I went ten miles into the wind. The temperature was 96 and humid. The wind, although it was blowing hard, offered no relief. The few cars I passed or that passed me looked at me as if I were crazy. I like the heat but I do move slower and if possible I drink more water. The stats were: 20 something miles average speed 15 MPH. After my bike ride I raked the new stone on my drive way in an attempt to keep pot holes from forming. Just another day in NE Indiana. Today, Wednesday, I'm going to take the MTB out for a spin. No computer no stats just the love of riding a fat tire bike! Don't get me wrong I love my off-road road bike as I can cover alot more ground alot faster but dirt riding is where my heart is at! Off to the trails!

Night Rider

Well it has been too hot to bring the boys out in the trailer and WAY to hot at 4:00 when Mrs Darth gets home. So at about 8:15 and 90 degrees I decided to hit the road for a short ride. I stayed in the subdivision and decided to do a good warm up and then some sprints. I ended up doing 3 half mile sprints breaking 21 MPH each time. I actually hit 23 MPH at one point. The sprints were also in the toughest gear sets to add a little extra power to the workout. I rode for 35 minutes, but would have gone longer if it was a little lighter out. Riding the road makes such a differance in feel and sound... I was like stealth riding...

Stats

35 Minutes
8.? miles
13.6 MPH Average. (includes slower warm up and cool down)

I was rolling at about 15 mph for a long time...

Cant wait to get the new gear Sunday!

Dr.

Yesterday I went back to the Dr. He took x-rays. He watched me walk for 3 seconds. He said all my muscle groups seem in taxt, x-rays show nothing, mucles take time, be careful. Thanks for all you guys and the concern, turns out I know my body pretty well, but now I have a confirmation.