Miles

Nice and flat, just the recovery route. 33/16.8

Cool But Friendly

Just did my recovery route, but saw Cam on the greenway. Then some guy passed me so I grabbed on and got about a 3 mile pull from him. He said, "no problem" when I thanked him. Shortly after that I came up on Marta. She was commuting home from work. I had knickers, a long-sleeved jersey, and a wind vest on. She just had a jog bra and shorts on...that's one tough woman. I got a shout out from Dan on River Rd. At about Portland and Minnehaha Parkway, a guy I didn't know came up on me and just started talking. He's into MTB and CX...just bought a Salsa 29er. We talked all the way to the band shell.
It was nice to see so many people out. I was cold even though it was in the upper 50's, that NW wind made me wish for some 80's again. Oh well, it's going to be awhile. 34/16.8

SSR With The Team

Felt great! Nice to ride with everyone. Lots of fun. 47/18.3

Hint Of Fall

Had a hard time deciding where to ride today. I finally setteled on a tried and true Watertown Route.
Took off for Excelsior and continued out to St. Bonifacious, then up to Watertown. Came back east and of course headed for Baker Reserve, then down through Long Lake, into Wayzata and home. Not being sure of what I can do, I want to challenge myself, but don't want to hold anyone back, so I rode solo today.
I was hoping for some sun, but the clouds hung on throughout the day, which just added to the fall feel. Green is giving way to gold, red and brown. 71/18.2

Independence

Priest Bay

Watertown

Watertown

Lakes

Just around the lakes on the Schwinn. I even stopped at Harriet for a hot dog. Pretty serious training, huh? 13/??

Consistent Improvement

Same route as yesterday, and all week, for that matter. I'm just working to get my confidence and strength back. Rode with Lynne, which was very nice. 34/16.6

Nice To Be Out Again

My recovery route along the greenway, river, falls, Nokomis, creek , lakes and home.
Kind of boring, but I am trying to just keep it simple and recover as quick as I can. 33/16.5

Rained Out

I usually ride in the rain, but figured I could use a day off, and maybe save some energy for my body to keep on healing. I did venture out at about 4PM and headed west on the greenway. Plenty of dark clouds and gusty winds. It started to sprinkle so I turned the Orbea around and had some major gusts at my back. There were a couple of times when I wasn't pedaling and I was maintaining 24 mph. Also, the trees lining the greenway were moving a lot. As I passed one I heard a crack and then the sound of leaves and branches on the asphalt. It was maybe 10 feet behind me. Freaked me a bit. It could've landed on me, but then I've already had mine. 7/16.6

Back To The Usual

Did my usual Monday recovery ride. Felt good! 33/16.3

Pretty Lucky

Went with the team today, and rode out to Wayzata for a coffee stop. I was nervous. Lately I've been kind of hyper-aware of what can go wrong on a ride. But riding with my teammates, quickly put me at ease and I was enjoying a beautiful late summer day ride.
I've been so fortunate. At the crash, before EMT's got there, three nurses stopped and helped me. Also, another three nurses stopped and offered help. I've mentioned in previous posts how great Brian was. My family and even my ex were willing to do anything I needed to help me recover. My team had a little get together for me last Friday, and have been so encouraging and positive in their wishes for me to get better. So many people offered help from driving me places, running errands for me, and even picking up groceries, if I needed. Can you believe it?
Lynne was fantastic, in coming over and keeping me company. She also drove me to pick up my bike. She's been so helpful.
I can not believe how quickly I've recovered. From laying in the ER , with 3 broken bones in my face, wondering if my riding fetish was worth it, to less than two weeks later riding out to Wayzata with my team. Scabs are gone, the white is returning to my eye, and my leg feels better everyday. Pretty lucky! 47/17.6

YES!

Very comfortable on the bike today. Although, I did come across some over grown weeds on the Sheppard Rd trail. I got a little freaked, slowed down and rode along the middle of the path. I survived, and kept the rubber, not my face, on the pavement.
Nothing hard today just took it nice and easy. I wanted to see how comfortable I am with some longer miles. Saw N8 and rode with him for about 10 miles. It was great to talk. 47/16.6

Back In The Saddle

Took the Orbea out, all clipped in and chamoised up. God! that felt so good. I even rode in the street with cars. I'm still keeping it easy and flat (I may be using this line all the way through next season), but it just felt right. Again, I didn't want to stop, but I just don't think it's wise to push it any more than I am, so I kept it short. I'll shoot for 30 to 50 miles on Saturday, and stay around 16-17 mph. Today 23/16.2

Best I've Felt

Didn't want to stop riding tonight. Again, I took it very easy, and was out on my steel Schwinn, for a nice soft ride. I'm seriously considering a harsh aluminum ride tomorrow and see how it goes.

Harriet looked good tonight, but then I like sun, water and trees.


Probably got in 18 miles tonight.

Getting Better

I have to admit, I feel like I'm getting better much faster than I thought I would. That being said, I'm tired after doing 13 miles today. I just stayed on the paths around the lakes. I'm not passing anyone, and seem to get passed by everyone. I know I'm not suppose to be on a bike that moves, and I'm not going to pretend that I'm doing the right thing, or make excuses for what I'm doing. I am riding at a pace that seems to be at about the same exertion level as a walk.
My face is healing so fast it's amazing. Even my legs are improving, although, if I'm feeling any impatience, it is with my legs. I could finally see some definition in my right one this morning, but it is still painful, because of the swelling.

It's Like Breathing or Eating

I just couldn't hold my breath any longer. I took my Schwinn out to reacquaint myself with the greenway and the lake paths. At noon I rode nice and easy for about 13 miles. This evening I did another 7 miles just around the lakes again. I'd be surprised if I went over 10 mph.

My stitches were taken out this morning. I asked the Dr. about my leg, and he told me it would take another 4 weeks for it to get back to normal. He didn't seem very concerned. I asked if there was something I could do help it along. I thought he'd say ice it, or heat packs. He just said use it.

I felt better this morning, than I have since the crash. My leg felt better too. I was even able to sleep on my right side last night. ....body is pretty amazing. It's healing up fast.

Big Time Improvements

Almost all the scabs have fallen off. The one under my nose will take a few more days. Lots of pretty colors around my eye. My right leg is still uncomfortable, but on my walk around Harriet tonight I felt strong, and my leg didn't hurt as much as it has before.

I'm definitely feeling better everyday. Stitches come out tomorrow.

Still A Little Tired

I can't believe how much better I'm feeling. The scabs are starting to fall off the more superficial scrapes. The one under my nose will take a while. It's pretty deep. My right leg is stiil pretty sore and unbelieveably bruised. I've never seen anything like it. I'd like to know what I hit. I'm guessing the end of my handle bars, but I'm not sure.

I was looking at my helmet and, of course, noticed the cracks, but today I saw just how compressed the right side (in the picture) is, compared to the left side. That scared me a lot, and I'm feeling really fortunate.
Acted like a normal modern human today....watched football, went to the grocery store, ate too much, and was involved in no physical activity whatsoever.

There's No Way...

...I'm going to make it 6 weeks. With the exception of my right leg, I'm feeling great. My leg is still stiff, sore and swollen. Walked Harriet tonight after an all day rain.

It's going to be awhile before I get back on a bike, but it won't be six weeks. If you see me out there...I don't need a lecture. I'm very aware of the consequences.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

THE GOOD
Everything feels tons better today. I got out and did a little work. I can bend my knee when I sit down now. I walked around Lake Calhoun this evening.

THE BAD
I'm already rationalizing how I can get back on my bike. I was pretty tired after my walk around the lake, which kind of ended the rationalizing.

THE UGLY

Dr. Dr. Gave Me The News

I don't have to have surgery. Great news. Also saw the eye doc today. No problems.
I did get some restrictions.
No physical exertion for 2 weeks.
No nose blowing for 1 month.
No riding a bike that moves for 6 weeks.

I've felt 100% better today than yesterday. I slept great last night. Swelling is down from yesterday. I haven't been nearly as tired today. I got out and even ran some errands, in the car.
I couldn't get on a bike, if I wanted to, let alone pedal it. My knees are pretty sore. The muscle over my right knee took a major hit. It has a serious deep bruise, not to mention how ripped up the skin is directly over the knee. It's going to be awhile before I can move them comfortably. I have a hard time climbing stairs. Walking is relatively painless, if I don't bend my knees too much. So not only do I look like Frankenstein, I walk like him.
I walked to Barnes & Nobles tonight. I just had to get out. About 2 miles at maybe 1.8 mph.

The Healing Starts

Thanks for the great comments!

I got my bike back tonight. Lynne drove me over to the police station. Brian was smart enough, and had the presence of mind to get my bike secured. The bike is in much better shape than I am. A quick look-over just exposed a scrape on the stem by the steerer tube, over the back screw. At the time of the crash, we'd been out for 20 miles and had been averaging 17.8 mph.


Here are some pictures of my helmet.










There was a time in my younger days, when I didn't wear a helmet. Pretty stupid!
Well, I won't be wearing this one again.
I'm tired, stiff and sore. Head over to the Dr., in the morning to see if I need surgery on my jaw.
I don't want to have surgery, or have it wired shut.
I'm glad the day is over. I'm looking forward to getting some sleep.

Face Plant

Tuesday evening I got taken out by some flowers hanging over a guard rail on Minnetonka Blvd. I saw them coming and tried to move out of the way, but knew I was going to hit them. I remember thinking they're just flowers...no problem, but they got caught in my handle bars and turned my bike south into the guard rail. I continued heading east on Minnetonka Blvd finally using my face and the road to stop my eastward momentum.
I've broken my eye socket, cheek bone and jaw. I got 6 stitches under my eye, which is a PB. My previous stitch count best was 4. My knees are pretty chewed up.
I'll be off the bike for a while, and even found myself thinking, as I was laying in the ER, I'm not sure this is worth it.
I was riding with Brian, who was incredibly helpful. He took a no nonsense approach to the crash. He didn't ask any question, and had the cops and an ambulance there in just a couple of minutes. Brian was very reassuring, calm and wise in everything he did. There were several people who stopped their cars, and came over with first aid kits and helped me. Brian also made sure my bike was safe and secure.
My daughter and even my ex came and picked me up and took me home after my 6 hour stay in the ER. My daughter stayed with me for awhile making sure I was safe and secure. She left a little after 2AM.

I'm sore. It actually looks worse this morning. I need to get some ice on my eye.

It's Rare

Really felt bad tonight....may have a fever. No ride.

Starting the SSR

Rode with Amy and Laura out to Wayzata and around the lake to Excelsior. Coming back home I rode with them to Hiawatha on the greenway, and then I took off south to the falls.
Nice ride, fun company, but we did get wet and it was kind of nippy out there. Another month or two and this will be warm. 61/17.5

Waconia, Mayer and Watertown

Such a beautiful day...nice and cool, bright sun, and the farm fields starting to turn gold.

River at Mayer
Abandoned Farm Building South of Watertown
Baker Reserve
Baker Reserve

86/19.2

Day Off

I really wasn't into it today, so it was a quick, short shot around Lake of The Isles on the Schwinn. 7/??

I Hate Dieting

Never lost my Winter weight from last year. Got to lose it now, before this Winter sets in. I've lost a few pounds since the 1st. I just watch the calories. I'll be where I need to be in a few weeks.
Rode with much more experience today. I just kept it simple and flat. 36/17.0

Completed Half a Century Today

Same route as yesterday, same temp, same average speed. I did see Brian and got to finish up the last part of my route with him. 33/17.1

Last Day In The Forties

A little brisk out there tonight. The temp this morning was 80 degrees with a dew point of 70. I started out on my ride at 4:30PM this evening, and it was 63 degrees. I even had a long-sleeved base layer on. Just did my greenway, river, creek, and lakes route...nice slow and flat. It's a lot more fun in the Spring to be getting faster, than in the Fall and getting slower. 33/17.1

One of my Favorite Routes

Baker Reserve


Baker Reserve

Long Lake

Long Lake

Long Lake

Long Lake

Old Long Lake Rd

Old Long Lake Rd

Old Long Lake Rd

Old Long Lake Rd

494 and Minnetonka Blvd

A windy, hot, humid summer day. One of the last for this summer. 49/17.5