|   Returning from the land of the dead... | RedAscent
Sep 10, 2001 12:44 PM | | Maybe you've been wondering what I've been up to.or then again, maybe not. With the exception of a few sporadic contacts, I've been relegated to the limbo of the nonriding due to neatly severing the extensor tendon of my left middle finger exactly one half hour before my scheduled depart time for Florida and MTBIrv's homestead. Charlie Brown, can you say, "AUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!" The guilty party: a stamped steel dust shield destined for the parking brake assembly of a 2001 Acura, were not for the blood and guts splattered all over it.
Well, 74 days, 25 pounds, 22 missed days of work, 17 stitches, 8 x-rays, a 4-inch stainless steel pin, 2 surgeries, and a change of address later, I'm finally ready to start thinking about riding again. My bikes sit in my (new) garage, all tuned up but nowhere to go until now. This week, I finally resume riding road riding only for now, for a single fall on my bad hand could separate the tendon's tenuous hold to the metacarpal. Well, okay..maybe some non-technical dirt would be okay, even if it is against doctor's orders.
Meanwhile, in my self-imposed exile, I've missed you all..it feels just plain wonderful to be back in the world of the living.since living without riding, after all, isn't very lively at all.
Phil |
| Welcome back. | Goat
Sep 10, 2001 12:59 PM | | Was that 25 lbs a gain or a loss? Just wondering. You've probably been gone longer than I've been posting here, unless your name was different on the "old" format site. Anyway, take it easy on that finger! Sounds pretty iffy. |
| An unwelcome gain... | RedAscent
Sep 10, 2001 1:02 PM | | Which now needs to be worked off. I've also been known as DBRacer in these parts...but that was wayyyyyy long ago. |
| 25 lbs? What'd'ya do, eat one of the nurses? | Fast Eddy
Sep 10, 2001 1:12 PM | | Sorry you can't join Twilight Error and myself for the jaunt to the Bend gathering. We'll be sure to take a few pics for you to enjoy, and I guess we could down a few extra beers in your honor as well.
Get ready for spring!!
Ed
PS Did you know you have to pay $3 to post in marketplace now? |
| Well...that would have been nice! | RedAscent
Sep 10, 2001 1:19 PM | | But unfortunately, I simply drank a few too many beers in my temporarily sedentary lifestyle. *BURP* Oh well, nothing like early-fall weight training....that is, climbing with extra weight!
Enjoy Bend, drink a few extra for me, take some great pics, and look for me at AZSF3 in the Spring..I'll be back with a vengeance!
Phil |
| Welcome back... | Twilight Error®
Sep 10, 2001 2:32 PM | | Ouchouchouchouchouchouchouchouchouchouchouchouchouchouchouch.
Take it easy, let the tendon heal in its own time. Pushing it now could mean a lifetime of pain and never being able to use the Massachusetts Turn Signal ever again. You'll be riding hard again soon enough, just let it heal properly. Stick to the roadie for a while also - you'll loose the uninvited guests that much quicker.
Sermon over.
I was actually beginning to worry that you'd: A. Died; B. sold the bikes; C. moved out of the country to one without internet access; or D. just plain lost interest.
Glad to see its none of the above (even if the finger is wracked). Arcadia is still in pretty good shape; an Enduro race ran through there a few months ago, there is a growing movement to ban motocross and enduro bikes from the park altogether. Two new trails over at Bluff Point have been cut - the Engineyard and the Ho Chi Minh. Neither is particularly easy. Engineyard has two killer climbs and the Ho Chi Minh is just a boulderfield with some tire marks.
Its a shame you won't be able to make it to the Bender In September - the riding out there is going to be great. We'll just have to meet again at SFIII, but this time, PLEASE get a larger camelbak. I about died in Sedona carrying the load I did.
Again, glad to see you're well, welcome back and start cranking out the miles on that roadie.
TE |
| e. None of the above... | Red Ascent
Sep 10, 2001 6:24 PM | | although after the tendon injury, losing interest and/or selling the bikes was beginning to look like and option, especially after I needed a second surgery. Trust me, road rides for me only, for at least 4 more weeks.
As for Bend, I'm bumming, but I'm just glad I don't have a permanantly deformed finger (it looks ugly now, but it's improving incrementally). And yes, I will have a bigger hydrapack for AZSFIII - 100 oz. minimum, with room for a 2nd 100 or 70 oz bladder. Wounldn't want my best riding partner to die on me......:D
As for Arcadia, that's truly sad. Couldn't they find somewhere less sacred to rip up????
Send me some good pics from Bend and drink a few for me with Fast Eddy out there.....I'll be back soon enough!!!
Regards,
Phil |
| Welcome back Phil!!!!!........ | cush
Sep 10, 2001 7:04 PM | | hope the recovery is complete soon.
Where are you living now? We gonna ride soon? |
| Still in Ohio... | Red Ascent
Sep 10, 2001 7:56 PM | | Northeast Ohio though, near Cleveland. Only 7 hours or so from Albany...soon as my hand heals up the rest of the way, we are DEFINITELY going to have a ride together. How is life with you? Drop me a note when you have a chance!
Regards,
Phil |
| Remind me not to buy an Acura...sorry to hear it! nm | Blue 'Goose
Sep 10, 2001 7:38 PM | | nm |
| Welcome back and..... | fred³
Sep 11, 2001 5:48 AM | | get totally better soonest.
fred3 |
| many thanks... | Red Ascent
Sep 11, 2001 6:06 AM | | Being relegated to the sidelines for 2+ months makes one truly appreciate the sport.
Phil |
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