The Straw that Broke the Camel’s Clavicle

 

She breathes and I breathe;

Her weight a soothing cloth

For a fevered life.

Thursday, April 1, 2021

 Breaking a clavicle is a fairly common bike injury but up until last Sunday, despite numerous accidents, I had avoided it.

 I’ve had my share of both common and freak bicycle accidents that have caused minor annoyances from a rib break to numerous lacerations and stitches, but two out of the last three falls, all within the short period of 5 years, has me seriously considering stepping away from cycling for a while and throwing my athletic energies into less risky endeavors like shark wrestling.

 Sunday was the latest and ranks right up there with a tree branch being cut and falling right in front of me in Panama as one of the more unusual; a dude losing control of his skateboard and launching it into my bike. I have no recollection of the fall outside of glimpsing the board out of the corner of my eye than standing and listening to two dudes, one of whom caused the accident, then doing what the good Samaritan told me to do – get in his car.

 He also had my bike in tow and was smart enough to take numbers and pictures of the skateboard dude’s license and car plate. He put this in the notes section of my phone.

 After being treated very kindly by all the hospital staff and cleaned up as best they could, I went home at 11 p.m. that night with the knowledge that I have a broken right clavicle that may need surgical repair. Today I consult with an orthopedic surgeon to discuss that possibility.

 When my last motorcycle was done trying to kill me by randomly shutting down with mysterious electrical problems, after 38 years of riding I decided that was that with motorcycles.

 This has that same very intuitive feeling with bicycles. I’ve bounced back from crashes before always with the determination to get back out there and ride. But not this time. This is my second hospitalization in 4 years and  my first surgery. I believe that’s enough to start placing my energy into other outdoor adventures that I’ve put off, like surfing.

 There just isn’t enough time to do everything and though I’m a strong rider, and would like to compete in duathlons and possibly triathlons, for the next couple of years I’m going to stay off of bikes and center my physical and competitive juices into running and improving my upper body strength.

 
Bicycling is a blast. I don’t feel there’s much that replicates the experience of it. But like many high-speed activities, as the speed goes up so do the risk factors and damages. How any of us balance those to make a determination as to what’s acceptable to us is highly individual. Right now my intuition is telling me to step away, at least for a while.

The Not so Itsy Bitsy

 The open air ride

Is a thrill of a lifetime;

Maybe a short one.

Saturday, March 20, 2021

In doing my daydreaming of what vehicle I’d purchase if I could, I came across the Can Am Spyder f3 Special. It’s a beaut and from the youtube world it seems to be considered the three-wheeler to lust for.

 I’ll have to admit the combination of gray (they call it gravity gray – because that’s the way the world works now; nothing can just be a simple tone.) with orange highlights (didn’t notice what the orange moniker was…ornery, OMG, old, oddly… but sure it wasn’t original) and sporty look orientation just does it for me.

 However, coloring a lemon orange isn’t going to make it worth $20k. Heck, even coloring an orange orange isn’t worth that price.

 So it was back to thinking about what other options I’d have. I can daydream, but I try to keep my mind wandering in the direction of what’ll stop me from being homeless.

 Then lightning struck.

 Months ago, I received a notice from an annuity company stating that they had tried to deliver documents to me, but they were sent back as undeliverable. These documents were sent to my sister’s, whose address I used when returning to the states from Panama, so it made sense they weren’t deliverable. But I’d never heard of the company so figured there was no rush. But on Thursday I gave them a call.

 Initially the recording asked me repeatedly to state my social security # which I wasn’t inclined to do. I figured this wasn’t going anywhere so was about to hang up when they said the usual stay on the line and a service rep will assist me shortly. I did.

 She informed me that her company had a TSA contract from me initially under another company’s name. I had started the TSA in 1994. The year and the name of the company made sense.

 She also informed of the amount I had and that there was no penalty for withdrawal although the Feds would take 20% off the top. It’s a hefty sum and if true, would allow me to up my allowance for a vehicle (the Spyder if I like it!).

 Yes, of course I wanted to believe it and start fitting my new Spyder with a few necessary upgrades, but figured I’d better contact my current financial advisor just to be on the safe side. I also wanted to make sure to limit my tax liability and not withdraw too much all at once.

 He said it looked good and I could take out a decent amount and roll over the rest into my IRA.

Sounds like a plan.

 So with a tax reduction due to the unemployment exemption in the Federal Relief Plan, the accompanying stimulus from the same plan, a decent amount of savings from continually working since July, and this recent gift from my 30 year old self. I appear to be in decent fiscal shape at the moment.

 Admittedly, times are precarious, and we’re all more aware of that now. But even more reason to loosen the purse strings a bit and say the hell with a rainy day, it doesn’t rain enough here not to get out on a Batmobile and have a little fun while I’ve still got some pep in my step and some verve in my spine.

Three, Two or None

 Our old lady dog

Grumbles and twitches throughout

The early morning.

Friday, March 12, 2021

 Now that vaccinations are moving along there is a possibility that we may need a second car as the wellness program we work for is likely to re-open its second location.

 Even without that posing a problem I’m kind of getting a hankering for a second vehicle anyway. It’s just that they’re so damned expensive it’s been a financial blessing to get by with just one car.

 If we do go down that road I’m tinkering with the idea of getting something other than your traditional car.

 Why? Both for practical reasons and just because I like to be different.

 On the practical side, we are not allotted the space for parking another car.And, as mentioned previously, cars are damned expensive.

 I rode a motorcycle for 30 years until giving that up at 58 almost 5 years ago. I feel extraordinarily fortunate to have ended up in one piece and doubt I have the skills, reflexes or luck to hop on one of those beasts again.

 I’ve had scooters before, and I toyed with the idea of looking at a Suzuki Burgman 400 but it’s still just two wheels and even less visible than a traditional M.C. so that’s not a likely alternative. At about $8k they’re far less than a car, but not worth the stress factor in my opinion.

 I was hoping the Meccanica Solo, a three wheeled electric car, would provide the practicality and buzz I was looking for, but at nearly $20k and with only a 100 mile range, I can’t see it happening unless they drop the price dramatically. It does provide protection from the elements and drives like a traditional car, which are plusses, but it’s size and low stance leaves you pretty vulnerable, and even the car like feel may be a hindrance as it’ll like provide a false sense of security.

 That leaves me gazing in the direction of the Can Am Ryker 900. Kind of the open air M.C. experience without the worries of just two wheels. The mileage isn’t great – only about 35 mpg, but the fun factor looks awesome. And at roughly $10k that’s not much more than a scooter with the extra stability of another wheel and more power and fun factor to boot. You are exposed to the elements, unlike the Solo, but again that could work as a plus as on a motorcycle, you’re vulnerable and might as well be aware of that.

 I’ll give the Ryker a test ride through Can Am’s ride – learn – and try program in May and go from there.

 
If we end up not needing another vehicle that may work out just fine. Driving isn’t as fun as it once was and it’s much more expensive than it’s ever been.

Halfway Home

 

Sleeping next to me

The two females in my life

Work to push me out.

 Saturday, March 6, 2021

 Yesterday Kimme and I received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Now it seems were less than a month away from almost a year’s gamble of rolling the dice on getting Covid.

 As we’re in the leisure industry that gamble meant a weekly exposure to 15-20 new individuals from around the country and a circle of about 10 co-workers. With our being unsure of how cautious either group was about protecting themselves let alone worrying about us.

 That’s particularly distressing when it comes to our fellow co-workers who ought to know better. Yet there were doubters amongst them. Even to the extent that one’s father died from Covid from his negligence. And still, after that, a few workers to this day do not mask properly and gather in small groups in confined areas much longer than they should.

 
Diligence, luck and the odds though have worked in our favor. If we can hold out for another 21 days we’ll receive the second dose and hopefully will be able to relax a bit after that, though we’ll remain cautious until, it seems, we’re all be on our way out of the woods.

The Cookie Story

 The mid-winter drought

Continues unabated

Here in Topanga.

When I was a teacher I’d bring a small snack, like a Nilla Wafer or cracker…to give to the kids after recess.

 After weeks of doing this I’d stop one day to see their reaction. I was certain that I’d get at least a few kids wondering why and expressing a little disappointment.

 I’d tell them that there are basically two types of people in the world. Those that would express disappointment at not receiving a daily treat they were given for no reason outside of just being alive, or those that expressed gratitude for all the days they received a treat. What type of person do they see themselves as?

 Sadly, I often feel I fall into the former camp of both not being grateful and not expressing my gratitude.

Letter to a Competitor

 

Rhythms of breathes;

Long, slow, deep repetitive 

Intakes of healing.

It’s always interesting to discover what happens when you throw a few new kinks into a workout.

 It’s great to have a routine that allows for variation, though maintains a core basis from which to build off of. Throughout the years I’ve always tried to keep a speed, tempo and distance session in my training regimen. Over the years I’ve become a bit more relaxed about how structured those are and whether they need to be done on a weekly basis.

 Also being proud, stubborn, recognizing I’m not an elite athlete and also understanding the limits of my wallet I’ve managed to be a happily self-coached decent age grouper.

 So why not just get out there and find out what you’re made of or just how doing something different affects you once in a while? Keep it up.

 But if you are curious to push through and not just be healthy but try to be competitive as well, keep an eye on that scale, as well as whatever you’re using for strength indicators and keep those both moving in the right directions.

 As for the shoes…Unbelievable how expensive top of the line cycling equipment is. I used to ride Lake shoes, which I loved, but when I went to replace them I was shocked at the costs. I went with the best reviewed pair I could find at a decent price. And even at that my Shimanos were still very expensive.

 Running shoes are now skyrocketing in price as well. And where equipment choice used not to be that significant, the new high-end carbon plated shoes are registering improved objective results on both the feet of elites and age groupers alike.  So I’ll go in on that being the competitive bastard that I am.

 Long ago I had a mechanic that thought the problem with cycling shoes is that most of them didn’t allow for the cleat to be moved far enough back. He always recommended putting the cleats in that position to start and then adjust if needed. So it’s great that you feel that has improved your power and comfort.

 Running right now is my focus so I’m far less concerned about the structures of my rides except to make sure I use one of them once a week as an endurance replacement for a long run to keep from beating my legs up so much. So, like you, every now and then I’m going to consciously throw in a few (hill topper) sprints or pushes just for the fun of it AND to see how long I can hold you off.

 I’m not so sure we can avoid slowing down as we age. But by how much and how much that makes a difference in the feel of being out there is debatable.

 I often felt there was an ugly edge to competing when I was younger that I didn’t like about myself. Not to you guys, but I’ve always regretted the way I treated Mary as events neared. Fortunately, that seems to have dissipated with age as so many rough edges to teen-aged males do as we wise up.

 Long friendships like we have are to be cherished as they provide so much richness to the history of life.

 So I thank you as well.

 Talk to you soon. Stay healthy and have fun out there.

Long Term Distance Advice

 Visions are frosted

On the windowless fragments

Of winter’s pale light.

 Thursday, February 4, 2021

I think of myself as an athlete, particularly a long distance athlete. But am I and what does that mean?

 The reason I’m thinking about this now is as I was going down my usual Youtube rabbit hole of shoe revues, I clicked on a clip about marathon training. This guy was an ardent proponent of making sure to include a weekly long run if you’re going to train for a marathon. Just recently I decided to drop my weekly long run and substitute a bi-weekly long bike ride in its place. According to this guy that would mean reducing the effectiveness of my training and likely decreasing my race performance.

 For a day or so I considered how would I be able to work that long run back into my schedule without dropping the ride.

 Then it occurred to me that perhaps, although I do ultras, maybe I’m not an ultra athlete. By that I mean I’m not willing to sacrifice a bike ride or carefully managing my other workouts to ensure that they’re enhancing my running performance.

 I enjoy competing. I’m pretty good at it. But at this point I’m not willing to go all in on run training if that means giving up or greatly modifying the other types of activities I enjoy. Maybe at some point I will and do just what’s best for one particular type of race.

 
But I’m not a professional distance runner and I’m not sure I’d want to be one if I could (Well, that’s a tough one…). Still I’m doing well enough to where I’m enjoying myself and managing to stay fairly competitive. Maybe somewhere down the road that’ll change and it’ll be evident that I’m such a competitive bastard I’ll have to give up riding to keep up, or I’ll stop racing as much as I’d like. But for now I’m going to delude myself that all’s good with all the training I’m doing and it’s what’s best for my long term health and happiness.