Don't Call it a Comeback

Almost a comeback, but don't call it that either

Big day

In the morning, I got the good news from the doc.

At lunch, I went swimming. Did 2500 yards instead of 3000, as a very very large woman with a snorkel invaded my lane. Then I left as the wave action made it difficult to focus and frankly I feared for my life.

I think I've been swimming since July 13, 5-6 days a week, so probably 50,000 yards which is 2000 laps.

After work, I took the boys to Mercer with my newfound confidence in my knee. They are hopping over pretty big logs

After that, I took the road bike out for a recovery voyage, only half hour or so. I took it easy on the out lap; knee feeling ok. Seat's bothering me a lot, my left buttcheek is cramping up for some reason.

Then on the way back in, I hear "on your left". So I'm being passed by a kid and his dad, probably doing 19-20mph or so.

Then I kinda thought, let me push it a bit. I passed those guys pretty easily, and then looked down and I'm doing 22-23 into a slight headwind, which I kept for some time. Holy crap, I'm thinking, I'm back. The only thing I can't do is push out of saddle. Still tender.

So I'm relishing my return to the pavement, and feeling pretty proud of myself. Not paying attention to the surface. All of a sudden, bambam. I roll over something, and both tires go flat. Moreoever, my CO2 inflator blows up. Mrs. Kush comes to bring me extra tube and a pump.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/10593090


Good day.
 
Yo B, that's some good work. Good to hear, save for the snorkel woman.
 
So ... what the hell do I do now? As I was riding along yesterday, I was thinking that 4-5 weeks is a lot of ground to make up, which actually can't be made up.

I need to set some goals.

1. Rebuild base over next 4-5 weeks
2. Continue to lose weight, down to 165-170 from 178.
3. Finish out the H2H series and hopefully remain in top 3 after having dropped 2 races. Good news is that I can drop 2 races in Cat2.
4. Have an awesome Cross season.

In general, just gonna ride my damn bike.
 
I did about 16 miles last night, and another 10 super-light this morning around Rocky Hill, Bunker Hill to 27 to Old Georgetown.

I'm feeling the knee a bit. So I'm going to take it chill for next couple of days.

This article in my alma mater (WSJ) is pretty cool. This chick was a junior investment banker, and found out by accident that she has those special god-gifted cycling traits. Within 1 year's time, she's putting out 310 watts. Mad props to the journal for writing an insightful article. One can dream about having lungs and blood like that to get you there so easily.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100...74334741597350028.html#mod=article-outset-box
 
Weekend update


Sunday

slow steady progress on the knee.

yesterday went into fred's neighborhood and waved at his house. a mellow 17mph 1 hour ride; I pushed the knee a bit on the "climbs".

it always feels like there weird things happening on the inside of the knee, always kind of different. whatever, it's getting better, which is key as i'm all set for the puerto rico vacation with bike in tow, and a new tubeless setup.

Since I've been talking lots of smack about pictures lately, here is an iPhone pic from the ride. Locals will know where that was. Just a quick 3-second adjustment in photoshop for levels, sharpening .

IMG_0269x.jpg


Saturday -

AM - a really fun TM at CR.


PM -
Then the entire family headed to Allaire for some sandy good time. The big deal here is that my wife, who has hated MTB, actually had a good time with me and the boys. She still prefers to stick on the road, but now is amenable to occasional outings.

Here is a quick fun video -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaCljMxcPkA
 
kush said:
Just a quick 3-second adjustment in photoshop for levels, sharpening .
Click to expand...

Oh, ok, we're going to PS now? Fine, I can play that game. Before long the pics are going to start looking like this:

maine-mount-katahdin.jpg
 
I just dislike how soft iPhone pics always come out. So sharpening is fair game, and you don't need PS.

Typically I don't need to mess with the colors, they are pretty close actually in the iPhone, but I do adjust the contrast and exposure a bit (levels).
 
kush said:
I just dislike how soft iPhone pics always come out.
Click to expand...

That's part of the challenge! I don't have PS on the new PC but we're both old hands at it. I actually had quite a run with photography and PS back when I was unemployed a few years ago and it can get out of control pretty fast. Sort of like the journey of 1000 miles starting with a single step. Small adjustments add up and before long your marigold close up has icicles and fire-breathing dragons on it.

Having said that it takes far too much time. I usually just shoot and Facebook it. I'm really hankering for a digital SLR, gotta be honest. You're a Cannon guy right? We have a Nikon SLR with lenses though. I'd prefer to use them with whatever we buy.

I'm off topic. I like the pics. I think it adds a ton to the narratives. To that end, I think your colors are a little flat and there's too much conflicting red in the pic.

And good to see you back out there. Looking forward to riding together when you get back. You better be posting this stuff from PR!
 
It's a valid point on the colors. There is only so much you can push an iPhone pic though, as you know. I think if you only do one thing, its sharpen a photo, it makes a difference. Not oversharpen. But sharpening won't fix a fuzzy blurry pic 🙂

Seriously those edits take a few seconds, and if I'm taking shots at you guys, I better back my shit up!!

Yes, I"ll be doing the everytrails thing from PR.
 
Packing

It's T minus 12 hours till we get on the plane for Puerto Rico

Bike
I had the ambitious idea to convert my road bike to tubeless so that I can enjoy the at times rough PR roads with a bit more comfort, and less flatting opportunities in a far away land.

I've ordered the Stan's Hutchinson Fusion 2 kit from Stan's

picture.php


I get home rip open the box that arrived today. Bam, those hosers didn't pack the stems. I try my MTB stems, didn't work. Ok. Small obstacle, no big deal, going with tubed.

album.php


The case fits the bike well, or vice versa. Thanks Kirt

picture.php


But, in reading the fine print, I may get charged $100 each way because while well under the weight limit of 50lbs its in excess of the L+W+H dimension of 62 inches. It's close, but we'll see.

Unrelated to the trip, here is a picture of the new seat I got today at J's. The first one killed my taint and tortured my boys. This one is kind and gentle.

picture.php
 
I'm kinda glad the tubeless road didn't work out for this trip, just because I'm a big believer in not doing something big like that on a first race, vacation, epic ride, etc. You really don't want to be tweaking that stuff at 6:30 am on unknown roads of PR. I also don't think road tubeless is a great idea. JMO

Have fun, and when you come back I expect you to be ready to kick some ass!
 
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