serviceguy
Well-Known Member
Sorry to hear about Art, I'm sure he'll be back at it in no time.
Mountain, Cross and Shuffleboard Nats
- Thread starter pixychick
- Start date
Art's hip/groin is feeling a tad better. He can do some things, but still not comfortable with full weight on that leg. He is optimistic that he can try a bike ride before we leave. Right now, he is not ready to dab. Maybe in a few more days.
The gate guys came and moved the gate and got that pretty much done. Art and I were able to regrade the driveway with trail tools, so things are passable to leave. I am relieved to have that done but also pleased with how it came out.
Yesterday I rode Honeybee solo. It was a super day to be on the bike. Temps have been ideal and I am trying to soak up all the warmth and beauty over the next few weeks. That being said, I am looking forward to seeing friends, riding Sterling and doing some trail work when I get back east.
The gate guys came and moved the gate and got that pretty much done. Art and I were able to regrade the driveway with trail tools, so things are passable to leave. I am relieved to have that done but also pleased with how it came out.
Yesterday I rode Honeybee solo. It was a super day to be on the bike. Temps have been ideal and I am trying to soak up all the warmth and beauty over the next few weeks. That being said, I am looking forward to seeing friends, riding Sterling and doing some trail work when I get back east.
Today's weather was stellar .... topped out at 70 degrees with a light breeze. I rode around the mountain for probably the last time before I head back. It was real nice. I saw one cholla with a few blooms. Usually on my last ride up there I may see some Mexican coral bean trees flowering, but not this year. Most of them were still dormant from the drought. However I did see a few green nubs on one, so maybe they will just be late. Each year is different.
We had a gopher snake in the yard yesterday, so I guess it is officially snake season. We seem to have more critters this year because of the lack of food from the drought has driven them into my irrigated yard. Every single lupine was eaten by bunnies or gophers. Not a one lived long enough to go to seed for next year. Hopefully there are a few seeds still in there that will come up next year.
We are about a week from departure. I still plan to get in a few more rides this week in between the packing. Art is walking better but unfortunately, still off the bike. He does not seem to be ready to dab yet. ....Hopefully soon.
We had a gopher snake in the yard yesterday, so I guess it is officially snake season. We seem to have more critters this year because of the lack of food from the drought has driven them into my irrigated yard. Every single lupine was eaten by bunnies or gophers. Not a one lived long enough to go to seed for next year. Hopefully there are a few seeds still in there that will come up next year.
We are about a week from departure. I still plan to get in a few more rides this week in between the packing. Art is walking better but unfortunately, still off the bike. He does not seem to be ready to dab yet. ....Hopefully soon.
Art did a bike ride today ... Yay! He still has trouble getting a foot down fast, but he did great on trails without too much exposure. We rode 14 miles at Honeybee and I actually had trouble keeping up. It was another great day weather wise. It felt great to be out knowing that he was able to partake. No pictures today.
We left Az last Saturday, and did our usual route: North on secondary roads up to I40 and then east on interstate. That first half day on backroads is a nice way to settle into the drive with some nice scenery. Picture below from salt river canyon. I find the new van drives great on trips and is very comfortable. This was our first year without seriusXM, as Art did not get it on this truck. We are using apple play and pandora which is great! The base is under the passenger seat, so while that seat is not heated, it has vibration. 😉 ..... Drive went smoothly with very little traffic.
I rode Ringwood Yesterday and Sterling today. It is nice to be back. I was really missing the local trails here on my last few weeks in AZ. The gang working over at Sterling got so much done while I was gone too. It's like magic: I leave town and while I'm gone, the trail elves build a mile of new trail. I know it is not done yet, but it is looking good!!! Thanks PMTB volunteers! 🥰
Art saw his doctor today, and he confirmed that things are healing and he should resume whatever as long as it does not hurt. He is off the cane for a week now and walking much better, but still gets some on/off sciatica in the other leg, probably from using the cane. Hopefully he can dial that in so he can start getting back to normal.
In WV there were some real dirt covered workers outside our hotel and they had this boot cover machine as you came in. I thought it was cool so I took a picture.
Anyway, it feels great to be back and I am enjoying the rain. I think it has rained more in the last week than it did all winter in AZ.
I rode Ringwood Yesterday and Sterling today. It is nice to be back. I was really missing the local trails here on my last few weeks in AZ. The gang working over at Sterling got so much done while I was gone too. It's like magic: I leave town and while I'm gone, the trail elves build a mile of new trail. I know it is not done yet, but it is looking good!!! Thanks PMTB volunteers! 🥰
Art saw his doctor today, and he confirmed that things are healing and he should resume whatever as long as it does not hurt. He is off the cane for a week now and walking much better, but still gets some on/off sciatica in the other leg, probably from using the cane. Hopefully he can dial that in so he can start getting back to normal.
In WV there were some real dirt covered workers outside our hotel and they had this boot cover machine as you came in. I thought it was cool so I took a picture.
Anyway, it feels great to be back and I am enjoying the rain. I think it has rained more in the last week than it did all winter in AZ.
serviceguy
Well-Known Member
BigBoy for the win. I strongly approve!
I have managed a few rides and one trail work day in between all the rain. I so appreciate being able to get out in the woods. Yesterday while at trail work, I was actually liking the feel of the humidity. I am sure it will get old in a few weeks, but I enjoy the change in climate. Today trails were in pretty good shape and the weather was nice. I think yesterday's wind helped dry things out. I am hoping things continue to stay dry for a few more days.
Sun has come out. ... Yay!!
While the few times I have been on the bike have been wonderful, my brain fog has been bad this week. Not sure what is up, but I had a Lyme test and am waiting for results. I doubt I could have gotten it that quick, but ticks have been bad and Marianne and I did some off trail exploring one day and she found a bunch the next week. I try to take precautions, but sometimes they get on and go unnoticed.
Last week I saw my new doctor ( naturopath ) and she does not think I need to be on drugs or supplements to lower my LDL. Most my numbers from the extra testing were all in range. She recommended a natural compound mix powdered drink and a few other supplements to tweak the few numbers not perfect. We will see how it goes. The appointment was a bit overwhelming with a lot of information in one hour with my brain fog and all.
Anyway, I am glad to finally see the sun. I look forward to more riding!
While the few times I have been on the bike have been wonderful, my brain fog has been bad this week. Not sure what is up, but I had a Lyme test and am waiting for results. I doubt I could have gotten it that quick, but ticks have been bad and Marianne and I did some off trail exploring one day and she found a bunch the next week. I try to take precautions, but sometimes they get on and go unnoticed.
Last week I saw my new doctor ( naturopath ) and she does not think I need to be on drugs or supplements to lower my LDL. Most my numbers from the extra testing were all in range. She recommended a natural compound mix powdered drink and a few other supplements to tweak the few numbers not perfect. We will see how it goes. The appointment was a bit overwhelming with a lot of information in one hour with my brain fog and all.
Anyway, I am glad to finally see the sun. I look forward to more riding!
The laurel are starting to bud up at Sterling! This is always a special time of year to ride at Sterling or Waway. It is not peak yet, but if you are there, enjoy the next few weeks. I imagine Waway is a few weeks behind with laurel blooming.
We did a nice ride at Sterling yesterday. Art had a massage the day before and the therapist was able to work out most of his sciatica. Yay! He did great on the ride and we rode all of Sterling including Monsey/Eagle which is pretty in your face bony these days. Today was a work session back there and things on the new stuff is coming along nicely!
We did a nice ride at Sterling yesterday. Art had a massage the day before and the therapist was able to work out most of his sciatica. Yay! He did great on the ride and we rode all of Sterling including Monsey/Eagle which is pretty in your face bony these days. Today was a work session back there and things on the new stuff is coming along nicely!
It's raining a bit and our pond is flooding. While I am looking forward to riding dry trails, that is beginning to feel like a far away possibility. I had a feeling that leaving a drought in Arizona would end up in a wet spring here. All or nothing.
My results from my Lyme test cam e back as negative. I was reactive on 3 of the 10, which is considered negative, so I will see how things go with symptoms. If they do not clear, it may be in my best interest to retest at the 4-6 week mark, which is a few weeks off. I will see what my primary care doctor thinks. I see her in 10 days.
My blood work is already in, and my LDL was down to 78.8 without the bergamot supplement. I guess this is good as I may be able to just tweak my diet or a few supplements to get below 70. The drink powder that the new doctor recommended, gave me side effects at half dose, so I have stopped that, and resorted to using plain beet powder. Most natural heart supplements have CoQ10, and for some reason, my body does not like that. The whole trial and error process has been quite frustrating. Hopefully it will get figured out soon.
My results from my Lyme test cam e back as negative. I was reactive on 3 of the 10, which is considered negative, so I will see how things go with symptoms. If they do not clear, it may be in my best interest to retest at the 4-6 week mark, which is a few weeks off. I will see what my primary care doctor thinks. I see her in 10 days.
My blood work is already in, and my LDL was down to 78.8 without the bergamot supplement. I guess this is good as I may be able to just tweak my diet or a few supplements to get below 70. The drink powder that the new doctor recommended, gave me side effects at half dose, so I have stopped that, and resorted to using plain beet powder. Most natural heart supplements have CoQ10, and for some reason, my body does not like that. The whole trial and error process has been quite frustrating. Hopefully it will get figured out soon.
The last time I posted here that Art was doing better, he got worse the next day. However, I think that he is now really starting to do better. He has done several rides and done trail work several times without pain or the need for drugs. Bicycle workshop has lent him an e-bike to pull tools with a trailer. While it feels like a beast to him, he hopes to get used to the nuances of riding it with the trailer. He did dust me on the road going home. So I guess it may come in handy after overextending himself on those 5-6 hour work days.
As he rode away from me on the road, I got to thinking about e-bikes and all that has changed with so many people riding them. The first thing that popped to mind was that they can put being a "hero" back into your ride. If that is what gets you out riding, it's a no brainer ... ride on !! I know I have been "humbled" many times in my riding life. I also have been lucky enough to feel like a "hero" many times as well, especially through racing. These days, being humbled may be more the norm, and I am ok with that as long as it does not take the fun out of it for me. All that challenges me on a mountain bike, including the pedaling, keeps me feeling alive. I still love riding my bike. I think Art feels the same way except for pulling tools with the trailer. There have been times when he wished he did not have to drag all that weight around. Doing the work itself is tiring and then you throw in riding in and out and sometimes dragging a trailer with tools. So hoping the loaner e bike works for him.
We have started our trail maintenance in Ringwood today. With all the rain, there is a need to create more drainages and harden low spots. Currently we are working on Stateline Trail and will work our way up to the sewer line. I know the bottom of the Alligator has been a mess. I do not know the plan for that yet, but hopefully we can figure something that will keep that section dry.
As he rode away from me on the road, I got to thinking about e-bikes and all that has changed with so many people riding them. The first thing that popped to mind was that they can put being a "hero" back into your ride. If that is what gets you out riding, it's a no brainer ... ride on !! I know I have been "humbled" many times in my riding life. I also have been lucky enough to feel like a "hero" many times as well, especially through racing. These days, being humbled may be more the norm, and I am ok with that as long as it does not take the fun out of it for me. All that challenges me on a mountain bike, including the pedaling, keeps me feeling alive. I still love riding my bike. I think Art feels the same way except for pulling tools with the trailer. There have been times when he wished he did not have to drag all that weight around. Doing the work itself is tiring and then you throw in riding in and out and sometimes dragging a trailer with tools. So hoping the loaner e bike works for him.
We have started our trail maintenance in Ringwood today. With all the rain, there is a need to create more drainages and harden low spots. Currently we are working on Stateline Trail and will work our way up to the sewer line. I know the bottom of the Alligator has been a mess. I do not know the plan for that yet, but hopefully we can figure something that will keep that section dry.