Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Hurt my knee... no, the other knee.

Last night, I had some post-move detritus to transport - old Ikea furniture that was falling apart. The pieces were too big to fit in the car, so I was breaking them up by placing a piece of chipboard on the ground with one end of it on a step, and pressing lightly in the middle until the piece snapped.

One piece was particularly stubborn, so I stomped on it. You can see where this is going; the top half of the piece flew up and hit me on my right knee. It's now the morning after, and the knee isn't as bad as I feared it would be. It's tender and stiff, but there's no swelling.

This does put a crimp in cycling, particularly training for a 3-day tour next week. This isn't the knee I hurt in Lancaster a year and a half ago, but the other one. Injuries suck.

Last night, I had some post-move detritus to transport - old Ikea furniture that was falling apart. The pieces were too big to fit in the car, so I was breaking them up by placing a piece of chipboard on the ground with one end of it on a step, and pressing lightly in the middle until the piece snapped.

One piece was particularly stubborn, so I stomped on it. You can see where this is going; the top half of the piece flew up and hit me on my right knee. It's now the morning after, and the knee isn't as bad as I feared it would be. It's tender and stiff, but there's no swelling.

This does put a crimp in cycling, particularly training for a 3-day tour next week. This isn't the knee I hurt in Lancaster a year and a half ago, but the other one. Injuries suck.

How far off is the tour? I suspect if you take it easy for a couple of days, practice RICE, and don't hammer on your first day, you should be OK.

How far off is the tour? I suspect if you take it easy for a couple of days, practice RICE, and don't hammer on your first day, you should be OK.

This is my hope. The tour is a week from today. I planned the tour (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=480823) so that the route (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Newark-Fair-Lawn) is (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Fair-lawn-Fort-Lee) mostly (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Atlantic-Highlands-ferry-Molly-Pitcher-Inn-Red-Bank) flat (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Molly-Pitcher-Inn-Red-Bank-Seaside-Heights), except for Garrett Mountain in Paterson. Unfortunately, that's on the first day. Day 2 has some climbing to get to the Palisades. Day 3 is along the Jersey shore.

In general, impact injuries aren't as problematic as torquing injuries -- damage isn't as bad, they heal faster and you return to function more quickly. Just, y'know, don't be like the average dufus and sit there looking at it and saying, "Gawrsh, it's hurt, I wonder if it'll get better." Be proactive in your self-care; your body's not a gum-wrapper.

This is my hope. The tour is a week from today. I planned the tour (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=480823) so that the route (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Newark-Fair-Lawn) is (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Fair-lawn-Fort-Lee) mostly (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Atlantic-Highlands-ferry-Molly-Pitcher-Inn-Red-Bank) flat (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Molly-Pitcher-Inn-Red-Bank-Seaside-Heights), except for Garrett Mountain in Paterson. Unfortunately, that's on the first day. Day 2 has some climbing to get to the Palisades. Day 3 is along the Jersey shore.

Take it easy beforehand, spin when you need to climb, and you will be OK. Remember, the name "Neil" means "champion." I'm sure you'll live up to it.