AzTallRider

AJ, it looks like the Doc just emptied out the loose screws and bolts drawer in his garage. Love the eye bolt.

I was told I could pick up a disk of the X-rays from radiology, which I will do when I get back in the office, which is across a parking lot from the hospital. Didn't get a chance for a pic with me and Doc G, darn it.

I'm home... Resting, working a little, and assessing the path ahead. Had a good chat with Ex, which is always helpful.

Onward... the only way to go.

revchuck 

Sunday morning is gonna be interesting. It's been raining in the area since last night, prediction is that it'll rain until Sunday evening at the race venue, and I'll be doing three TTs not far from Lake Pontchartrain (and only a foot or two above it) under a flash flood watch.

I was going to wash my bike for this. Now, maybe not.

Racer Ex 

Ballon tires?

AzTallRider

Don't let any brain-eating Amoeba into your nasal canal, Chuck. That's the latest post-Katrina bonus down your way. TallWife will be in NOLA for a wedding next weekend. She is leaving her Neti-Pot home.

Rough night for yours truly. Told TallWife to not insist on full price when the Craigslisters call. Sometimes, a nickel can be a lot of money.

Joking aside, were racing not required to motivate me to train, and training (hard) not a physical and mental health prerequisite or me, there would be a lot more room in the garage going forward.

It's truly odd what turns out mattering when you have the opportunity to look -back- on crashes. Pre-crash, it's the thought of the event itself that dominates. you know, the "this is going to hurt". Looking back, it becomes the "this will leave a mark".

Bike looks to be essentially ok, but will know more when able to do things like, well, take the racing wheels off. Takes 2 hands!

Times like this, my appreciation of Ex as a friend and coach elevates dramatically. Hope his counselor cap is freshly laundered and ready for extended use.

I feel the same about the rest of you folks here. Y'all make this stuff doable.

Thanks.

revchuck 

Not to worry, there aren't enough functional cells in there for them to live off of.

Here's hoping you heal quickly, both physically and psychologically.

Cleave

Hi, looks like retirement of some sort is coming sooner than later:

https://www.latimes.com/business/la-f...,4070147.story

The story broke while we were dropping my youngest off at Drexel University (parental bragging ) and taking a short vacation in NYC. I will be at work a couple of hours on Monday before I head to a work conference in St. Louis for the week. I'm sure those few hours in Long Beach will be interesting.

Good thing we saved a lot of money for our kids' college educations.

VanceMac

Ouch, Cleave. Glad you saw it coming and were prepared, but still not the best news. More time for 2nd job, at least.

revchuck 

Dang, Cleave, that hurts.

shovelhd

Good luck, Cleave.

AzTallRider

Hope you are able to make the most of it, Cleave.

Dalai

Having just met the man in person and enjoyed his hospitality, I can attest he is a top bloke to have on your side AzTallRider. You will come through this stronger physically and mentally, just may take a little time...

Tough news Cleave. Hope you can find some other work before this one ends! Looks to effect alot of people!

AzTallRider

I'm going to make an attempt to go to the office today, to see how doable that is compared to working at home with lots of pillows and positions available. Active arm movement has increased just a touch. Therapy on the shoulder has been only passive movement, but is about to shift to include some active exercises.

Allegheny Jet

Best of luck Cleve. I think all of us have been through similar experiences the last few years. 2003 was not one of my favorite years.

Racer Ex 

Sorry to hear that Cleave. See you Saturday.

Cleave

Thanks all for the future good wishes. Fortunately, we're in pretty good shape regardless of whether or not my job lasts past the beginning of 2014. Worst case is I'm out of work early March 2014 with a reasonably good severance package. Best case is I work until the end of 2016 because I promised myself back in my late 20s that I would retire before I turned 60.

Either way, I'm still racing on Saturday for the pure fun of it where fun = the pain of dragging my fat a$$ up a 9 mile climb.

caloso

I like your style, Cleave.

AzTallRider

32.8 mph for an hour and 6 minutes? Flabbergasted.

Allegheny Jet

Using my BikeCalculator app. and assuming the rider weight at 160 lbs it would take about 510 watts to go 32.6 mph. That seems like a really high FTP. Maybe he uses ceramic bearings or a secret gear combo?

Hermes

Tenerife and a Belgium doctor.

AzTallRider

Time would have been something like 8th in the team TT.

rumor has it he used a 58.

Allegheny Jet

I'm getting a 59 for next year.

Racer Ex 

I know guys that can do 30 MPH on < 300w. I'd ballpark him in the 380-420w range. He's got a great position and set up; I was a bit dissapointed in Cancellera's helmet fit and some of the bike prep for the other guys was pretty horrible...one guy came down the chute and I thought he had run through a wire fence the way all the cables were hanging out there.

I entered the P 1/2 for the hill climb Saturday. Right now I'm the only entry and if that holds I figure 50/50 on a podium (I may say "eff it" partway up and turn around).

revchuck 

No info on Tony Martin, but this is from Wiggo:

Here's the article:

sarals 

Late to the party, me.

Cleave - I'm so sorry to hear of that plant closing. I know you, though, and I know you'll be in a good place when it happens. What Caluso said!

AzT, I can feel every bit of what you're going through right now. As you told me -"look long". You know all ready that you can't have a better friend than Ex. You've many others here, as well.

AzTallRider

Thanks Sara...

And I know you all have been waiting for these:

Before


After: