sarals 

I've been thinking of YOU, too. You're okay?

valygrl

I'm fine. House stayed dry. We're in a boil-water zone. Many friends with flooded basements and worse. The remainder of the road season here is going to be very limited, since all the canyon roads washed away.

You gonna come out here and fly a rescue copter for us?

Racer Ex 

Seems like CO got pounded this year. Hopefully that's the last of it.

Rode for the first time in two weeks today. Wasn't bad other than being fry pan hot.

shovelhd

Club ride yesterday. I was supposed to go out and crush people but the usual Saturday Strava B racers were MIA, doing the club hillclimb (Mt. Greylock). There was one strong guy and two not so much plus me. There would be no killing as there was no point. We chose a flat route which included a new section of MUP in the hill country that I hadn't ridden on yet. I got a paceline going on the flats, and climbed up the grades at my own pace, which let me get in some semblance of work. On the way back I took to the front for miles to tow the group along with the big guy behind me setting up the draft for the other two. They were huffing and I was nose breathing but that was just how it all worked out. Everyone enjoyed it, and the nice early fall weather, where the trees are starting to show a hint of color. Next Saturday, the NCC Mayor's Cup M40+ with the family in tow, then I shut it down and brace myself for the prospect of going under the knife.

sarals 

I would be honored to. I'm glad you're okay!

sarals 

Good one, Shovel!

Hermes

SHovel, Wishing you complete recovery from your surgery.

Hermes

I love this.

https://vine.co/v/hJTnPWOIapx?fb_action_ids=10151628428420267&fb_action_types=vine-app%3Apost&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%5B513481158726574%5D&action_type_map=%5B%22vine-app%3Apost%22%5D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D

valygrl

Missed the surgery thing - is this a separated shoulder repair? Wishing you the best.

shovelhd

Yes, for my busted shoulder. I'm at the second opinion stage right now, with an appointment next week. I expect to decide right then and move forward ASAP.

I can ride and race my bike without too much pain, but my right arm strength is down significantly. Lifting more than 40 pounds causes pain ranging from "hello" to "stabbing me with needles", and it feels like my arm is going to fall off. I can wake up in the morning with no pain or pain that lasts all day. No consistency. So it's really not about the bike, it's about quality of life and being able to do the things I like to do other than the bike.

Cleave

I guess I'm taking a couple of weeks off from training.

valygrl

hope you get some clarity for the second opinion, shovlehd.

In other news it is raining. please make it stop.

LAJ

Good to hear you're doing somewhat OK, valygrl. About sick of the EAS messages on the TV and radio, strictly for what they represent.

Hermes

Since Cleave is doing the GMR HC ITT, we are doing it as well.

Allegheny Jet

:d

VanceMac

I would have found that funny (and agreed) even before I started track and was pretty much only an endurance cyclist.

sarals 

ZT on the TT bike today. Combined with me having an off day (I almost -ALMOST - puked on an extended effort) and the bike still not being right, I didn't hit the targets, not a one, so I gave up and went home.

I made some adjustments to the arm pads. They seemed too far forward, so I moved them back a smidgen. I'll see how that feels tomorrow.

Valygrl, I hope you remain safe!

caloso

Took Lucas on a juniors training ride. We had about a dozen kids, from 9 to 12, plus 5 or 6 parents. We did about 17 miles on the bike trail and even had a little racing action on the way back. Kids had a great time and we stopped for ice cream on the way home.

Life is good.

Hermes

Caloso, That sounded like a great time.

I did a 2.5 hour endurance ride through Portola Valley that featured z4 power climbing efforts up Kings Mountain and Willow Creek Road. It was a beautiful day with sunny skies and temps in the high 70s.

Cleave

First, @shovelhd, hope that whatever you need to fix your shoulder is minimal in nature -- surgery or otherwise.
@caloso, this is definitely the time of year to rediscover the true joys of cycling.

Shameless plug: My club is promoting the GMR (Glendora Mountain Road) Challenge Time Trial (Hillclimb):

Flyer: https://www.usacycling.org/events/ge...rmit=2013-1897
Registration (USAC registration site): https://www.usacycling.org/register/2013-1897

We going the full uphill distance. Note that there is a short downhill segment on the route. Should be fairly low key but my club tries to do these races right. I just hope there are more racers than volunteers.

Feel free to ask me any questions.

BTW, I plan to race after being off the bike for most of the 2 weeks prior to the race. I don't want to set the bar too high for my first time on this course.

revchuck 

shovel - I hope whatever has to be done is minimally invasive. This is the best time to do it...which isn't to say it's a good time to do it, there's never a good time for that.

Cleave - I'd love to do that TT. Can your club fly me out and back?

I haven't posted about my training for a while, since it's been pretty ho-hum. We're still in the "leave at sunrise and return with jersey dripping with sweat" weather here. Just finished a recovery week.

Getting a bike ready for the winter (rainy) season. It's the CAAD9, aka the mutt; I've further muddied its heritage by replacing the Shimano R500 wheels it originally had with a set of Performance Titans that I bought second hand but apparently unused about four years ago, and mounted 700x23 Michelins (Krylion front and Pro 4 Endurance rear) on them so the fenders will fit. It's the first time I've used those wheels; I'm using them so I don't have to mess around with adjusting the brakes between wheels, since the Shimanos are (I think) 20.8mm wide, and the Titans are the same 19mm width as my OPs and RR465s. I rode it both days this weekend, and going from 32 spoke wheels with 700x25s (that measure 27) to 16 f/20 r wheels with 700x23s is a noticeable difference. They do roll decently, though.

I'll be doing the Louisiana Senior Olympic Games this Sunday (22 September). Three TTs in a row - 20k, then 10k, then 5k. That'll be interesting.

sarals 

Chuck - good luck in the Senior Games! I've a feeling you'll do well.

Cleave, I wish I could join you on the TT. I have to go to Texas the next day, though. Grrr..

Hermes - you and MEA are beasts!

Shovel, it's all been said. I'll add that you're in my thoughts and prayers.

Racer Ex 

Have you seen my car keys?

AzTallRider

Did you check Ridley's poop? The dogs may be objecting to your frequent absences by taking measurees to limit your travel.

sarals 

Check my pockets...you're getting ready to start your race, right?