voltman

Gretz, you DO deserve your own thread!

chimivee

I'll start...

voltman

He makes me almost consider thinking about riding my bike.

chimivee

He makes me almost consider thinking about getting a job.

roadfix

Me too!

Gretzky

My own tread?

*Runs and hides*

merider1

He makes me want to figure out what some of the stuff below is actually called other than "silver thingys".

prendrefeu

Drew12

And thats just in the last few weeks....

Luwin1026

He almost makes me want to become a hot Asian woman so I can be his concubine and he can buy me some nice goodies.

Go_Fast

dude...

Drew12

He'd hit it.

bbp

Your wife deserves better wheels.

Barabus

Yeah, she can probably "borrow" Greg's full carbon wheels anytime she wants. THEN, Greg will "have to" get a new set of Zipp 1080's.

In all seriousness, they are the nicest two people you could hope to meet on bikes.

mateo44

Or skates!

Barabus

Well, I would not go that far!! LOL.

alicestrong

When I was reading back over some old BF posts I found this...and thought..."Wow"...

Posted 09/08/06 by Gretsky:

I have been lurking/posting on the BF now for about a month, and thought I would tell my story.
On May 7th I almost lost my life during a hockey game, and this is my story (A bit long, but it is how I came to cycling).

Dear family, and friend's,

Most of you may already know about the event's the took place on
Sunday 5/7/2006, but now that I am able to, I wanted to touch base
with all of you.
For those who have not heard. Last Sunday at the start of our game at
the East West Ice Palace in Artesia, I was hit in the throat by a
slap shot, which would fracture my trachea, and shatter my vocal cord's.
I have had my share of injuries/surgeries growing up, but never
before I have been in a life or death situation like this one.
After being hit, I dropped to my knee's, and then all four's trying
to breath. It was then that I knew I was in trouble. The player's on
the ice would roll me over on my back, and do their best to calm be
down. It was at this point that I experienced what I hope to never
experience again. Everything around me went silent, and I had the
sensation that I was all alone on an island, just staring up at the
sky. As I started to wonder if next I was going to see a bright light
(that so many talk of) I began to pray.
In what seemed to be like an eternity, the ambulance arrives. Within
minute's I am loaded up, and on my way to the hospital. They proceed
to cut most of my gear off, and then remove the rest. Within minutes
we arrive at the La Palma Hospital. They roll me in, and a Dr takes a
look at me, and said they don't have the staff.. OH OH! At this point
the swelling is kicking in, and I am taking in less, and less oxygen.
When they put me back on the ambulance, that was when the serious
fighting began. I will spare you of the detail's, but will summarize
it with being the longest ride of my life.
We would now arrive at the UCI Medical Center. Within seconds I am in
surgery, having a trachea tube installed in my throat bellow where
the injury was. All of this was done very quickly, but yet still
seemed like an eternity. Trachea tube installed, I still can't
breath!!! It's a strange thing having to learn to breath through a
tube, not your nose, and mouth. Basically, you have to close your
nose, and mouth, and push with your diaphragm. I had to place my hand
on my stomach, to actually feel that I was breathing.
Off to ICU, which is where I would remain for the next 5 day's. Here
I had my own room, and my own nurse 24/7. Can't wait to get the bill
for that LOL The first 3 day's are a blur, which is where I have some
pretty funny stories that I may share later (drug related
hallucination etc. LOL). It was about the 3rd day, which by the way
was also 3 surgeries later, that I realized that I was being fed
through a tube (that went through my nose, and all the way to my
stomach). I would then also find out that I had a Ti plate installed
on the outside of my trachea, and 3 screws on the inside.
Fast forward to day 5. This is the day that I would be moved of our
ICU. It was actually pretty traumatic, as I was just starting to feel
comfortable there. At that point, I didn't want to hear that it was a
big step in me going home, but they were right.
On to the new room, one floor down (4th floor, room 10). I would have
to share this room with a guy from Cuba, we didn't talk much.. But
then again, I don't talk much these day's, just write. I had all the
same equipment there, but all the monitoring stuff was now remote. I
can't stare at the number's anymore.. But what I could stare at, was
my window I had an awesome window, with a view of Angel Stadium.
You could even see the firework's at night. The little thing's we
take for granted, a window!!
I would stay in room 10 for 2 days, before being able to go home,
yesterday (Mother's Day). I never would have imagined going home so
early, but they were right. I was ready! Not to mention there us a
much greater chance of developing infection's in hospital's, simply
because they are full of sick people.
So I am now finally home, and able to write! I have most of the
equipment here that I had in the hospital, including a breathing
machine the goes over my trachea tube. I also have a nurse that comes
to me. I am not sure when then the trachea tube will be removed, as
we are still waiting on the swelling to go down. But I am now on a
liquid diet, and on the fast track to getting back to normal life.
Which by the way, I will be able to talk again, but may have a bit of
a different voice.
I have so much more to tell, but stuck to the basic's to avoid an
overly long read. But I did want to make sure and thank everyone.
First and foremost my wonderful wife Catherine!!! She has been by my
side throughout all of this, and I wouldn't have made it without her!
She was on the ice with me, in the ambulance, and even in the ER
room. Where see did pass out, but awoke, and didn't miss a shift I
love you Catherine, and can never thank you enough!
To my amazing family! My Dad, and Cheryl, who were there everyday,
and my Mom, and Jimmy whom came back early from a vacation in
Washington. To my brother's, and sister's, nieces, and nephews!
To the Ambulance crew, and the UCI Medical Center for saving my life!
Big thanks to the staff of surgeons who all had a hand in on
repairing my trachea, all 7 of them!
To all the amazing nurses I had along the way, and I had a lot! One
in particular I'd like to really thank, and that is Liz Ann in ICU.
To Dr. Chad Moreau!! Your visit was really what the Dr ordered, and
really put a smile on my face!! BTW, I hung onto the photo you made
for me
To all of those who came to visit me! I know a lot of you were not
able to get in to see my in the early day's, but just knowing you
were there really meant a lot! And for all the e-mail's, and
messages! It took my all day yesterday to read my e-mail, I love it!!!
In closing, I'd like to borrow a quote from an old friend, "LIVE
EVERY DAY"

Best wishes, and see you soon!!!

Greg (Rome Doe)

P.S. Rome Doe was my name in the hospital, as they took me straight
to surgery without any info on me. My wrist band said Rome Doe, so it
became an ongoing joke

After getting out of the hospital, it wasn't long before I started getting bored sitting around the house. My Dr. told me to start walking, and gradually walk farther each day.
My roommate (whom is an avid cyclist) suggested that I go with him down to the Trek store and look at some bikes. I went with him, and ended up buying a Trek 7.2 FX (Hybrid). I rode it everyday, and got up to 30+ miles a day. This was great, as I was not able to get back on the ice yet, but was getting back into shape very quickly.
Then my roommate suggested that I give his road bike a try. After one ride, I knew a road bike was the one for me! So I picked up a Madone, and the rest is history.
On to current day. I am 100% recovered, and back on the ice. Although my voice is still not 100%, but that will come with time.
The ironic thing is that I bought a bike to get back into game shape, but ended up becoming obsessed with cycling, and I couldn't be more happy! I have even signed up to ride in the upcoming Long Beach Marathon
This forum is awesome! Full of great people, all of whom I look forward to meeting, and riding with in the near future.

roadfix

I remember that post.

alicestrong

hehe

Come out and give us an update...

How's the voice? How's the riding??

roadfix

You should go check out the shopping thread, Alice.

alicestrong

Now I would like to hear it from him...

Luwin1026

The man now speaks with his wallet, and it seems to be doing fine - loud and clear fine.

ronjon10

In his own words, 10 months after that post:

https://www.bikeforums.net/southern-california/327564-i-popped-my-double-century-cherry.html

alicestrong

blah, blah, blah, DOUBLE, blah, blah, blah,....





...still want to hear from the man hisself

alicestrong

I assuming that anyone using a winking jester as an avatar has a good sense of humor...

More from Gretsky ...clues about the man :

Man Laws:

1: Under no circumstances may two men share an umbrella.
2: It is OK for a man to cry ONLY under the following circumstances:

(a) When a heroic dog dies to save its master.
(b) The moment Angelina Jolie starts unbuttoning her blouse.
© After wrecking your boss' car.
(d) When she is using her teeth.

3: Any Man who brings a camera to a bachelor party may be legally killed and eaten by his buddies.

4: Unless he murdered someone in your family, you must bail a friend out of jail within 12 hours.

5: If you've known a guy for more than 24 hours, his sister is off limits forever unless you actually marry her.

6: Moaning about the brand of free beer in a buddy's fridge is forbidden. However complain at will if the temperature is unsuitable.

7: No man shall ever be required to buy a birthday present for another man. In fact, even remembering your buddy's birthday is
strictly optional. At that point, you must celebrate at a strip bar of the birthday boy's choice.

8: On a road trip, the strongest bladder determines pit stops, not the weakest.

9: When stumbling upon other guys watching a sporting event, you may ask the score of the game in progress, but you may never ask who's playing.

10: You may flatulate in front of a woman only after you have brought her to climax. If you trap her head under the covers for the purpose of flatulent entertainment, she's officially your girlfriend.

11: It is permissible to drink a fruity alcohol drink only when you're sunning on a tropical beach... and it's delivered by a topless
model and only when it's free.

12: Only in situations of moral and/or physical peril are you allowed to kick another guy in the nuts.

13: Unless you're in prison, never fight naked.

14: Friends don't let friends wear Speedos. Ever. Issue closed.

15: If a man's fly is down, that's his problem, you didn't see anything.

16: Women who claim they "love to watch sports" must be treated as spies until they demonstrate knowledge of the game and the ability to drink as much as the other sports watchers.

17: A man in the company of a hot, suggestively dressed woman must remain sober enough to fight.

18: Never hesitate to reach for the last beer or the last slice of pizza, but not both, that's just greedy.

19: If you compliment a guy on his six-pack, you'd better be talking about his choice of beer.

20: Never join your girlfriend or wife in discussing a friend of yours, except if she's withholding sex pending your response.

21: Phrases that may NOT be uttered to another man while lifting weights:
(a) Yeah, Baby, Push it!
(b) C'mon, give me one more! Harder!
© Another set and we can hit the showers!

22: Never talk to a man in a bathroom unless you are on equal footing: i.e., both urinating, both waiting in line, etc. For all other
situations, an almost imperceptible nod is all the conversation you need.

23: Never allow a telephone conversation with a woman to go on longer than you are able to have sex with her. Keep a stopwatch by the phone. Hang up if necessary.

24: The morning after you and a girl who was formerly "just a friend" have carnal, drunken monkey sex, the fact that you're feeling weird and guilty is no reason for you not to nail each other again before the discussion about what a big mistake it was occurs.

25: It is acceptable for you to drive her car. It is not acceptable for her to drive yours.

26: Thou shalt not buy a car in the colors of brown, pink, lime green, orange or sky blue.

27: The girl who replies to the question "What do you want for Christmas?" with "If you loved me, you'd know what I want!" gets an Xbox. End of story.

28: There is no reason for guys to watch Ice Skating or Men's Gymnastics. Ever.

We've all heard about people having guts or balls. But do you really know the difference between them? In an effort to keep you informed, the definition of each is listed below.

"GUTS" is arriving home late after a night out with the guys, being assaulted by your wife with a broom, and having the guts to say, "are you still cleaning or are you flying somewhere?"

AND MY FAVORITE...

"BALLS" is coming home late after a night out with the guys smelling of perfume and beer, lipstick on your collar, slapping your wife on the ass and having the balls to say, "You're next."