Honorable Mention :
Ricky "drevil" D- great posts on mtbr, technical wizard on the bike, great blog
Travis Coldsmith- super cool dude, member of the St College Mafia
Todd Forrest- fast old dude, god father of single speeding in DE/Fairhill area; if you have ever been dropped on a Tuesday night ride at middle run, it's Todd's fault. Course designer for fairhill the worlds greatest single speed course.
Judd Milne- Wednesday's at Wakefield Champion
Nick Daniels- Cranky Monkey Single Speed Series Champion
Jed Prentice- ruling on a phat kiss off, he’s as strong as his ride is cool. Fairhill age group champ on a single speed.
Nick Shaffer-Fair Hill Single Speed Champ- cat 2 racer with single speed roots
Jon Posner- Trek National Team Manager, wicked fast dude. even kinder than he is fast
Ben Yoder- 200lb+ single speed monster- he broke a KM- can you say POWERFUL!!!
Larry Camp- Nor Va. always there single speed guy
DT- rode ECSSCOU on a fixed gear, another whole level of sickness another great blog
Mike Yozell- former pro, another organizer of Philly single speed rally, 2nd in 35+ cross nationals ain’t too shabby either, has palmares longer than some euro-pros
So that’s what I got. Who am I missing? Let me know. I hope you enjoyed this list which as I said really means nothing, and really is just me giving props to some folks I think had f-cking great years…
Respect
fatmarc
Wednesday, January 5, 2005
Tuesday, January 4, 2005
Got my results from my MRI.
Yeah, I might be done.
Still wrestling with that one a little, trying to avoid, self-pity, feeling sorry for myself. That dark place can creep in really easy. WTF, I’m not dieing, I still can think, move, talk, hear, see, sing, well I never could sing, but I enjoy trying. I am so blessed, have been so lucky for so long, I can withstand a little rain on my parade.
With horror, I looked at Fisher 29er full suspension bikes last night. I can’t do it. I can’t ride that beast. I think I will still be able to ride, but right now, how I feel now, how I felt during cross, I think I’m done racing. At this point I don’t see how I could ride myself back to the level that I would want to be in to race. And that’s been a little bit of a bitter pill to swallow.
MRI showed that I have a bulging disk at the top of my spine, not placing pressure on the spinal cord. I have a bulging disk at the bottom of my spine, between l4 and l5, that is putting some pressure on the spine. Both of these are somewhat treatable, with rest, stretching and prosper posture. The ugly part was that between l3 and l4 I have a facet joint degeneration. Which of course I had no idea was , until I typed it up on the ole internet and viola! Read all about it.
It was weird reading the symptoms, it was exactly describing what I have been fighting with. Then of course I read the treatment. Which wasn’t so sunny from my perspective.
This may be something that I don’t get to just shake off. There were possible injections of fluid that will help to lubricate the joint; or the burning off of nerve endings so I don’t feeling the pain, or anything anymore. Maybe that’s not so bad, if I don’t feel pain, maybe I could actually race faster. Like I said, I have to talk to my doctor about all of this. And of course, there is the hope that the radiologist, that my PCP is wrong. But really, long term, there was no clear and easy treatment spelled out.
Sorry, there I go again feeling sorry for myself. Good news is I think that I can keep riding, I mean, for now I am going to start riding more again. I have an appointment with an orthopedic, spine and back guy, hey is supposed to be the best in Delaware. So well see how that turns out. In the meantime I have cancelled all of my PT appointments until I meet with the spine guy. I want to see what he has to say, and why waste PT time, if that’s not where he wants me. I have continued with my stretching and core strengthening exercises.
At this point, again not feeling sorry for myself, my hopes are that if this is the hand I was dealt, and my back is as good as it gets, that I can get back into a riding routine again. And that we’ll see how it goes along the way. But yeah, I had the realization yesterday, that I might have raced my last race. And I’m not sure I’m down with that yet.
Yeah, yesterday was kinda a bummer for me.
Yeah, I might be done.
Still wrestling with that one a little, trying to avoid, self-pity, feeling sorry for myself. That dark place can creep in really easy. WTF, I’m not dieing, I still can think, move, talk, hear, see, sing, well I never could sing, but I enjoy trying. I am so blessed, have been so lucky for so long, I can withstand a little rain on my parade.
With horror, I looked at Fisher 29er full suspension bikes last night. I can’t do it. I can’t ride that beast. I think I will still be able to ride, but right now, how I feel now, how I felt during cross, I think I’m done racing. At this point I don’t see how I could ride myself back to the level that I would want to be in to race. And that’s been a little bit of a bitter pill to swallow.
MRI showed that I have a bulging disk at the top of my spine, not placing pressure on the spinal cord. I have a bulging disk at the bottom of my spine, between l4 and l5, that is putting some pressure on the spine. Both of these are somewhat treatable, with rest, stretching and prosper posture. The ugly part was that between l3 and l4 I have a facet joint degeneration. Which of course I had no idea was , until I typed it up on the ole internet and viola! Read all about it.
It was weird reading the symptoms, it was exactly describing what I have been fighting with. Then of course I read the treatment. Which wasn’t so sunny from my perspective.
This may be something that I don’t get to just shake off. There were possible injections of fluid that will help to lubricate the joint; or the burning off of nerve endings so I don’t feeling the pain, or anything anymore. Maybe that’s not so bad, if I don’t feel pain, maybe I could actually race faster. Like I said, I have to talk to my doctor about all of this. And of course, there is the hope that the radiologist, that my PCP is wrong. But really, long term, there was no clear and easy treatment spelled out.
Sorry, there I go again feeling sorry for myself. Good news is I think that I can keep riding, I mean, for now I am going to start riding more again. I have an appointment with an orthopedic, spine and back guy, hey is supposed to be the best in Delaware. So well see how that turns out. In the meantime I have cancelled all of my PT appointments until I meet with the spine guy. I want to see what he has to say, and why waste PT time, if that’s not where he wants me. I have continued with my stretching and core strengthening exercises.
At this point, again not feeling sorry for myself, my hopes are that if this is the hand I was dealt, and my back is as good as it gets, that I can get back into a riding routine again. And that we’ll see how it goes along the way. But yeah, I had the realization yesterday, that I might have raced my last race. And I’m not sure I’m down with that yet.
Yeah, yesterday was kinda a bummer for me.
Sunday, January 2, 2005
Road Trip:
Thursday
So Thursday morning Diane and I decide we are going to New England to see my brother’s family. I always have a great time up there and new years sounds like a kick ass time to go. they are awesome. So I busted ass out of work at 5:00, loaded up the element with 2 bikes, 2 dogs, a set of skis, a snow board, 2 sets of boots, 1 crate, and 1 guitar. Yeah we were pretty much an ad for Honda toasters.
During the drive Lela and Riley were f-cking crazy, they would never settle down. Layla squeaked for about 4 hours. When we had to stop for gas she jumped in my seat, ass on the steering wheel honking the freaking horn. I thought the attendant was going to kill me. At one point Layla submarines below Riley and then stands straight up launching Riley into the air, and then into the back of the element. Crossing the GW Bridge, Riley and Layla decided to wrestle in between our seats and knocked the car out of gear. Diane went guns of navarone on their asses. It was not pretty.
We got in at 12:00, ate some food and hit the sack. mmm corn beef and cabbage. Layla was totally freaking all night, this is her first road trip since joining our family. Guess I expected a little foolishness.
Friday:
new years eve. f-cking aye! that aye is for my Canadian friends at Spot Brand. Craig and I had planned on going out for a ride this morning, but my body felt like shit. I think the combination of PT in the morning and the long drive had my back totally jacked up. So we bailed. Diane and Craig planned guitar for a while and I took great joy sitting back and listening. I have to say in the history of New Year's Eves, I am usually really disappointed, with the exception of course of one party at Fuzzy's that ended with me swimming naked in the river behind his house. Most new years are pretty mellow for me.
Had a great day today, we went North Hampton brewery and had some good beers. That little bit of self medicating made me feel so much better. We hit a Barnes and Nobles and a liquor store. Beth's sisters and boyfriends are all coming over tonight and we are going to rock out a bit. I don't expect any naked swimming but we have a festival of good beer, and Seth, Heather, Beth’s older sister's boyfriend is making some home made pizzas that smell really good. So I'll tip back the old magic hat # nine and enjoy the night. Hopefully feel better Sunday and we can do a nice ride.
Saturday- The day my wife threw me off a mountain.
Had a single track ale last night. It tasted like crap. What a let down.
We left early and headed for Haystack, the backside of Mount Snow. The day started off great as we stopped at the local grocery to pick up some bagels and tampons. Diane and Beth walk into the store, which clearly states Hours : Sat 7:00-11:00 . It’s now 7:15, and never mind they had to open the automatic doors manually. They collect their bagels and tampons. They try to pay, and Craig and I can see them getting yelled at by the manager through the big front window.
The manager, she said to them “we are closed; I don’t appreciate you coming in here when we are closed!” Diane tried to explain “but the door said you open at 7:00 so we came in…” The manager sold them tampons, but no bagels. Must have been a sisterhood thing. I mean either you sell us everything or nothing. What’s this 50/50 deal ?
We hit the mountain which had awful conditions and only 2 trails opened. Which for me was 2 more than I needed. Many of you know before becoming a mediocre cyclist, I was a mediocre skateboarder. As such you would think I would love snow boarding. I snowboard like a fish rides a bicycle. I suck. I am horrible. I mean I can get down the mountain, but damn it takes so much energy. Riding single track, or even a fast road I feel fluid. I can carve a turn, jump a log, clean a rock garden, and it feels natural. Riding a snowboard I feel like every carve is forced, every slide is manufactured. Cycling feels natural to me , and snowboarding is well, like a monkey bowling. Yes, it is physically possible but why the freak would a monkey want to bowl?
After repeatedly falling off of the lift, I decided to call the day a bit short. Diane, who skis, was taking a beating today on the really icy conditions, she sat with me for a little while. We ate some kick ass chili cheese dogs that only cost like 70 dollars. It was a half off sale.
That night we went to some “fusion” restaurant in the hippy town of Shelburne Falls. Town was neat, food was good. High light of the evening was Seth doing shot of Habenero sauce, and then eating these wicked hot peppers the cook had in the back. I find it’s never a good idea to talk smack about spicy food in a fushion Mexican/Indian food joint. I think Seth would agree with me. I had a burrito, it sucked mightily. Gin and tonics were very good. Guacamole and chips ruled too…
All in all a great weekend. Dogs were maniacs on the way home. Shocker there huh. Looking forward to getting back to PT, and hopefully on the bike again this week.
Respect
Marc
Thursday
So Thursday morning Diane and I decide we are going to New England to see my brother’s family. I always have a great time up there and new years sounds like a kick ass time to go. they are awesome. So I busted ass out of work at 5:00, loaded up the element with 2 bikes, 2 dogs, a set of skis, a snow board, 2 sets of boots, 1 crate, and 1 guitar. Yeah we were pretty much an ad for Honda toasters.
During the drive Lela and Riley were f-cking crazy, they would never settle down. Layla squeaked for about 4 hours. When we had to stop for gas she jumped in my seat, ass on the steering wheel honking the freaking horn. I thought the attendant was going to kill me. At one point Layla submarines below Riley and then stands straight up launching Riley into the air, and then into the back of the element. Crossing the GW Bridge, Riley and Layla decided to wrestle in between our seats and knocked the car out of gear. Diane went guns of navarone on their asses. It was not pretty.
We got in at 12:00, ate some food and hit the sack. mmm corn beef and cabbage. Layla was totally freaking all night, this is her first road trip since joining our family. Guess I expected a little foolishness.
Friday:
new years eve. f-cking aye! that aye is for my Canadian friends at Spot Brand. Craig and I had planned on going out for a ride this morning, but my body felt like shit. I think the combination of PT in the morning and the long drive had my back totally jacked up. So we bailed. Diane and Craig planned guitar for a while and I took great joy sitting back and listening. I have to say in the history of New Year's Eves, I am usually really disappointed, with the exception of course of one party at Fuzzy's that ended with me swimming naked in the river behind his house. Most new years are pretty mellow for me.
Had a great day today, we went North Hampton brewery and had some good beers. That little bit of self medicating made me feel so much better. We hit a Barnes and Nobles and a liquor store. Beth's sisters and boyfriends are all coming over tonight and we are going to rock out a bit. I don't expect any naked swimming but we have a festival of good beer, and Seth, Heather, Beth’s older sister's boyfriend is making some home made pizzas that smell really good. So I'll tip back the old magic hat # nine and enjoy the night. Hopefully feel better Sunday and we can do a nice ride.
Saturday- The day my wife threw me off a mountain.
Had a single track ale last night. It tasted like crap. What a let down.
We left early and headed for Haystack, the backside of Mount Snow. The day started off great as we stopped at the local grocery to pick up some bagels and tampons. Diane and Beth walk into the store, which clearly states Hours : Sat 7:00-11:00 . It’s now 7:15, and never mind they had to open the automatic doors manually. They collect their bagels and tampons. They try to pay, and Craig and I can see them getting yelled at by the manager through the big front window.
The manager, she said to them “we are closed; I don’t appreciate you coming in here when we are closed!” Diane tried to explain “but the door said you open at 7:00 so we came in…” The manager sold them tampons, but no bagels. Must have been a sisterhood thing. I mean either you sell us everything or nothing. What’s this 50/50 deal ?
We hit the mountain which had awful conditions and only 2 trails opened. Which for me was 2 more than I needed. Many of you know before becoming a mediocre cyclist, I was a mediocre skateboarder. As such you would think I would love snow boarding. I snowboard like a fish rides a bicycle. I suck. I am horrible. I mean I can get down the mountain, but damn it takes so much energy. Riding single track, or even a fast road I feel fluid. I can carve a turn, jump a log, clean a rock garden, and it feels natural. Riding a snowboard I feel like every carve is forced, every slide is manufactured. Cycling feels natural to me , and snowboarding is well, like a monkey bowling. Yes, it is physically possible but why the freak would a monkey want to bowl?
After repeatedly falling off of the lift, I decided to call the day a bit short. Diane, who skis, was taking a beating today on the really icy conditions, she sat with me for a little while. We ate some kick ass chili cheese dogs that only cost like 70 dollars. It was a half off sale.
That night we went to some “fusion” restaurant in the hippy town of Shelburne Falls. Town was neat, food was good. High light of the evening was Seth doing shot of Habenero sauce, and then eating these wicked hot peppers the cook had in the back. I find it’s never a good idea to talk smack about spicy food in a fushion Mexican/Indian food joint. I think Seth would agree with me. I had a burrito, it sucked mightily. Gin and tonics were very good. Guacamole and chips ruled too…
All in all a great weekend. Dogs were maniacs on the way home. Shocker there huh. Looking forward to getting back to PT, and hopefully on the bike again this week.
Respect
Marc
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)