Absolute Bargain at $1450

Part Deux from the All American Road Race

Today I went to visit Dr. Zahir. A well respected hand and plastic surgeon in the NOVA area. The good doctor and I chatted for a few minutes and I could tell he was confident in his work and that I was in "good hands". I told him of the accident and he recounted a bike wreck from one of his forays in to road racing years before but I do not think he rides much anymore. He said "I know what you are feeling". Well, maybe.................

When he told me what he was going to do to repair the fracture, which included pins, I asked what he would do if I were Levi Leipheimer. He said "who"? So I said, what treatment would you give if I were Levi Leipheimer or Lance Armstrong? I said it seems like Pros get special care that permits them to get back in the saddle in days rather than weeks.
 

Two Pins--no Ti for me

He went on to say the "same" care and the key is to stabilize the fracture to begin the healing process. He did say that he could hook me up with an orthopaedic lab that could prep me a splint that would permit me to ride and not exacerbate the injury..............yeah baby!! That is what I wanted to hear. 

Well....................after a godawful big needle to numb my finger he put my hand on a fancy X Ray machine and began to move around the bones to align them. After the alignment he pulled out another fancy machine to insert the stainless steel pins. So, a few twists, drills, and 5 min later the pins were in and the procedure was done. Bummer.............I was hoping for Ti!!

Stainless Steel Jewelry

After the procedure we chatted more and he told me to keep him in mind if my vanity ever got the best of me for bad veins, the need for lipo, or an eyelift or two. I told him you never know but I think "you are out of my network"!

JOCMO: We shall see how it goes after I get the new splint

All American Road Race--No Joy Here

This is just a short post from my first official USA cycling sanctioned road race.

I decided to do some road races this year to see what it is like and gain some experience. For this race Cat 5 had a masters division so good for me and fewer young guys that don't know how much it hurts to wreck.

My strategy was simple. Ride smart, learn, and not wreck. I accomplished all of the above but in hindsight maybe I should have been more aggressive. Overall, for Cat 5 we did two 8-mile laps and we had about 40 people in the race. The rules stipulated no crossing the centerline and with this many riders, no one making any breaks, we just did the race in a peloton. The only time the race broke-up was in the corners when the pack would fracture a bit but I was always able to get back in to the pack but had no chances to move-up and pass.

Holding my line

Anyway, after the last turn with .5 mile to go the pack fractured a bit and as i sprinted to catch-up about 6 riders crossed the centerline to gain an edge for the bunch sprint and surge to the line. The race official on a motorcycle accelerated, honked the horn, flashed the lights, and this led to a panic of the riders across the line in fear of a penalty. They pushed to get back over the line and in a second 5-6 riders were down in a big wreck. 

I was able to tap the breaks, avoid the down riders, and when I swerved another rider clipped a down rider and he crashed in to the ditch. When he fell his bike bounced in the air and his wheel smacked my left hand. 

BUMMER...............................................Instant pain and swelling in 30 seconds as i rode to the finish. 

Before Emergency Room Visit

 After the race I spoke with my teammate and believe the official caused the panic. If he had just taken the number of the riders and assessed penalties after the race we probably would not have had the crashes.

After the ER Visit--broken pinkie and appt with a hand surgeon

 JOCMO: Only no-cycling moments for a while. I can ride my trainer but that is it until I figure out how long this finger will be splinted.

Frozen Four 2012

Hey Gang, some pics and comments from the NCAA Frozen Four a few weeks ago.

Pre-Game Thursday

This Year's F4 was in sunny Tampa with BC, Ferris State, Minnesota, and Union as the teams vying for the national title. We all arrived in the morning on Thursday the 5th except for Alex who arrived just after lunch.

We went to get the rental car1 and after some strong upsell by the rental agent that included everything except for beer in the trunk we went to Chammp's for lunch of wingsm sandwiches, and adult bevri. We watched a bit of t3he Master's and when Alex texted me we left to get him at the airport.

My company was gracious to let us stay in the corporate house on beautiful Bayshore Blvd and only a few min from the Arena. We stopped briefly, dropped off our bags, had a beer, then off to the arena in 80 degree temps.

Alex and Brian at Breakfast

We arrived to the Arena and unlike most NCAA events were able to have a beer OUTSIDE the building. I should add a very EXPENSIVE beer of about $12 each in a 24oz can


Game 1 was pretty good between Ferris State and Union. Both schools making their first foray to the F4. Union is a small college of 2500 in upstate NY and Ferris St. from the hinterlands of Michigan. In the end the dept3h of Ferris State led to victory.

Jersey Wall

Game 2 was ALL BC. They completely outskated the Gophers and and capitalized on all mistakes. Blowout so we left early.

Alex, Brian, Sandy, Maddy

Dinner in Ybor with Sandy, Greg, Maddy, Hanna

Friday was a day we did some different things. Alex and I went to Bradenton to see an old friend of mine and Gary and Brian went to St. Pete Beach to enjoy the ocean view?? ;)


Friday night we linked-up with Gary's sister Sandy and husband Greg and their girls. They were in town for the F4 andf some Spring Break. We met in Ybor City, the old latin disrtict, for cocktails, a cigar, dinne1r, and some shopping for Tattoos. One thing about Ybor it is a cross section of people and definitely not the upper class snob appeal of Hyde Park.

Great Seats

Championship night included some time at Four Green Fields for snacks and some Guinness. After several rounds, being joined by some other Colgate Campers the Giovanelli's, we headed odd to the Championship.

Small World...................while walking in to the ring I ran in to Orono High School Classmate Lynn McDaniel with her son and sister. We were in Maine gear and she picked me out of the crowd. We chatted a bit and she lives nearby.

Jersey Night

The championship game was better than the score. BC won 4-1 but Ferris was tough and just could not capitalize on its numerous power plays.

Some final thoughts from all:

-4:30 am wake-up on Sunday was brutal

-Wearing shorts at a hockey game?

-Gary's olfactory prowess

-Tattoo shopping for Brian

-Screeching house alarm

-our seats finally better than Drechs!!

-Eye candy at Breakfast

JOCMO: No bike time here. Great moments with friends and nephew Alex