The back of the back is where a cyclist goes to be forgotten.

The ride was fun even at the back of the back, it was a cool course around 45 miles total for me door to door. The roll out from Boulder is still a bit nerve wracking as most group rides head down Diagonal Highway which is has shoulder but the cars and trucks zip past at 60+ mph. With the group packed into the shoulder it can be a little unsettling. When we hit Lyons, Colorado it started to get fast, there was slight ascent up the first “fruit loop”, named for the two small loops that the ride goes up. The hardest part of the ride was towards the end when we hit a crosswind which sent the ride across road in a echelon and dudes started popping. It was a little tough and I found myself closing a big gap where I was forced into the red and onto the rivet, 30 more seconds I told myself with my head down and my legs going as hard as I could.

I was not at the back of the back at that point in the ride, but gaps were opened and closed none the less. See, I have been having some issues with my pod, my human body. It has not been co-operating for the better part of a year now. Maybe it is the 35 year old mark in life, it is telling me I am not a kid anymore? Dunno, but the most recent breakdown of my pod has left me with some major back problems, tightening of my lower back muscles, sore upper vertebra, stiff shoulders and host of other aches and pains back there. The multiple visits to the chiropractor, Dr. Boynton a local Chiro to the cycling pros has made me feel better at least in my mind. Not sure the root of it all, there is not one defining moment where this all started, there are new aches and pains each day. Some take my breath away.

I can’t stop doing what I like to do, I will not let it put me on the couch, so if the back of the back is where I need to be right now to participate then I will be there.

First with a pregnant woman on a mountain bike, my guess is 8 months pregnant and large with her belly hanging out, half shirt on. Pulled out in front me, even though I had the right away. Wow, think she might have been extra aware considering she is riding a bike 10 months pregnant.

Second, a very interesting looking man in all black with tattoos on neck, bandana on head, blacked out mountain bike rolling no hands through traffic. Into intersection with hand in air putting out the STOP hand. He will be hit, soon.

Last, middle aged man with headphone riding a off-road mountain unicycle. I almost crashed trying to watch him navigate his commute home. Laptop bag, work clothes and big mountain uni-cycle.

Finally, our car-port is ahead in the bike commuter casualty war. After picking up Anna from work, she proceeded to drive into car port with bike on roof, destroying her bike. She should have entered the bike commuter ring yesterday instead of getting in the car.

As the week progressed this all got worse, with pain ranging on a perceived pain scale of close to 10, the worst pain I have ever had. I went to my primary doctor at the Jefferson Medical Care in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia. I must talk about this doctor, whom I actually never saw, I saw the nurse practicioner and she was less then helpful, at points she even accused me of lying about the pain and told me she knew what real pain was because she had real pain and started to tell me about her issues. She did not listen and accused me of being a liar. She send me on my way with a prescription for tylenol and go see a physical therapist – I was perplexed and frustrated. This place is horrible, do not send yourself or your family there. I have had negative experiences there on more than on occasion, each visit never once seeing the doctor but this nurse practitioner.

So, I left the doctor got my prescription advil and hoped I would wake up the next morning and the pain would be gone, no such luck, it was even worse and my arm was almost rendered useless. I went to work the rest of the week, just toughing it out. At points I was hiding out almost in tears, trying to manage my pain with mental toughness.

We were moving in a few weeks from Philadelphia to Boulder, Co so things were a bit busy and we had plans to go out to dinner with a friend on that Friday. As we sat and eat, I had zero appetite and the pain was even worse, a 11 of 10, basically brought to tears we left dinner and went to Pennsylvania Hospital in Society Hill, Philadelphia. The doctor was helpful and listened, I talked about the pain and where it was localized, she asked the right questions and brought us to find the Winged Scalpula. She was intrigued by the scapula, must not have seen many in her career, other doctors shuffled in and took a look at it. I was truly a freak. She used this a springboard to possibly isolate the problem or cause, she recommened a few doctors and specialists to see. When I called them they treated me like a criminal, man the doctors these days are just plain wrong. I think they are unqualified and have become no more than mechanics of the body with huge attitudes and poor work ethic. Anyhow, after getting nowhere with the doctors I spoke with and the hospital not releasing my test results or documents to me but only to my primary doctor I once again went to my primary in Fairmount ( the bad doctors office – Jefferson Medical Center). Once again the nurse practicioner saw me and treated me like a fool, I got nowhere once again and left empty handed. In a percocete haze I left my new Oakley Sunglasses at the office, when I called about them they played dumb, degenerate office workers stole my glasses!

Fast forward a few months and the pain had more or less gone away, still some days with a little bit. The numbness and tingling would come and go with some mild pain. The arm was still not 100%, only able to lift it up partially into the air. The arm and shoulder was also very weak and I did not really use it that much, for example I could not use my right arm to reach up and change a light bulb.

One morning in Boulder I woke with more pain and tingling than usual so I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Jack Stanley. He was great, listened and although did not know what was going on provided some direction, made some phone calls and within a few weeks we had a diagnosis! Parsonage Turner Syndrome! Dr. Jack, although confident was not an ego maniac like most doctors and I actually saw him! Not some nurse, nurse practicioner or assistant. He got me into Spine West to see Dr. Gronseth, after some poking, prodding, bending and a few other tests he had a diagnosis and it was spot on!

PARSONAGE TURNER SYNDROME!
Parsonage-Turner syndrome (PTS) is a rare syndrome of unknown cause, affecting mainly the lower motor neurons of the brachial plexus. The brachial plexus is a group of nerves that conduct signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. PTS is usually characterized by the sudden onset of severe one-sided shoulder pain, followed by paralysis of the shoulder and lack of muscle control in the arm, wrist, or hand several days later. The syndrome can vary greatly in presentation and nerve involvement.

So, there is not much I can do but try and keep it strong and just wait. But, the months leading up to the closure of this was stressful, scary and painful.

Useful Links::
Parsonage Turner Syndrome

http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/parsonage-turner-syndrome

Dr. Jack in Boulder

http://www.flatironshealth.com/

Spine West

http://www.spinewest.com/

The race started out hot and stayed hot for the remainder of 58 miles, the Groove Subaru team was dominating, they owned that race, sticking more or the less their whole team in the break. Either from the initial move or bridging to the break at one point or another. Very impressive and hats off to them. Many got caught out at certain points, either at the turn-arounds or after chasing for miles to get back to the pack.

The race was broken apart at the finish with multiple groups making up the race, the short punchy climbs, gusty winds and ripping pace splintered the race into small bits. Surely a tough day on the bike for most.

I had another shifty day on the bike, getting caught out and chasing back on many a times, I found that I just did not have the ability to recover fast enough to keep the pace of the front group especially after chasing on so many times and closing down many a gap left open. I found that once recovered I was able to lay it down again. Racing in Colorado has been tricky and tough, I feel as though I am not up to “speed”. Soon enough.

Getting Ready to Mow the Lawn...

Boulder, ahhhh, the land of technical clothing. From REI, Mountain Hardware, Marmot, Patagonia, North Face and on and on. Everyone from the elderly woman to the little kid in stroller is wearing something from one of these brands, mainly a moisture wicking shirt, fleece or hiking/adventure style pants with UV resistant coating. It is evident in all aspects of life, from the grocery store to the lunchtime frolf game to mowing the grass ( better be with a push mower ) – this is where I come into play recently.

I think the homeowners of my neighborhood have put me on the Boulder Yardwork Bad Form list, as I proceeded to do hours of yardwork with a cotton hooded sweatshirt on top, jeans on the bottoms and a pair of slip on vans. As the mositure and sweat was nicely absorbed into my clothing I realized that I am breaking the unwritten rule that you must wear technical clothing with UV components and a name brand in the like of Patagonia, REI, Marmot, Mtn Hardware, Arc’terx and on. Even when mowing the lawn. I mean come on, you never know when a hike is going to break out, or a trail run gets going or you need to start the journey up the 14′er, perhaps I should wear my cycling kit while mowing the yard, I bet it would be exceptable. Aero helmet, skinsuit and technical running shoes, I would be the fastest, non-gas mowing push mower in Boulder County and I bet it would be just fine.

That is fine, I like the technical clothing, but it is everywhere – work, grocery, church ( i am guessing on that one), coffee shop, yard work, sleeping, bike shops, Pearl Street, library and on. Next time I will be for sure wearing some new technical yard work clothing, perhaps a new market has arisen beyond Smith & Hawken

This past weekend we made our first trip west towards to the high desert, at first we were going to go to Moab and do some mountain biking but then we decided to stay in Colorado and give Fruita our full attention. We heard that Fruita was similar to Moab and possibly less crowded with some great trails, camping and good weather. We set out on our journey Friday evening, Google maps sent us a really crazy way that had us going off of I70 and onto some back roads that started in Gypsum, Co. We were totally perplexed and a little concerned but we pushed on as the sun was setting. Up this really tight, narrow and steep dirt road over Cottonwood Pass. We were getting nervous as it looked as if we were heading into the deep mountains via a dirt road, via google maps. In this day and age we get so accustomed to letting some free computer software or application do all the thinking. Well, Anna and I are guilty of that and because of this our first few hours of our trip were a little stressful. In the end we went a bunch out the way on some crazy dirt roads but we arrived in Fruita by 10:30PM.

Saturday we headed out after some coffee at the Aspen Street Cafe, first let me say Fruita is a cool little town but it is in dire need of a good coffee shop and a micro-brewery. Aspen Street Cafe served up an ok coffee, not all that friendly and slow. We waited over 30 minutes for yogurt and granola to be made for us. Not that we are in a hurry but my god, there was like 10 people in the whole place. Anyhow, back to riding.

We zipped on over to 18 Road trail system, upon arrival the parking lot had a few cars and there were people zipping in and out of the trail heads. We suited up and headed out to Western Zippity, a double track that turns into some sweet single track, hard pack non-technical swoopy trails. I punched it up a steep climb, full head of steam when the eccentric BB slipped and caused my chain to jump off the chainrings, a good start to the day? Nice little wake up with some sore nuts after taking it to the stem of my bike.

Once on the top of Western we rolled on over to Zippity, a bit more climbing and some technical stuff, steep ridges and some nail-biting single track with sheer drops to the right. I was one of the only people i saw on a ss, let alone a full rigid SS. Most ride boing-gee type downhill style bikes, not caring to much about going up but more interested in going down. Down is fun and going fast is a blast, but I like climbing, I think it is technically challenging and physically as well. Zippity led us to Chutes and Ladders which is exactly that; a series of steep ups and steep downs. I cleaned a bunch of ups as others on big geared bikes suffered. I watched in amazement as they struggled. One observation was most people would shift into the granny gear in the front and easiest in the back and spin at like 200 rpms trying to get up the hills. No momentum built up and little tension on the bike. I think everyone should ride a SS for a day, it makes you understand the physics and physical side of getting up and over a hill. I think if these people would have pushed a harder gear, built up some momentum and rode the damn bikes they might have had a better chance. Anyhow, the downhill portion to Chutes & Ladders was a hoot! Later that day we rode a few other easier trails, Vegetarian and Kessels.

That evening we went out on the town, over to the Hot Tomato Cafe which served up a mean pizza pie! One of the best I have had in a long long time. A few pints of New Belgium Ranger IPA sitting on the patio soaking up some sun, I must say life could not have gotten any better!

Sunday we headed over to Kokopelli, the dude at the local bike shop, Singletracks told me not to go here on the SS, I went anyhow. It was the raddest place I have ever ridden and the SS was perfect! Not sure why he advised against it. We started out on Mary’s Loop where we bumped into a couple on a full suspension tandem, they were killing it. We chatted it up at the entrance to Horsetheif Bench loop, they advised us to give that trail a go. So after some gnarly hike and bike down this steep rocky wall to the trail start we set out and were in heaven. The trails were so fun, and perfect on the SS, swoopy single track with sand, slick rock, hard pack clay. Technical nuggets that were challenging yet totally rideable, pushing me and making my adrenaline race through my body! Possibly one of the best days I have had on the bike in a long time.

After hiking back up the rock wall hike-a-bike portion of Horsetheif Bench we proceeded to finish off Marys Loop which was really fun, it ran on a high ridge above the Colorado River, there was a bunch of stuff that I got stuck on riding the SS, I am not the best mountain biker and I am sure there are dudes that can skin the whole place. When we returned to the parking lot, it was packed with riders getting ready to head out, we are early risers and I think we got out riding at the perfect time. Again, away all the people went on the big, heavy, knobbed out springers. I think they are missing out on a part of riding by choosing to ride bikes like that, but heck, I don’t know maybe I am the one missing out, but right now I think not because I saw, rode and experienced some great stuff with Anna in Fruita, only as fast as my rigid SS would let me.

Tour of the Gila came and went, like a big bad storm sweeping into town and doing damage. That is how I feel right now, the Gila did its damage to me and left me worn and battered.

Months of build up, months of training for the Gila, with one big goal in mind, a light at the end of the tunnel. Now that it is over I feel a little empty, nothing to work for. Where do I begin? where do I go? what is the next thing?

The Gila was a tough battle, and everyday I was right there in the thick of the battle only to be overtaken right at the end. I just did not have that last 2% to give. In other words, I cracked everyday with less than 10 miles to race, sitting with the lead group. As if a switch was turned from on to off, one minute plotting and planning for the last few miles, the attack, the big move. Next, survival mode. The Gila stages are tough son-of-a-guns, because they can sneak up on ya and make life very miserable very quickly.

Each stage I left it all out there and even took a little of the Gila with me. Cracking on a Gila stage means losing a lot of time, doesn’t matter if it is 2 miles or 10 miles from the finish time will be taken. The riders are strong, the terrain is unforgiving and often the winds and weather are demoralizing. This was the case on stage 2, 30-40 MPH winds with 50 mph gusts. Lose a wheel, cramp up, bad position, whatever the sceanario and the wind and terrain will rule.

I had high hopes for Gila and I came close. Just need to do a little more work next year.

Respect the Gila

1. Buying/Bought a house in Boulder, Co – This is scary, because the nice new TT wheels for this race season all of a sudden are back to the want list

2. Riding the bike – The wheels are turning, and turning. Highlights include a near death experience, riding with DLOWE, seeing a down eat a squirrel, TT bike sessions, lots-o-climbing.

3. XC Ski – The local nordic club is grooming the local golf course near my house, it is rad.

4. First Race – Well, timetrial was my first race this year, posted a good time.

5. Work – Work is crushing me, unheard of deadlines and scrambled messages.

6. Motorcycle – 71 Honda CB350 is in the process of restoration – lots of parts in the house.

7. Entreprenuer – I am trying.

8. Beer – Took a small break from it, just haven’t been feeling like one.

9. Cycling Team – New team, new year, training camp this weekend.

10. Racing has started – Tour of Gila on tap very soon.