Single-Speed-A-Palooza

Ike finally relaxing in the car after a night of pacing because the bike stuff came out

The day started off smoothly. Too smoothly for Mike and I. There is always some issue or episode on race day. Forgotten sunglasses, gloves, shoes, pumps…you name it, we’ve forgotten it. There wasn’t even the usual race morning Mike and Jocelyn snippy banter. We both were in very good spirits. So good in fact, that when Ike jumped in the car and basically told us he was going to the race regardless of what we had planned, we laughed and obliged. Yes, he usually does always come with us, but Stewart isn't very Ike friendly. No water to soak in and it usually gets hot and buggy.

Me getting to the single-track first.

On Friday, I had been complaining about the Small Block Eight tires on the bike. They really aren’t great at Stewart. We made the decision to put a bootleg set-up of tires on the bike. I had a decent Bontrager XDX in the front and a pretty ratty, worn out one on the rear. Mike had just raced it two weeks prior. I was hoping it had a few more hours of life left in it….

I had a good warm-up and I actually felt pretty good. An unusual feeling for me as of late. I did exactly what I said I was going to do in the race. I went out to the front right away and was the first one into the single-track (“Major Mike”). Because I had a much bigger gear than anyone else the strategy was to get on the climb first and they’d have to work to catch up and get around me. It worked well. I was cruising for a while and I knew I couldn’t blow myself up, especially on a SS. If you blow-up there is no "takesies backsies" on a SS. You’re pretty much walking home. I was starting to get back the riders who had passed me on those hills that were NOT conducive to my 34/18 29er gearing. I was really relaxed and I finally found the flow where I didn’t really feel like I was working. It’s that SSer zen like state. If you’ve experienced it you know what I’m talking about. I was about two-thirds into my first lap and I was planning on picking it up. I got in with about 5 guys and we were cruising wheel to wheel. We were moving at a pretty god clip down a slight incline and the guy in front of me went through a corner and a rock took him down. I was so close to him I went down as well. The guy behind me didn’t have time to react he tried to brake and I yelled “riders down" because it was a blind corner. The guy behind me ran into and over my wheel. I heard the “POOFFFFFFFFFFFFfffffffff.” My tire was now flat and Stan’s hemorrhaging over the trail. I pulled myself off the trail, muttered a few obscenities, and used two shooters to try and get some are in it. It seemed to take air but was still a little soft. I got back on and rode about 30 seconds. Now lets repeat this process 4 more times with various CO2 shooters that other racers were throwing at me. Nope. The bead wouldn’t seat. I was screwed. I was having an episode on the trail I kicked a tree stump. I kicked it at just the right angle that my freakin calf started to cramp. WTF!! I knew it was over.

Wendi came up on me on one of my futile attempts to fix my tire and told me her pedal fell off! She told me she put it on by hand...Oh, shit, I hope it wasn't the pedal I put on! I looked back at the sad tire which had spewed Stan's all over the trail. It looked like a vanilla milkshake had been spattered on the singletrack. That's it. I told myself it was over.

I had to bushwack out of the course and go back to civilization. I was cursing and talking to myself like the crazy person I am. I came out on one of the access roads and Mike flew by me. I knew he was at the end of the race. I attempted to trot to the top of the gravel hill so I could see him finish. I was so pissy and my calf was killing me from the fight the tree stump won. I could hear Hawaiian Mike yell and I knew Mike had finished. Mike had a big win.

I'm upset it didn't go as planned. I do have to look on the bright side, though. My body felt pretty good and I didn't have a "bio-mechanical". Right now I have to look on the bright side because it was only three weeks ago when I didn't think I would ever be back on the bike. Yes, I'm upset I had a mechanical. No, there's nothing I could have done. This sport is humbling. Yes, it was a small victory for me. I'll take it. Right now I'll take what I can get...

Thanks to Darkhorse for a great race and course. Oh yah...and thanks for the new tires!! As always, the guys of Darkhorse are way too good to Mike and me!!

Mike with his schwag

Mike (in his SWEET skinsuit) and Jesse (sporting the new Cannondale Team kit)

A couple of idiots

Rob, Mike, Sean, and Thom

The First Aid Kit Comes In Handy

So another preride on Monday and more wounds. I rode with Mike, Rob, Jesse, and Wendi . I was pushing a really big gear on a 29er. Since I was keeping up the same cadence as I would on a 26er I was going much faster than I am used to and the handling becomes a little tricky. It didn't feel like I was going that fast. That's the beauty of a 29er.
I was keeping up with Mike and Rob. At certain regathering points I would ride in and lie and say I did not crash. However, the blood, dirt, and tree branches sticking out of my helmet gave me away. Mike was so NOT amused!! I did get the hang of it. Who knew the bike had brakes? Apparently, you're supposed to use them...

Pictures really don't do the color or the swelling of the knee justice.

The elbow took another hit.

Yes, I have Tegaderm!!

Ike and I Take a Hike (and a swim)

After a longish ride for me yesterday, I needed a day off the bike. Ike and I went to Skyline Drive and hiked down to the lake.

Single-Speed-A-Palooza Pre-Ride

I met Wendi at Stewart to pre-ride the Single-Speed-A-Palooza course. Wendi had never been on a SS. I brought Roxie for her to try out. I decided to give one of Mike's 29ers a whirl. Not sure if I will be up for the race, but it was fun to take a friend out who's never been on a rigid SS. Wendi rode like rockstar! I was riding pretty well. I still tire quickly and can feel that my fitness has eroded. Most of the time spent was trying to get used to the big wheels. I did misjudge the size of the handlebars. I got a little too comfortable on a piece of singletrack and was pushing my limits a little. It felt great to fly through singletrack again! I hit my left knuckle on a tree...the next thing I knew I was eating dirt and leaves. Wendi caught up with me and found me on the ground (nothing knew if you've ridden with me often enough). She helped me clear the debris from my helmet and we were on our way....

That will be really pretty in a few days! I'll take the "wounds". At least I'm back on the bike!

So the big race is Sunday, May 31st. It's going to be a lot of fun! If I can't race I'm going to at least volunteer. I can at least make myself useful...

No Gluten, No Dairy, No Sugar, NO FUN

So to try and help my body out with the latest flare I've begrudgingly gone back to the strict eating plan. Just when I had started adding foods back...

Many ask what the heck I eat. Well, here are some of the usuals...

Quick Fried Rice

Cooked Brown Rice (some gluten, but most tolerate well)
1/2 Eggs
As many veggies as you want....use fresh or frozen
garlic
Olive Oil

Throw the veggies and garlic into the heated oil until they are crisp tender. Add rice and heat up. Make a little space for the egg. Crack an egg and as cooking stir it in with the rice and veggies. Use Bragg's Liquid Aminos and not the evil soy sauce....it's fermented, I have to stay away from anything fermented. Plus, the sodium content is not crazy.

Avocado Egg Salad

10 hard-boiled egg whites, diced
1/3 cup onions, diced
1/2 cup celery, diced
8 tbsp avocado, mashed
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp black pepper
sea salt

Combine eggs, onions, celery, avocado and mustard. Stir until well mixed. Add paprika, pepper and salt; stir to combine. I usually store in fridge and eat for lunch/snack for a couple of days after.

The next one sounds scary but it's probably my favorite....

"Caesar" Dressing

300-g package soft tofu
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp sea salt

Whirl it all in a blender or food processor. It's REALLY good, I swear. You can make some kickin' salads with this dressing! Mike eats it and I've even told him what's in it....

Close Encounters

The Linscott family seems to have a problem in general with geese and swans. It's not all water fowl. Mostly, geese and swans. I first became aware of the issue on a childhood trip to colonial Williamsburg. My dad had taken my brother and I there. I remember we were on our way to the ice cream shop. We had to walk all the way around the square to get there. There was a lawn and garden in the middle of the square. My dad and I decided to go the long way, my brother decided to cut through.

My dad and I were walking and we heard a blood-curdling scream. We looked and there was a goose flapping and chasing my brother. It meant business! I think this is where my bad luck began....

Since then geese and swans really have no tolerance for me. The ducks love me....geese and swans...not so much.

I've been the victim of a few random attacks and charges since then. While riding my bike I've had one latch onto my leg and it went with me for a few rotations before it fell off. I got home and showed Mike my torn tights. I then lifted up my tights and you could see the mark on my leg where the vicious little sucker latched on.

In Harriman I was on my road bike going at a pretty good clip and a goose took off and was flying low right beside me. I didn't know what the heck to do. I kept pedaling. His wing was so close I could feel the breeze from his flapping. If I wanted to I could have reached out and touched it. The goose flew by side for a few hundred feet. It then swerved and cut me off. I almost freakin crashed trying not to hit the stupid goose. I still to this day feel it was trying to sabotage me...

Since then I have had MANY run ins. They hiss at me and give me dirty looks. There are a bunch by my office and I am the only one that gets hissed at. My co-workers always tell me my "friends" are waiting for me. One day they were sunning themselves by the truck and I was trying to leave. I went to approach the truck and they started to get agitated and come towards me hissing...anyone else and the would have walked away. I'm convinced of that. Crazy...maybe a little.

Even Mike calls them "my buddies". Whenever we go ride together he can get really close. When I approach they get into he attack mode. They hate me....

I go on rides with people and when there are geese or swans they always laugh and tell me to stay away because they don't need any random "water fowl attacks" today.

So it was a really big deal for me to get up close and personal with these swans without being hissed at or chased. after riding at Kittatiny I stopped and took a few pictures....I was certain the one was going to chase me. He was actully pretty tolerant. Baby steps...

Winsted Woods

Ike Working Up a Good Goober!

So Mike raced at the Root 66 Race in Winsted Woods, CT. Ike and I went along for the ride. It was a little depressing not being able to race. However, Ike and I did walk the course and hung out at the top of the climb...

Ike takes being a spectator very seriously.

Still watching...

Something smells good...

Mike with the WIN!!

Back On the Bike (Kinda)

After holding down the couch for 2 weeks I finally got cleared to "ride"(I don't consider under 30 minutes 2x a week at a really low heart rate really "riding"). It really wasn't the kind of ride that I wanted to do, but at least I was on the bike and I got to be dirty once again...I forgot how much I enjoyed being sweaty and muddy...

I just went on a local rail trail. Flat. Boring. However, I seem to have a knack for finding mud puddles. I actually just really enjoyed putting my iPod on and riding my bike. After not doing anything and being limited to 20 minutes of activity for two weeks I was exhausted after 15 minutes! That's sad. From 4+ hours at tempo to barely being able to turn over the pedals for 15 minutes. It's humiliating and somewhat depressing. I can't even manage the 30 minutes 2x a week, yet!! That seems daunting. I'm hoping each day I get back a little more.

Downtime

Apparently, taking care of me is exhausting...

After being unable to do much for over a week now I am slowly starting to lose my mind...

I've been watching way too much Lifetime. I've even felt myself tearing up over some stupid Lifetime movie. I really need to get back on the bike before I lose mind and wear the dog out.

Ike felt it necessary to lay right in front of and to protect me from every passing car, mailman, wayward parrot, and neighborhood kids. I did appreciate his help with the wayward parrot part...