Too far???

[Lenusik]

Go for it, girl! You are in shape, so you can do it. Just be smart about pacing yourself. If you want to finish it, don't overdo in the first 25 miles. Just listen to your body and drink plenty. Good luck to you!

[luv2ride94]

Mom and I talked alot actually about it and she finally is 100% ok with it.. She really liked your idea of having a plan KSH so we have one set up. I can't wait!!

Now that I am riding for sure I have a few more questions.

I just looked at the weather for this weekend and its supposed to be about 65ish and mostly sunny. What do I wear long sleeves or short? usually I just ride in my shorts and a t-shirt and my helmet of course.

And I have 2 water bottle holders so I was gonna put water in one and gatorade in the other. I'm guessing there will be places to refill too if I need it.

Then some powerbars for when we stop and make sure to eat a good breakfast. Does all that sound right?

Hmmm anything else I need to know? This is my first time for this kind of thing so THANKS for the help!!! Katie

[Mimosa]

I just looked at the weather for this weekend and its supposed to be about 65ish and mostly sunny. What do I wear long sleeves or short? usually I just ride in my shorts and a t-shirt and my helmet of course.

Well, I know budget is allways thight and it is short notice, but there is something called armwarmers. I got one set at home and if I am not sure then I start off with the armwarmers and get them of when it is getting to warm.

And do you have some sporty sunglasses you can wear?

And I have 2 water bottle holders so I was gonna put water in one and gatorade in the other. I'm guessing there will be places to refill too if I need it.

Then some powerbars for when we stop and make sure to eat a good breakfast. Does all that sound right?

Just don't forget that refill, drinking regularely is very important. A fist rule is to drink one bottle per hour (which is a lot I hear you think, but do it anyhow ). Start drinking alreay after 15 minutes in the race. And also to eat something each hour (a powerbar is oke).

Hmmm anything else I need to know? This is my first time for this kind of thing so THANKS for the help!!! Katie

You got all the material for small repairs like when you have a puncture?

[KSH]

Mom and I talked alot actually about it and she finally is 100% ok with it.. She really liked your idea of having a plan KSH so we have one set up. I can't wait!!

Now that I am riding for sure I have a few more questions.

I just looked at the weather for this weekend and its supposed to be about 65ish and mostly sunny. What do I wear long sleeves or short? usually I just ride in my shorts and a t-shirt and my helmet of course.

And I have 2 water bottle holders so I was gonna put water in one and gatorade in the other. I'm guessing there will be places to refill too if I need it.

Then some powerbars for when we stop and make sure to eat a good breakfast. Does all that sound right?

Hmmm anything else I need to know? This is my first time for this kind of thing so THANKS for the help!!! Katie

OH! That's wonderful! I'm so happy you get to ride and your Mom feels comfortable with you doing it. She only worries because she loves you.

I have ridden the past couple of weekends when it's been 62... and I basically started out in shorts, a long sleeve dry weave shirt (NO COTTON!) under my cycling jersey. When I got warmed up... I was able to tie the shirt around my waist.

Then again, it got up to 82 degrees.

If I were going to ride and it wouldn't be getting above 65, then I would keep the long sleeved shirt on... and try to find something to cover my legs with. I have leg warmers (which can be removed, but SLIDE down your leg as you ride) and knickers (go below your knees biking "pants")... for such occasions.

Your hydration plan sounds good... and if it's a supported ride... you should be able to refill at the rest stops.

Powerbars and a good breakfast are great. Focus on eating some carbs and protein to prepare for the ride.

GOOD LUCK! You are doing to do great... and if you get too tired to ride... there is no shame in taking a SAG wagon.

You better come back with a full report!

[luv2ride94]

I think I have everything covered and am good to go. Now I'm goin to bed to get a goodnights sleep. I'll come back tomorrow afternoon and tell you all about it! THANKS for all your help! KT

[luv2ride94]

Hey everyone,
This is Angela, Katies sister. We made about 35 miles of the ride no problems having a blast...

Some small animal ran in front of her she swerved hit a rock and lost control. Her and her bike rolled about 3 times I was right behind her and as I got to her she informed me very calmly that her arm was broken and "it feels like its down by my leg but I can see it laying right beside me" well it was not right for sure.

Her elbow was completely backwards. Called 911 lost service and about 4 tries later left her long enough to go to where I got reception. Did I know where I was?? of course not, thankfully a farmer stopped about then and did know where we were and took the phone. 2 riders behind us stopped and helped out also then about 10 minutes later 2 more stopped one was thankfully a Doctor, talk about relief.

Ambulance came, put it in a splint, put her on the gurney and started a IV as soon as we loaded. Ask her pain leval and gave her laughing gas. That didn't work so he gave her demoral? and finigrin? (sp) and she said her pain was down to about a 4 or 5.

40 minute drive to the hospital and then about 1.5 hour wait for x rays the verdict : a severaly dislocated elbow and small fracture.

Then for the fun part -- setting it 2 shots of morphine, and alot of pain later. Its done, I handled it much worse than katie. She was a trooper, never shed a tear the entire day.. The EMT ask if her dad was a military man because this kind of pain brought grown men to crying babies. She actually laughed at that one.

7 hours later we headed home and the future looks like
3-5 weeks in a armpit to finger cast and sling... Shes way bummed not only no bike riding but no swimming.. LONG DAY!!

She wanted to post herself and got about 2 words punched out and gave up. Thanks for all your encouragement to her. Shes a great kid. I'm sure you'll hear from her personally as soon as the pain subsides some more.

[Kitsune06]

I want to be the first to say, then, that Katie is one tough chica. She wins my total respect. Best wishes for a quick recovery- those weeks will fly by, I promise!
*hugs!*

[Pedal Wench]

Oh no! Katie, that's awful! I feel so bad that you got hurt on your first big adventure. Please keep us updated on how you are feeling and recovering. You'll be back on your bike in no time.

It also sounds like you've got a wonderful sister. She should be proud of how she helped out in a crisis.

[bikerchick68]

you've been given lots of great advice! I'm excited for you and look forward to hearing all about your ride have a great time and remember to smile lots... when I'm tired I smile and somehow it just helps!

[luv2ride94]

I'm feeling much better almost no pain really. Thanks, and tomorrow I go to a pediatric orthopedic surgeon that specialized in sports medicine.

I really hope he'll tell me something better than last week. That doctor told me only how severe my accident was and that I shouldn't expect a full recovery and then he was gone.

Anyways good news! My bikes done, its getting picked up today, they say its almost as good as new! I hope they are right!

[bacarver]

Hi Katie -

How did the appointment go with the pediatric ortho surgeon? The doctor you saw last week was cruel to you. He needs to take a look at how he treats people. There are good doctors and health care providers out there. They care and they talk to you and answer your questions. They will encourage you and believe in your recovery.

I'm glad to hear that your bike is ok. Expensive bikes usually handle crashes pretty good. My trek 1500 was ok after I was attacked by the dog last summer.

Set goals and focus on getting better.

Barb

[bikerchick68]

DOH! This is what I get for not reading the WHOLE thread!

Katie... here I was rooting you on, and you've already done the ride and are in recovery... sorry 'bout that. I'm just back on the bike after a surgery and came late to your story...

dang, sorry you crashed but glad you rode! You'll be back... and passing old women like me in no time!

hope the surgeon gave you better news than the other doc...