June Riding

[Crankin]

Thanks, Catrin. I went to the doc and got my drugs!
So, I had a little crash today. It didn't involve anyone else, just my own poor judgment and doing something out of my normal routine in cycling. At the top of Strawberry Hill (where it is flat) we were turning left. I came up to the intersection, still clipped in and there was a car. An Acton Police car... My leg was in the up position, and I couldn't get it down fast enough. So, it was crash or get hit. I was probably going 0-1 mph and fell on my knee. Someone had to lift my bike so I could unclip. The damage is 2 abrasions, not bad and bruising, some stiffness. I treated myself and told the riders to go on, I was returning to my car. On the way back down the hill, my bandaid fell off and I looked like a pro, with blood streaming down my leg. I stopped at the corner of my old street and put on a better band aid.
So, I rode 10 miles. Gorgeous day, but just as well. Just heard from my friend that I would not have made it back for my dr. appt. as there were 2 flats and they stopped at a pond for half an hour! I cleaned it up and I've been icing, using antibiotic stuff on it and Arnica in the surrounding area. No swelling and no pain, just stiffness. I hope it's OK for leading tomorrow night, but I know it's not injured, like requiring medical attention.
Stupid!

[Catrin]

Thanks, Catrin. I went to the doc and got my drugs!
So, I had a little crash today. It didn't involve anyone else, just my own poor judgment and doing something out of my normal routine in cycling. At the top of Strawberry Hill (where it is flat) we were turning left. I came up to the intersection, still clipped in and there was a car. An Acton Police car... My leg was in the up position, and I couldn't get it down fast enough. So, it was crash or get hit. I was probably going 0-1 mph and fell on my knee. Someone had to lift my bike so I could unclip. The damage is 2 abrasions, not bad and bruising, some stiffness. I treated myself and told the riders to go on, I was returning to my car. On the way back down the hill, my bandaid fell off and I looked like a pro, with blood streaming down my leg. I stopped at the corner of my old street and put on a better band aid.
So, I rode 10 miles. Gorgeous day, but just as well. Just heard from my friend that I would not have made it back for my dr. appt. as there were 2 flats and they stopped at a pond for half an hour! I cleaned it up and I've been icing, using antibiotic stuff on it and Arnica in the surrounding area. No swelling and no pain, just stiffness. I hope it's OK for leading tomorrow night, but I know it's not injured, like requiring medical attention.
Stupid!

Youch! Very glad to read that no serious damage was done!

[north woods gal]

Thanks for the nice comments, folks. Rebecca, as always, your photography just stops me in my tracks. Wow!

[Crankin]

Happy to report my knee is not worse this morning. I will be able to ride tonight.
NY, when are you coming up here?

[emily_in_nc]

Ugh, Crankin! Hope you are not too sore today. Thank goodness it wasn't worse.

[rebeccaC]

thanks emily, catrin and nwg!!!! it felt good to be able to post a ride report

[emily_in_nc]

thanks emily, catrin and nwg!!!! it felt good to be able to post a ride report

I bet! I can't wait to do that myself (other than a trainer ride). Happy for you!!

[ny biker]

I think most of us have had falls like that, Crankin. Glad you're mostly okay. We're heading to Cape Code June 23-July 1. Staying in Hyannis this time, in a small house that is walking distance to the restaurants and stores on the main street. I had suggested a possible side trip to the Concord area on the way to or from the cape, but it doesn't work with my sister's schedule. The agenda will be somewhat similar to last year's trip, centered around Cape League baseball games but with time for some sightseeing.

So, potentially big news today. As mentioned elsewhere I've been going to PT for the ankle tendon problem. Several of the exercises I'm doing are for strengthening the hip and glute muscles, for better ankle stabilization. So I'm doing squats. But they're bothering my right knee due to the patella tracking problem that used to hurt when cycling. While discussing this, the therapist did some measuring to try to understand what's going on. She determined that my hip/femor angles are the same on both sides. Then she mentioned that the left leg is slightly shorter than the right. Aha!! A giant metaphorical light bulb went on over my head. Could this be causing, or at least contributing to, the saddle problems on the right side??? I'm very excited to have this new information. Of course I'm not sure what to do next -- go ahead with the purchase of the leather saddle? Or hold off on that and make an appointment with the bike fitter? Or buy the saddle AND schedule an appointment with the fitter?