42.14.23.37 is today’s magic number. No it’s not my measurements nor is it my IQ [unless those dots were commas ;) ]. Its the number of days, hours, minutes and seconds until we leave Vancouver BC heading eastward.
I am so ready right now to head out. All of the hours in the saddle are paying dividends and I feel like I could tow a truck, well at least be able to sit on the front and do my share of the “pulling”. To-date I have clocked approximately 7400km and by the end of the week I will break 8000km.
In my last post I mentioned I was having problems with my right sit bone, and I’m happy to say that with the help of some physiotherapy I’ve started to improve. That and I finally found the perfect saddle … the one I originally took off the bike when this whole downward spiral started. After trying several other saddles I kept coming back to my Fizik Aliante, and even though it is a little worn it still fits well. So the plan is to replace it with the exact model at some point over the next week or so. Just not this week as its a long week where I have approximately 800km of riding planned.
With all of the training and fussing over my right hip I forgot to post a rather significant change in my life. About 4 weeks ago while cleaning my bike I found some cracks in the frame around where the seat post clamps. I was devastated, I love my Kestrel. It’s fast, responsive and on ultra long riders does not punish me. Alas repairing it would mean I would be without the bike for 4-6 weeks, maybe longer. So I decided it was prudent to start looking for a replacement.
Fortunately, I had been talking to a gentlemen in BC named Kurt Knock at EverTi bikes about a new frame. I had decided back in the spring to hold off on it, but given the situation the time was now. And that is where the Phoenix came into the picture. I thought the name was fitting, from the ashes [or soon to be] and all that. Kind of interesting that my last 2 bikes were named after birds eh. Go figure.
So now I am the proud owner of what will be my first [and hopefully] last Ti bike. There is something to be said about a naked Titanium frame. Simple, elegant, light and Mongo-strong. And she handles like a purpose built “mongo-rocket”; my pork roast sized calves can hammer the pedals on this baby and she sucks it up and rockets forward.
Back in June while riding the Tour de Grand I started experiencing problems with cramps in my Gluts. Bad enough that I had to abandon the ride half way through, which was too bad as it was a great ride.
Since then I have been suffering with a tight right hamstring and dull pain around my right sit bone area. Sitting in a saddle for 5+hrs a ride certainly hasn’t helped, however, training must go on. And provided it is just a low level of discomfort and not getting worse I’ve decided to keep forging on.
Oddly enough I feel good when cycling [provided I don’t hammer full out], with just a bit of occasional tenderness when in the saddle. It’s the post ride activities like sitting in a chair where I feel the discomfort the most.
I’ve even gone to the extent of switching saddles [3 different saddles] to find a more comfortable perch and had a bike fit to help ensure I’m positioned on the bike correctly.These have helped a little but not to the extent I had hoped, mostly due to the fact that the right sit bone/bursa area is inflamed and just needs some TLC.
I have though been doing an intentionally light training load for the last 2 weeks in an effort to allow my body to recoup a little. The light training weeks have helped though given the lack of significant improvement I decided to enlist the help of my local physiotherapist. So tonight I went for my initial assessment. They figure that the problem is actually in my left hip that is causing it to rotate forward a little more than my right.Go figure.
With a little luck and some additional stretches and hip alignments I’ll start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Either way I’m focused on the goal… September 9th in Vancouver and making sure I arrive [on the bike] in Halifax.
Over the past few months I’ve written about things like how my training is going, how I’m doing on fund raising, why I’m riding across Canada, crashing, etc. What I haven’t done a good job of is telling you about one of the most important things [besides helping the kids] regarding how this is all possible, my support system.
When I decided I wanted to ride in the Sears National Kids Cancer ride I knew that there would be work involved in raising the funds and putting in the time training. I also had an inkling of the sacrifices my family might make in helping make this possible; like me spending most of my time on the weekends and weeknights on the bike and not with them.
Months into the process I have a far better appreciation of what it takes to get ready to ride across the country, and how much support one really needs.
When I’m out training 4-5 times a week, the kids get fed, the fridge remains stocked and the house stays remarkably kept up. When I come in I’m greeted by Lori and the kids asking me how my day was or how was my ride, where did I go and what did I see. When I’m tired and sore I get help stretching or a light massage. And when it is time to do my chores I often get excused from them or they are taken care of for me.
It’s selfless support like this that makes the Sears National possible. From the sponsors such as Sears and their store staff, to the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation staff and volunteers, to your and my family giving whatever they need to; all to make it possible to reach our destination. Beyond cancer.
So while we are riding across Canada and you are reading our blogs wondering what it is like to be doing the ride, remember we are thinking about you and what you have done [and will do] to make this all possible.
To Lori, Liam and Emma, thank you for allow me to be a part of this.
Ever now and then you hear your body speaking back to you “take the day off, heck take a few days off”.
Listening to this is a good thing, just don’t talk back to yourself or you might start scaring people [more than you already do] ;)
This past week was a recovery week for me from my Hairshirt event so I took it somewhat easier and cut the volume of workouts down to 3. Sadly it was not enough to let the saddle chafing heal that I developed during the Hairshirt.After Sunday’s team Amazing Amelia ride I was ecstatic about getting off the bike.
I can say with certainty that nothing ruins a great ride like a sore bum and there is only so much suffering that the brain will allow before it starts to implode.
So this week I’ve decided I need to take the next 4 or 5 days off to allow things to heal up. And I can say with all honesty that I’m not that choked up about it [the time off]… much. On the bright side I’m lucky though as it’s not full blown saddle sores and just some serious rubbing.
If you know of any remedies to speed the healing process feel free to send them along, though I warn you that if I can’t spell it I won’t put it on my body. That’s part of Paully’s rule #7 which reads something like “If you can’t readily identify it don’t put it your mouth [or otherwise touch it]”. Trust me #7 is a life saver ;) Remember it.
