back in the saddle

I rode on one of those fat-saddled computerized "exercise" bikes today. Five minutes, 34 seconds total time. I have permission to ride my bike on the trainer again starting at 12 minutes a day.

rehab begins

Got my new knee brace today and I can start putting weight on my leg. It (the brace) is cool in that it takes the stress off the part of my knee that was really messed up. It actually separates the bones so they don't rub each other. That way I can start regaining some fitness and continue to let my knee heal.

Here is my starting point (sorry, I know it's not pretty). Note the disparity between my right and left legs and even my good leg has shrunk!

global upheaval

See this picture:

The only place in the entire world to not have any forecast change in "horrible things" is Missouri. Sure it'll be hotter but overall not as bad as _______. Time to get prepared for all the refugees who will come to steal our food and homes and women. Start forming militias. Here come the new feudal ages!

masters cyclo-cross world championships

Yo! Check this out.

[Kansas City] Area finishers at the World Masters Cyclocross Championship in Mol, Belgium on Saturday:

Official Results

Mens 35-39: David White, 27th

Womens 40-49: Teresa Jarzemkoski, 9th

Men's 45-49

Mark Thomas: 21st

Dan Hansen: 55th

Bill Anderson: 57th

(Editors note: These finishes are under contention by your own on-the-scene Slimen News Team. They should be listed as Dan 30th and Mark 40th)

Mens 55-59

Dean Parker: 20th

Yet more evidence that the KC cycling scene is more vibrant (if not larger) than the StL scene.

1 more week

Then I start learning to walk again!

olive branches

Christmastime 1989. I was visiting a good friend in Freiburg during my year in Germany. Though I don't recall how she got there, there was an American girl with us in his apartment. I was "entertaining" her and while I don't remember her name and how or where I met her, I do remember she wanted to read each and every day of his daily Far Side calendar for 1990. Much to my friends distress, I humored her since she was female and I was a bachelor seeking companionship (it soon became obvious that once again I was looking in all the wrong places). I ended up escorting her home and leaving her there alone.

Every once in a while I am reminded of my friend's agony at having his entire year read out in advance by this girl and his "friend." Usually it happens when Bridget is upset that someone (we in her family all know better now) reads ahead in one of her daily calendars.

So I sent him a new Far Side daily calendar as a way of making up for this old faux pas.

4 weeks down...two to go!

Needless to say the closest I have been to a bicycle lately is watching the Tom Boonen win the Tour of Flanders on dvd.

I have been somewhat disturbed (but not surprised) by my complete adaptation to being cooped up in the house and on the couch for the past 4 weeks. I seem to be perfectly content to lay on my couch watching television and reading. "Made for TV" you might say. Nevertheless I am looking forward to the day I can move about again without crutches. The ability to carry a plate of food from the kitchen to, say, the couch is something I will never take for granted again. If I knew this injury was permanent I might be more freaked, that is for sure.

Just last night I was laying on the couch with my knee in the CPM last night thinking that even if I don't ever regain use of my leg and lose my job and house and have to go on welfare I would feel really happy because I have such a great family. My kids are the greatest and I know that when they grow up and are rich and famous they will take their ol' Da and Mum in off the street.

riding again

Went on a great ride this afternoon. A bit chilly at first but with the gorgeous sunshine that didn't last long. Explored the roads off of M west of Ashland down toward the river. Needless to say this was a gravel road ride. It was nice to be back out after the holidays when I didn't get out on the bike much. The hills sure didn't get any less steep during the same time! Damn there are some steepies out there!

three weeks down...three to go

Then I hope to start walking and eventually riding again.