Sunday, April 07, 2019
Party Pardee
We rode Party Pardee again. It didn't rain, and we didn't crash. A good time was had by all. It was nice to see Tricia back on her bike, and she did look wonderful in Lorri Lee Lown's Savvybike California Poppy jersey. Nothing exciting to report other than that.
Sunday, February 17, 2019
Almond Blossom Century and a crash
How do you talk or write about a crash? Everyone wants to know "Is she OK?" But what does that mean? There's such a wide range that includes "OK." So, is Tricia OK? Well, she's alive. And she should recover from her injuries. No bones were broken. So, considering the alternative, yeah, "OK" covers it. And if you aren't involved, if you don't know her, it may be a good enough answer. Do I insert that old "Injuries that happen to other people are minor. Injuries that happen to me aren't." line here?
If you're friend or family, OK is harder. She's hurt. Parts of left hand are unbelievably swollen. There are colors involved that I hope to never see again. The ER doc wrapped it up in a lot of padding and such to protect it from bumps, which kind of works. Her ribs, though not broken, sure behave like they are. Laying on her side is impossible and trying to get out of bed is excruciating. She does it, but I almost cry watching her do it.
So, is she "OK?" Kinda sorta? It could have been worse. A lot worse. That's a good thing. But she still hurts and will be limited in what she does for... Well, we don't know. And pain, well, it's painful.
Here's the story
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| We arrived happy and ready |
While we didn't have a wet start, it was pretty darn windy. Plus, we had morning winds from the South as we rode South that changed to winds from the North when we turned to ride North. Then the skies opened on us. But we were doing OK.
At mile 45, just as we crossed a bridge over the San Joaquin bad things happened.
We’ve replayed her crash over and over in our minds. Plus, my photojournalist background had me photograph her as she was doing her injury inventory right after we moved her off the road.
Here’s what we think occurred — see the diagram at the end.
Just after the bridge there is a lot of room to the right of the fog line. It looks like a bike lane or break down lane. But then the rumble strip appears and quickly the road to the right of the rubble strip disappears so there you are off the road, which isn’t awful except the road lip is right there. We think Tricia get her wheel against that lip and that’s what caused her crash.
A kind fellow cyclist (Thanks Roger) who wasn't on the ride stopped his car and ended up giving Tricia a ride back to the start. I waited for SAG and brought the bikes back.
We went to the Kaiser Modesto ER where she was treated. X-rays showed no broken bones in her hand, elbow or ribs.
She has severe bruising along with minor cuts on her left hand. They splinted it. It’s the worst of her injuries, and will take some time to heal.
If you're reading this I bet you're a cyclist and what you want to know is: How's the bike? It seems OK. The bar ends and tape may need some attention, but I think she protected it with her body. I haven't given it a full going over yet.
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| Tricia performs a body parts check while Curtis, who photographs everything, makes photos. |
Wednesday, February 06, 2019
Ice in the California Bay Area? Yep.
I'm in the far reaches of the California Bay Area where really cold is 40 degrees. Sure, it sometimes gets close to freezing, or even freezing, but it's usually really dry.
I've been riding the same commute for many, many years. For the first time a short wooden bridge I ride over all the time had ice. Invisible ice, which is still as slippery as regular old visible ice. It was cold and wet, but the roads just had puddles.
I turned onto the bridge, and still in the process of turning had my front wheel slide out from under me. Not slowly, just boom.
I got away with a bunch of pain and bruises. And my ever so nice Showers Pass jacket can no longer be worn to formal events.
But there's no climate change, right?
I've been riding the same commute for many, many years. For the first time a short wooden bridge I ride over all the time had ice. Invisible ice, which is still as slippery as regular old visible ice. It was cold and wet, but the roads just had puddles.
I turned onto the bridge, and still in the process of turning had my front wheel slide out from under me. Not slowly, just boom.
I got away with a bunch of pain and bruises. And my ever so nice Showers Pass jacket can no longer be worn to formal events.
But there's no climate change, right?
Friday, December 28, 2018
English Channel to the Mediterranean, Peak Tours, 2018
I don't have stories, and I should. But I do have a bunch of cycling photos from our 2018 Peak Tours two-week ride across France, from the English Channel to the Mediterranean. Here they are. Click the image.
Monday, December 17, 2018
Antioch auto drivers. Yech
What's up with all teh crazy driving in Antioch? Sunday we had some jerk spin doughnuts in an intersection right in front of us. With a small child in the back seat. One tiny slip and that car would have taken me out.
Then there's Tricia's bike commute on what should be sleepy suburban streets. But no. Check this video.
Then there's Tricia's bike commute on what should be sleepy suburban streets. But no. Check this video.
Sunday, December 02, 2018
Kids. Bikes. Old guys.
It felt like I'd been waiting forever. At last I got to go on a bike ride with young Michael. He's 3, and awesome. I just wish he was around more so we could do this more often What a delight!
Grandchildren. Who knew?
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Tricia speaks at the Antioch City Council meeting
Tricia is concerned about the new configuration of a major street in Antioch, and about the way the city handles bicycle infrastructure. She spoke at the City Council meeting on November 26.
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
Saturday, November 10, 2018
Giro d' Vino 2018
This years version of the Lodi Giro d' Vino had the best weather of any version we've ridden. It's always a great ride, even in the rain, but no wind and perfect temps was a delight beyond delight.
Friday, November 02, 2018
Drivers in Antioch
My morning commute. Not my closest pass or biggest jerk, just the one I happened to catch on camera.
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Foxy's Fall Century 2018
Foxy's Fall Century by the Davis CA bike club is one of Tricia's favorites. Last year fires forced them to alter the route, and we on did the 100K ride. This year we took on the full 100 miler.
The route was different than it has been. I liked it a lot. It was still beautiful, but the front loaded the climbing. There's a lot of flat, so even though it's only 3,471 feet of climbing, it came in short sections.
We had perfect weather and not one issue. Thanks Davis support crew!
We were beat at the end, but still went to a concert in Auburn to see Chuck Prophet, who was wonderful.
Wednesday, October 03, 2018
Curtis the bike Commuter bonus photo
Just so my millions of loyal readers don't think I've lost my love for them, here's a photo of my daily bike commute, and a movie as well.
Sunday, August 26, 2018
New Mavic commuter wheel and tires
I thought I just had a broken spoke on my commuter bike. But alas on closer inspection I also had one the destroyed its eyelet.
I'd never loved these wheels. They came on the bike and needed truing out of the box. So instead of replacing just the rear wheel I got a set of nice Mavic gravel-oriented wheels from The Bike Shop that were take-offs from a bike they'd sold.
I also replaced the indestructible but slow rolling Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires with Gatorskins. They roll a lot better. Now I'll find out how they do in the land of broken glass and thorns that is my commute.
I'd never loved these wheels. They came on the bike and needed truing out of the box. So instead of replacing just the rear wheel I got a set of nice Mavic gravel-oriented wheels from The Bike Shop that were take-offs from a bike they'd sold.
I also replaced the indestructible but slow rolling Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires with Gatorskins. They roll a lot better. Now I'll find out how they do in the land of broken glass and thorns that is my commute.
Friday, July 27, 2018
Crater lake in the smoke
I know, I know... Where are the France photos. It's a bunch of work and I've been lazy. But I will.
In the meantime, here's a token photo from Crater Lake.
We went to Shady Grove for a week-long family vacation. Unfortunately we picked a week where the state is on fire and apparently the smoke collects here of all places. We have the worst air quality in the USA right now. Plus, it's super hot. Oh well.
We did manage to get to Crater Lake during a short window of minimal smoke there. We were lucky in that the smoke rolled in just as we finished our ride. If you haven't been there, do it.
We went to Shady Grove for a week-long family vacation. Unfortunately we picked a week where the state is on fire and apparently the smoke collects here of all places. We have the worst air quality in the USA right now. Plus, it's super hot. Oh well.
We did manage to get to Crater Lake during a short window of minimal smoke there. We were lucky in that the smoke rolled in just as we finished our ride. If you haven't been there, do it.
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