Saturday, May 17, 2008

Bad things happen in Threes....

Don't worry...in the overall scheme of things, my bad things are minor. First, Friday - flat tire on the truck. No biggie - got out the flat kit, put in a plug, used some "fix a flat" and my bike pump to get the tire over 20lbs, and limped to a gas station for the rest of the air. Easy fix.

About 2 hrs later, some chick in a '04 Caddy CTS or something like it thought I was going to stop at a phantom stop sign, pulled out in front of me, and while I swerved and missed her with my Avalanche (with my cat-like reflexes...) I clipped her front end with the bumper on my trailer. Spun that car like a top! She was uninjured (somehow her fragile IPhone survived the incident unscathed), my trailer still rolls with just some cosmetic damage, but her car got creamed. So that was bad thing #2.

Heading out this morning, I grabbed a flat tire kit for my bike , 'cause I just knew that the rule of 3's would get me out on the trail. It got me alright - 23 miles away from my truck (feeling awesome, btw...HR under 130 bpm the whole way, averaging 18mph, just starting into the hills, on my way to 100m...), cranking up a little hill, my chain snapped. I think I was pushing down with my left leg when it happened, because my right knee (the quad head, not the kneecap) slammed into the aerobar elbow rest pretty darn hard. I tried to get the chain back together, but the links were bent, and me, without a pair of pliers, well, I was pretty screwed. The broken link would not pass through the rear derailleur. Note to self: get smart on fixing a chain in the field. This is my second broken chain in 3 years....

I called TriSherpaDi when I knew I could not limp back to my truck (I'd still be limping, barefoot...) and she came out and got me, my Sherpa saviour (it was an hour drive away just to my truck - then another 25 min up the road)! As I was waiting, my knee started to swell up. I hobbled over to Wendys and got some ice for it, but it's looking and feeling pretty rough. Totally screwed up my big workout weekend (and my first time over 200m for the week - CRAP)!

So the bike's at the shop getting the new chain I should have got a while ago. I'll be staying off my feet to allow for the maximum healing in the shortest amount of time. Looks like I'll get my swim on tomorrow, at least. Who knows, I could wake up and be all better! "Don't laugh, it could happen!", he says with the optimism of Commadore....

13 comments:

Di said...

Hey - that's what Sherpas are for, making sure their "man" gets home safe! ;) Just glad your are surviving this crappy weekend. xoxoxo

Spokane Al said...

I am glad to hear that stuff is behind you.

Onward and upward.

S. Baboo said...

Sucks man. I've never had a chain snap but I've broken my share of spokes. Ice that puppy and get better soon.

Danielle in Iowa in Ireland said...

Ow! Maybe forced rest is good?

Unknown said...

Ouch!
Now get swimming.
and make some breakfast in bed for your wifefor the pickup!

Kevin said...

Ouch that sure looks like it hurts. Lots of ice and some anti-inflammatories should have that puppy better in no time

Cindy Jo said...

You've become so strong you broke the chain!!!

Mike said...

Heal quickly and come back strong!

Anonymous said...

Ice, motrin, repeat 3-4 times daily.

Hey, stop riding in 53/12 using all of your strength and you might not break your chains like they are made of sewing thread. Us mortals ride at 80-90 rpm in 53/17 and have no problems with the drive components flying apart like plastic toys on Christmas day.

Enjoyed have dinner with you, Di, Brent and Jenny last night.

Twitter? Are you one of those guys that Roman writes about that used to be human but are now just a mass of circuitry that beeps and rings all of the time?

Twitter? Sounds like a derogatory adjective to me!

Twitter? I going to go eat an gigantic plate of pasta. Of course I'll have my normal, Bigun prescribed side of shut the f^%$ up. :^)

Anonymous said...

Speaking of Roman....my IMFL training starts tomorrow. No really it does. Now back to the pasta.

IronTriTim said...

Ouch that looks painful. Way to go Di. Hopefully thats the end of the bad luck now.

Fe-lady said...

owie...
Now with all that bad stuff behind you...it will be smooth sailing from now on in!

Afternoon Tea With Oranges said...

Di to the rescue! Isn't she a sweetheart?! You are one lucky guy.

That sucks about your knee...hope it's feeling better now.