Crash and Freeze

I'm sore. Nope, not sore from an "epic" bike ride out in the ever-colder mountains of Colorado. No, I'm sore today because a couple of nights ago I crashed my motorcycle. Yeah, I'm the guy that rides his motorcycle until the snow and ice starts showing up on the ground. Actually, that's already sort of started out here, but not enough to keep me of the motorbike.

I was about a half mile from my house, riding home in the chilled mountain air when a huge buck jumped out in front of me. Mind you, I've had this sort of thing happen before and yes, it is freakin' scary when some unknowing creature crosses its path with an unknowing human on his bike. Usually it's just an affair forged out of letting up on the throttle and sort of dancing around the deer or elk or coon, or whatever. This time, though, I was on the dirt/gravel road near my house and so my reaction, whatever that was (I can't exactly remember what happened), sent me and bike sliding across the road. I ended up in the ditch after slamming my head, shoulder and knee into the ground. By grace, I was wearing all of my protective gear, save the riding pants I bought a while ago.

So...long story short, I got home in the dark of night, my shoulder is really sore, even today, my right knee is swollen but going down and my neck is getting better.

With that in mind, I've been taking it easy from working out. Yesterday I played basketball with some co-workers and took them to school, especially in the paint. Bottom line is, don't let the gimp get ahead of you because he will get the points at the basket. I tried jumping on the bike after b-ball, but my knee was telling me not to for very long so I went home...

Headed to the Race Across America Fall Festival tomorrow, hosted by the gracious folks at the RAAM organization. As you may have noticed, Team Strong Heart has made a HUGE impact on the RAAM organization and we have a ton of momentum headed into next year's event. I'll get y'all an update on the partay tomorrow, etc.

Keep the rubber side, pedal and motorized, down...

TC

Band of Brothers

Okay, yet again I don't have much to report on the training front, other than that I've been in the gym, out for a fall hike and the mountains to the west of my house are, well, snow covered. In a couple of weeks I'll be headed into Boulder for a Race Across America "meet and greet" with the organizers of RAAM, several current and former racers and staff. It'll be a great fact-finding mission for my own solo effort as well as the 4-person mixed team that Team Strong Heart is building for '08. Stay tuned for a an update on how that whole thing unfolds...
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The meaning of family and friendship has changed dramatically for me since moving out to Colorado almost two years ago for my job. With the cross-country move, the new job, new friends, co-workers, etc., I have had to adjust to breaking bread on Christmas Day with my "new" sisters and brothers at the firehouse while not doing the same with my family in Chicago, have adjusted to sharing the highs and the lows with those same folks, with joining two new cycling teams, one for the Race Across America and one for the "everyday" sort of training and racing that we like to do out here.

Family has extended to include those at the firehouse and those at the local bike race. Joining Team Strong Heart about a year ago expanded that definition and I'm a firm believer that my life is much, much better for it. Now, when my heart is broken or my strength (mental or physical) is failing, I have a richer bank to draw from and to pay back in every little way that I can. I know that I can count on every single person who has chosen to be in my life with my life, quite literally. When the call for service comes in at work and when the starter's gun goes off at the local criterium, I have an enormous sense of support and a foundation for truly wonderful things.

I've had an interesting turn of events in my personal life as of late and the past couple of weeks have proven to me that no matter what road I'm traveling down I am never alone in those efforts and travails. Thanks to all of you who care enough to read my ramblings, support Team Strong Heart and keep an ear to what is happening with my solo RAAM training and TSH in the upcoming year.

Keep the rubber side down...

Tim