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Big trees and little nuts

This week I planned a lot of biking as a way to jump-start my bike fitness (i.e. cram) leading up to my next half-ironman. Monday I did a super-easy 14-mile recovery ride. Tuesday I rode 35 miles in the afternoon. I felt fantastic... the best I've felt all year. I climbed the hill up to my turnaround point easily and swiftly without dropping into my little ring. I was having so much fun that I went down the other side instead of turning around at the top, just so I could climb back up.

I was cranking up the steep and winding Chapman Avenue, all tra la la! I love to climb!, when a stinging insect flung its little venom-bearing dart into my thigh. The pain was so sudden and intense that I had to stop right there and look down my shorts. Just a few millimeters and the thing would've hit the chamois, which probably would have provided some protection. But man, did that sting hurt. Just a few weeks ago I put some Benadryl in my saddle bag after seeing a friend's ankle swell up after a bee sting on a long ride, so I popped one and made it home fine. Well, except for stopping four more times to make sure the stinger was really gone, and not still stuck in my skin or my shorts. It hurt that much.

Today, after a lovely 3000-yard swim, I headed out for 70 miles -- my longest ride this year. I wasn't feeling great; I think my legs were trying to pay me back for yesterday's zippy 35 miles. At mile 40 I stopped in a state park for water and noticed my saddle was a tiny bit loose. I pulled out my tools and tightened it just enough to stabilize it. I got back on the bike and about half a mile later, SNAP! The nut holding the saddle clamp bolt in place cracked in half. Awww, crap. Thirty miles from home and no saddle to ride on.

I had my cell phone, and more importantly, I had a signal out there in the boonies. Dave couldn't get away from work, but suggested I try riding home out of the saddle (shyeaaah, as IF. My quads were already toast). Leishia came through and offered to come pick me up. She busted her ass to come and get me, but still I had an hour and a half to spend gazing up at the redwoods. There are worse places to spend an afternoon.

I wonder what adventure tomorrow will bring? Hopefully nothing too exciting, as my ride will be indoors.

15 minutes? Ha. Note the saddle. It's not supposed to look like that. It was very loosely attached at this point.

August 8, 2007 10:02 PM