This morning I thought I would get the bike out and give it a bit of a going over. In the past few days I have felt much better, and since Friday I have been moving around the house without the need for crutches, which just feels great (if still a bit sore, but I can live with that).
So, I got the bike out, fitted the new saddle and managed to fix the saddle bag (the fitting to the saddle had also broken) to the saddle with a couple of cable ties. I had a look at the tyres, and one is a bit worn where I caught the gravelly stuff and skidded, and the rear wheel was also quite badly buckled. Also, the rear axle was a touch loose.
So, I did a few fixes and oiled a few bits, then tried it out. I went down the high street and back and then altered the spokes to bring the wheel more or less back in line. Then I went down the high street again to test it, came back and tightened the rear axle. Finally I went out around via Marston, a few miles, just to see how I felt. I felt good.
A few things I noticed. One, I have to sit in a certain position on the saddle otherwise it hurts quite badly. Two, I am not as unfit as I could be. Three, whilst being a touch concerned about traffic I was not too bad in the nerves front. Four, getting onto the saddle is quite a challenge as it's difficult to lift my leg :). Five, I need to realise that I can't whizz up the hills as I was doing before quite yet.
So there we are, I'm back in the saddle again! Next weekend I'm going to try the first trip Capt, Purser and I did together, out towards Urchfont. Taking it nice and steady, of course! I shall welcome a touch of company from Purser and Capt, if they are free.
Sunday 25 July 2010
Thursday 22 July 2010
Phew! Nearly through the week!
Very tiring, this working lark. It's easy to underestimate how much more difficult it is to move around an office than to move around at home. It's just the scale of the thing - it's probably 50 times farther to the toilet and back than at home, 40 times further to get to the canteen, add on the getting ready in the morning and getting into/out of the office and I end up falling asleep on the sofa at 7pm and sleeping straight through.
Still, I've lost 3 lbs this week which is a bonus! I'm down to 14 stone 7 lbs.
My new cycling shoes arrived yesterday. They are brill. I have attached the cleats so they are ready to go. I should get my new bike next week, and may feel like a short ride on the Saturday, we shall see!
Still, I've lost 3 lbs this week which is a bonus! I'm down to 14 stone 7 lbs.
My new cycling shoes arrived yesterday. They are brill. I have attached the cleats so they are ready to go. I should get my new bike next week, and may feel like a short ride on the Saturday, we shall see!
Sunday 18 July 2010
Back to Work Tomorrow!
Things have gone really well over the past four weeks. When I think back to what I was like when I got back from Dartmoor (only being able to move a few metres, unable to turn over in bed, 20od bruises all over my body and finding more daily) to now, where if I am just moving around the house I can use one stick, then that is brilliant. I reckon another week and I should be able to drive, and perhaps a week after that my first, tentative cycle. All down to complete R&R. I even slept back upstairs last night for the first night since Dartmoor - blimey it was good to be back on the memory foam!
It's been an interesting experience. Being completely reliant on other people to do (almost) everything for you is very humbling, and makes you realise how difficult it must be for people who care for, and and cared for, full time.
I was looking at my legs this morning, and boy have they lost a lot of definition. My right leg has not been used for 4 weeks now, and my left doesn't look much better. It's going to be a good couple of months before I get back to the levels of fitness I was at before the incident.
Good news though - we reckon with the money raised, and through previous events, that we have enough for the all weather surface. Brill!
It's been an interesting experience. Being completely reliant on other people to do (almost) everything for you is very humbling, and makes you realise how difficult it must be for people who care for, and and cared for, full time.
I was looking at my legs this morning, and boy have they lost a lot of definition. My right leg has not been used for 4 weeks now, and my left doesn't look much better. It's going to be a good couple of months before I get back to the levels of fitness I was at before the incident.
Good news though - we reckon with the money raised, and through previous events, that we have enough for the all weather surface. Brill!
Wednesday 14 July 2010
10 Yards and Counting!
I can now go about 10 yards with just one stick - just far enough to carry a cup of tea from the kitchen to the lounge.
Brill, just brill!
Brill, just brill!
Monday 12 July 2010
A Taste of the 22nd Century
Been to the consultant again this morning, this time at a place called Circle Bath, near Peasedown St. John (yes, it is still raining there :D ).
It was incredible, all futuristic, a brand new building with state of the art everything. As I sat waiting in the foyer which runs the length of the building I was treated to a coffee and shortbread biscuit, then down for X-Rays and back to see the consultant. It really was like something out of the 1970's vision of the future. Not sure anyone imagined the future manifesting itself at Peasedown St John though :D
Anyways, good news, healing well. I can drive and cycle when I feel up to it - no time scale, just when I feel I can do an emergency stop in the car, and when I feel that cycling will not be painful. I reckon a couple of weeks for the driving, and cycling slightly longer, maybe three or four weeks.
What I didn't realise is that the pubic bone in the pelvis is not just suspended in mid air, it is where the hamstring attaches. This is where all that pain comes from, bruised and pulling on where the break is. Makes sense, and makes sense that complete rest sorts out the healing process.
So, back to work on Monday, all back to almost normal a few weeks later. Hurrah!
It was incredible, all futuristic, a brand new building with state of the art everything. As I sat waiting in the foyer which runs the length of the building I was treated to a coffee and shortbread biscuit, then down for X-Rays and back to see the consultant. It really was like something out of the 1970's vision of the future. Not sure anyone imagined the future manifesting itself at Peasedown St John though :D
Anyways, good news, healing well. I can drive and cycle when I feel up to it - no time scale, just when I feel I can do an emergency stop in the car, and when I feel that cycling will not be painful. I reckon a couple of weeks for the driving, and cycling slightly longer, maybe three or four weeks.
What I didn't realise is that the pubic bone in the pelvis is not just suspended in mid air, it is where the hamstring attaches. This is where all that pain comes from, bruised and pulling on where the break is. Makes sense, and makes sense that complete rest sorts out the healing process.
So, back to work on Monday, all back to almost normal a few weeks later. Hurrah!
Saturday 10 July 2010
My Wife is Very Special!
She got me in the car today, saying that I could have a ride to the shops and sit in the car (a bit of fresh air she said).
On the way she stopped right outside Melksham Cycle Centre and told me to hobble in and order a new bike. So I did :D She really is brill!
So, I ordered a Specialized Allez double in silver, with new helmet seeing as I broke my last one. I'm very excited :D I chatted to the chap about the double or triple chainset (the big cogs at the front), and we decided that the double would be best.
Watch out Wiltshire, a few more weeks and I'm coming to get you!
On the way she stopped right outside Melksham Cycle Centre and told me to hobble in and order a new bike. So I did :D She really is brill!
So, I ordered a Specialized Allez double in silver, with new helmet seeing as I broke my last one. I'm very excited :D I chatted to the chap about the double or triple chainset (the big cogs at the front), and we decided that the double would be best.
Watch out Wiltshire, a few more weeks and I'm coming to get you!
Friday 9 July 2010
First Real Trip Out
Well, apart from Capt picking me up (almost literally) and propping me up in the pub last week (which I was immensely grateful of), I haven't been out under my own speed since the accident. Last night was an introduction to the senior school my eldest is going to go to, so I decided it was time to gauge how much progress I have made.
I made it from the car to the hall, and sat uncomfortably while the headmaster did his speech. The chair was one of those moulded hard ones - by golly it was uncomfortable.
Next it was up to the classroom, which was only about 100 yards away but up some stairs. This really showed me how much work I have to do before I can go back to work, as I was shattered after about 20 yards, in a lot of pain, and the stairs took me about 5 minutes, by which time the talk by the teacher was almost over and it was time to go back down!
So, as of next Monday, I need to start doing a bit more, maybe some stairs at home, and just generally increasing my stamina. The other thing that really hurts are my hands as they support my weight every other step, so I'm thinking of trying to wrap some cloth or something around the supports on the crutches.
One great thing - I have actually lost a small bit of weight! I suppose it's down to the fact that I haven't been able to feed myself rubbish during the day, and the amount of energy my body needs to heal itself. I am now 14 stone 11.
I made it from the car to the hall, and sat uncomfortably while the headmaster did his speech. The chair was one of those moulded hard ones - by golly it was uncomfortable.
Next it was up to the classroom, which was only about 100 yards away but up some stairs. This really showed me how much work I have to do before I can go back to work, as I was shattered after about 20 yards, in a lot of pain, and the stairs took me about 5 minutes, by which time the talk by the teacher was almost over and it was time to go back down!
So, as of next Monday, I need to start doing a bit more, maybe some stairs at home, and just generally increasing my stamina. The other thing that really hurts are my hands as they support my weight every other step, so I'm thinking of trying to wrap some cloth or something around the supports on the crutches.
One great thing - I have actually lost a small bit of weight! I suppose it's down to the fact that I haven't been able to feed myself rubbish during the day, and the amount of energy my body needs to heal itself. I am now 14 stone 11.
Thursday 8 July 2010
Le Tour de France, a Beginners Guide...
A bit of a departure here from my normal 'it's all about me posts' :D
Whilst being at home I have been watching the 'Le Tour' with a new found interest. Purser bought me Lance Armstrong's book 'It's not about the Bike' (thanks Purser), which is actually a story of when he got cancer, his treatment, his recovery and his subsequent rides in the tour. I had no idea what was going on in the tour before with cries of - 'oh look, lots of guys in a group, what's that all about', and 'someone just went off out front, they're going to win'. However it's much more than that as I now understand.
It's actually a team game. They have different people with different skills (some are good at climbing, some good at sprinting, some good all rounders) and then each usually have a given task for a stage (like make sure our sprinter gets to the end near the front). So, depending on the stage, you get almost a game of chess going on, with teams taking the front to speed it up, or slow it down, depending on their objectives.
The other thing I never realised is how much of an effect draughting can have. This is where a cyclist cycles behind another. The first essentially punches a hole through the air, and tows the second guy behind. The second guy can then pedal with much less effort, saving his energy. This is why breakaway groups only rarely succeed - the guys in the peloton (the main group of cyclists) are draughting pretty much all the way, keeping their energy, and therefore can catch breakaways quite easily when they want to. The downside of draughting is that you are riding really close to guy in front (sometimes a cm or so) - you've got to concentrate!
Finally, the jerseys. Most people are aware of the yellow jersey - this is awarded to the person who has taken the least time in all the stages to date. The person who get to Paris with the lowest time (and seconds usually decide this) wins.
Then there is the green jersey, the 'sprinters' jersey. This is awarded on a points based system based on where cyclists finish at the end of a stage or at specified sprint points during a stage. So, you can win the green, without winning the yellow, by getting points.
Third is the king of the mountains - the red polka dot jersey (mmmm, nice). This is awarded to people who are good at climbing, and points are again given. There are different category climbs, so points are given depending on how difficult the climb is.
Finally is the best placed young rider - the white jersey. Same rules as for yellow, but for people who are 26 or younger on the 1st Jan in which the race takes place.
Anyways, there you go. A quick guide. Some stages are more exciting than others, some are slow and flat, some are full of mini races. Some are strewn with crashes and broken bones, others with safe and slow riding ready for a sprint. The great thing is, depending on team strategy, the weather and whether someone is 'feeling good', you never really know what you are going to get...
Whilst being at home I have been watching the 'Le Tour' with a new found interest. Purser bought me Lance Armstrong's book 'It's not about the Bike' (thanks Purser), which is actually a story of when he got cancer, his treatment, his recovery and his subsequent rides in the tour. I had no idea what was going on in the tour before with cries of - 'oh look, lots of guys in a group, what's that all about', and 'someone just went off out front, they're going to win'. However it's much more than that as I now understand.
It's actually a team game. They have different people with different skills (some are good at climbing, some good at sprinting, some good all rounders) and then each usually have a given task for a stage (like make sure our sprinter gets to the end near the front). So, depending on the stage, you get almost a game of chess going on, with teams taking the front to speed it up, or slow it down, depending on their objectives.
The other thing I never realised is how much of an effect draughting can have. This is where a cyclist cycles behind another. The first essentially punches a hole through the air, and tows the second guy behind. The second guy can then pedal with much less effort, saving his energy. This is why breakaway groups only rarely succeed - the guys in the peloton (the main group of cyclists) are draughting pretty much all the way, keeping their energy, and therefore can catch breakaways quite easily when they want to. The downside of draughting is that you are riding really close to guy in front (sometimes a cm or so) - you've got to concentrate!
Finally, the jerseys. Most people are aware of the yellow jersey - this is awarded to the person who has taken the least time in all the stages to date. The person who get to Paris with the lowest time (and seconds usually decide this) wins.
Then there is the green jersey, the 'sprinters' jersey. This is awarded on a points based system based on where cyclists finish at the end of a stage or at specified sprint points during a stage. So, you can win the green, without winning the yellow, by getting points.
Third is the king of the mountains - the red polka dot jersey (mmmm, nice). This is awarded to people who are good at climbing, and points are again given. There are different category climbs, so points are given depending on how difficult the climb is.
Finally is the best placed young rider - the white jersey. Same rules as for yellow, but for people who are 26 or younger on the 1st Jan in which the race takes place.
Anyways, there you go. A quick guide. Some stages are more exciting than others, some are slow and flat, some are full of mini races. Some are strewn with crashes and broken bones, others with safe and slow riding ready for a sprint. The great thing is, depending on team strategy, the weather and whether someone is 'feeling good', you never really know what you are going to get...
Tuesday 6 July 2010
Another Trip to the Consultant
Booked in for 9am on Monday. It should be last one, and I shall be asking when I will be able to get on my bike.
I feel like all that hard work I put in earlier this year is seeping away, however once I get back on my bike I'm expecting to be back in shape within a month or so.
I emailed Capt and Purser today about doing the London-Paris next year. No reply as yet :D It is a properly organised event, with accommodation etc, over a few days. Sounds like great fun.
I feel like all that hard work I put in earlier this year is seeping away, however once I get back on my bike I'm expecting to be back in shape within a month or so.
I emailed Capt and Purser today about doing the London-Paris next year. No reply as yet :D It is a properly organised event, with accommodation etc, over a few days. Sounds like great fun.
Small Signs of Progress
Well, after 2 weeks of pain, not sleeping at night, dozing all day and eating pain killers like they are going out of fashion, things finally seem to be making some progress!
First and most importantly I can now sleep on my side at nights! My left is more comfortable than my right, but at least I can get myself into position. It really is bliss (I've never been one for sleeping on my back, unless I have had a skinfull at which point Mrs Oddlad will give me a poke anyway seeing as I would be snoring like a steam train).
Second I can now put some weight on my right leg. It's weird really, but it's incredible how quickly the muscles have weakened. So, the way to move about is now a sort of shuffle the right leg forward and then, using crutches, move the left forward. I can actually go quite fast, although I have had a couple of stumbles (any little bump/rug edge becomes an obstacle) which have caused me quite a bit of pain.
Finally, I can now get into the kitchen to make myself a coffee. The pain is (and I never thought about this before) that when on crutches you can't carry anything! So, what I do is make up a flask and then carry it in a plastic bag. Brill.
So, I'm now sitting here feeling rather more pleased with myself, and looking forward to getting back on my bike. In fact, I have decided to get myself a new bike. I'm particularly looking at the Specialized Allez
See here
although I shall get it from Melksham Cycle Store rather then online. I feel like I need a bit of change, a light bike for fun, and something that is a touch more agile after my accident. That is not to say that I will not be riding my other bike, as it will still be my touring bike, but the Allez will be my weekday/weekend/fun bike. I'm very excited.
Onwards and (shuffly) upwards!
First and most importantly I can now sleep on my side at nights! My left is more comfortable than my right, but at least I can get myself into position. It really is bliss (I've never been one for sleeping on my back, unless I have had a skinfull at which point Mrs Oddlad will give me a poke anyway seeing as I would be snoring like a steam train).
Second I can now put some weight on my right leg. It's weird really, but it's incredible how quickly the muscles have weakened. So, the way to move about is now a sort of shuffle the right leg forward and then, using crutches, move the left forward. I can actually go quite fast, although I have had a couple of stumbles (any little bump/rug edge becomes an obstacle) which have caused me quite a bit of pain.
Finally, I can now get into the kitchen to make myself a coffee. The pain is (and I never thought about this before) that when on crutches you can't carry anything! So, what I do is make up a flask and then carry it in a plastic bag. Brill.
So, I'm now sitting here feeling rather more pleased with myself, and looking forward to getting back on my bike. In fact, I have decided to get myself a new bike. I'm particularly looking at the Specialized Allez
See here
although I shall get it from Melksham Cycle Store rather then online. I feel like I need a bit of change, a light bike for fun, and something that is a touch more agile after my accident. That is not to say that I will not be riding my other bike, as it will still be my touring bike, but the Allez will be my weekday/weekend/fun bike. I'm very excited.
Onwards and (shuffly) upwards!
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