Still recovering from the retina/corneal ordeal and the LOCO ride Ford Explorer interaction. Follow up with the retina specialist remained positive – retina healing nicely. Doc was pleased that cataract surgery scheduled for the end of July but not a fan of the silicone-based lens. Good far vision is more important for cyclists than near vision – cheap readers can solve that shortcoming. Will inform the corneal doc of the change at the next appointment. Continued with the lower dose steroid drops through the declining daily applications each week until completely off. Added a new twice/day drop to treat dry eyes. Not in the same price range as the really expensive drops but still a $2,200 retail value. The drops burn and increase irritation immediately upon administration but eventually wears off. Overall irritation has decreased somewhat but cataract is growing and visual acuity is worsening. Except jeweler’s eye remains and able to read better in broken eye compared to normal eye without glasses. Dreading the idea of the new normal is a consistently and constantly irritated eyeball. No bueno.
Participated in the only registered, organized group ride on the 2023 training calendar – Hincapie Lehigh Valley Gran Fondo. Joined several other local riders, some known, others not for the weekend festivities. Picked up registration packet with full kit and numbers for jersey and bike. Even had a large display with all registrants names displayed for sign-in (a la UCI pro event). Watched some UCI track action on the velodrome before heading off to dinner. The route was well marked with several stretches of advertised Pave. Such a disappointment as the sections were plain, old Pennsylvania gravel – some of it relatively high on the sketchy side. Numerous tires succumbed to the rocky conditions but fortunately, no one from our group encountered any problems. Based upon comments from those who participated in Hincapie’s local GF in South Carolina, looked forward to exceptional rest stop fare. Unfortunately, they were very disappointing – dominated by sponsor products but certainly not in the top 10 of events. However, redeeming features were fresh fruit: apples, oranges, and bananas. (don’t understand cutting a banana into thirds. Yea, I know, it’ll feed more people but ever try pealing the middle third?), figs, and cookies – my nemesis on bike rides! Passed a former USA women’s Olympic track cycling medalist (Emma White) on one of the climbs. The ride concluded with a ¾ lap around the velodrome. Pretty cool way to end the ride. Again, post-ride fare was disappointing (about a ¼ cup of either pulled pork or chicken, small bun, a tablespoon of cole slaw and chips. There was free beer and even a photo op with George.
Mildly shocked regarding the symptoms and discomfort from the crash. The groin injury slowly improved – mounting and dismounting the bike became easier but had a significant impact on noncycling activities. Nightly, post-dinner walks with the Missus were scratched for nearly a month. Made a couple attempts early on but the slow pace and discomfort forced those to end. Also forced cessation of lower body (squats and lunges) and abdominal exercises for more than a month. Low and mid-back pain began a couple of weeks after the crash and quickly became a limiting factor on duration and intensity of the rides. Had plans of building up to shorter randonneuring distances (e.g. century and 200K) but the back wasn’t following the script. Took nearly four weeks for road rash on the hip to heal sufficiently to enable sleeping on the left side. Crash also diminished confidence and comfort when being overtaken by vehicles. Previously, spent minimal time thinking about vehicle traffic when riding on the roads – extremely busy with lots of truck traffic is a different story. Very much like the rear radar built into the Synapse tail light as it provides a visual and auditory indicator of approaching traffic. Now, often cringing and gripping the handlebars tightly when being approached and overtaken. Occasionally even drift rightward from the cringe – which often isn’t a good idea as the shoulder may be minimal or asphalt is in poor condition at the edges. Resuming daily rides of 90 minutes were manageable but not consecutive days of longer saddle time. Rides longer than 3 hours were barely tolerable. Longer rides with elevation were troublesome and required several easy days afterwards.
Returned to the parental home for a week to help out around the house as father went another round with the steps leading up to the side deck – and lost, again. Not as bad as the last time but did manage to fracture 3 thoracic vertebrae. His balance is even more precarious now. Made a couple of medical appointments for him and played chauffer, chef, groundskeeper, and any other tasks that would lighten his load. Able to enjoy Father’s Day with him for the first time in decades. Didn’t make any fancy meals but had pulled pork sandwiches, southwestern meatloaf, bacon-wrapped stuffed pork tenderloin, and jambalaya on the menu. Also made several after dinner trips to the local creamery, Toft’s mostly but also to Cobb’s (soft-served only). Can never get enough of Toft’s ice cream. A very good thing they’re over 400 miles from home. Attempted to have a conversation about planning for the future since he’s 81 and Mom’s 79. Didn’t really go anywhere but afraid their situation is a disaster waiting to happen. He shouldn’t be driving right now nor mowing his 3+ acres of yard. Mom shouldn’t be driving, ever. She forgets where she’s going when she gets up from the table. Naturally the bike accompanied me and the Missus did as well but she only stayed for a long weekend as she had that work thing to do. Weather cooperated and able to ride every day. No real long rides – back not ready for that – but able to be consistently outside, albeit flat but not complaining.
Successfully made the drive home without incident; the longest drive since January. Traffic cooperated until approaching and crossing the American Legion Bridge but not bad overall. Eye strain wasn’t terrible but both were rather fatigued by bed time.
Able to resume some climbing rides but not on consecutive days. Did manage a new route and climbs with a couple other local riders – to West Virginia’s Wolf Gap in the George Washington National Forest. The 10-mile stretch of road from Edinburgh to the base of Wolf Gap was a great ride – mostly flat, minimal vehicular traffic, well-maintained. Very nice!
No real updates on the bikes – still waiting for the replacement components from Shimano to return Synful to the proper pre-crash condition. Cannondale has yet to ship a replacement Hi-Mod SuperSix Evo frame for the warranty claim but continue to say they’ll honor it even though the damage is cosmetic and not structural. The warranty discussion has been ongoing since early March! Made a successful return to baking – some old favorites (lemon poppyseed, GF blue/blackberry, and cranberry-orange muffins) and new additions (blueberry bundt, peach (fresh from a local farmer’s market in Sperryville following the Wolf’s Gap ride) and blueberry cobbler (probably the best cobbler recipe), coffee cake muffins, and a chocolate chip skillet cookie. Boy child showed off his culinary chops with goat cheese and spinach stuffed pork.
Cycling and Culinary Flavors 