Bill's Web Lodge ... the perfect speed is being there!

Hello again after another power nap, still laying here in bed, still with a headache.  I feel the need to blog another piece of the story before I pick up with insurance  research that I began to do this morning (if that wasn't enough to give me a headache).

So there I was at the Hospital and the doctor gave me the exciting news.  It's not broken ... but that I still had one cut tendon (bad sprain), some contusions, and a concussion.  Still dazed I tried to take notes.  The doc said that for three days to put the foot up with 20 minute ice pack.  I was to not even contemplate going anywhere or working.  After three days I could stop elevating and slowly check for movement without bearing any load upon the ankle. If it was not any better to go see a doctor for a follow-up x-ray or MRI. Then for two weeks I can work and slowly regain movement without too much load bearing on the foot. Sounded simple enough.

So with a fresh prescription in hand for some federally regulated drugs I was driven sans back of Subaru to the races site which had moved to Belt for the road race portion of the day.

Jed wanted to keep an eye on me so I was given the chance to lay with my foot up in a wheel car for the junior race.  I remember taking a few photos (seen on this blog) out of the make shift bed but mostly sitting there thinking of what just happened.  Still it all was a little fuzzy.

After the race I sat at my car trying to figure out what I would do next.  A couple friends came over to whish me luck and eventually someone (I really am trying to obtain names since I ant remember) volunteered to drive my beetle, Marcy, and myself back to Missoula.  Whew!  I was wondering how to get home.  Jedzilla (the guy who found a volunteer) came through again.  the guy is a saint.

So I was portaged back home and that is where I will leave off until the next time I feel rested.  So until Part 3 of this saga, take care and ride for me!

Hello from Missoula Montana where my headache has awaken me and I feel that I must post a blog to let everyone know I am alright but my usual routine is not as usual. In this episode (Part 1) let me take you to Saturday.

I got up early to put slicks on my bike and to drive to Centerville Montana for the time trial portion of the Belt Road Race Omnium. I was hoping to be late so I could just do the road race because I had a cold and I didn't feel well.  After driving to Great Falls through some towns like Lincoln where it was only 28 degrees I found that I was in fact on time.  I got all caught up and signed up for the time trail.

I got to catch up with some old friends from Team MuleTerra (did I get this right).  I got to see everyone for the first time since cyclocross season as well.  The time trail started and I prepared for my departure. I was able to snap off a few photos before I had to get in line to start.  My start time was 10:15 and I opted for the mountain bike start (one foot down as opposed to someone holding my saddle).

I thundered out of the start line (sounds cool doesn't it). I was ramping up my speed and feeling very strong. I was about a couple hundred feet from the start with my head down and my legs ripping the pedals faster and faster when all of a sudden I hit the ground with my head.  Just like that!

I laid on my side unable to see anything or feel anything. I hit so hard that I was stunned and I knew that I was not going to just get up.  Finally the daylight became visible and people came rushing to help me off the course.  All I could do was lay there.

I felt someone put a blanket on me and I knew that I should not move at all because I was not aware if I broke anything.  Slowly I started to feel my arms and legs. I started to slowly move each items and take inventory until I went to move my right leg.

My foot was swelling up quickly and I could feel it filling up my shoes. It did not feel right and I thought maybe it may be broke.  Jed Dennison and some others helped me off the road and to my car where I had a chair to sit on.  I was getting worried as my foot kept swelling. Someone got Ice and we bandaged it up. There was concern over my broken helmet so Jed insisted that I go to the hospital.  I questioned if the ER would be covered by USA Cycling and an official told me that everything but an ambulance would be covered. I did not want the patty-wagon so thankfully Jed found a volunteer to take me to the ER.

So off the the hospital I went in the back of a Subaru. Once there I was taken in and given x-rays.  The attending doctor was real nice and concerned about me. It was nice to get such great care.  Once the x-rays were completed the doctor was happy to say that I did not break my ankle and we celebrated. Then he told me the bad news and how long I would be out of cycling.

Too be continued .... (when I am feeling better).

I am finally out the door and I am 40 minutes late due to severe cold symptoms.  I will not miss out on summer after waiting a decade for it. I plan to do the race and then camp out somewhere.  Take care and have a good weekend.  Looks like I'll miss the time trial ... oh well ... off to the races.

Last night was a huge turnout for the Thursday Night Mountain Bike Ride at Blue Mountain. I just posted my photos of the night and I am sure there will be more to come from others.  There were 14 of us (according to the photo below) and at the end we held a raffle for a new Ritchey tire. Julie won the raffle as her ticket was pulled from Marcy's dog dish.

When I arrived at the parking lot I was the first one there but was horrified to find out I forgot my water bottles.  I rode down to Peak Fitness to get water.  They did not have water bottles and sold me to bottled waters at $1.00 a piece. When I got back to the car there were riders galore.

We all headed out to do our classic Hayes point loop. Everyone stayed together and there were numerous opportunities to stop and chat. We did some family photos on top and made it back to the cars with the entire group intact about 2 hours later. The trails were I good shape given the spring that we have had.

I am going to Belt tomorrow for a road race and a camp out afterwards, anyone want to go? In the meantime ... still coughing, wheezing, and aching!

Common Questions on Battling a Cold:

• How come after taking a dose of Robitussin you start coughing even worse?
• How come when you get sick the sun comes out and it is nice?
• How come you seem to pull muscles from "resting"?
• Where am I? How much Robitussin is too much?

That is all I am doing right now. Last night I woke up and I could not swallow since my throat was so raw. I remember at the race that my eyes were always burning and Davie the race director said it was some sort of tree down there.  So after that messing around with me I have picked up this cough and now it seems to be spreading to my upper body.  Good thing I have three weeks before my next mountain bike race.  This weekend is Belt and camping at kings Hill ... anyone want to go? Contact me or call (406) 322-DIRT.

Notes:

• Tonight is TNR
• Other TNR's