Hee he he he hew... Wipeout....

SO... I go to my training, and we started out at the bike shop learning how to fix some minor bike problems (fix a flat, lube a chain, etc) and then we had a lecture about bike safety and etiquette, especially when riding in a group. Then, the less experienced cyclists stayed behind to work on some drills (changing gears, sharp turns, etc) and the rest of us headed for the trail.

So, I ended up #2 in the line, which fine by me because a) only one person to see around and b) I could see and hear better as to what obstacles were ahead. We were cranking along just fine, when this one beotch with a chip on her should attitude decided that she HAD to pass me and get in front of me.

At the forest preserve, the majority of places where cyclists have to stop (there are posted stop signs and the cops will write tickets) are in the groves, and so they are usually in a clearing. Well, the ONE that we came up on was smack in the middle of all the trees right after a someone sharp bend in the road. The leader called out "Stop Sign", but I couldn't hear it. All I saw was the beotch in front of me slamming on my breaks, and since there was a 3 foot drop to my right I slammed on my breaks and went flying. Had said beotch called out "Stop Sign" immediately after the leader did, then I could have had more than a knee-jerk reaction and none of this would have happened.

Oh, and here's the kicker... She started babbling about how there was oil on the trail ("Careful! That's oil! I slipped on the oil"). Now keep in mind that this is a forest reserve trail. No motor vehicles pass on said trail, so unless there is an oil-peeing deer somewhere in those woods, it was NOT OIL. And to top that off, as everyone was fawning over me, she was like "Yeah, I'm fine. I'll be fine". Ummm... not sure who she was talking to because no one was concered about her lack of injuries.

Now, there are several things I am VERY grateful for...

1. My team members (except for said beotch) ran to my side to help me. One grabbed my bike (which had flown into the left side of the path and would have been a roadblock for cyclists/bladers going the other way. Another grabbed my brand new sunglasses, which landed about 4 feet in front of me. Another grabbed a water bottle off my bike and started rinsing out my wounds. Another found a paper towel in her bag and used it to get some of dirt off the would. I have a GREAT team. Well, except for said beotch.
2. My coach, who gave me triage in the parking lot, helped me re-rack my bike, and offered to drive my car and me home and then get a ride back to the bike shop.
   
3. The visor on my helmet, which pretty much saved me from any injuries to my nose or face.
4. My ample bosom, which pretty much kept me from breaking a rib or my collarbone.
5. Most of all, my lovely wife, who started cleaning and patching me up the minute I got home and has taken good care of me ever since.

I have learned from this experience:

1. Make sure that the riders around me know that I have a hard time hearing and need to either lead or be right behind the leader.
2. Make sure that I have first aid supplies in my bike bag.
3. Make sure that everyone I ride with knows the rules and remembers to follow them.
4. STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM SAID BEOTCH. For my sake, and hers. If I don't make it across the finish line because my training is derailed I will personally make sure that she reimburses me for every penny. I can't sue the training group as a company, but there is nothing that I signed that said I can't sue an individual :)

Gotta head to church.... more later.

More gear :)

Look what I got :) I'm so excited! :) It arrives in a week or so I think... Unfortunately it won't be here in time for our next swim clinic, but that's ok. I tried on the XL at REI last night and I got it on and zipped, but it wasn't very flattering. So, I ordered the XXL last night :) It's a lot lighter weight than the suit I'm wearing now, so it doesn't hold things in as well, but on the plus side, it's a LOT easier to get in and out of thanks to the zipper. It's got just a bit of padding for the bike. I'll have to see how supportive it is for the run. I might have to throw a swim bra on underneath, but hopefully I won't have to :)

I'm also going to get some open water goggles, but I really don't need those until the swim clinic up at the lake, and those I can get through the park district because we have a sponsorship deal with Tyr. I'm so excited that it's totally pathetic :)

Training is going well. I'm actually up this early because we have a bike maintenance workshop and then we head across the street to hit the bike trail at the forest preserve :) I've been in the pool a few times this week and it's getting easier each time :)

Better go prep the bike for transport :) More later!

Back in the Saddle Again

Rode my bike to and from work today. The weather was perfect and it felt SO GOOD to be on my bike again. It was also fun seeing how fast I could go now that I have my speedometer hooked up :) I can't wait to get out on the trail :)

My buns hurt though. Gotta retrain those pedaling muscles :) And despite my mega padded shorts, my butt-bone was going numb, so I think I need to play with the seat position. There's no reason that a 4 mile ride should be making my butt/lower back hurt.

Very tired... more tomorrow :)