Ride To Conquer Cancer, Training Progress, Part 30

Nicholas had a biking accident Monday, July 20, a little past noon during his ride from Keenland to Frankfort on US 60. He was traveling over 20 mph on the shoulder nearing the Bluegrass Parkway when he reached down for his water bottle and lost control after hitting a big bump in the pavement. He was rushed to UK’s emergency room. There is a big deep open wound, called an avulsion, at his left elbow. The skin is completely gone exposing the fascia covering the muscle. There is no joint damage. His elbow is wrapped in gauze now. Nicholas says there is little pain. He will see a plastic surgeon this Friday to determine if he needs a skin graft.

It was a long day for all of us. We didn’t leave ER until 10:30 PM. It was a very busy place. Lynn and I are thankful for all the wonderful care and attention Nicholas received from doctors and nurses. We are also grateful for the help extended to our son by the Versailles police, Woodford County paramedics and the two Good Samaritan motorists who stopped to lend a hand.

And thank you to all of you for your concern and prayers. It’s a great comfort.

I've discovered that my son responds a lot better to medical treatment if a pretty nurse adminsters it. Typical man, huh?

Ride To Conquer Cancer, Training Progress, Part 8

Nicholas just about lost it early this morn, June 22, while biking in our Mallard Point neighborhood. He was by himself and didn't do well making the right turn off of Woodduck onto Mallard Point Drive. He went up and over a high shoulder onto a front lawn with his road bike suddenly doubling as a mountain bike. Nothing hurt but his pride.

One thing I've learned since beginning road biking: 35 miles per hour on a bike is a lot different than 35 miles per hour in a car. You really feel the speed on a bike. I find myself saying some quick "Hail Marys" while careening out of control down these Scott County country roads. To mangle the cowardly Oz lion's prayer--"I do believe in flat tires, I do, I do."

Ride To Conquer Cancer, Training Progress, Part 7

All world-class athletes drink beer and the Pig Skulls Bike Team is no exception. There is one big difference between them and us, however. The Pig Skull Bike Team brews its own beer. Today, June 20, we opened the first bottles of Pig Skull Ale. Great color, great smell, great head and great taste. It is a fine example of an American Pale Ale. Slightly more hops than an English Pale Ale.

Nicholas, one of my assistant brewers (Jacob is my other assistant brewer), samples the first bottle of Pig Skull Ale. Our ale goes great with the Pig Skull Jerky we made.

I learned some disappointing news from my doctor the other day. My knee that was banged up in the bike accident May 28 is still not right. It aches and tightens up when I ride. In fact, it was that way even before the accident. Doc says I shouldn't ride until I see an orthopedic doc this Wednesday. I'm hoping for good news.

A word of warning: please be careful when using the Georgetown/Scott County Road and Street Guide map from the Chamber of Commerce. I have discovered street name errors for some country roads in northeast Scott County e.g. Boyers Chapel, Dryden, Muddyford.

Ride To Conquer Cancer, Training Progress, Part 2

We see a LOT of these critters. It seems EVERY home has at least 12 or 13 dogs. NONE of them are leashed (well, not many). NONE of them are fenced in (well, very few). And NONE of them have been fed for three weeks (OK, so I exaggerate). But they ALL enjoy chasing us down "their" country roads. What to do? We have discovered that a REALLY loud refillable air horn available from Cabelas stops Rottweilers and Pit Bulls. We carry pepper spray as the next line of defense. This fella below lives on Josephine Road.

Feeding horses on Josephine Road.

Llamas on Biddle Pike. These critter pictures were taken Fall 2008.

Today, June 13, was the first time on my bike since my May 28 wipe out on Burgess Smith. My knee still aches and there is still some swelling and bruising. I did almost 29 miles today down Rogers Gap to Double Culvert to Luke to Davis to Hinton-Sadieville to Elk Lick to Pike (Davis) into Sadieville to Luke and back. While in Sadieville I saw my fellow librarian, Lee the Bookmobile Lady, in her Bookmobile waiting for patrons to check out books. Drats! I forgot to bring my camera on this bike ride. I missed a lot of good shots.

Ride To Conquer Cancer, Training Progress, Part 1

My son, Nicholas, and I have created the Pig Skulls Bike Team and join other bike teams in the two-day 150-mile Ride To Conquer Cancer to raise money for Louisville's Norton Cancer Institute. The mega bike event is Sept. 26-27, 2009. Donate online through Sept. 24 or print off mail-in donation forms at Ride to Victory.org. Sponsor Mike or Nicholas or both of us and help us reach our individual $2500 fund-raising goals. Join the Pig Skulls bike team as a rider or crew member. Follow our training progress as we travel the pretty Scott County (KY) country roads to get in shape for September. See what strange critters lurk along these country lanes waiting, in some cases, to snack on tasty bikers. See how the potential "meals on wheels" use their superior human intellects to thwart these savage critters. And see how bikers really move their fannies to put distance between ankle and fang.

"We are bike-riding cancer fighters."

This is Nicholas, May 28, taking it easy outside the train tunnel on Double Culvert Road while I do all the hard work like taking pictures. I have to admit his legs look better than mine. Hey, he's a 21 year-old kid and I'm a 56 year-old mature gentleman.

Nicholas still taking it easy while drinking my water and watching all the pretty girls drive by.

Camels! In Kentucky! Can you believe it? These camels live on a farm on Rogers Gap Road. I've also seen zebras.

This particular evening, May 28, we do a short 19 mile ride--Rogers Gap Road to Double Culvert to Luke to Davis to Burgess Smith to Turkey Foot to Rogers Gap. We have our first accident. I lose control on Burgess Smith while attempting to negotiate a steep descending hairpin curve. My backend fishtails when I apply the brakes to slow down. I go down and skid while still attached to my bike. Bang up my knee. Doc says I shouldn't ride for a week.

Our longest ride so far is 35 miles when we rode on the other side of US 25--Biddle Pike to Skinnersburg to Long Lick to East Honaker to Graves to West Honaker to Locust Fork into Stamping Ground then back.

BTW Nicholas is riding a Giant road bike and I'm riding a Specialized. We both use clipless pedals which means we wear special shoes that attach to the pedals. And yes, we wear the goofy, butt-expanding, spandex shorts. The padding really does help during long rides.