Bike to Work Week.
A romantic notion that crashes into the reality of meetings, weather and family obligations that comprise the usual rash of excuses which leaves one stuck in a car reading the same tired old bumper stickers like "01.20.09", "Envision Whirled Peas", "I may be slow but I'm ahead of you" or "Stop Continental Drift". Screw That. I had a meeting in the deep south, like in Fairfax County, so I hitched a ride with the wife to Alexandria and then biked the remaining 14 miles to my jobsite near Mt. Vernon, did the meeting then back to the office in Bethesda and then home. 52 miles and hardly saw a car.
One forgets how well endowed our trails are when tears roll out our eyes while screaming down River Road, but if you slow down for a change there are treats along the way, even in Virginia! The GW Parkway Trail hugs the Potomac (slightly flooded during my foray) offering marsh & river views, battlements like Fort Washington & Fort Hunt, colonial charm of Old Town, the industrial brute of Mirant mountaintop-scraping coal-fired power plant, adrenalin pumping game of Chicken with the incoming planes to Washington National (last time I checked we did not live in Reagan, DC) at Gravelly Point, vertigo inducing panoramas atop the Key Bridge and the Rail-to-Trail along the historic C&O Canal up to my work destination.
How could such a trek be better rewarded than by finding my place atop the podium as bike Commuter of the Day in the company of none other than Miss Maryland, USA! Yes it's a tough job but I chose to do it in an effort to save all those other lost souls who need to enjoy cycling at whatever level one partakes. I may be another month away from healing my poor anterior tibialis into racing shape, but at any speed we can take pleasure of being responsible commuters, riding to improve our health and suspend denuding our earth, and read about interesting people under bridges like "Borf" or "Cool Disco Dan" instead of the elementary school Honor Roll while ingesting bong hits of CO2.
The weather could suck. There might be a meeting. A spouse may be waiting. Fugettaboutit. Repeat the mantra:
Work to Eat
Eat to Live
Live to Bike
Bike to Work
BPVC Proverb
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Hosed!
After over a month of whining about my shin split tendinitis anterior tibialis muscle strain, the most scruitinzed phisical condition to hit Washington since Gilbert Arenas' bruised knee or Joe Theisman's snapped leg or Bill Clinton's bent, uh, well, anyway today it felt pretty good, taking me on a pain-free commute in (6.25 miles) and home (15 miles), over the hills and far away (like the Led Zeppelin song), but I only did Anglers and let's face it, 21 miles is not too far.
Speaking of whining, my "Buddies" decided to record my tepid return to riding by posting same Frogman with the compression sock (old-man hosiery) prescribed by my P.T. Now you're thinking that a self-respecting cyclist with any sense of style would do the smart thing and stay home or ride on the sidewalk where this fashion attrocity wouldn't be noticed by anyone who mattered.
But I didn't.
In fact I grabbed anything green to announce that I Am Back and by next week ready to take a pull or maybe not get dropped on River. Ambitious? You decide when I rip somebody's legs off besides my own.
Speaking of whining, my "Buddies" decided to record my tepid return to riding by posting same Frogman with the compression sock (old-man hosiery) prescribed by my P.T. Now you're thinking that a self-respecting cyclist with any sense of style would do the smart thing and stay home or ride on the sidewalk where this fashion attrocity wouldn't be noticed by anyone who mattered.
But I didn't.
In fact I grabbed anything green to announce that I Am Back and by next week ready to take a pull or maybe not get dropped on River. Ambitious? You decide when I rip somebody's legs off besides my own.
Friday, May 2, 2008
P.T. Cruiser
So I'm walking gingerly back from my Physical Therapy session when I see - OH, first about my P.T.: My anterior tibialis was getting no better for like 4 weeks until I started my visits and between Western electrical stimulation, ultrasound, compression to the point of mummification and later Eastern fascia alignment, energy points and spinal massage earning positive results enough to take a 16 mile ride along MacArthur & Persimmon Tree with only a dull throb to remind me to take it easy. Since it essentially feels like a shin splint, I've been thinking about how to seriously cross train including running on my flat frog feet to strengthen those regions. How? I have no idea.
Flashback to walking back from PT when I glance into the patio of the Harp & Fiddle when I see an old architecture colleague chatting it up with a couple of babes (attractive women). We order more Guinness and catch up only to find out that he has completely bagged his architectural career in favor of Personal Training (PT)! He's totally into it and assures me he won't look back. I'm totally wondering if he'd set me up with a recovery program.
A serendipitous encounter for sure.
It takes a lot of cajones to go through one of the most gruelling graduate programs only to practice for 5 years and turn your back on the whole thing, even while still paying your student loans! But I respect the resolve to make the decision and confidently move on. I know it's the right thing for him, and a good PT may be the right thing for me.
Flashback to walking back from PT when I glance into the patio of the Harp & Fiddle when I see an old architecture colleague chatting it up with a couple of babes (attractive women). We order more Guinness and catch up only to find out that he has completely bagged his architectural career in favor of Personal Training (PT)! He's totally into it and assures me he won't look back. I'm totally wondering if he'd set me up with a recovery program.
A serendipitous encounter for sure.
It takes a lot of cajones to go through one of the most gruelling graduate programs only to practice for 5 years and turn your back on the whole thing, even while still paying your student loans! But I respect the resolve to make the decision and confidently move on. I know it's the right thing for him, and a good PT may be the right thing for me.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Double Whammy
Alas, Spring.
Contrary to the common notion that spring is the beginning of new life, happy with birds chirping and gay with bees doing their thing and thought of positively by Thoreau, to me they are dark days, a teasing season to be endured and held off like Odysseus's' sirens, for all that is green may as well be Kryptonite for to me it is only allergy season and it cannot end too soon.
Sure there are some drugs out there that can mask symptoms or overcompensate and leave one dry as a scone often while bringing early onset senility or an inebriation that won't wear off. I won't take them (I also won't take some other drugs which may be why I only have a few top 10 finishes to my name, but I digress). Normally the most effective elixir is the adrenaline pumped during and long after a hard ride. My sinus' get blown out and the natural endorphins keep me cleaned out and so there, I beat back the spring dragon and ride triumphantly into the sunset/garage.
'08 has dealt me a cruel hand, however, as previously posted I have wrecked havoc to my anterior tibialis and as a result have not been able to partake in the activity which is the basis for this blog (As "The Dude" would say: "That's a bummer, Man" and he'd be correct). Oils, creams, massages have so far only inflamed, and a regimen of ultrasound and Yogi stretching are in the next round.
People who know Frogman will say he's not a complainer*, so I can only hope for the promise of Physical Therapy's healing benefits of and the rain which washes the air of the ill humors to pull me out of this equinoctial abyss, for now I am unable to do it on my own. Without becomming maudlin, this is one of those times to reflect and count your blessings and think about those who have been more seriously afflicted and have come back or, more inspiring, carried on in the face of far darker prospects.
As Ah-nold would say, I'll be baaack!"
*Except about muscle tears, lacerations, road rash, burns, burrs, blood, boils, bunched chamois, locusts; ice, sleet, hail, rain, darkness, drought, murrain, flies, frogs (!); pot holes, groomed asphalt, soft shoulders, Jersey Walls, Jersey Girls, Girls Gone Wild, punctures; Trade Zone, testosterone, iphone, phone home, homophobe, EPO, ELO, ELP, XTC (for never touring!), THC, HC, ANSI; W, WWM?, Double Whammies.
Contrary to the common notion that spring is the beginning of new life, happy with birds chirping and gay with bees doing their thing and thought of positively by Thoreau, to me they are dark days, a teasing season to be endured and held off like Odysseus's' sirens, for all that is green may as well be Kryptonite for to me it is only allergy season and it cannot end too soon.
Sure there are some drugs out there that can mask symptoms or overcompensate and leave one dry as a scone often while bringing early onset senility or an inebriation that won't wear off. I won't take them (I also won't take some other drugs which may be why I only have a few top 10 finishes to my name, but I digress). Normally the most effective elixir is the adrenaline pumped during and long after a hard ride. My sinus' get blown out and the natural endorphins keep me cleaned out and so there, I beat back the spring dragon and ride triumphantly into the sunset/garage.
'08 has dealt me a cruel hand, however, as previously posted I have wrecked havoc to my anterior tibialis and as a result have not been able to partake in the activity which is the basis for this blog (As "The Dude" would say: "That's a bummer, Man" and he'd be correct). Oils, creams, massages have so far only inflamed, and a regimen of ultrasound and Yogi stretching are in the next round.
People who know Frogman will say he's not a complainer*, so I can only hope for the promise of Physical Therapy's healing benefits of and the rain which washes the air of the ill humors to pull me out of this equinoctial abyss, for now I am unable to do it on my own. Without becomming maudlin, this is one of those times to reflect and count your blessings and think about those who have been more seriously afflicted and have come back or, more inspiring, carried on in the face of far darker prospects.
As Ah-nold would say, I'll be baaack!"
*Except about muscle tears, lacerations, road rash, burns, burrs, blood, boils, bunched chamois, locusts; ice, sleet, hail, rain, darkness, drought, murrain, flies, frogs (!); pot holes, groomed asphalt, soft shoulders, Jersey Walls, Jersey Girls, Girls Gone Wild, punctures; Trade Zone, testosterone, iphone, phone home, homophobe, EPO, ELO, ELP, XTC (for never touring!), THC, HC, ANSI; W, WWM?, Double Whammies.
Are Bicycles better than Women?
This little tidbit of levity came by way of a non-cycling and younger work colleague, and while these opinions expressed are not necessarily my own, it's good to know that other people out there in cyberspace are talking about bicycles. Or is it women?
1. You can ride your bicycle any time of the month.
2. Bicycles don't whine unless something is really wrong.
3. You can share your bicycles with your friends.
4. Bicycles don't care how many other bicycles you've ridden.
5. When riding, you and your bicycle can arrive at the same time.
6. Bicycles don't care how many other bicycles you have now.
7. Bicycles don't care if you look at other bicycles.
8. Bicycles don't care if you buy bicycle magazines.
9. You'll never hear, "Suprise, you're goning to own a new bicycle" unless you go out and buy one yourself.
10. If your bicycle goes flat, you can fix it.
11. If your bicycle is too loose, you can tighten it.
12. If your bicycle gets misaligned, you don't have to discuss politics with it.
13. You don't have to be jealous of the guy who works on your bicycle.
14. If you say bad things to your bicycle, you don't have to apologize before you ride it again.
15. You can ride your bicycle as long as you want and it wont get sore.
16. You can stop riding your bicycle as soon as you want and it wont get frustrated.
17. Your parents wont remain in touch with your old bicycle after you dump it.
18. Bicycles don't insult you if you're a bad rider.
19. Your bicyle never wants a night out with other bicycles.
20. Bicycles don't care if you're late.
21. You don't have to take a shower before you ride your bicycle.
22. If your bicycle doesn't look good, you can paint it or get better parts.
23. You can ride your bicycle the first time you meet it without having to take it to dinner, see a movie, or meet its mother.
24. The only protection you need to wear when riding your bicycle is a decent helment.
25. When in mixed company, you can talk about what a great ride you had the last time you were on your bicycle.
However, you can't ride your bicycle with a bum shin!
1. You can ride your bicycle any time of the month.
2. Bicycles don't whine unless something is really wrong.
3. You can share your bicycles with your friends.
4. Bicycles don't care how many other bicycles you've ridden.
5. When riding, you and your bicycle can arrive at the same time.
6. Bicycles don't care how many other bicycles you have now.
7. Bicycles don't care if you look at other bicycles.
8. Bicycles don't care if you buy bicycle magazines.
9. You'll never hear, "Suprise, you're goning to own a new bicycle" unless you go out and buy one yourself.
10. If your bicycle goes flat, you can fix it.
11. If your bicycle is too loose, you can tighten it.
12. If your bicycle gets misaligned, you don't have to discuss politics with it.
13. You don't have to be jealous of the guy who works on your bicycle.
14. If you say bad things to your bicycle, you don't have to apologize before you ride it again.
15. You can ride your bicycle as long as you want and it wont get sore.
16. You can stop riding your bicycle as soon as you want and it wont get frustrated.
17. Your parents wont remain in touch with your old bicycle after you dump it.
18. Bicycles don't insult you if you're a bad rider.
19. Your bicyle never wants a night out with other bicycles.
20. Bicycles don't care if you're late.
21. You don't have to take a shower before you ride your bicycle.
22. If your bicycle doesn't look good, you can paint it or get better parts.
23. You can ride your bicycle the first time you meet it without having to take it to dinner, see a movie, or meet its mother.
24. The only protection you need to wear when riding your bicycle is a decent helment.
25. When in mixed company, you can talk about what a great ride you had the last time you were on your bicycle.
However, you can't ride your bicycle with a bum shin!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Canal Commute
A day off the bike gives me time to reflect on the richness of the lives of Cyclists. Right after our early ascent to Daylight Savings Time I took the ol' Steel Wheeler onto the CCT for my regular commute home, but with extra time and daylight I extended my trek down to the C&O Canal. While I knew 99.9% of the commuters where in their steel coffins or Metro sardines, I was free to choose my course and it took me along the swollen shores of the Potomac where canada geese honked to their flock ("Nice pull...on your left") and mallard ducks by the score peacefully foraged the muck of the canal bottom for a tasty treat of what must be like duck gu.
Plying the path past the locks and abandoned keeper's houses removes ones mind from our harried modern lives, allowing us to cash in on a mid-week respite replete with raptors and heron confident atop their aviary fraternities, painted against a sunset canvas amidst the aural backwash of the churning river.
Next commute I want to catch the Goon Ride and rip some legs off.
Plying the path past the locks and abandoned keeper's houses removes ones mind from our harried modern lives, allowing us to cash in on a mid-week respite replete with raptors and heron confident atop their aviary fraternities, painted against a sunset canvas amidst the aural backwash of the churning river.
Next commute I want to catch the Goon Ride and rip some legs off.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Splintered!
Just as the trifecta of cardio fitness, muscle strength and confidence were coming together after a series of challenging rides, I fear that the ol' frogster has succumbed to the crouching tiger (or is it hidden dragon?) of fitness: Injury.
Gamefully chasing my N2 Comrades after just missing the catch at 7-Locks/Tilden, my legs were becoming increasingly heavy like a wet Sunday paper. By time we regrouped and made our way out to Poolesville, the pain became acute as my right shin tightened up like a mooring knot. Now I've got it up and on ice like an old frog ready to croak. I use "like" more than a gum-smackin' teenager.
Shin splint was my first diagnosis. "Don't runners get that?" you may ask. Well yeah, but it can also come from repetitive and intense exertion (check). "The Frogman is flat-footed. Could that contribute?" Good question, because it can. Trouble is that FF puts more stress on the inside of the tibia, whereas my pain is just outside the shinbone. "Sounds like it could be tendinitis. Ever think of that, huh?" Hmmm, I've had that before after digging fence posts in the dry mid-summer clay of my old side yard. That Sucked! It was weeks of pain, stretching while trying to take it easy. It was hard. "Is this that?" I'm an architect, not a sport medicine guy. Tendinits in that region is typically between the kneecap and shin (patellar tendinitis), however, so maybe not. Either way, it is a tear and/or inflamation and must heal fast as I'm expected to represent BPVC at Walkersville and Tysons next weekend. "Will it heal in time for you to be rady?". Well, we just don't know now, do we...
Gamefully chasing my N2 Comrades after just missing the catch at 7-Locks/Tilden, my legs were becoming increasingly heavy like a wet Sunday paper. By time we regrouped and made our way out to Poolesville, the pain became acute as my right shin tightened up like a mooring knot. Now I've got it up and on ice like an old frog ready to croak. I use "like" more than a gum-smackin' teenager.
Shin splint was my first diagnosis. "Don't runners get that?" you may ask. Well yeah, but it can also come from repetitive and intense exertion (check). "The Frogman is flat-footed. Could that contribute?" Good question, because it can. Trouble is that FF puts more stress on the inside of the tibia, whereas my pain is just outside the shinbone. "Sounds like it could be tendinitis. Ever think of that, huh?" Hmmm, I've had that before after digging fence posts in the dry mid-summer clay of my old side yard. That Sucked! It was weeks of pain, stretching while trying to take it easy. It was hard. "Is this that?" I'm an architect, not a sport medicine guy. Tendinits in that region is typically between the kneecap and shin (patellar tendinitis), however, so maybe not. Either way, it is a tear and/or inflamation and must heal fast as I'm expected to represent BPVC at Walkersville and Tysons next weekend. "Will it heal in time for you to be rady?". Well, we just don't know now, do we...
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