UnHappy Camper

Ups and Downs. It is all cyclical. Not to be confused with cynical.

Not happy at all right now. I've missed two days of work, we've had beautiful weather and I can't allow myself to go running or biking.

Son. of. a. Bitch.

Here, I summarize:

• Friday: 2 Flat tires, 1 hour late for work.
• Saturday: 2 Flat Tires (see picture), Wiped out on the bike and banged my right shin pretty hard, Comedy Club was sold out.
• Sunday: Started feeling crappy, bruises from fall really hurting, had to bail on a long ride with Matt, spent $90 on new tires.
• Monday: Sinuses started acting up, sneezing quite a bit, I knew what was going to be next...
• Tuesday: Couldn't breath through nose, lost my voice, called in sick.
• Wednesday: Nose is running like a fountain of snot, voice is somewhat back but really scratchy.
• Thursday: Still don't sound quite human, nose is under control, but now coughing up phlegm. Ick.

I'm thinking that this seasonal bloom of the cherry blossom trees that densely inhabit Portland are largely responsible for the nasal infestation of sickly mucus.

It's really cool seeing all these trees around my office building. The blooming makes them look like they are covered in snow.

Nice.





Friday night I went to see the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which I found to be amusing. Dude. But, then on my way home, I ran over a rather large metal staple not unlike those used to hold together cardboard boxes.
I knew I'd be in for changing yet another flat before I even got home. I could hear a hissing coming from my tires at every revolution. I was fortunate enough to be close to home and was able to pedal home fast enough before the air ran out.

Saturday morning, I took off the now deflated rear wheel to patch the tube and see what had punctured it. It was so well embedded in this tire that I had to use pliers to pull it out. So much for "flat-resistance" in the Continental Gator-skin tires.

After putting the tire back on the rim, I started pumping it up to pressure of 110psi, but around 60psi I heard a distinctive "pssst-sssssssssss". Ugh. FLAT AGAIN.

The Continental tires seem to have a reputation of sitting very snugly on rims so I had to use tire-levers to put it all back together again, which is what caused my second flat for the day. The tube became pinched between the level and the rim. I should have stuck with the Specialized Armadillos.

After being delayed for two hours trying to take care of my tires and the many phone calls I seemed to have received, I was on my way to Vancouver, WA for a second day in a row.

Just as I was about a half-mile from my friend's house, I was making a somewhat sharp turn but miscalculated where the road ended and muddy shoulder started. This caused my front wheel to suddenly slip out from under me, tossing me to one side and making me land in a really weird position that bumped my hip and whacked my right shin, just above the ankle...again. I bumped it in almost the same place back in August 2005 during the Torture 10,000 ride. HO-LY-CRAP that hurt. It took two days before it didn't sting anymore and for the swelling to go down, but now it doesn't feel like I've broken something.

Now, I'm dealing with what seems to be a seasonal cold. I really hate feeling like an invalid. I can't go for my regular runs, biking around, weight training or anything physical for that matter.

I truly understand the frustration a good friend of mine is going through with his various pains. I'm grouchy from not being able to do something for a few days, but his problems have been going on for MONTHS. Anonymous friend, my heart goes out to you.

Let's see if my lungs will be clear enough for a 200K brevet this Saturday. Probably not, but I will remain optimistic until the last minute.