Central Coast Pics

Along HWY 1 north of Cambria in the area of Hearst Castle you'll find some of the best Central Coast riding around. You're riding close to the coast line and there's many opportunities to pull off the road and take it all in. As us bent riders know it's so easy to see it all from the comfort of a laid back seat.

Nerve Damage from Hip Replacement

If you're considering a hip replacement please read.

Back in 2013 both my hips were replaced. The left one is okay but the right hip was botched. To begin with the right hip has suffered calcification of the soft tissue. It hasn't gotten any worse after the first year and I've learned to mitigate the stiffness it causes through exercise, cycling and an occasional deep tissue message. 

The other problem caused by the replacement of my right hip is the atrophy of the medial head of the Gastrocnemius of my right calf muscle. It took a long time to recognize the problem. I've concluded that there is nothing I can do on my own to build up the muscle. I can't get that part of the Gastrocnemius to fire up. I'm assuming that the nerves were damaged (or blood supply was damaged) to that part of muscle. It might been caused by the torture table that was used to rotate the hips open as part of the anterior hip replacement procedure. Severe twisting of the lower leg to open the hip joint is my guess as to what caused the damage. 

Next week my visit to a neurologist for a complete scan will help me figure out what's wrong and if there is anything I can do to recover the lost muscle.

For now I've become used to the situation and it has no pronounced effect on cycling. The   Gastrocnemius attaches to the back base of the Femur. Along with the less powerful Soleus muscle which attaches to the top and back of the Fibular the Gastrocnemius and Soleus comprise the primary muscles of the calf. So I still have enough strength to stabilize the lower leg and angle. However walking is a little funky. For now a good trekking pole for long walks helps me maintain a more normal walking gait.

I would think twice about doing the Anterior hip replacement again if I had more hips to replace.

W R Hearst State Beach

A ride up the Coast to William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach. The beach and the pier are opposite the entrance to the Hearst Castle. The cove was used for trade as well as to harbor ships full of guests to Hearst's little get togethers.

The Difference a Mile Makes

Riding on the Central Coast

About one mile inland

An Extra Pound for Longer Rides

0.9 pounds (408grams) to be exact.

For longer rides or rides on isolated roads I take some extra gear that adds up to 0.9 pounds (408 grams). Well worth the peace of mind

All the extra gear is stowed in an titanium cup covered with an old cut off sock.

The extra stuff fits in nice and neat.

A brake cable, derailleur cable, one brake pad set and a chain repair kit stuffed into old 1.5" (40mm) tube sections. Also included is a second spare rear tire tube (I always carry 1 rear and 2 front spare tubes) and a spare DiNotte O ring I use to secure my flag. The titanium cup is used for filling water bottles at drinking fountains. 

Cables, brake pads and chain kit stuffed in tubes.

Brake pads and chain kid unstuffed. Included in my chain kit is a Park Master Link plier with a cut down handle.

When Cycling Meets Sailing

Cyclists powering New Zealands hydraulics that control the wing, foils and other systems in the 35th Americas Cup Challenge now under way for the next few weeks. All the other boats are using the traditional hand cranks.

Cruising the Central Coast

Recumbent cycling gives us laid back riders a unique perspective of our surroundings. And when your surroundings are the Central Coast it's not hard to want to slow down and take it all in. 

Taking a break along HWY 46

I've finally given in to the slower pace of living on the Central Coast. With Tubus rack and Small Ortlieb Panniers mounted I'm now in cruising mode. I'm now able to carry extra clothes and lunch for longer relaxing rides along the coast and valleys. The extra weight with all my stuff loaded in the panniers (including a pair of walking shoes) adds up to under 8 pounds (4.5 Kg). I plan on spending more time meandering through wine country where the extra storage space will come in handy. Wine bottles take up a lot of room. 

My Catrike 700 is still fast and nibble as the extra weight is kept low and the Tubus rack is cambered in towards the top of the rack bringing the weight of the panniers towards the centerline of the trike. Now I'm better prepared for time off the 700 when I may want to take a break and go down to the beach or simply explore a bit on foot before continuing my ride.

Before moving to the Central Coast most of my rides were on busy suburban roads with an occasional break at a park. Back then my focus was on speed and challenging myself. There wasn't much to see back in suburbia but concrete, asphalt and track houses. That all changed for Carrie and me when we moved to the Central Coast.