Back on the Road

First ride on the road since my hip replacement three weeks ago. Only 4.5 miles but it's a start.

Patience

It's been 18 days since hip replacement and how I miss being on the road. There's nothing more I want to do right then climb some hills and feel the wind on my face on a fast decent. I plan on taking a short level ride next week but for now I'll continue to stare at the back of my car as I spin in the garage. Patience ole man.

The view from my 700.

Focusing on the Future

Focus on the future and let the present take it's course.

Before taking the final steps to having my old hips replaced with shiny new titanium ones I adopted a mindset that I would not dwell on what I was missing over the next three months while undergoing two hip replacement surgeries and the ensuing recovery period. Instead I would look to the future and the promise of adventures to come. Adventures and rides I was reluctant to commit to because of lousy hips that previous surgeries never quite resolved.

Now as I sit here dealing with the pain of recovery and boredom of inactivity I remind myself of my commitment to the process of healing and immediately start pondering rides for next year on bionic hips.

I'm walking at least a quarter mile every day. In a few days I should be able to hop on my Catrike 700 with the CycleOps hooked up and start some real pedaling. As soon as the right hip is working well then I get started all over again with the replacement of the left hip. Oh well...just get it done.

For now I have a new Adventure Cycling Magazine to read.

First rainy day of the season. Resting my hip by the fire while checking the latest Adventure Cycling Magazine.

Stationary 700

Working it! Six days since right hip replacement and I'm taking my first ride on the 700...well kinda like a first ride thanks to the CycleOps on my rear wheel. I wasn't able to make a complete revolution of the crank so I just pedaled back and forth using my good leg to force a good stretch on the bump leg. 

Given my limited hip flexibility I had to use high tech methods to raise the ole 700 so I could get my sorry butt in and out of the saddle without help. Although I did have Carrie help me get my foot up to the pedal.

One Hip Down - One To Go

Right Hip Replacement (anterior method) 9/30/13 Doctor Andrew Yun, Saint Johns Hospital.

Recovering fast from hip replacement. No muscles or tenons are severed with the anterior method. No hip dislocation concerns after surgery  As soon as I'm ready to start riding again I'll have the other replaced...oh fun!! I had surgery on Monday and left the hospital Wednesday morning. As promised by Dr. Yun I left the hospital on a cane (actually it was a trekking pole that I use for hiking). 

Currently  20% of those doctors performing hip replacement use the anterior method. It involves a sizable equipment investment by the hospital and there is a learning curve for doctors. Dr. Yun has long ago passed the learning curve and is now performing the second largest number of hip replacements in the country. Patients fly in from around the country to have Dr. Yun install new hips. 

Goofing after surgery.

While my son Byron is in high school Leili and Carrie entertain me. My dancing girl Leili is home schooled so she was able to hang with me. 

Hamish a volunteer Border Collie came to visit. Dog lovers will understand how Hamish's visit made my day. Now I miss ma doggie Betzi.

Leili's artistic take on the pain symbols.

Day after surgery. Later the same day I started using my trekking pole and spent some time walking without the  "granny" walker or a trekking pole.

Technology

How much longer can the UCI (International Cycling Union) hold back advances in bicycle racing technology? The UCI's  definition of a bicycle dates back to 1933. It's time that the UCI follows the lead of other major sports and allow for the technological advancements in human powered machines to be applied to bicycle racing.

Americas Cup

Go to Americas 2013

Now

Foiling on SF Bay at speeds approaching 50mph


Then

Americas Cup 1951



Bicycles
Now

Delft - Battle Mountain 2013 speed challenge.

Then

1911

Bicycles as seen through the eye of the UCI 

(International Cycling Union)

Now

Then

1911

____________________________________

Banned in 1933...to fast, upset the "norm".

Catrike 700 Weigth

 Stripped (as it would come from the dealer with upgrades added) the 700 weighs in right at 29 lbs.

The "ready to ride" weight with the side bags and extra ride necessities (for me at least) the 700 gets beefed up to 38.5 lbs. This is before water, food, iPhone and me.

Note: As of  February 2014 I've eliminated some of the "necessities", permanently put on the front light and put on hand rests. The "ready to ride" weight now comes in at 37.8 pounds.

Inventory of accessories and supplies that bring the total weight up to 38.5 lbs.
Catrike Bags
DiNotte rear light with 4 cell lithium battery
Two accessory mounts on handle bars with two mirrors, wired Cateye computer and phone cradle.
Water cages
Brake strap
Flag

Stored under the seat:
   Pump
   Two 406 tubes
   Two 622 tubes
   Three plastic tire irons
   Patch kit for tubes
   Multi tool
   Mini Leatherman knife with pliers
   Small length of chain
   Two Quick Links
   Quick Links pliers
   Latex gloves
   Piece of wire to help with chain repair
   Small rag
   Two DiNotte large O rings for whatever
   Utility strap

Stored in Catrike Bag:
   First aid
   Sunscreen
   Lock
   Bandanna
   Ibuprofen!

The Catrike Bags have plenty of room left for food and the typical high tech cyling cold weather gear.

Stored under the seat.

Stored in the Catrike side bag.

1.6 pounds of stuff (included in the above pictures) that I could eliminate from normal daily rides but I won't. I like to be prepared even though realistically I could call Carrie to bail me out.

Add another 0.5 pounds when the headlight and 2 cell lithium battery are on the 700. Putting the headlight on is dependent upon riding conditions. 

Add another 0.8 pounds for those days when tunes are a necessity. The Braven speaker and the bottle cage (that the speaker fits perfectly into) are mounted on the boom.