Nerve Damage Post Hip Replacement

If you're considering a hip replacement please read.

Back in 2013 both my hips were replaced and left me with some problems. To begin with the right hip has suffered calcification of the soft tissue (heterotopic ossification). 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 is the atrophy of the medial head of the Gastrocnemius of my calf muscles. 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. It seems that the nerves were 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. 

For now I've become used to the situation and it has no pronounced effect on cycling as long as long as I'm clipped in to the pedals. 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 ankle. However walking is a little funky. 

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. 

Thule Roof Rack, Seasucker and Trike

I sold my trike carrying Ford Escape and we're down to only one car. I wanted a way to carry the 700 on top of our Ford C-Max. It's not always practical to stuff it inside the C-Max. Here's pics of what I came up with.

The flush mount Thule Roof Rack is installed so my front tires fit nicely in between the racks. A SeaSucker suction cup holds the rear tire in place. Note that I put my rear rack on my 700 in preparation for rides through wine country. You never know what you'll end up coming back with after a visit to the Central Coast wineries. More on that later.

A closer look.

Hook and loop straps (the same DiNotte straps that hold my batteries) hold the tires to the Thule Rack. For long trips I use heavy duty straps with buckles.

SeaSucker rear tire holder. I don't have enough faith in suction cups to do the entire job, front and back, of holding my trike down. No harm will be done, other then a little bouncing around, if the rear cup looses suction. 

Enough room for two trikes. Just need an extra rear suction cup.

By old Ford Escape with my old Catrike Expedition on top.