Well, it's been about a month since my surgery and I'm riding regularly and still working on recovering, but I can't believe how well it's been going. I went Contra Dancing tonight, and while I only danced a few dances, it was another great milestone.
While I still have the B.O.B., I’ve also got a new kind of trailer and a new biking partner: Xavier & I hit the road!
This past Wednesday, I gave my slide show at my parent's nursing home. It was fun to show them all the places I went and the trials and tribulations of the trip.
I'm *almost* caught up with work, but I'll still be catching up well into next year, which overall is good news.
My slide show is available at this link: http://www.rito.us/blogs/SlideShow.htm. Though it was built with Microsoft PowerPoint, it won't display correctly in Microsoft Internet Explorer. If you can, download and install Mozilla Firefox and use that to view the slide show. It's a much quicker browser than IE anyway.
So, it seems a good point to me to end this blog and start thinking about the next adventure. I've been enjoying getting back into cycling just as the weather is turning — that bracing cold just makes you feel so fresh! 😉 So, so long. You can, of course, still comment and/or send me e-mails.
Update 10-27-05. Today, 8 days after my surgery, I rode my bike into town. What a great feeling! I still have some pain, and a lot of recovering yet to go through, but the results so far are fantastic. On my first therapy visit the day after the surgery, I was bending my knee 90 degrees. By my second therapy visit 4 days later, I had 90% of my normal range-of-motion back and they put me on the bicycle trainer for 5 minutes. After doing 7 minutes yesterday, I didn't see any harm in getting on my real bike and riding the mile into town. It was cold and it started raining on me and it was wonderful. !!!!
Update 10-19-05. My surgery was quick and apparently very successful. I'm still on painkillers, but the few steps I've taken have felt really good and the pain that I am experiencing is minor and seems to be more in the area of the access holes than inside the knee. Dr. Martin said the lateral meniscus tear was bigger than the MRI showed, but that everything went well and he was able take care of both of the tears. I happy with it and looking forward to a quick recovery (with crossed-fingers knocking on wood!) —————– Well, I waited five weeks and saw the doctor again today. The knee has been getting slowly better, but it's not good. I'm still limping, which other people notice even when I don't anymore and that's not something I want to get used to.
The knee is still unstable enough and painful enough that, after a quite long discussion with Dr. Martin about the merits of waiting and the risks of surgery, we decided to go ahead. The meniscus tears for sure won't heal themselves, and there is a certain amount of risk that the tears are damaging cartilage. More importantly, I can't do what for me are normal activities, like hiking and volleyball, and even cycling is limited compared to what I was doing pre-accident.
The surgery is next Wednesday, Oct. 19. It takes about an hour and I'll walk out and start physical therapy the next day. I'm not looking forward to it, but at the same time, I want to get back to "normal" soon. Stay tuned. 😉
I was thinking back on another of my crashes. I was lying on the manhole cover I landed on — the only hard thing on the wide grass median where I had fallen — looking up at the stars — listening to the indifference of the drivers in the cars passing by — assessing the extent of my (superficial but still painful) injuries, and I remember thinking, "Are you going be doing this when you're 80?" I also remember the answer was emphatically, "I hope so."
I had the great opportunity to meet the author of "Need for the Bike." Paul Fournel was at Penn State visiting his friend and translator Allan Stoekl, and he gave a talk on the Tour de France at the local bookstore/cafe. I had heard of this book a couple of years ago and it's been on my "books to read" list for way too long, so this was an chance not to be missed. I bought the book and have been transfixed at his insights into the minds of cyclists. If you want to better try to understand why I got back on the bike to finish my trip after tearing apart my knee, this book would be a good start. An excerpt from the section called "The Violent Bike:"
“I was so far out of it that the doctor they called had me repeat my name and count my fingers. He closed my wounds and hurried me into a howling ambulance that hurried me to the hospital.
From that point on my financial problems were paramount, and my health was secondary…
And still I ride.
Not one of these accidents turned me off or made me regret riding. As soon as I’m on the ground I do an inventory of the the damage in order to figure out how long it’ll be before I can get back on the bike.”
The Centre Region Bicycle Coalition invites you to the 1st meeting of the fall semester:
Tuesday, October 4th, 118 Sackett Building, PSU Campus, 7-9 p.m.
What is on the agenda? Two things: * 'The Contours of the Country' – a slide show by Paul Rito of his cross-country bicycle trip this past summer.
* An 'open discussion' of cycling issues in the area. This is an _ideal_ opportunity for new and prospective CRBC members to get involved with cycling advocacy in the Centre Region. If you've ever found yourself saying 'someone ought to do something about…,' then guess what? That someone is you! Bring your ideas and suggestions to the meeting.
Second Mile pledges have gone over $2000. Collections are just over $1800, though, so if you've pledged, please send a check to: Develpment Director, The Second Mile, 1402 S. Atherton St., State College, PA 16801. Write "Bethany or Bust" or "Paul Rito Cycle Trip" in the memo, or include a note with your check. Thanks, again. I know the hurricane has pre-empted a lot of local giving, but please try if you can. And if you'd still like to make a contribution, it would gladly be accepted.
UPDATED 9-6-2005 (For those of you not familiar with the story, read the entries from around July 16 for the requisite background relating to this entry. I recently added a link in the sidebar to a chronological list of the journal entries, or you can visit the July archives.)
Just got my MRI films and analysis: 1) Small oblique tear of the medial meniscus. 2) Small radial tears of the lateral meniscus. 3) Intermediate grade partial tear of the Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) "Some fibers are still intact." 4) Intermediate grade chondromalacia of the articular cartilage in all three compartments (arthritis) 5) Small effusion (swelling)
Interestingly, according to all the reading I've been doing, the MCL tear and the chondromalacia are actually helped by exercise, and exercise is usually part of the treatment. Unfortunately, the menisci tears are probably another story, but that's not to be known until I visit the Orthopedist next Tuesday.
And, all this of course begs the question, "Was it worth it?" (Emphatic) YES, it was! The accident could've happened anywhere, anytime, but it wouldn't have been associated with this incredible adventure.
So, stay tuned. The story's sure ain't over yet. 😉
UPDATE: Had my appointment with the Orthopedist and for now, we're waitin' and seein'. The MRIs do indeed show small tears in the menisci, but the tear in the MCL was the major injury in the doc's opinion. He said it is hard to tell if the small meniscus tear on the medial side (inside) of the knee is causing some of the pain, and that won't be possible until the MCL heals. The good news is that the MCL will heal on it's own — with time, of course.
So, I'm to give it a month to six weeks and see how it's going. I'm free (and encouraged) to keep riding and to get back to the weights, avoiding anything that puts sideways stresses on my knee. So, Volleyball and dancing are out, but I can still stay active. Also, the doctor thought my ACL had been injured, too, but not torn which is good news; though it has it's own healing process to go through.
I haven't even scratched the surface of all that happened on my trip. Much of it was just mundane, of course, talking at length with a group of bikers (motor), a chat with a librarian, or being surrounded by bar patrons eager to hear my story. There were many, many people who I asked for directions, help finding a campground or hotel, recommendations for local eateries, where the libraries-post offices-grocery stores were — all were extremely kind and helpful.
Streator, IL. After 88 miles with a 115 degree heat-index, I was hot and tired and ready for a long rest. The first hotel I saw was the Pine Towers Motel. This was definitely, by all standards, a roach motel. But it was dirt cheap. 25 bucks. I went into the office and the clerk was a young hispanic boy, maybe around 15. He was definitely a salesman, listing all the salient featues of Pine Towers. Since on my approach I could see some signage off in the distance, I asked him how far it was to town. Three miles, but the shopping and grocery stores are only 1/2 mile. I told him that wasn't too bad if it wasn't 105 degrees, and that I may be back, but that I was going to look for something closer (my Streets & Trips database had already told me there were at least two more motels a little closer to town). The clerk, still trying to sell me a room, said, "but it's not too far, only a half-mile." "Look," I said, "I want a cool room, a cool shower, and then I want a short WALK to get something to eat, and then I'm going to bed. I don't want to ride another mile in this heat. OK?" "OK, sir. I will be here."
I hopped back on the bike and headed down the road toward the signage. The Town & Country Inn soon came into view and I pulled Jake & BOB into the drive and went on in. This was definitely more upscale than the Towers, and it had a pool and jacuzzi and restaurant and bar attached, and a parking lot that actually had some cars in it. "How much for a single room for a tired, hot cyclist, please?" The lady behind the counter, a nice looking 60ish woman with a name badge that identified her as a vice-president or something like that, smiled and said, "$58." The look on my face must have told her that she had just condemned me to the Pine Towers, and without even another peep from me, she said, "Well, I can give it to you for $52." "OK," I said, "that seems reasonable (and it was given the relative cleanliness of the place). I have one more place to check and I'll be back."
The third motel was supposed to be another local entity called the Streator Motel, but it had been converted to a Super 8. I went in, not expecting much, and they lived up to my expectations. $69. "Whoa! Is that the best you can do? It's much cheaper at your competition, and they have a pool." No, was the answer. Well, thanks, but no thanks.
(Click to enlarge)
I just didn't want to deal with the Towers, so I went back to the Town & Country. When I said I'd take the room, the nice lady lowered the price, again unprompted, to $50. And you'll probably want a ground floor room, and I assume you're a non-smoker?" "Yes and yes and thank you." We had a couple long conversations about my trip on various forays back to the office. I wish I could remember her name, but I neglected to write it down, and her name faded long ago in the multitudes of others.
Still, one very nice memory.
Click on picture to enlarge and pan (Flash plug-in required)
Badlands from The Pinnacles, South Dakota, July 11, 2005
People have generously pledged over $1500 to the Second Mile for my trip. Thank you so much! As I've said many times, raising funds for a charity as I rode kept me going on a lot of days when I would have gladly packed it in. I'm tickled, and so is the Second Mile. Right now, about half of the amount pledged has been paid, so if you've pledged, please send a check directly to:
Development Office The Second Mile 1402 S. Atherton St. State College, PA 16801
Write "Bethany or Bust" or "Paul Rito Cycle Trip" in the memo, or include a note with your check. Thanks, again.
"Back in the saddle again Out where a friend is a friend Where the fattened Holsteins feed On BGH* laced feed Back in the saddle again" (apologies to Gene Autry, but this IS Central PA, not Wyoming.) *Bovine Growth Hormone
“I woke up and felt like I should be walking. It’s what I do now.” — Bill Bryson in "A Walk in the Woods," on waking up after the end of his attempt at thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail.
Like Bill with walking, I woke up and felt like I should be riding. For seven weeks, it's what *I* did.
I returned to the saddle almost right away, riding into town about a mile away to pick up my mail and have a bagel and coffee at Irving's Bagels, my favorite haunt. This past Saturday, I joined the Saturday morning ride at Mt. Nittany Wheelworks and got in 48 miles at a very brisk 18 mph. My legs muscles screamed at me afterwards, "WE ARE VERY FATIGUED. LET US REST!" So, I decided to lay off the long, fast rides for a few weeks while my body is still recovering. My knee *hasn't* recovered yet, and while riding still doesn't hurt, I've been having continual pain, especially when any twisting movements are involved. I had a X-ray today which showed no bone or tendon problems, but I'm being scheduled to get an MRI to look for soft tissue damage. Somethin's wrong, but I've known that since the second the accident happend. I'm just glad I was able to finish.
Old Faithful at Sunset. Yellowstone National Park, 6-30-2005
Well, I am done. I'm back in my own apartment and once again sleeping in my own bed. I spent the 9th just recuperating and getting reaquainted with my grandson, Xavier. He hasn't grown up too much while I was gone and is still just as cute. There were lots of little domestic things to take care of, and I've already started on work projects again. I'm also trying to go through the literally thousands of pictures I took, but that will take a few days, maybe weeks. So stay tuned.
Trip statistics (and other lies 😉 : Total Mileage: 3726.5 Miles Average daily mileage over all 52* days: 72 Average daily mileage on 44 riding days: 85 Maximum daily mileage: 111 Minimum daily mileage: 57 Bona fide Centuries (over 100 miles): 9 Close enough for me Centuries (over 95 miles): 13 Total feet of climbing: 100,647 ft (that's 19.1 miles UP) Average feet of climbing: 2143 Maximum feet of climbing: 7600 (Powder River Pass, WY) Minimum feet of climbing: 280 (and the award for flattest terrain in the country — on my trip, anyway, Western, OH from Monroeville, IN to Maumee, OH) Days with the BOB trailer on: 25 Maximum speed: 46 mph Average speed: 13 mph Pedal revolutions: 1,380,332 (approx., but no wonder my knees and muscles ache!) Maximum daily average speed: 18 mph (no BOB on that one) Minimum daily average speed: 11 mph Average time on the saddle: 6:17 Maximum time on the saddle: 8:18 Minimum time on the saddle: 3:39 Camping days (sleeping bag & roll, shelter or no shelter): 27 Stayed with Friends & Family: 9 B&B: 2 Hotel: 13 (6 of those courtesy of Mr. Chris)
* – Includes day minus 1 riding from Renton to Everett, WA Casulties: Flats: 5 (2 in the BOB, 1 road flat, 1 valve, 3 on the bike, 2 road flats, 1 valve) Tubes: 1 Tires: 2 Knees: 1 Front wheel bearings chewed up: 2 Rear wheels beaten into submission: 1 Shoes: 1 pair Shorts: 2 Jerseys: 3 Water Bottles: 2 Water Bottle Cages: 1 Girlfriends: 1 (and no, it wasn't worth that, or perhaps it was. Time will tell)
Favorite Place: The Badlands in South Dakota. Yellowstone was a close second, Jenny Lake in Wyoming, 3rd. Other than the Badlands, which are a clear winner in my mind, there was so much beautiful scenery out west, that it's hard to pick. Also, while the west is pretty, hardly anything beats a full canopy of old growth trees in a dark forest shading you from the sun in both PA and MD.
8/7/05 Gaithersburg to Grasonville 78 miles so far
"To everything there is reason." Today, I'm thinking the reason for my crash was to keep me out of suburban MD on a weekday. My path from Gaithersburg to the Baltimore-Annapolis Bikeway was tedious & humid. On a weekday with normal commuter traffic, it could have been suicidal. 30 miles as the crow flies, the route snaked through the northern DC suburbs for 50 miles, avoiding the 'no bicycles' routes & shying awayfrom the 'not recommended' roads when I could.
I was surprised by how many working farms there are & how empty some of the roads were – even for a Sunday morning. The tediousness came from the need to double & sometimes triple check turns & street names. Add to that that the maps I had made were hard to read & I was navigating from an e-mail of the directions and the maps in my little Dell Axim handheld.
I made it to the b-a bikeway & from there it was an easy ride to Rt 50 to the Bay Bridge. Getting over the bnidge was more problematic as cycles aren't allowed. I made a siqn & put it on my bike & left it out while I dined at Wendy's & McD's, & 2 people said they'd take me, but their cars were full. In the end I called a cab. It took well more than an hour for them to come, so by the time I got across the bridge, it was almost dark. I couldn't make it to the state park as it was still 20 miles away, so I 'settled' for the Sleep Inn in Grasonville.
My next missive should be from the coast! I can taste the crabs. Mmmmm.
