My Life Has Changed

My cat really hates my mom. She’s normally very skittish anyhow, but she will hide and not come out if my mom is here. This isn’t usually a problem since my parents live two hours away, but my mom has been staying with me for the last week so my poor kitty has been living under my bed since then except for at night when she ventures out to sleep with me.

Obviously, this isn’t an ideal situation, but it’s the only way that doctors agreed to release me from the hospital last Sunday. On March 4, I crashed by bike. This wasn’t a silly little rookie crash because my cleats were jammed up and I couldn’t unclip. This was a scary high-speed crash while descending a hill.

My friend, Chris, and I decided to ride the San Francisco Bike Party, which is a night ride in, well, San Francisco. Sounded like a good idea at the time. I had a bad feeling once we got out on the road. There seemed to be many inexperienced cyclists with varying degrees of sobriety riding parallel to MUNI tracks. Within the first couple of miles, I think I witnessed three crashes because of those tracks.

For safety reasons, we decided to try to stay up front. I felt great on the first little climb, but I had to drop back because I didn’t know where I was going. Eventually, the road pitched up to be pretty steep and then I dropped my chain. After fixing my chain, I caught up to my friend and remember starting a descent but the next thing I can recall was being in an ambulance and later coming to in a CT scan machine.

Apparently, while I was descending at about 25 mph, another cyclist pulled out in front of me. I hit her and we both went down. She hit the lottery with minor scrapes compared to my traumatic brain injury.

I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t one of the scariest moments of my life. At one point before I had a sense of what had happened, I remember talking to doctors in the hospital and reaching back to scratch my head or something. My hair felt wet and when I looked at my hand, it was covered in blood. Since blood doesn’t really freak me out, I stayed calm, but I was definitely feeling the pain.

It turns out that I had a severe concussion and two CT scans told the doctors that I had minor bleeding on my brain, if you could call an injury like that minor. Two X-rays confirmed that I have no broken bones. I don’t even have any road rash, just a lot of bruising. You can now officially place my name in the “Lucky” column because my Giro Ionos saved my life, or at the very least, prevented me from having any serious permanent damage.

What has surprised me that most is the amount of support I’ve gotten from the cycling community. I tweeted from the emergency room once I became lucid. I have no memory of what I said, but I suddenly had a lot of replies and well wishes. I even received some from a few pros and ex-pros (one of which DM’ed me and seemed a bit disturbed by the photos of my helmet I posted) and one charity offered to replace my t-shirt that had to be cut off me by paramedics. Of course, I declined to accept that offer, but I was touched anyhow.

Now, a week after being released from the hospital (and missing Merco… sorry guys!), I’m relatively comfortable at home and recovering. I have some appointments tomorrow and I start physical therapy on Friday because the neurologist said I need to retrain my brain not to spin out of control when I turn my head. Already the dizziness is improving and the constant headache isn’t as severe, but I can feel this will be quite a long recovery that is forcing me to rethink my goals for this year and the possibility of racing next year.

The distances of a couple of charity rides and training for racing are very insignificant when I consider what could have happened. I really do feel like a lucky duck and I’m thrilled to be surrounded by supportive friends and an amazing cycling community.

I would especially like to thank Chris Griffin for staying with me in the hospital in San Francisco then visiting me on Sunday in Modesto.  She also made sure my baby, although possibly damaged beyond repair, made it home safely. 

Another thanks to Saul Raisin for just general support and encouragement... you've gone above and beyond what anybody would expect in this situation.
 

I really prefer that red stuff to stay inside my head, thanks...

My carbon fiber seatpost is definitely toast.

 
More photos can be seen here.

Pedal Dexterity

Sub titled: Monkey Toes
Sub sub titled: Dwight Schrute and Jens Voigt Have Nothing on Me!

Riding with Chris is always a fun experience because at some point we usually end up in a fit of giggles. Christmas Eve was no exception.

Chris and I decided to head out to the Knight’s Ferry area to ride to Robert’s Ferry and back. It was going to be about 30-miles of rolling hills and little traffic. My drive to our meeting place worried me because the valley appeared to be covered in the dense tule fog that so often plagues this area. To my surprise and pleasure, the fog started to clear before I arrived in Knight’s Ferry and shortly after we began riding, the fog lifted completely. It was turning out to be a gorgeous day for a ride with perfect weather and fun company.

Due to a lack of riding (not to mention a lack of hill training), Chris and I tired quickly. I can’t speak for her, but eventually I warmed up and was feeling better. Of course, we stopped occasionally to take photos of the landscape, converse with cows, and strip off our various layers because of the surprisingly warm weather.

We eventually decided on a turn around point and made a brief stop to take some more photos. With a momentary lapse of judgment (hello? Rain + dirt = mud), I stepped off the road to get a better angle for my shot. Once I stepped back onto the road, I realized my mistake. The result: Mud in the cleats. I cleaned them out a bit before getting back on the bike and didn’t give it further thought until a while later when I decided to stop again. I was unable to unclip from the left side.

Herein lies the problem – despite being right handed, I always unclip from the left and put that foot down. I’ve had more than one cyclist comment on this so apparently the majority of people do it the other way around. With no other choice, I unclipped from the right and slowed down while repeating in my head Go right, go right. Unfortunately, my body didn’t listen. The moment I realized I was going to fall I thought Don’t put your hand down, it’s not that far. Better to fall to the left and not land on my derailleur and break a bone on my left than the right, correct? This time my body listened. Once on the ground I was able to pull my cleat from the pedal and get up with only damaged pride.

Now what? Like any normal cyclist with another 10 miles to ride, I checked my pedals, checked my cleats, and then got back on the bike. Silly me.

When I realized that I was unable to unclip from either side, Chris and I started to derive a plan so I could stop safely. We decided that the best bet would be for me to remove my foot from my shoe so I started to play with them to see if I could undo the shoe while riding. This proved to be more difficult than I originally imagined.

On to Plan B. Chris ended up riding ahead of me so she could catch me when I stopped. While she held onto me, I was able to remove my feet from the shoes. Once I was safely off the bike, but not out of danger due to an unusual number of bees, it was time to figure out how I’d ride the remaining 8 or so miles. Eventually, we decided that forcing my shoes off my pedals (it took the two of us putting a good amount of force on them) and riding back with no shoes would be the only option, regardless of how stupid I’d look or unsafe it’d be.

So that’s what I did. I curled my toes around the small surface of the pedals like a monkey and continued to ride in significant discomfort unable to get out of the saddle to pedal. I walked up hills, rode the flats, and coasted downhill. Not exactly the perfect ending to the ride.

It's as uncomfortable as it looks.  Photo by Chris.

A slight feeling of horror washes over me when I realize that this could have been any of my rides when I’m normally alone. What then? Surely, I’m not the only cyclist who has quite literally been unable to unclip from the pedals.  If it wasn't for Chris being there, I pretty much would have been out of luck.

Needless to say, this is one reason I always wear a helmet.

Greetings from Belgium!

Well, not really. I’m still in Northern California, but with the rain we’ve been getting, it might as well be Belgium. As a result, very little riding has taken place since Levi’s GranFondo in October. The weather isn’t the only reason, but it would qualify as the main reason.

Fortunately, it’s also cyclocross season. Rain would normally put a damper on riding, but if you race cyclocross or enjoying watching it, rain increases the enjoyment (maybe just from a spectator’s viewpoint). Since Levi’s GranFondo, I’ve photographed four cyclocross races (three were part of the Sacramento Cyclocross series and the Halloween Surf City Cyclocross in Santa Cruz). Some of the work resulted in photos that I’m quite pleased with, but keep in mind that I can easily take 800 shots at one race over the course of a couple of hours. You’ll find a few of my favorites below.

Sacramento Cyclocross in Ione on October 24, 2010

Cody Kaiser of Cal Giant tackles the barriers at Surf City Cyclocross #1 on October 31, 2010.

Alex Candelario of Kelly Benefit/World Bicycle Relief powers up a levee at Sacramento Cyclocross in Acampo on November 21, 2010

Max Jenkins of United Healthcare got a little muddy at Sacramento Cyclocross #6 in Acampo on December 18, 2010.

Aside from photography and not riding, life has been consumed with work and dealing with the loss of a dear family member after a long battle with cancer. She was one of my first supporters for the LIVESTRONG Challenge in 2009 and I rode in her honor in 2010. I’ll be riding in her memory in 2011 when the LIVESTRONG Challenge moves to Davis, California. I’m looking forward to challenging myself with my first metric century (65 miles). However, I know that this challenge is nothing compared to what those fighting cancer are going through, like my friend Connie and her husband James who are both fighting for their lives and inspiring me every single day to try to make a difference, one pedal stroke at a time.

As the year comes to an end and I’m forced to look back at the goals I set for myself I have a crashing sense of failure because I feel like I’ve made very little progress. Then I tell myself that everything I listed in this blog as a goal for 2010 actually happened, with the exception of riding the Delta Century, which I forgot about due to very little training time in April and May.

So what have I accomplished?
• I photographed something around 12 difference races including, but not limited to, two stages of the Amgen Tour of California, the Merco Cycling Classic, Copperopolis Road Race, and the Nevada City Classic.
• I photographed George Hincapie at the Breakaway Ride and had the photos used on Bike Radar.
• I had a photo of Burke Swindlehurst from the Nevada City Classic published in the Bend Bulletin.
• I photographed and rode with Chris Horner… I also found out that he lives up to his reputation of being a really nice guy.
• I commuted by bike to a summer job, 9 miles one way. I commuted once to my full time teaching job during a teacher prep day, 17 miles one way. Yes, it was only once, but at least I tried it.
• I completed my longest ride ever, just over 50 miles at the LIVESTRONG Challenge.
• I had another go at Levi’s GranFondo and didn’t die, though Levi told me I looked like crap afterward and once again, Dylan Casey dropped me.
• And the best of my accomplishments… I made new friends, including a riding buddy that lives close enough for frequent rides.

Maybe 2010 wasn’t so bad after all, even if I am going out with a fizzle.

Now I’m looking forward to 2011 and starting to set new goals. I’m reminded of an interview about weight loss that I recently caught on TV. The expert being interviewed suggested that a person train for something. Don’t just decide to start jogging, but actually train for an event because it gives you a sense of purpose. I like to consider myself as being a fairly intelligent woman, but it was still good to hear that I’m already doing what the experts suggest. Last year my main goal was to train for the LIVESTRONG Challenge and Levi’s GranFondo. Those are still part of my goals for next year, but I’m upping the stakes a little bit.

Riding goals:
• July – LIVESTRONG Challenge, Davis, 65-mile route.
• August – Ride for a Reason, Folsom, ride until I’m tired. (For the Davis Phinney Foundation)
• October – Levi’s GranFondo… MEDIO route. Yes, that’s right, I’m upping the ante a bit and attempting to double my distance and get over my fear of Coleman Valley Road.

I’m saving the best for last. This is something that I’ve put a lot of thought into over the last few weeks. I’ve never thought it was something I was interested in trying, but as I’m starting to conquer longer distance riding, I think I might be ready to conquer higher intensity riding. Is my logic sound here or am I just dreaming?
• By January of 2012… join the LBS club, purchase a USA Cycling license and be ready to race… first up, Snelling Road Race (assuming it’s still around in 2012).

Photography goals:
• Continue photographing local races with hopes of being published.
• Photograph several stages of the Amgen Tour of California.
• Photograph USPros in Greenville, South Carolina in May.

I think I’m looking forward to 2011.

Postcard Perfect Fondo

Subtitled: Levi, a Few National Champs, McDreamy, the LCC, and Me
Sub-subtitled: We Now Know What it Takes to Beat Alberto Contador

A few weeks ago when I rode with Chris Horner he said to me, "Levi is always bragging about the weather in Santa Rosa, but everytime I'm there it's pouring rain."  His loss because while Chris was off racing in Europe, he missed some weather that was far from the sucky Tour of California and training camp downpours he's become accustomed to experiencing.

Another year of Levi Leipheimer’s King Ridge GranFondo is in the books. A day of fun in the sun and puke dodging descents. I can’t help but to feel a bit saddened by this. Well, the fun part, but I can do without the puke aspect of the day. I’ve been looking forward to this event with a mixture of excitement and trepidation since registering last December. Yes, that’s right… I hadn’t been looking forward to it since last October immediately following my first participation.

This year is different though and I simply can’t wait to return.

I could barely make out the start from where I was staged.

Last year was rough. I was unprepared and unfamiliar with the route. I’d only been riding a road bike for a month and didn’t have proper training under my belt. After deciding to return for round two, I took my training somewhat seriously. This year, I was prepared. Unfortunately, I always ended up stuck behind people that weren’t prepared.

This was the first time I’ve ever dropped people while climbing. I’m not strong in this department. Far from it. However, while I was pushing myself uphill I repeatedly said to myself, “It’s just like the elliptical. It’s just like the elliptical at the gym.” Knowing I can go for a long time on the elliptical, this mantra seemed to work in getting me through some tough spots.

It’s also the first time that I’ve ever seen so many cyclists on the road that the entire peloton comes to a complete halt for no reason other than the fact that there were too many riders that either couldn’t climb or couldn’t take a turn on a descent. It’s bound to happen when you have 6,058 cyclists on the tiny roads of Sonoma County.

Postcard perfect day in Sonoma County!

Regardless of the difficulties on the road with traffic, everyone was incredibly friendly and I didn’t once have SAG have to ask me if I was okay. People remained patient and outgoing throughout the entire ride. Of course, the real fun began once I returned to the festival.

I quickly found Martha Van of Action Wipes fame and she immediately saw to my cleanliness needs by handing me a refreshing wipe before I met up with another tweep, Chris, for the first time at Mama Duck’s home (aka, the Action Wipes booth). We gabbed about the ride and how the day was going, spent some time lounging in the shade, and explored the festival.

At one point in the afternoon, Martha says to me, “Michelle, there’s Levi!” I turned around and eventually found him visiting with a group two booths over. Martha talked me into going over there to have my picture taken with him. The conversation went something like this:

Martha: Excuse me; can we get your picture?
Levi: Oh, sure!
Eventually the photo is taken and Levi thanks us for coming.
Me: No, thank you for putting on this event!
Martha indicating to me: She rode too.
Levi looks me over: Oh, you look like it.

As Martha and I walked away, I turned to her and said, “Did Levi Leipheimer just say I look like crap?”  Martha will tell the story differently, but I'm pretty sure it was my physical appearance he was referring to and not the fact that I was still wearing my gear.  I mean, just because I'm wearing the clothes doesn't mean I ride.  Maybe I wear those clothes to work all of the time. 

There was more hanging around (and some mild stalking of Patrick Dempsey) until eventually it was time for Levi to address the crowd. Of course, I sat there taking a bunch of photos.

Levi and Patrick Dempsey were interviewed after the ride.

US National Champion, Ben King shared a few words too.

  

Levi's wife, Odessa Gunn, talks about Forget Me Not Farm and admits that she's afraid of kids.

One of the funnier moments of the interview was during the Q&A portion when a fan asked Levi, "What does it take to beat Alberto Contador?"  Without skipping a beat Levi responded, "Andy Schleck."

Biggest regret? I didn’t get photos of the @LCC_Cycling members @GregKnottLeMond, @MarthaVan, @jaowen, @budzilla1, @ChrisAGriffin, @HomeInspectorSR, @experiement626, @SDVeloSocial or any of the other wonderfully friendly folks I met along the way.

All in all... it was a very good day.  Now it's time to start training for the Medio.

More photos can be found here.